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Ibanez Bass Workshop EHB1005SMS Bass Guitar - Metallic Gray Matte

5-string Multi-scale Electric Bass Guitar with Basswood Body, Maple/Walnut Neck, Maple Fingerboard, 2 Humbucking Pickups, and 3-band EQ - Metallic Gray Matte
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Boutique-style Multi-scale Bass with Contemporary Styling

Boasting an eye-grabbing contemporary design and balanced, studio-ready sound, the Ibanez Bass Workshop EHB1005SMS will satisfy even the most discerning of players. This easy-playing 5-string electric bass guitar features a sleekly modern, ergonomic American basswood body; a super-fast graphite-reinforced 5-piece roasted maple/walnut neck; and a multi-scale roasted bird's-eye maple fingerboard for optimal tension and playability. And to drive the tone home, the EHB1005SMS is spec’d with a pair of premium Bartolini BH2 pickups. Ibanez has pulled it all together with EHB1005SMS's cutting-edge headless design — it's your perfect entryway into the world of modern, boutique-style electric bass guitars.

Multi-scale frets: better comfort, tension, and tone

Multi-scale frets are an exciting new trend in high-end bass guitar design. They yield a longer scale on the bass side of the instrument and a shorter scale on the treble side, offering you better intonation and more consistent tension and attack from string to string. And while getting used to them may look like it will be quite an undertaking, it's a very natural transition. Plus, the better intonation, consistent string tension, and more open tone far outweigh any difference from other basses.

Bartolini BH2 pickups deliver full, balanced tone

Bartolini BH2 pickups maintain a superb balance between the Bass Workshop EHB1005SMS's clarity and depth. They provide complexity and warmth in the mids and low-end depth that won't wash out. Long-blade pole pieces allow these dual-coil pickups to offer hum-free single-coil-style character and consistency. When you want to sculpt your EHB1005SMS's tone, just reach for the 3-band EQ. This active equalizer delivers wide frequency-range adjustments on each band. There's also a 3-way midrange switch that lets you define your instrument's presence. Whether you want round R&B throb or responsive thumb-technique punch, the EHB1005SMS delivers.

MR5HS bridge enhances definition and sustain

Ibanez specified their excellent MR5HS bridge for the Premium EHB1005SMS. Unlike single-body bridges, each Mono-rail saddle is completely separate from the others. This does two things for you. First, since they aren’t connected, the saddles create minimal sympathetic vibration. This prevents unused strings from ringing. Second, each saddle is double-anchored, allowing energy to transfer efficiently between the string and the body. As a result, bassists at Sweetwater are raving about the EHB1005SMS’s astonishing clarity and sustain.

The EHB1005SMS's 3-band EQ offers ultra-high levels of tone sculpting.

Ibanez Bass Workshop EHB1005SMS 5-string Electric Bass Features:

  • Ergonomic American basswood body
  • Super-stable 5-piece roasted maple/walnut neck with graphite reinforcement rods
  • Multi-scale roasted bird's-eye maple fingerboard offers optimal tension and playability
  • Bartolini BH2 neck and bridge pickups provide complex, warm mids and plenty of low-end depth
  • Vari-mid 3-band EQ supplies you with all the sound shaping you could want
  • EQ bypass switch for achieving passive electric bass guitar sounds
  • MR5HS bridge with 19mm string spacing enhances your definition and sustain
  • Schaller S-Locks strap pins safeguard against unexpected axe drops
  • Luminescent side dots make finding your place on dark stages a piece of cake
  • Eye-grabbing black hardware
  • Finger Ramp included

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Tech Specs

  • Number of Strings: 5
  • Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
  • Body Shape: Bass Workshop
  • Body Material: American Basswood
  • Body Finish: Satin Polyurethane
  • Color: Metallic Gray
  • Neck Material: 5-Piece Roasted Maple/Walnut
  • Neck Shape: EHB5
  • Radius: 19.6"
  • Fingerboard Material: Roasted Birdseye Maple
  • Fingerboard Inlay: Offset Abalone Dots
  • Number of Frets: 24, Medium Stainless Steel
  • Scale Length: 30'-32"
  • Scale Length Type: Multi-scale
  • Nut Width: 1.771"
  • Nut Material: Plastic
  • Bridge/Tailpiece: MR5HS Mono Rail with Tuners
  • Tuners: Ibanez
  • Neck Pickup: Bartolini BH2 Humbucker
  • Bridge Pickup: Bartolini BH2 Humbucker
  • Controls: 1 x master volume, 1 x balance, 3-band Active EQ, 1 x EQ bypass switch
  • Strings: .045-.130
  • Case Included: Gig Bag
  • Manufacturer Part Number: EHB1005SMSMGM

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Here's a Great Mod!

If you read my other reviews on this bass you'll see I really like it.

