extended range bass review

NEXT HNB5-5 String Multi-Scale Bass Review

Outfitted with precision fanned frets and warm mahogany, the NEXT HNB5 defies expectations—but its true secret lies just beyond your fingertips.

  • Overall Rating
  • Build Quality
  • Performance
  • Value for Money
  • Design
4.4/5Overall Score
The NEXT HNB5 is a multi-scale bass guitar designed with a solid Mahogany body and a 5-piece Maple/Walnut neck, offering a warm resonance and ergonomic playability. Its fanned fretboard and active electronics provide precise intonation and versatile tone-shaping, making it suitable for a variety of musical styles.
Specs
  • Weight: 7.5 lbs
  • Dimensions: Not specified
  • Material: Mahogany body and top, 5-piece Maple/Walnut neck
  • Color Options: Not specified
  • Warranty: Not specified
  • Brand: NEXT
  • Model Number: HNB5
  • Compatibility: Not specified
Pros
  • Solid Mahogany construction provides warm resonance and stability.
  • Multi-scale fretboard (33"-35") optimizes string tension for enhanced balance.
  • Active electronics with custom single-coils and 3-band EQ offer versatile tone-shaping.
  • Ergonomic design with C-profile neck and 18mm spacing ensures comfort during play.
  • Stainless steel frets facilitate smooth playability and durability.
Cons
  • No hardshell case included; only a padded gig bag is provided.
  • Active EQ requires a battery to operate, which may be inconvenient for some users.
  • Total shipping weight is 16 lbs, which may be considered heavy for transport.

The NEXT HNB5 grounds its voice in a solid Mahogany foundation, balancing 7.5 pounds of physical weight with tonal warmth.

Its fanned 33″-35″ fretboard aligns string tension with mathematical precision, offering a lesson in harmony, a reminder that structure supports freedom.

Active electronics amplify this resonance, yet the journey of discovery begins where the wood meets the hand.

Key Takeaways

Construction:

Features a pure Mahogany body and top with a 5-piece Maple/Walnut neck, delivering warm resonance and stability (7.5 lbs).

Playability:

Multi-scale (33″-35″) fretboard, C-profile neck, 18mm spacing, and stainless steel frets ensure ergonomic comfort and precise intonation.

Electronics:

Custom single-coils, 3-band EQ, and active/passive push-pull offer versatile tone-shaping and clarity.

Hardware:

Alchemy bridges and tuners provide reliable tuning stability and anchor the instrument’s rhythmic foundation.

Design:

Fanned frets optimize string tension for enhanced balance and technical performance across all five strings.

Design and Build Quality

At the heart of this instrument lies a foundation of pure Mahogany, both for the body and the top, a choice that provides a warm, balanced resonance, grounding the musician much like a deeply rooted faith provides stability during life’s turbulent seasons.

The 5-piece Maple and Walnut neck offers steadfast support, serving the player’s journey with dependable strength, while the fanned 33″-35″ multi-scale fretboard guarantees precise intonation, a technical grace that facilitates harmony, akin to how discipline refines character. This specific scale length allows for tension optimization, ensuring each note resonates with clarity and definition across the entire frequency range.

This robust 7.5-pound tool, crafted for duty, empowers one to amplify the spirit, offering consistent service through sound, durability, and dedicated, ergonomic design. Although this specialized bass does not fall under the category of best electric guitars, its construction quality rivals the finest instruments available.

Electronics and Hardware Specs

The structural integrity of the mahogany body and maple neck gives way to the sonic soul of the instrument, where the electronics serve to translate the instrument’s raw resonance into a audible testimony. Custom single-coils capture delicate vibrations, while the 3-band EQ sculpts tone to support the musical community, akin to refining one’s spirit.

The active/passive push-poll guarantees reliability, a reminder that versatility sustains harmony. With Alchemy bridges and tuners maintaining stability, the hardware provides unwavering service to the player’s vision, anchoring the rhythmic foundation that others can depend upon.

Playability and Ergonomics

Upon the sturdy five-piece maple and walnut neck, hands find a path of stability, reflecting the virtue of a well-rooted character. The multi-scale fretwork, spanning 33 to 35 inches, offers ergonomic clarity, akin to finding purpose in life’s varied tensions, a reminder that balance is cultivated.

Stainless steel frets facilitate a smooth journey of service, mirroring how discipline refines one’s calling. With a C-shape profile and 18mm spacing, the instrument invites a posture of humility, allowing the bearer to offer support through low frequencies, grounded in truth and resonant devotion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Hardshell Case Included With the Purchase?

A hardshell case is not provided. Instead, the package includes a HILS Deluxe padded gig bag. This accessory offers a soft, portable solution for protecting the instrument during transport, ensuring it remains secure for the user.

What Type of Strings Come Factory Installed on the Bass?

Some theorize stock strings are merely placeholders, yet the factory-installed D’Addario EXL170-5 set offers a reliable foundation for service-oriented players.

These nickel-plated steel gauges (.045-.130) guarantee immediate readiness for collaborative musical endeavors.

Does the Active EQ Require a Battery to Operate?

A battery is necessary for the active EQ module to function. This allows the 3-band EQ and the active/passive push-pull volume control to operate as designed.

The instrument’s onboard electronics rely on this power source.

What Is the Total Shipping Weight of the Package?

The total shipping weight is a stout sixteen pounds, a noble burden, indeed. For the dedicated porter ensuring this mahogany instrument’s safe passage and delivery to its awaiting owner’s hands.

What Is the Return Policy for This Instrument?

The return policy for this item adheres to standard marketplace guidelines, facilitating a smooth experience. Should an exchange be necessary, extensive details are typically provided within the purchase documentation to guarantee customer satisfaction and support.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the HNB5’s stable 7.5-pound Mahogany foundation grounds the player, a reminder that spiritual weight anchors purpose. The fanned 33″-35″ multi-scale, aligning tension akin to aligning one’s values, guarantees precise intonation, a metaphor for living in truth.

While the active 3-band EQ amplifies the soul’s voice, let us not forget the humble single-coils. Therefore, armed with both modern technology and ancient resonance, the musician may finally transcend the mundane, plucking their way toward enlightenment, one balanced note at a time.

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