Ibanez EHB1005F-aom Arctic Ocean Matte Bass Workshop

The EHB: Ibanez's modern and lightweight approach, in a fretless version

Within the Ibanez lineup, the EHB series targets bassists seeking a contemporary, balanced, and easy-to-handle instrument: headless format for reduced size, lightweight, and ergonomics designed for long sessions. The EHB1005F embraces this philosophy while adding the specific expressiveness of a fretless: smooth slides, subtle nuances, and that characteristic "mwah" that makes the note sing.

For which bassist and styles?

Designed for intermediate to expert players, the Ibanez EHB1005F is particularly suited for contexts where precision and control make the difference: fusion, jazz, gospel, modern pop, progressive metal, and urban music. Its 18 mm string spacing favors comfortable fingerstyle playing, nuanced slap, chords, and tapping, while the headless format improves balance and reduces fatigue during rehearsals, on stage, or in the studio.

Tone

The two Bartolini BH2 humbuckers deliver tight lows, present mids, and smooth highs, providing an excellent starting point for achieving a singing fretless tone without harshness. The Vari-Mid 3-band preamp allows fine sculpting of the spectrum, with a mid-frequency control to shift from a "woody" warmth to a more incisive and articulate register. The bypass adds a more organic option: in passive mode, the treble control acts like a tone knob. On the lutherie side, the combination of American basswood body, roasted maple/walnut neck reinforced with graphite, and mono-rail bridge contributes to clarity, note separation, and generous sustain, while the Richlite fingerboard promotes silky slides and a consistent feel along the entire length.

Recommended compatible accessories

For transport, the recommended gig bag is the Ibanez MRB350C. To play standing securely, you can add the compatible strap part of the Schaller S-Locks system to pair with the factory-installed strap locks.

Technical specifications

Electronics: microphone configuration	HH	Body	Linden
Left handed	No	Bridge / tailpiece	Fixed
Strings	Steel	Electronics	Active
Nbr of strings	5	Color	Blue
Fingerboard	Composite	Finishing	Matt
Nbrs of frets	0	Hardware	Black

Construction	headless 5-string electric bass, chambered body with rounded edges, angled body back, rear cutaway for upper-fret access	Bridge	MR5HS mono-rail, wide intonation range, Teflon washers for smooth tuning
Wood	American basswood	String spacing	18 mm / 0.71"
Finishing/ergonomics	lightweight and well-balanced instrument, designed for long sessions	Hardware color	Black
Type	EHB5, 5-piece roasted maple/walnut with graphite reinforcement rods	Strap buttons	Schaller S-Locks
Scale length	34" / 864 mm	Jack	Neutrik locking jack
Key	Richlite, fretless, with luminous side dot inlays	Pickups	Bartolini BH2 neck pickup (passive) + Bartolini BH2 bridge pickup (passive), dual-coil
Nut width	45 mm / 1.77"	Controls	volume, pickup balance, bass, treble, mids (gain) + sweepable mid frequency
Width at 22nd fret	74 mm / 2.91"	Preamp	3-band Vari-Mid with bypass (in passive mode, the treble pot acts as a tone control)
Thickness at 1st fret	19.5 mm / 0.77"	Factory strings	D'Addario EXL165 + .130 (gauges .045/.065/.085/.105/.130)
Thickness at 13th fret	21.5 mm / 0.85"	Included accessories	custom Ibanez end pieces and detachable finger ramp
Radius	500 mmR / 19.7"	Gig bag included	recommended MRB350C gig bag
Factory tuning	1G, 2D, 3A, 4E, 5B