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Sudden GAS attack

Liam Wald

Liam Wald

May 17, 2011
3,489
4,375
California Coast
#1
Okay, so for the last several years I have been playing only two basses (both short scale) and I honestly thought that they would be all I would ever need or want.
I was paddling along through life all fat, dumb, and happy. Then just recently I stumbled upon the Ibanez EHB1000s, short scale headless bass.
For some crazy ass reason I really want to buy one. G.A.S. is a terrible thing to deal with and I was hoping that someone here has first hand experience with this model and could talk me out of it (or, perhaps, into it as the case may be). Thanks.
 
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#2
I've had my full scale version of this (EHB1000) since 2020 and I won't be helpful about talking you out of it. EHBs are brilliant instruments. Most negative thing I can say is that these models have kinda lackluster/dark electronics, but I lived with mine just fine for ~3-4 years before I swapped in some Nordy guts. Oh, and the luminlay side dots are stupid, especially if the individual instrument has a super dark roast to the neck.
 
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#3
I'd love to try one. Probably a five string, right? I only play 4s. Poor, unfulfilled, me.

So many great basses in 5's aren't available as 4s. Too old to switch at nearly 72, only so many brain cells left. Last count, let's see....3? All rotating.
 
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#4
Liam Wald said:
Okay, so for the last several years I have been playing only two basses (both short scale) and I honestly thought that they would be all I would ever need or want.
I was paddling along through life all fat, dumb, and happy. Then just recently I stumbled upon the Ibanez EHB1000s, short scale headless bass.
For some crazy ass reason I really want to buy one. G.A.S. is a terrible thing to deal with and I was hoping that someone here has first hand experience with this model and could talk me out of it (or, perhaps, into it as the case may be). Thanks.
Click to expand...
Yes, don't buy it, why? because I have a EHB1505MS for sale!

But yes, the EHB line is very good, you will be shocked how lightweight they are, tension should be very good as all headless I've found have better tension for scale length, at 35" My EHB has as much tension as a Dingwall at 37”
 
#7
Wyvern said:
all headless I've found have better tension for scale length, at 35" My EHB has as much tension as a Dingwall at 37”
Click to expand...
Can you explain how this is and how did you measure the tension, It's like the laws of mechanics and physics have been altered. Does better mean lower or higher tension?



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#8
Have you played one yet? I first tried one in a store, felt meh about it. But when my shoulder was giving me problems from a sire made of pure tungsten, the idea of a light instrument got more appealing, so I picked up a used 1505.

Pro: light, very comfortable, good build quality, plays easily, smart design. Con: I don't love the preamp, and the pickup placement is a bit aggressive. Side dots are annoying. The stock strap button placement and the body shape rotate the bass a bit, which is harder on the left hand, so I added a button on the treble side, next to the input jack. That solves the problem.

Oh, and I work with a guitarist who absolutely hates headless instruments, so that's a huge plus for me.

Now I usually play it passive and use the sansamp to get the tone I want, and I think it sounds good. I've gotten some compliments from sound guys, which is a good indicator that the bass does things right.
 
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#11
My impressions here:
Polfuste

Thread 'NBD: Ibanez EHB 1000S'

After my short-scale revolution due to the Sire U5, i started to look after a 4 strings short scale with 24 frets. ( Yes, i'm using the fret 24 from during solos :) )
And i've seen than Ibanez has proposed a shortscale version in EHB familly. (Three years ago i've been closed to receive a EHB 1500 DEF for my 50's birtdhay gift, finally dismissed by a Markbass Kimandu at last minut)
So it was a now perfect occasion to finally grab one.
She's arrived few days ago, and is a wildest animal than my Sire at first glance. It's been a real work to make her become softer.

Unplugged: very...
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#12
logdrum said:
Can you explain how this is and how did you measure the tension, It's like the laws of mechanics and physics have been altered. Does better mean lower or higher tension?



View attachment 7496898

View attachment 7496899
Click to expand...

Perceivable tension yes, I owned a Dingwall combustion 5.

Not 100% all the math involved, but there are instruments with the same action, same strings and same scale length but somehow one is taught and the other is flub city, Headstock angles and bridge break angles are likely most of it.

Also consider there is angular force upon a normal nut, on both the Z axis and X, on a headless, there is only a slight bit of Z and no X, tension is held right over the nut rather inches back to the side and possibly under a tree.

There is also the fact that the core is either balled at the other end, or crimped tight- no chance for the core to slip.

Headless look polarizing but to be frank, it's a better system.

The ONLY thing I can fault my #1 Bass- G&L 2500 S750 is a flubby B string, I put $150 worth of strings chasing the tension issue, I just have to live with it being barely passable.
 
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#13
Well, I finally found one. EHB1000s Short Scales are pretty hard to find. Took a few days to arrive during which time I read quite a few of the 311 pages of the Ibanez EHB thread.
I learned quite a lot from the thread but after all that reading I was getting a little worried about my decision to buy an EHB. Lots of complaints and issues listed by new owners... just to name a few,

1) Some said that they couldn't get the action right. The bass I received was set up perfectly and the intonation was spot on. The fret work is excellent and the bass sings with no dead spots.
2) People complained that the Nutrix locking jack was really hard to use and needed to be replaced ASAP. I find the jack really easy to use after learning how it works. I think it is a great product.
3) People complained that the fret markers were difficult to see. That is true. But it made me remember the Alembic that I owned back in the 90's.It was built with no fret markers on the fingerboard or the side of the neck. I played that bass for about three years and never really looked at the neck. I guess that I will have to re-learn what I used to know how to do and stop trying to look at the fingerboard.
4) Lots of complaints about the gig bag. I will admit that it isn't the best bag ever, but how many other basses even come with one? And IMHO it is just fine, not great but better than nothing and I will likely just use it.
5) Seems like lots of owners were hating on the Bartolini's and said that they were a terrible choice that needed to be replaced with Nordstrands. I think that the Barts sound really good in this bass. But what do I know?

All in all I am super happy with this instrument. Plays fast, sounds great, and it is superbly comfortable standing or sitting.
Glad that I have it.
 

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