Marc S Posted September 8 Share Posted September 8 So I was already at full capacity, bass-wise, and had promised not to buy any more. Plus, I have recently been yearning for a fretless again, having joined a band 11 months ago, which would suit a few songs on fretless. Then, this little 23.5" scale beauty turned my head, and I weakened... as I thought I never would! Lol. Bought from @threeof this very parish. I believe it was previously owned by @Owenon here too? It was built by @Jabba_the_gutwhose work i had previously seen on several of his excellent build threads, and I knew this bass would be absolutely top notch, as his workmanship always looks great. So why buy a bass I wasn't looking for? And at a time I should perhaps seek out a fretless for my latest band? Well, I usually carry a spare bass, as a backup. Plus, I like to have 2 bass guitars, with different tones, for some gigs. Also, I play upright in a couple of bands, and I like to play a few songs on Bass guitar too. I'm always looking for ways to travel a bit lighter, and more compact, and this ticked those boxes. I sometimes play a few songs on U-bass, which is great - but the range of notes which is reachable with the left hand on a U-bass is rather limited. They're absolutely fine of course, but I sometimes like to play a run up to higher notes. Anyhow, enough rambling on from me. Jabba's work is indeed super quality. The bass is slightly heavier than I thought it would be - but it's still considerably lighter than my Fender P. Nice & compact too, it came with a small gigbag, but it fits into an even smaller generic U-bass gigbag. I think I will get more used to the scale length than I ever have with my U-bass. It's active and the pickup sounds absolutely thunderous. The bottom end sounds way deeper than looks possible from such a small instrument, and I'm pleased I went for this bass. Last photo is for size comparison, with a standard size Kala Uke bass. Now I need to sell one of the 2 U-basses I own.... or I'll be in trouble! 😉 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three Posted September 8 Share Posted September 8 This is indeed a fabulous little bass and a viable alternative to its full-sized counterparts in any setting. As Marc suggests, the pickup is thunderous and the quality/weight of tones belies the size of the instrument - hard to believe really. Enjoy it Marc - beyond being really good fun, it's a very serious instrument! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted September 8 Share Posted September 8 Guilty as charged. You chose very well indeed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted September 9 Author Share Posted September 9 (edited) Just some early thoughts on playing this super little bass. I'm still in disbelief that the sound from it is just so immense. The lows are really thunderous, and the mids and top really punchy. I'll be taking it to rehearsal on Weds and Thursday evenings, with 2 very different bands - so I'll see how it sits in the mix then, and it'll be good to try it in very different situations. I have a little issue currently, in that the strap button is much further forward than the usual position around the 12th fret - so that throws me if I don't concentrate on that. Plus, with a narrow necked instrument, I sometimes lazily wrap my thumb around the top of the neck (a bit) so I need to get used to the neck being joined to the body around the 7th / 8th fret. It's all something that can be remedied by just playing on it as much as possible. Getting the strap height just right on this bass is going to be critical, for a comfortable left hand position / full access to the fretboard. @three advised me to change the strings on it, for a heavier gauge set. He very kindly gave me several sets with the bass, some of which Owen had had made. I'll stick to this set for now, and venture to change them in a couple of weeks. I have currently just changed strings on my BSX upright, to some used Innovation silver slaps, and am about to swap back again to Flats on my Danelectro (I should have just stuck to the flats on that!). All these string changes are making me dizzy lol Anyhow, so far I'm really happy with the bass I shouldn't have bought Edited September 9 by Marc S 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonular Posted September 9 Share Posted September 9 That is an amazing looking bass! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted September 9 Author Share Posted September 9 3 hours ago, zonular said: That is an amazing looking bass! Thanks, yes it turned my head. (At a time it didn't need turning). I went for it because I thought I may not get the chance again. Check out some of Jabba's other builds. He's a really talented Luthier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted September 9 Share Posted September 9 You are a very lucky chap. @Jabba_the_gut's basses are superb. Jabba is a real bass-builder's bass builder 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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