Recently I did this one switch mod that really kicked up it's flexibility. I was very slow and deliberate about doing it to avoid making any errors and the whole process took about 2 hours. All you need is an ON - OFF - ON DPDT Mini Toggle switch, the ability to solder and drill a 6.5mm hole. You'll also need 2 short lengths of wire (6" each is enough) to connect the switch to the pan pot.

NOTE: THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! FIRST DRILL A 2.5mm HOLE FOR THE SWITCH FROM THE INSIDE! THEN DRILL THE 6.5mm HOLE FROM THE OUTSIDE SO YOU DON'T SEVERELY CHIP THE FACE OF THE INSTRUMENT!!! PUTTING MASKING TAPE ON THE OUTSIDE HELPS, TOO.

Here's the diagram:
I used the very last diagram on the sheet - 'Inner Single Coils/ Series Hum Cancelling/ Outer Single Coils'. Also, you'll need to know that the color of the wires on your Bartolini BH-2 pickups DO NOT MATCH those on the diagram.

Specifically, here's a guide to the colors. Bartolini Diagram colors are Red, Green, Black, White and Bare Shield.
These correspond to BH-2 colors of GREEN, WHITE, Black, RED and Bare Shield.

A couple other notes: You will need to remove the knob and nut holding the Pan Pot to the face of the instrument to make it easier to work on. Be sure to note which pad has which wire from each pickup. You will need to desolder all four and solder on new ones that go to the switch. You'll need to desolder the red and green wires on your pickups from each other. You'll need to connect the ground wire from the switch to the Pan Pot. It's okay to run one ground wire from the switch to both ground pads on the Pan Pot.

My photos are a face view closeup, a photo of the wiring bay with the switch visible, the layout and wiring of the BH-2, and the Bartolini wiring diagram I used. Remember that your pickup's wires DO NOT MATCH.
Music background: Decades of experience with moderate success.
Rated 5/5

Best feeling bass I've ever played!

I purchased this bass recently and have had difficulty in putting it back down once I pick it up since it plays extremely well! When I was first shopping around I had looked for some options that were similar to Dingwall in quality and playability. I wanted to have multi-scale ability (fanned frets) for maintaining better intonation along with an active EQ for the pickups. I've noticed that my notes seem more audible and distinctly different from the next note (my last bass did not sound this audible and clear). I did some playing around with the EQ for the pickups and I feel like I can get the sound of every type of bass I've ever heard with just a few adjustments of the knobs. The amount of control the player has with their overall tone is massive! If you're like me and you wanted a Dingwall bass, look no further because this Ibanez can deliver the same quality results for a fraction of the price. The sustain is fantastic and I especially love how the bridge is designed to separate each string from the last so when you play a string, the others around it suffer less accidental vibration. This makes string control much easier from either hand.


Being headless only has 2 small problems:

- The player will need to relearn the new method for changing strings (YouTube has a good tutorial).

- I keep reaching to the non-existent head when trying to tune.

I feel like the bass is perfect for me and I look forward to playing gigs with it! I would 10/10 recommend to any player in any genre as they can all be achieved with this bass.
Rated 4.5/5

Update on Changing to Aguilar Pickups

Back in November, after playing the bass stock since March, I switch to the Aguilar AG-5SD-D2 pickups. The installation was not difficult, but required removing the pan control for easier soldering access and the battery compartment to successfully route the wire for the neck pickup - both were then returned to their assigned positions. Also, the Aguilars are physically smaller than the Bartolinis and leave a gap around them in the cavities. Alignment is acceptable, but the magnet spacing is just a bit tighter than the string spacing and I've used my bridges' adjustments to minimize string spacing.

The Aguilar pickups are a bit clearer than the standard Bartolinis with a little more highs and upper mids but, considering the price and that that money can be used for a nice multi-effects pedal that will do that and much more, I'd say not to put your money into it. It's just not the much of a difference.
Rated 5/5

Almost Perfect Follow Up

I've made two changes since my initial review. First, when using a strap I've added a loop of nylon cable tie to the strap where the original strap screw is on my strap and I loop that around the screw I inserted in that position. This both pushes the bass to my left and allows the body to rotate the fingerboard into a more vertical position.

Secondly, I added some non-slip tape, like you use on stairs, to the edge of the bass in the knee space and that keeps the bass tight against me when sitting without a strap and keeps the fingerboard more vertical.

These modifications make the bass perfect but for the installation of the Aguilar pickups. I'll write more after that's done.
Music background: Luthier, semi-pro musician and student
Rated 5/5

Ibanez nailed it

Just buy one: you'll be glad you did only "flaw" I can find is that the nut is very sharp on the treble side and can hurt of you play in first position. I think a light sanding could fix this.

Otherwise, the string tension is great and the tone is killer!
Music background: A zillion years pro, weekends, road gigs, you name it!
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