Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $1,261
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 6 merchants for "EHB1005MS". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Ibanez EHB1005MS is a game-changer in the world of bass guitars. This 5-string, multi-scale electric bass combines innovation, versatility, and superior playability, making it a worthy addition to any bass player's arsenal. Crafted with a specially contoured American basswood body, this headless design is perfect for players who crave comfort and balance. Its 5-piece roasted maple/walnut neck and roasted birdseye maple fretboard are heat-treated for increased stability and moisture resistance, ensuring longevity, and reliable performance.
The EHB1005MS is powered by Bartolini BH2 pickups at the neck and bridge, offering a dynamic range of tones, from warm and rounded to aggressive and biting. The 3-band active EQ provides further control over your sound, and an EQ bypass switch allows the treble control to function as a passive tone control, ensuring you have all the tools you need to create your own unique sound.
The multi-scale fretboard gradually increases in size from the nut to bridge, providing balanced string tension and clear tone across all strings. The wider string spacing at the bridge allows for more dynamic and articulate playing styles. Premium components such as the MR5HS bridge with adjustable string spacing, the Schaller S Lock strap pins, and Neutrik locking jack, ensure a reliable and rock-solid performance.
Key Features:
- 5-string, multi-scale electric bass
- Headless design and contoured American basswood body
- 5-piece roasted maple/walnut neck and roasted birdseye maple fretboard
- 2 Bartolini BH2 pickups and 3-band active EQ
- EQ bypass switch for passive mode
- Multi-scale fretboard for balanced string tension
- Wider string spacing at the bridge for dynamic playing styles
- MR5HS bridge with adjustable string spacing
- Schaller S Lock strap pins and Neutrik locking jack
- Comes with detachable finger ramp and padded gig bag
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 5 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Shape | Bass Workshop EHB |
| Body Material | American Basswood |
| Body Finish | Satin Polyurethane |
| Neck Material | 5-Piece Roasted Maple/Walnut |
| Neck Shape | EHB5 |
| Radius | 19.6" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Abalone Off-set Dots |
| Number of Frets | 24, Medium Stainless Steel |
| Scale Length | 33-35" |
| Scale Length Type | Multi-scale |
| Nut Width | 1.771" |
| Nut Material | Plastic |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | MR5HS Mono Rail with Tuners |
| Tuners | Ibanez Custom Headpieces |
| Neck Pickup | Bartolini BH2 Humbucker |
| Bridge Pickup | Bartolini BH2 Humbucker |
| Controls | 1 x master volume, 1 x balancer, 3-band Active EQ, 1 x EQ bypass switch |
| Strings | .045-.130 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Gig Bag |
FAQs
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What is the advantage of the multi-scale design on the Ibanez EHB1005MS bass?
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The multi-scale design of the EHB1005MS offers varying string tensions that enhance playability and tonal balance, especially for the lower strings. This design allows for better intonation and ergonomic comfort, making it ideal for extended range playing.
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How does the Ibanez EHB1005MS handle different music genres?
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The Ibanez EHB1005MS, with its Bartolini BH2 humbuckers and active EQ, provides a versatile tonal palette suitable for various genres from rock and metal to jazz and funk. Its ability to deliver both punchy lows and articulate highs makes it adaptable to diverse musical styles.
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Is the Ibanez EHB1005MS suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Ibanez EHB1005MS is well-suited for live performances. Its ergonomic headless design reduces weight, enhancing comfort during long gigs, while the active EQ allows for quick tonal adjustments on stage.
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What materials are used in the construction of the Ibanez EHB1005MS?
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The Ibanez EHB1005MS features an American basswood body and a 5-piece roasted maple/walnut neck. This combination provides a balanced tone with a sturdy yet lightweight build, contributing to its playability and resonance.
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Does the Ibanez EHB1005MS come with a case or gig bag?
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Yes, the Ibanez EHB1005MS comes with a gig bag, offering protection and convenience for transporting the bass to rehearsals, gigs, or studio sessions.
Videos
Ibanez Guitar
Ibanez EHB1005MS Headless Bass featuring ichika
Reviews
PROS
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Lightweight design, around 3.5kg, ideal for long sessions
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Comfortable, ergonomic neck with fast adjustment to fanned frets
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Versatile sound with excellent EQ and mid-frequency controls
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High-quality hardware, including reliable tuner/bridge modules
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Roasted maple neck provides stability and aesthetic appeal
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Compact size suitable for travel, fits in a standard guitar case
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Exceptional playability, suitable for various music genres
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Active preamp enhances passive pickup performance
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Chambered body provides a balanced, comfortable feel
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Easy string change with adjustable string spacing
CONS
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Fretwork quality inconsistent, with noticeable file cuts
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Locking jack input can damage cables and is non-intuitive
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Bartolini pickups described as bland and lacking definition
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Minor build quality issues, such as imperfect knob holes
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Finish prone to dings and scratches without protective coating
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Luminescent side dots often ineffective under moderate light
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Pickup screws prone to stripping due to soft basswood body
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Cannot hang the bass by the headstock due to headless design
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about EHB1005MS.
Mods and upgrades
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Aguilar pickups are considered a sought-after upgrade for the EHB1005MS, although sourcing in certain regions like Hong Kong is challenging.
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Specific mention of Aguilar pickups as a popular modification choice, enhancing the bass's tonal quality after installation.
