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New Ibanez (headless, multiscale)

#2,102
I bought an EHB1505MS from Sweetwater to compare it against my SRMS805 and keep the one I liked better. I didn't care for the Bart BH2 pickups that came in the SRMS805 so I replaced them with a set of Nordstrand Zen Blades which were a substantial tonal improvement. The EHB1505MS has good ergonomics and I prefer its 18mm string spacing to the 16.5 on the SRMS805 but there were two deal killers for me. First, the neck profile on the EHB1505MS was very flat (19.7" vs 12.0") and had kind of a squarish profile towards the nut on the G-string side which contacted the inside base of my index finger. I found this uncomfortable to play and would have this shaved down by a luthier to a more comfortable curvature. Second, even though the EHB1505MS neck was extremely rigid and well made, the notes just weren't as solid as on my SRMS805. I can't help but think that the chambered body and light weight had something to do with this. It has been my experience that there has to be enough mass in the body and bridge to provide a resonance anchor for the strings or the notes experience a faster decay. I've had basses that weigh from 7 to 11 lbs and the sweet spot has seemed to lie between 8 and 9.5 lbs.

I returned the bass to Sweetwater and kept my SRMS805 but if Ibanez were to offer an unchambered body I'd pick up an EHB1005MS, replace the BH2 pickups with Aggie DCB's, and have that neck contour by the nut sanded down a bit on the G-string side. I think that would be a keeper.
 
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#2,103
5StringPocket said:
I bought an EHB1505MS from Sweetwater to compare it against my SRMS805 and keep the one I liked better. I didn't care for the Bart BH2 pickups that came in the SRMS805 so I replaced them with a set of Nordstrand Zen Blades which were a substantial tonal improvement. The EHB1505MS has good ergonomics and I prefer its 18mm string spacing to the 16.5 on the SRMS805 but there were two deal killers for me. First, the neck profile on the EHB1505MS was very flat (19.7" vs 12.0") and had kind of a squarish profile towards the nut on the G-string side which contacted the inside base of my index finger. I found this uncomfortable to play and would have this shaved down by a luthier to a more comfortable curvature. Second, even though the EHB1505MS neck was extremely rigid and well made, the notes just weren't as solid as on my SRMS805. I can't help but think that the chambered body and light weight had something to do with this. It has been my experience that there has to be enough mass in the body and bridge to provide a resonance anchor for the strings or the notes experience a faster decay. I've had basses that weigh from 7 to 11 lbs and the sweet spot has seemed to lie between 8 and 9.5 lbs.

I returned the bass to Sweetwater and kept my SRMS805 but if Ibanez were to offer an unchambered body I'd pick up an EHB1005MS, replace the BH2 pickups with Aggie DCB's, and have that neck contour by the nut sanded down a bit on the G-string side. I think that would be a keeper.
Click to expand...

I just did the exact opposite. Your deal breakers were my favorite parts lol. my SRMS805 should be in NYC soon.
 
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#2,106
anyone expecting this finish for 2021?

ibanez-ehb1000s-bass-sea-foam-green-matte-1184286.jpg


I just received info there will be a new model called EHB1000S-SFM, which might be this one. Though, I haven't figured out what the suffix S-SFM stands for...
 
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#2,108
Unmost said:
SFM stands for Sea Foam green Matte, like the current EHB1005MS.
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I'm aware about the SFM as Sea Foam green Mate. I do own the EHB1005MS-SFM.

Yeah, probably the name means Ibanez will issue a 4 string EHB in that green finish also, although this new one has an extra S lettering behind the naming numbers prior the finish name suffix which I have no clue what it means. And also that new pink-purple-ish finish 4 string EHB, which I have no idea what it'll be called.
 
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#2,112
I do believe that is a short scale. Notice the location of the strap button being at the 11th fret. Here’s the standard scale for comparison.

E090E868-D001-4A20-AE93-D43D618405C2.jpeg



Aidil said:
anyone expecting this finish for 2021?

View attachment 4097264

I just received info there will be a new model called EHB1000S-SFM, which might be this one. Though, I haven't figured out what the suffix S-SFM stands for...
Click to expand...
 
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#2,117
Aidil said:
good observation!!! the suffix S stands for Shortscale it is then... But, we still don't know why that pink-purple/magenta-ish finish also called SFM?
Click to expand...
Could it be that the image is of a prototype, and for the final production they decided to go with the SFM finish instead? In any case, a short scale version of this is not something I was expecting at all, and I would be seriously interested in a five string version.
 

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