Ibanez GWB35-BKF Black Flat Signature Gary Willis
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- This item is covered for 3 years
What you need to know
What you need to know
- 5-string fretless electric bass designed for precision, intonation, and expressiveness of fretless playing.
- Ebony fingerboard: fast attack, tight low-mids, and rich sustain, ideal for a defined sound even in nuanced playing.
- Simple and effective electronics: passive bridge pickup + 2-band active EQ to shape bass and treble without complexity.
- Removable finger ramp designed by Gary Willis for consistent attack and controlled finger dynamics.
Manufacturer Information
Ibanez
https://www.ibanez.com
------------------------
Safety manager:
Hoshino Europe
Email: info@hoshinoeurope.com
Address:
A Signature Focused on "Control": The Gary Willis Spirit in the Ibanez Range
The GWB35 follows the lineage of Gary Willis Signature models: basses focused on accuracy, quick response, and attack consistency. Rather than stacking options, Ibanez favors a "performance" approach here: ergonomics, left-hand comfort, and direct control over tonal color to shift from a singing tone to a solid, percussive low end.
For Which Bassist and Styles?
This bass is primarily aimed at intermediate to advanced bassists who want to seriously explore fretless playing: vibrato, slides, micro-intonation, and vocal phrasing. It excels in jazz fusion, groove, world, modern pop, and any situation where a precise, articulate sound is needed that remains clear in a mix.
The Sound
The combination of ebony fingerboard and bridge pickup configuration promotes a punchy, very defined sound rich in attack, with sustain that highlights sustained notes and the typical slides of fretless playing. The 2-band EQ allows quick spectrum expansion: boosting lows for a fuller bass or emphasizing highs to regain more "singing" and presence. The finger ramp helps stabilize finger attack depth, resulting in a more consistent response, especially appreciated on a fretless.
Recommended Compatible Accessories
To maintain the original behavior (tension, balance, and response), you can stick with the D'Addario EXP165-5 string set with gauges .045/.065/.085/.105/.135, as specified in the factory setup.
Technical specifications
| Electronics: microphone configuration | S | Body | Linden |
| Left handed | No | Bridge / tailpiece | Fixed |
| Strings | Steel | Electronics | Active |
| Nbr of strings | 5 | Color | Black |
| Fingerboard | Ebony | Finishing | Matt |
| Nbrs of frets | 0 | Hardware | Black |
| Type | electric bass | Radius | 12.01" / 305 mm |
| Neck type | GWB | Bridge | Standard |
| Construction | 3-piece maple | String spacing | 0.65" / 16.5 mm |
| Inlays | offset white dots | Tuners | Gotoh |
| Frets | fretless | Hardware color | black |
| Scale length | 34" / 864 mm | Bridge pickup | SFR-GWB (passive) |
| Nut width | 1.77" / 45 mm | Equalizer | EQB-GWII 2-band |
| Width at 24th fret | 2.68" / 68 mm | Controls | volume, stacked treble (top) / bass (bottom) |
| Thickness at 1st fret | 0.75" / 19 mm | Factory tuning | 1G, 2D, 3A, 4E, 5B |
| Thickness at 12th fret | 0.83" / 21 mm | Gauges | .045/.065/.085/.105/.135 |
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Questions frequently asked
Is the Ibanez GWB35-BKF a 5-string fretless bass?
This bass features 5 strings and a fretless ebony fingerboard, on a 34-inch (864 mm) scale length. The factory tuning is 1G, 2D, 3A, 4E, 5B.
What sound does the SFR-GWB pickup of this bass offer?
The passive SFR-GWB bridge pickup delivers a defined attack and sustain suited to fretless slides. The active EQB-GWII 2-band EQ controls bass and treble via a stacked potentiometer.
Is the neck comfortable for a 5-string fretless bass?
The 3-piece maple GWB neck measures 19 mm thick at the first position and 21 mm at the twelfth. Its width goes from 45 mm at the nut to 68 mm at the 24th fret, with a 305 mm radius. The 16.5 mm string spacing at the bridge and the access ramp help regularize finger attack.
What strings should be installed on an Ibanez GWB35-BKF?
The factory setup uses D'Addario EXP165-5 steel strings, sized .045/.065/.085/.105/.135. This gauge is recommended to maintain the intended tension and balance.
Is the finish of the GWB35 matte?
The Black Flat finish is matte black, with black hardware and Gotoh tuners.
