BeaverCreek Traveller Bass - Poor Man's Ubass?

MakoMan · #1 03-24-2012, 07:14 AM

I really wanted a Ubass, but they were a bit more than I could justify for a practice/campfire instrument. I'd been trolling local classifieds for a used Ubass when one of these popped up:

BeaverCreek Guitars || BCRB501-B04

I got a great deal on it, so I bought it sight unseen. Picking it up this week. I've seen a couple of online reviews but that's about it. Not much info on these.
I'd be curious as to whether anybody has one of these and what your impressions are. Would also welcome string suggesions... would strings similar to those on a Ubass work on one of these for example? I believe the scale is 22".

MakoMan · #2 03-24-2012, 07:21 AM

Here's a sound clip from one being played on Youtube:

Kirkland Traveller Bass (same as BeaverCreek Travel Size Bass) Sound Sample - YouTube

xfretlessx · #3 03-24-2012, 08:57 AM

wow...i liked that sound. I played a few ubasses at a local store and had a hard time with the rubber stings...would be great with steels.

If you dont mind me asking, what is a great deal? because I can get the acoustic u bass for less than 300.

SBassman · #4 03-24-2012, 09:39 AM

I thought bass Would make a great poor man's UBass.
And that's why I tried hard to find a U.S. dealer.
And couldn't.

Anyone know where these are actually purchasable?

SBassman · #5 03-24-2012, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakoMan

I really wanted a Ubass, but they were a bit more than I could justify for a practice/campfire instrument. I'd been trolling local classifieds for a used Ubass when one of these popped up:

BeaverCreek Guitars || BCRB501-B04

I got a great deal on it, so I bought it sight unseen. Picking it up this week. I've seen a couple of online reviews but that's about it. Not much info on these.
I'd be curious as to whether anybody has one of these and what your impressions are. Would also welcome string suggesions... would strings similar to those on a Ubass work on one of these for example? I believe the scale is 22".

Where did you get it? Please come back here and review the bass after you get it. Thanks.

vinnydbass · #6 03-24-2012, 09:44 AM

my friend picked one up a couple years ago. its actually a really fun bass, perfect for a camping trip or something.

MakoMan · #7 03-24-2012, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xfretlessx

wow...i liked that sound. I played a few ubasses at a local store and had a hard time with the rubber stings...would be great with steels.

If you dont mind me asking, what is a great deal? because I can get the acoustic u bass for less than 300.

I got this one used for 100 bucks and change. I've seen them available locally new for $270.

MakoMan · #8 03-24-2012, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

Anyone know where these are actually purchasable?

No idea where to get them in the US, but they are available in Canada:

BeaverCreek BCRB501-B04 Travel Size Bass - ITALMELODIE

MakoMan · #9 03-24-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

Where did you get it? Please come back here and review the bass after you get it. Thanks.

Picked it up online in the local classifieds. I will definitely post a review when I get it.
The timing is perfect because I actually needed something for an acoustic campfire jam next weekend. Also I just opened up my deck last weekend and have been playing bass outside. Hauling an amp up and down the stairs was getting to be a pain. Plus I noticed my neighbors gathering and lighting torches the other night so I put the bass and amp back in the house. This should hopefully appease them.

RED J · #10 03-24-2012, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakoMan

Here's a sound clip from one being played on Youtube:

Kirkland Traveller Bass (same as BeaverCreek Travel Size Bass) Sound Sample - YouTube

Like it !

SBassman · #11 03-24-2012, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RED J

Like it !

Like it lots. These people don't realize they have a killer design on their hands. The only reason this thing isn't big is because they are not marketing it.

With the tiniest bit of advertising, that bass would be big - and it would eat lots of UBass sales.

It has volume and tone controls - which the hollowbody UBass doesn't have.

Biggest flaw - it's not fretless. If I ever get my hands on one, I'll be highly inclined to pull the frets.

SBassman · #12 03-24-2012, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakoMan

No idea where to get them in the US, but they are available in Canada:

BeaverCreek BCRB501-B04 Travel Size Bass - ITALMELODIE

Who in the U.S. has bought stuff in Canada?
Does it get all hosed up crossing the border?

MakoMan · #13 03-24-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

Who in the U.S. has bought stuff in Canada?
Does it get all hosed up crossing the border?

I've shipped to the US. From a customs standpoint no one I ever shipped to ever got charged anything on a used item. Not sure on new.

These guys offer free shipping to the US. Their price is higher than Italmelodie, but I believe they'd match the price. It might even be cheaper going to the US.

BeaverCreek Bass Guitar Travel Size, Beavercreek Traveller Size, BCRB501B04 | Musicians Web Store

Jjango · #14 03-24-2012, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakoMan

would strings similar to those on a Ubass work on one of these for example? I believe the scale is 22".

I don't think the U-Bass strings would work with those tuning heads. And the lower strings probably wouldn't fit through the bridge, either.

SBassman · #15 03-24-2012, 03:34 PM

I'm wondering what the regular strings on the bass are.
How are they getting good bass tone and enough tension
from a metal string at that scale?

MakoMan · #16 03-24-2012, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

I'm wondering what the regular strings on the bass are.
How are they getting good bass tone and enough tension
from a metal string at that scale?

I believe these use special strings made by D'Addario specifically for this guitar. I also understand that D'Addario is the parent company of BeaverCreek Guitars.

Here's a link to the replacement strings if that helps:

Extra Short Scale Coated Bass Strings Set, Beavercreek Traveller Size, BCTBS | Musicians Web Store

SBassman · #17 03-24-2012, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakoMan

I believe these use special strings made by D'Addario specifically for this guitar. I also understand that D'Addario is the parent company of BeaverCreek Guitars.

Here's a link to the replacement strings if that helps:

Extra Short Scale Coated Bass Strings Set, Beavercreek Traveller Size, BCTBS | Musicians Web Store

I don't understand how a .100 will have enough tension.

I used to think BeaverCreek was owned by DAddario - because of the logo you see at the BC website - but they are not. I know because I spoke to a DAddario rep about this a couple of months ago.

yeelaberbin · #18 03-24-2012, 04:18 PM

Hi,
I think the Thunderguts could work on it.
For the tuners, you can file it. That's i've made on my custom
uke on the photo.

But don't forget the Ubass has four individual piezo elements,
and i don't know the electronic of the Beaver creek.

MakoMan · #19 03-24-2012, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yeelaberbin

Hi,
I think the Thunderguts could work on it.
For the tuners, you can file it. That's i've made on my custom
uke on the photo.

But don't forget the Ubass has four individual piezo elements,
and i don't know the electronic of the Beaver creek.

Thanks. That is very good info. I have an excellent luthier, whom I am sure could put any strings I want on the BeaverCreek. Will it sound as nice as a Ubass?... I have no idea.
However if it makes a decent practice instrument, works for the occasional campfire jam, and plugged in sounds anywhere near like the 3 or 4 online clips I've heard, it will be well worth the price. If I end up not liking it, at worst I'd resell it cheap and lose maybe 20 bucks. Heck, if they were available as rentals for $20 a month I'd probably rent one out of curiousity alone.

Orangeclawhamme · #20 03-24-2012, 11:32 PM