Gold Tone Microbass - Incoming!

[dannybuoy]

I've been gassing for one of these for a while now, so just placed an order for the fretless. Got a good deal too I reckon, £273.49 delivered, this shop applies a 10% first order discount during checkout which they don't advertise at the beginning for some reason!

[url="http://www.eaglemusicshop.com/electro-acoustic-bass-guitars/Gold-Tone-MicroBass.htm"]http://www.eaglemusi...e-MicroBass.htm[/url]

I had a fretted Kala U-Bass before, I loved playing it but the intonation was way out past the 7th fret (so always wanted to try the fretless instead) and I felt it could do with being a couple of inches longer (fnar fnar). I was looking at the [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Short_bass_one.html"]Aquila Short Bass One[/url], but it's perhaps a bit too large and also more expensive at £400. The Goldtone looks to tick all the boxes, has a built in preamp and also a comfortable forearm contour and cutaway.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

Looks like fun!

[Byo]

Really interesting!

As you say, the Kala seems to go a bit out of intonation the more down the neck you go.

How is the MicroBass then? Same issues?

I am guessing that the extra 3" on the scale helps a bit.

[Me And My Bass]

Been looking at these . . Interested to hear how you get on with it.

Like the look of the solid body proto type in some of the video demos as well.

[dannybuoy]

It's a great little bass, intonation isn't a problem as I got the fretless! It has been returned though as this one has a dodgy connection somewhere and crackled occasionally when plugged in.

I love the ultra short scale fretless though, not quite sure whether to get a replacemen or go for a slightly smaller [url="http://omegamusic.co.uk/buy/korala-ukbb-310fe-fretless-bass-ukulele-with-built-in-tuner"]ukulele bass[/url]. There's also this [url="http://ortegaguitars.com/en/product-finder/acoustic-basses/acoustic-bass/show/Product/pm-shaman/pm-shaman/"]Ortega PM Shaman[/url] coming out soon, looks awesome but twice the price!

Edited August 22, 2014 by dannybuoy

[LZD56]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1408748843' post='2533273']
It's a great little bass, intonation isn't a problem as I got the fretless! It has been returned though as this one has a dodgy connection somewhere and crackled occasionally when plugged in.

I love the ultra short scale fretless though, not quite sure whether to get a replacemen or go for a slightly smaller [url="http://omegamusic.co.uk/buy/korala-ukbb-310fe-fretless-bass-ukulele-with-built-in-tuner"]ukulele bass[/url]. There's also this [url="http://ortegaguitars.com/en/product-finder/acoustic-basses/acoustic-bass/show/Product/pm-shaman/pm-shaman/"]Ortega PM Shaman[/url] coming out soon, looks awesome but twice the price!
[/quote]

I know it's been a long time since the last post, but just wondered if anyone has any thoughts about the Magic Fluke Tinder bass uke or the Gold Tone me-bass? Both are solid body short scale bass uke's, which to my ears sound & play better than the more traditional style small bassess like the Kala.

[sblueplanet]

I contacted Eagle Music about getting a Gold Tone micro ME bass, fretless left handed version. Very helpful and turns out the factory in the States will do any mods before shipping. I play with the strings upside down and asked for a right hand bridge and nut fitted. Still deliberating as not sure I can currently justify spending almost £400 ( which includes fee for the mods )

[LZD56]

Interesting. Is the £400 based on current exchange $:£ or Eagle's selling price. Quite fancy the LaBella strings rather than the Aguila. Have you played the Me-bass?

Edited August 20, 2016 by LZD56

[sblueplanet]

Haven't played one just watched reviews on youtube and fancy a portable upright-sounding bass. I can't see the ME on the website at the moment to verify the price.

[Sistermoon]

Gold Tone micro bass: This instrument has plagued me (23" fretted neck). I love the sound, but the string issues and the intonation (related somewhat) are a drag. The Aquilas gave a nice round tubby sound, but they dented easily, were very expensive to ship to Canada and the resonance wasn't even across the strings (the low E was hugely less resonant). I strung my micro bass twice with the Aquilas and then I went to Pahoehoes. The tension is greater, they don't dent as much, and the resonance is more even across strings. The sound is a bit brighter but you can put more bass in the EQ to help with that. Getting the strings on was a lengthy ordeal. They stretch a lot once they're wound on the tuning peg (so wrap issues), but you have to use a lot of pull to get them on. They keep slipping out of the pegs. My mbass has intonation issues. The truss rod has been adjusted, the saddle's been shimmed and shaved. It's just never in tune. Another issue is that because of the diameter of the strings, they bunch up in the nut, so you have to lift the string off every time you tune. This is unacceptable, and means you can't do quick tweaks when you're playing or between tunes.  In terms of sound and portability, though, there's no comparison with anything else, but I have such a love-hate relationship with this instrument. It's limitations are constant.