HILS headless basses

[edstraker123]

1 hour ago, Brian18242 said:

Does the string spacing feel quite wide?

Looks like 19mm at the bridge

[edstraker123]

51 minutes ago, bnt said:

Would you mind measuring the pup dimensions? It would let us see what will fit e.g. maybe the EMG E5W or similar. 

[Brian18242]

Shame. Was hoping it would be 17mm

[bnt]

Hmm. There was a thread about the EMG E series as possible replacements for the Bartolini BH2s in Ibanez EHB 5-strings. They are the Bartolini P4 shape, 117x32mm, while the  EMG E6W is 119x32mm. These on the HILS look slightly smaller, 114x30mm? It might take a little woodwork or smaller pickups than those I mentioned. 

[edstraker123]

Yes I was a bit disappointed too hoping some Nordy's would drop straight in but it will obviously need some pickguard fettling. I'll take it off tomorrow and post a pic of what's underneath.

[bnt]

Now, the upcoming HZB4 looks a bit better to me, though a 5-string would be preferable. The changes from the HNB5 are subtle e.g. the pickguard is not quite as mad and isn't under half the controls. The rear doesn't have a cavity all the way under the bridge. These pics are the Satin Silver (top) and Gloss Aura Pearl (rear) finishes, it's also expected in Satin Black. 

 

 

[edstraker123]

I do like the look of the aura pearl but a 5 would be much better.

[bnt]

Back on the topic of the HNB3, I'm thinking of getting one so I can drop in the Artec Mudbucker I bought but haven't used so far. I did some mockups of what the black model would look like with that and different colour pickguards: 

 

Edited November 2, 2025 by bnt

[edstraker123]

Hils have said I can order a black pickguard for the HNB5 through Anderton's so it will be interesting to see how much it costs.

There are some good YouTube vids of somebody changing pickups on a HNB3-they even put jazz pickups in it !

 

I decided to keep the stock pickups on the 5 - thought they were fine given what it would cost to replace them and the effort involved. I put LaBella super polished strings on it which I hadn't used before - the sound of rounds and the feel of flats and was really impressed. I ended up with some really nice tones.

Edited November 3, 2025 by edstraker123

[bnt]

I think I saw those videos: his main conclusion was that the HNB3 needs a real neck pickup, and a bridge pickup is underwhelming. Simply moving the existing humbucker up was a good start, but I think it could use more. Still thinking about it.

[edstraker123]

The prices have gone back up 😢.

[bnt]

Anderton's? They still have the "Black Friday" sale label, but yep, the price of the HNB3 has gone back uo from £399 to £499. 

[markbunney]

I have seen the HNB5’s on and off sale quite a bit over the last couple of weeks, so I am sure they will come back down again. 

[Kev]

Gotta artificially raise those prices to bring them back down again for a "sale"  

[BassApprentice]

9 minutes ago, Kev said:

Gotta artificially raise those prices to bring them back down again for a "sale"  

Unless you're DFS Sofas - the longest sale know to man.

[edstraker123]

£12  for the replacement pickguard including delivery ( although a wait to get it into the New Year)  was expecting a lot more so pleasantly surprised 😀

[bnt]

On 02/11/2025 at 12:09, edstraker123 said:

I do like the look of the aura pearl but a 5 would be much better.

I can find no official mention of a HZB5 model … but this guy has one. In a custom gold finish. TF? Me likey. 

 

 

Edited Monday at 17:45 by bnt