SumOne

Thread resurrecting! I'm now onto my third Ibanez EHB 5 string (long story, basically I changed them each time when I felt a more traditional 4 string Jazz type would be better for the bands I was in, then regretted it and went back), and can say none had any issues with the truss rod. In fact, none have really had any issues but all needed a bit of tinkering to set up properly e.g. the latest one (bought from Andertons) had a couple of loose screws holding the mono bridges on (a bit of a faff as need the saddle part out of the way to access) and all of the bridge saddles were set as far towards the neck as possible - so not set-up for intonation at all, and the G string pulling tighter at the neck as it couldn't tighten up enough via the bridge tuners to get into tune. All of that was fine, I usually expect an hour or so setting up a new bass to my liking, but if you were new to bass playing it wouldn't be ideal. What I would say are small issues are: The bottom parts of the stacked knobs are difficult to read (fixable with some Tipp-ex) Side dots are too dull to see in low light (fixable with stick on ones) Locking jack is a bit annoying (the lock can be disabled though) The matte paint is very delicate Slanted back isn't something I'm really sold on, it isn't a big deal but I think I'd prefer to now have the bass angled up Some people don't like the Bartolini pickups (the general complaint is they sound too muddy), they sound fine to me though, but I suppose the Bass overall does sound quite modern/generic.

Yeah, it is fun and I like having a bit of creativity in making new ska/reggae versions of songs that are still familiar enough songs for pub crowds to get into and sing/dance along. The band started gigging in 2022, I joined in 2023.

Skavana....... you guessed it: Ska covers of Nirvana (it's the law that ska covers bands need to have 'ska' in the title isn't it?!) Quite a lot of the set are our ska and reggae versions of Nirvana songs, also some straightforward 2 tone covers, and our ska/reggae versions of the sort of stuff most pub punters know and can sing and dance along to (Billy Idol, Green Day, Radiohead, The Cure etc.). We're an 8 piece: Drum, Bass, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Singer, Trombone, Sax x2 (alto and baritone). We gig about once a fortnight, mostly around Sussex - usually pubs and small festivals. 21 gigs booked in for 2025 and a few more will get added. https://www.facebook.com/skavanaband

I'm going to go back to an EHB1005MS Sea Foam Green which a bit mental as I've bought/sold two previously, they aren't perfect but I miss it! No other 5 (including the new EHBs) tick as many boxes for me. Price ✅ Weight/balance ✅ Multiscale ✅ Headless ✅ Passive mode, pickup blend, sweepable mids ✅ The new ones look nice n'all but are about £500 more expensive, no mid sweep, and I think if the battery dies then that's it (no true passive mode, as the Fishman pickups themselves are active).

Yes

Fair enough for the Moog Voyager effect, I'll need to (virtually) give that a try - but I think it is niche. And yeah, stereo modulations and delays applied to bass/synth bass - mostly if just affecting the high end can be great, but personally they are features I'd look for on modulation and delay pedals to apply further down the signal chain rather than a synth bass pedal itself.

I suppose for more atmospheric pad type sounds it can be useful. But bass (synth or otherwise ) is best in mono as far as I'm concerned, and that's the general rule in music production as well as live. Stereo bass can cause phase issues, and it just looses some of the impact. e.g. on a reggae soundsystem all the bass is mono.

You're right - I am keen on this pedal! I'll try to have a bit of self control though (both for buying, and for selling once something else shiny and new gets my attention). That restraint probably won't last long though! Like others have said, this looks like MXR have hit quite a sweet spot gap in the market of useful bass synth sounds, tracking (hopefully), functionality, hands-on editing, presets, size. Feels a bit pricey, but I must be getting old as I think everything is pricey nowadays!

A new review (with a bit of a clickbait title) It chimes with what I've been assuming: Great Bass in nearly every way, but I'd prefer a blend and a series/parallel switch. And yeah, the price is steep. GAS is a difficult condition to cure with rational thinking though! I still want one.

The Prodigy have always been one of my favourite bands, their set still looked like the most energy of the festival.