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NBD: Kiesel Vader 5 Short scale 30"

Bald-N-Bassy

Bald-N-Bassy

Sep 2, 2010
545
625
Purgatory
#1
I came across this Vader on the Buy/Sell Kiesel group on Facebook. It was definitely an impulse purchase. However, I am STOKED!
This thing rips. For a 30" scale 5 string, the B sounds really nice. I strung it up with some fresh strings 120-40. Very light and comfortable to play. I really like the tone I get with my GK MBF800 & the GB Uber 212 & the PV 1516.
I have band practice tonight. So I will give some feedback later tonight.



SWAMP ASH BODY
RAW TONE JET BLACK FINISH
30" SCALE
TUNG OIL FINISH BACK OF NECK
FLAMED MAPLE FINGERBOARD
KIESEL TREATED BOARD
OFFSET ACRYLIC BLACK DOT INLAYS
LUMINLAY SIDE DOTS
STAINLESS STEEL FRETS
LIGHT WEIGHT BODY OPTION
PASSIVE/ACTIVE ELECTRONICS
DROP SHADOW LOGO BLACK
EBONY REAR COVER PLATE

IMG_7088.jpeg IMG_7089.jpeg IMG_7090.jpeg IMG_7091.jpeg IMG_7092.jpeg
53080065_792447668365_1698382351198846976_n.jpg
 
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#4
A short scale Vader 5 is at the tippy top of my achievable GAS list. I have spec’d one out probably 200-300 times.

Great job snagging that rare bird. Let it grow on you a bit and report back. Heck if you want to maybe sound samples or even a pic of how the thang hangs on a strap? These 2 things are almost impossible to find online, for now.
 
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#8
bass40hz said:
Nice! Congrats. The FB looks red in the Kiesel beauty shot, but roasted in your pics...nice flame though...
Rock on.
Click to expand...

@bass40hz Yeah its actually stained red from what I was told. At first I thought it was roasted. But only the top layer is red. The sides of the Fb are natural. The flame maple FB are one of my favs.
I do notice Kiesel tends to up the values on the photos they post on the sight. Ive seen owner photos a few basses from their site, and they dont look at dynamic. Still very nice. Just an observation.
 
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#12
HeavyDuty said:
Now I’m wondering what a 30” would be like in a fanned fret version... hmmm.
Click to expand...

I think a 34-30/32 could be cool.

What I like about fan fret fret, especially on my Vanquish multi 4 and dingwall. For B and lower tunings, the tension on the strings, while being able to use lighter gauge.

But this 30” scale Vader really have a great sound. And the neck is very fast to play compared to my other basses.
 
#13
What are you using to charge/activate the luminlay's?

Bald-N-Bassy said:
I came across this Vader on the Buy/Sell Kiesel group on Facebook. It was definitely an impulse purchase. However, I am STOKED!
This thing rips. For a 30" scale 5 string, the B sounds really nice. I strung it up with some fresh strings 120-40. Very light and comfortable to play. I really like the tone I get with my GK MBF800 & the GB Uber 212 & the PV 1516.
I have band practice tonight. So I will give some feedback later tonight.



SWAMP ASH BODY
RAW TONE JET BLACK FINISH
30" SCALE
TUNG OIL FINISH BACK OF NECK
FLAMED MAPLE FINGERBOARD
KIESEL TREATED BOARD
OFFSET ACRYLIC BLACK DOT INLAYS
LUMINLAY SIDE DOTS
STAINLESS STEEL FRETS
LIGHT WEIGHT BODY OPTION
PASSIVE/ACTIVE ELECTRONICS
DROP SHADOW LOGO BLACK
EBONY REAR COVER PLATE

View attachment 3368925 View attachment 3368924 View attachment 3368923 View attachment 3368922 View attachment 3368921
View attachment 3368926
Click to expand...
 
#15
Bald-N-Bassy said:
I came across this Vader on the Buy/Sell Kiesel group on Facebook. It was definitely an impulse purchase. However, I am STOKED!
This thing rips. For a 30" scale 5 string, the B sounds really nice. I strung it up with some fresh strings 120-40. Very light and comfortable to play. I really like the tone I get with my GK MBF800 & the GB Uber 212 & the PV 1516.
I have band practice tonight. So I will give some feedback later tonight.



SWAMP ASH BODY
RAW TONE JET BLACK FINISH
30" SCALE
TUNG OIL FINISH BACK OF NECK
FLAMED MAPLE FINGERBOARD
KIESEL TREATED BOARD
OFFSET ACRYLIC BLACK DOT INLAYS
LUMINLAY SIDE DOTS
STAINLESS STEEL FRETS
LIGHT WEIGHT BODY OPTION
PASSIVE/ACTIVE ELECTRONICS
DROP SHADOW LOGO BLACK
EBONY REAR COVER PLATE

View attachment 3368925 View attachment 3368924 View attachment 3368923 View attachment 3368922 View attachment 3368921
View attachment 3368926
Click to expand...
killer! i have a vader guitar, and it’s amazing. Enjoy!
 
#16
Here are some basic sound samples for all those who asked. Straight into my interface, Flat eq on the bass.
No post production, just a little compression to help my sloppy playing.

Added the country rock riff. figured it give some an idea of how it sounds in a mix.

ACTIVE MODE:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
PASSIVE MODE:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
ACTIVE: COUNTRY/ROCK Mix
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
Last edited:
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#20
Thanks for sharing @Bald-N-Bassy
The bass sounds great, and looks fantastic.
I play 31.5" 6 string basses and always wondered how short you can go while maintaining a useable B, and it certainly sounds like 30" is no problem!
Do you know what strings are on it? I usually get custom wound ones from Newtone here in the UK.

Eude
 

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