Ibanez EHB1005MS Review — The Headless Multiscale 5-String
Headless bass guitars used to be a niche concern — Steinberger in the 1980s, a handful of boutique builders, players who prioritised portability over convention. Then Ibanez launched the EHB series and headless bass became genuinely accessible. The EHB1005 is where most players start that conversation.
I approached this instrument with real curiosity and some scepticism. The headless concept solves specific problems elegantly, but the question is whether it introduces new problems in the process. After extended playing time, I have a clear answer.
Rating: 5/5
Verdict: The Ibanez EHB1005MS is a headless multiscale 5-string with Bartolini BH2 pickups and a Vari-Mid 3-band EQ. It hangs level on a strap with no neck dive, travels easily and has a defined, modern low B. It is ideal for players who travel with their bass, players who suffer from neck dive on 5-strings and players in modern styles. It is not for players who want vintage warmth.
| Spec | Ibanez EHB1005MS |
|---|---|
| Scale | 35″–33″ (889–838 mm) multiscale |
| Body | American basswood |
| Neck / fretboard | 5-piece roasted maple/walnut with graphite reinforcement rods; roasted birdseye maple fretboard, 24 medium stainless steel frets |
| Pickups | Bartolini BH2 (neck and bridge) |
| Electronics | Vari-Mid 3-band EQ with EQ bypass switch (passive tone control on treble pot) |
| Controls | Volume, pickup balance, bass, mid, mid frequency, treble, EQ bypass switch |
| Bridge | Headless: Ibanez custom headpieces; MR5HS mono-rail bridge, 18 mm string spacing |
| Strings | 5 (D’Addario EXL170-5SL, .045–.130) |
| Best for | players who travel regularly; players who suffer from neck dive on conventional 5-strings; modern styles such as progressive metal, fusion and contemporary jazz |
| Not for | players who want vintage warmth |
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Why Headless — The Actual Reasons
The headless design eliminates the headstock — the tuning machines move to the bridge end of the instrument instead. This does several practical things. The overall length shrinks dramatically, making it easier to travel with and store. The neck-heavy balance problem that affects many basses disappears — with no headstock mass at the top of the neck, the instrument balances neutrally on a strap. And the string path is more linear, which theoretically improves sustain and intonation stability.
The version I played is the EHB1005MS, which adds a multiscale design — fanned frets, 35″ on the low B to 33″ on the G (the standard EHB1005 is a straight 34″ scale) — which combines two modern bass engineering concepts in one instrument. The extended scale on the low B improves definition. The headless design improves balance and portability. Ibanez combined them intentionally.
First Impressions — What You Notice Immediately
Picking up the EHB1005 for the first time is a genuinely surprising experience if you’ve played conventional basses your whole life. The instrument feels shorter and lighter than it has any right to for a 5-string. The balance on a strap is immediately superior to most 5-strings I’ve played — no neck dive whatsoever. The instrument hangs level and stays there.
The fanned frets create the same visual adjustment period I described in the SRMD200 review. The physical adjustment is faster than the visual one. Within an hour the angled frets stop registering consciously.
The tuning mechanism at the bridge end is the most unfamiliar element. The tuners on the MR5HS bridge are precise and once you’re used to them, functional. String changes are more involved than on a standard bass — not difficult, just different and requiring some patience the first few times.
The Electronics — Bartolini BH2 + Vari-Mid 3-Band EQ
The EHB1005 uses Bartolini BH2 pickups — a significant specification at this price point. Bartolini pickups have a reputation for detailed, articulate tone with a smooth high end and well-defined low mid character. They’re used on instruments costing far more than the EHB1005.
The onboard preamp is Ibanez’s Vari-Mid 3-band active EQ with bass, mid, and treble boost/cut. The mid frequency is sweepable, so you can choose where in the midrange the boost or cut lands, and an EQ bypass switch turns the treble pot into a passive tone control when you want to run without the preamp.
The combination works well. The Bartolinis provide a clean, detailed foundation. The 3-band EQ gives enough shaping capability to adapt to different styles and playing environments. The overall electronics package is notably better than what comes on most basses at this price.
Tone — What the Multiscale Headless Combination Produces
The EHB1005 has a modern, articulate character. The extended scale low B is defined and musical — this is the best low B I’ve heard on a production 5-string at this price. The Bartolini pickups contribute detail in the upper frequencies without harshness. The overall tone is clean, present, and sits well in a mix without fighting for space.
It’s not a vintage-sounding instrument. There’s no warmth or roundness that you’d associate with a passive Precision or Jazz-style bass. The EHB1005 sounds modern and it makes no apologies for it. For players who work in modern styles — progressive metal, fusion, jazz with a contemporary edge, R&B production — this is exactly right.
For players who want vintage warmth, this is the wrong instrument. The design intent and execution are both pointed squarely at modern professional playing.
The Practical Advantages for Working Players
The travel and storage advantages are real. The EHB1005 fits in smaller cases, handles overhead bin storage better than conventional basses, and is less likely to cause problems in tight stage and rehearsal environments. For players who travel regularly with their instrument, these are not trivial considerations.
The balance advantage is equally real for long performances. Neck dive on 5-strings is a genuine ergonomic issue — heavy headstocks pulling the neck toward the floor create left-hand tension and fatigue over long sets. The EHB1005 eliminates this completely. After two hours playing the instrument hangs exactly where you put it at the start.
What It Can’t Do
String choice needs a little more attention than on a conventional bass. The low B runs to 35″, so you need sets long enough for it — Ibanez ships the EHB1005MS with D’Addario EXL170-5SL, a regular super long scale set (.045–.130), rather than a dedicated multiscale set. Check the length of any set before you order it.
The headless design means conventional strap buttons are in different positions and the instrument interacts differently with standard stands and hangers. Minor practical issues that have solutions, but worth knowing about before purchase.
And the aesthetic will divide players. Headless basses look unconventional. Some players love it; others find it clinical or futuristic in a way they don’t connect with. Personal aesthetic response to an instrument matters for playing motivation — be honest with yourself about whether you’ll want to pick this up every day.
Who Should Buy the Ibanez EHB1005
Players who travel regularly and want a serious 5-string that’s more practical to transport. Players who suffer from neck dive on conventional 5-strings. Players working in modern styles who want Bartolini-quality pickups and multiscale construction at a realistic price. Anyone curious about headless design who wants an accessible entry point to the format.
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FAQ
Is the Ibanez EHB1005 hard to play because it’s headless?
No — the playing experience is essentially the same as a conventional bass once you adjust to the fanned frets. The headless design changes how you tune and change strings, not how you play. Most players adapt within a session or two.
What strings fit the Ibanez EHB1005?
The EHB1005MS leaves the factory with D’Addario EXL170-5SL (.045, .065, .080, .100, .130), a regular super long scale 5-string set, so you don’t need a dedicated multiscale set. What matters is length: the multiscale EHB1005MS runs from 35″ to 33″, and the standard EHB1005 is 34″. Check the scale length specs when ordering.
Does the Ibanez EHB1005 have neck dive?
No. This is one of the primary advantages of the headless design. Without headstock mass at the top of the neck, the instrument balances neutrally on a strap. It stays exactly where you position it without pulling toward the floor.
How are the Bartolini BH2 pickups in the EHB1005?
Notably good for the price. The BH2 pickups produce a detailed, articulate tone with smooth high end and well-defined low mids. They’re a significant specification upgrade over what comes standard on most production basses at this price point.
Is the Ibanez EHB1005 good for travel?
Yes — this is one of its strongest practical advantages. The shorter overall length (no headstock) makes it more manageable for airline travel, storage in tighter spaces, and general transport. It fits in smaller cases and handles overhead bin storage better than standard-length basses.