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Owners recommend rewiring stock Bartolini pickups to parallel for a brighter tone, referencing the standard Bartolini wire colors for guidance.
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Stock Bartolini pickups are often replaced with Nordstrands for improved tone clarity.
Source
Build quality
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Some users replace stock knobs due to personal preference, indicating the ease of swapping them with set screw-secured alternatives.
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Stacked knobs have been noted to stick if misaligned, requiring sanding or adjustments right from day one.
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Owners report that the paint finish is thin and prone to chipping, especially during string changes.
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User experience
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Several owners describe the EHB1005MS as the most comfortable bass they've owned, citing the ergonomic design and lightweight build.
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Owners highlight the lightweight design as a major benefit for gigging, reducing shoulder fatigue significantly during extended performances.
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Users with both EHB1005MS and Fender Jazz basses prefer the parallel tone, suggesting rewiring as a tonal enhancement.
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Side dots are difficult to see and do not retain their glow well, impacting visibility during performance.
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Features and functionality
Comparisons
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The BTB806MS is noted as an alternative with better QC, albeit larger and potentially cumbersome for smaller players or confined spaces.
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Low End Lobster’s videos compare EHB1005MS to EHB1505, noting significant tonal improvement with Big Splits pickups.
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The 35.5" scale is seen as a compromise between standard 34" and longer scales like Dingwall’s 37", offering comfort with some benefits in tension.
Source
Setup and maintenance
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings
182
This beautiful ugly duckling!
After playing headless Status Washburn S1000 for years, and owning several multiscale Dingwalls this thing caught my eye. And - damn man, I love it. I do like to slappa ma bass, so headless was kind of "my thing" right from the start, because it's...well, a bit snappier than the usual headed bass, and let's be honest - everybody is hot for the headless basses. And if they say they aren't -they are lying. At the same time after being session musician for several years I often found myself in need of a 5er, so a couple of Dingwalls have found their way to my possession. I fell in love with the multiscale concept, since it gives this remarkable same-tension-all-over-the-board feel, and the B just sound really tight in comparison to more standard 35".
So when the EHB1005 hit the stores I had to try it out, and my first impression was...drum roll...ugh. It just fell a bit cheap-ish in my hands, kind of like a plastic bass. But after some time I still found myself waking up in the middle of a night having wet dreams about this monstrosity. I just had to try it out a bit more, so I got my hands on another one at a retail shop, and the second time I played it was a bit more like...well,ok?
In the mean time I was really considering placing an order on a D-Roc 5 strings, but they weren't quite available at the time, and the 22-fret fretboard was a bit no-no for me. Luckily I got a hit on a pre-used black 1005MS, and...yes, I bought it, and weeeeeeell - after 2 months - I love it. It is one of the best basses I ever had - clear sound, (it does look cool), quite easy to play around the fretboard, works really well with FX, a TON of possibilities sound wise. I always liked SR-series, my first bass was an SR300, and the best bass I ever had was an SR700, but this is a solid challenger. Needless to say it became my main axe in both studio and live. Check it out on yt, or try one yourself - it works with pop, it does djent, it slaps, it rocks! If you don't have one - go get one. If you already have one - go get a second one!
26711
Excellent writeup, thank you... but you choose this guy over both your 5 string, multiscale Dingwalls? I mean, I've been curious about this bass too, and I love the unsettling shade of mint it comes in... but I'd assume any decent Dingwall could wipe the floor with this bass.
182
About EHB vs Dingwall - it is obvious that Sheldon's crew are magicians. I would choose Afterburner over EHB anytime, but I actually like Ibanez better than both NG2, NG3 and Combustion models. 37" is a just a tiny bit trickier to handle, especially if you play fast or complicated riffs, but everything goes with some practice. I find Nordstrand pickups crispier and clearer than the Bartolinis, but to be honest - with a bit of signal prosessing the difference is so subtile that nobody will ever hear it.
So yes - I did choose it over Dingies. I've been using Dingwalls for the heavy music, ans Status for pretty much everything else. This guy is a good allrounder for me. I guess the multiscale/headless combo got me. After all it is a great bass too, and suits my style quite perfectly.
26711
@niki_fo I thank you so much for the thoughtful knowledge-bomb of a reply. Straightforward advice & field-findings from genuine gigging musicians is rare as hen's teeth on the internet, but always greatly appreciated.
271
What an impressive Bass !
After joining my band as bass player, I had to improve my gear and have a sustainable bass to follow all our rehearsal and gig all around the country. When I first saw this Ibanez guitar at an affordable price, I directly buy it and was not disapointed. This guitar is really confortable to play, in a sitting position but also standing and running across the stage. In a matter of sound, the guitar offer a large amount of versatility, in passive use the two pickups are very strong, but when you activate the active switch, a new wolrd is opening right before you : the 3 band equalizer is simple to use but do the job for the best ! I mostly play metla with it, but it's really good in a blues-rock condition, as in jazz where it's not the best instrument but can really do the job ! For me, one of the best release af Ibanez these few years !
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Add recommendation1 alternative for EHB1005MS, curated by the Equipboard community.
$1,387.97 - $1,899.99
Ibanez did multiple instruments in this EHB series, and the 1505MS is basically the same, but with better pickups and design choice.
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