Mine’s not here yet, and I don’t think the big retailers have many of them yet, so...
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New Ibanez (headless, multiscale)
- Thread starter chanson
- Start date
The new strings GC sent me should arrive today, and once I put that fresh B-string on, I'll be able to conclude my thoughts on the EHB1505. So far, nothing's changed since I posted my thoughts last time, and the only thing still uncertain is how the lowest string will sound once I put a new B-string on. I'm almost certain it'll sound just fine and I simply got a dud B-string from Ibanez due to a mistake at the factory (or maybe they don't care that they're putting dud B-strings on new basses and shipping them out, but I kinda doubt that). I should know for sure sometime today.
Here are a few considerations:
-You could order now and if you get one that's fine, then no problem. If you get one with problems that can be easily fixed (such as mine with the detached wire I had to re-solder, and loose knob I had to re-tighten), then it's still not a problem. If you get one with problems that can't be easily fixed (a bad neck, for example), then you could just exchange it for another one.
-If you wait, there are big holiday sales throughout the year that might get you more discount, or you might start to see used ones show up eventually.
Okay, the new strings arrived, and yep, it was indeed a dud B-string that Ibanez's Indonesian factory put on my bass, and as soon as I swapped it out with the fresh B-string, I got that metallic zing that was missing.
I had the same experience as Lunatique regarding the factory strings.
My impressions after the first few weeks of owning the EHB1505MS are still pretty much the same. If you are able to take advantage of trying one out, or, can exercise a return/exchange policy then I really do recommend giving this line a try.
While myself and a few others have encountered varying degrees of mixed quality control, the fundamentals of a great instrument are there. Most important to me is that when I pick up the bass, I have fun with it. It is smaller, balances very nicely when playing while seated, has quiet electronics, and for the sound I am looking for, sounds great.
My impressions after the first few weeks of owning the EHB1505MS are still pretty much the same. If you are able to take advantage of trying one out, or, can exercise a return/exchange policy then I really do recommend giving this line a try.
While myself and a few others have encountered varying degrees of mixed quality control, the fundamentals of a great instrument are there. Most important to me is that when I pick up the bass, I have fun with it. It is smaller, balances very nicely when playing while seated, has quiet electronics, and for the sound I am looking for, sounds great.
Well said. My 1005MS has been by go to bass for messing around with when I'm not reviewing another instrument. It's a very funny sensation to go from the EHB to an Epiphone Thunderbird V which is HUGE.
One thing I will say about the EHB1505's Nordstand pickups, is that it's not quite as punchy in the lower frequencies as the PJ pickups blend I tend to favor on my SR650, Mikro, or the Fender Mustang I had (which had my favorite bass tone). This is purely subjective, as I just like the PJ blend tone a lot. On Ibanez's webpage for the EHB1505, it described the Nordstrand Big Splits as having a similar tone as a PJ blend, but I don't fully agree with that description.
If Ibanez's headless lineup had a PJ model, I'd have jumped on that. But ultimately, tone is something that could be shaped with careful EQ'ing and string choice, but ergonomics can't be changed, which is why I chose the headless models to replace my main 4 and 5 string workhorse basses.
If Ibanez's headless lineup had a PJ model, I'd have jumped on that. But ultimately, tone is something that could be shaped with careful EQ'ing and string choice, but ergonomics can't be changed, which is why I chose the headless models to replace my main 4 and 5 string workhorse basses.
I thought in december that Yamaha could re-edited a bass in mid price area of bass Headless. Nowadays i'm looking with interest far away from this bass that is not properly mid fascia but is not a very high-end product in my honest opinion.
His competitor are not a lot but if you look for a headless bass bodied some options are available at circa same price.
His competitor are not a lot but if you look for a headless bass bodied some options are available at circa same price.
I had a lot of fun today with my EHB1505MS plugged into a Focusrite Scarlett Solo while using the Neural Darkglass Ultra Plugin. I usually do not play heavy stuff, but playing with a pick and running the Microtubes B7K Ultra's distortion, the sound was really fantastic (if you're into the Darkglass sound that is).
Before playing, I switched back to round wound strings to test the .120 B string on the Thomastik-Infeld Superalloy Round Wound set and loved it. I will try to upload on audio sample if I am able to record something halfway decent but to reiterate the point I made above, I really enjoy this bass a lot.
Before playing, I switched back to round wound strings to test the .120 B string on the Thomastik-Infeld Superalloy Round Wound set and loved it. I will try to upload on audio sample if I am able to record something halfway decent but to reiterate the point I made above, I really enjoy this bass a lot.
I have a pair of Big Splits in a bass and it sounds less like a P/J blend to me than a P/MM blend. But, as you said, subjective. I do love the sound of the Big Splits, although I opted for alnico V in the neck position and alnico III in the bridge in order to emphasize the neck's character more when blended. I'm assuming the Big Splits in the Ibby are both alnico V.
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Looks like several music retailers have moved the shipping date back, some as far as mid June. No update on Sweetwater.
I hope everyone is staying safe. And hopefully we all get our basses soon.
I hope everyone is staying safe. And hopefully we all get our basses soon.
Just the other day I emailed my Sweetwater rep and he said they're still showing April, but of course things can change a lot in a short time these days...
I noticed that as well. No one seems to really know when they'll start to show up but it doesn't seem like any retailers expect them soon. I'm going to pre-order the 6 from MF. A little concerned about the quality issues people have had but the return process is easy enough if it comes to that.
Go through Sweetwater they do checks and set ups.
And spoke with my rep again and he said the 8th. So close!
And spoke with my rep again and he said the 8th. So close!
I just emailed my Sweetwater rep to ask about the date... I’ll advise what he says. Let’s see if we are all being told the same thing.
Heard back already, they are quoting June for new orders placed today. He’s still hopeful mine will be in the next week or two. I’ve heard transportation is the biggest issue right now.
Someone posted a new video of the EHB1505 on YT:
