This is more of a NB-couple-of-weeks, but I was busy and then the forum was down, which meant more time with this great ultra-portable piccolo bass.
For me, buying this bass was about travel. I want to practice when I am away from home, but I am tired of hauling full-size basses or guitars on car trips, let alone airplanes. Maurizio Uber Basses, a small shop run by an Italian in Malaysia, is one of the companies responding to this market niche, and the Miezo (16-inch scale, tuned an octave above standard) is easy to tote along. I was able to put the bass (inside its gig bag) in my backpack, along with its accessories and my usual travel items (tablet, keyboard, a book, etc...) and still fit my backpack under the airline seat in front of me.
In addition to its stow-and-go travel convenience, I have found the Miezo to be a good choice for quietly noodling on the couch or while in a recliner. The half-length scale means that I do not need to worry about what the headstock might hit if my attention wanders.
Of course, the portability would not be worth much if the instrument were miserable to play. Fortunately, it plays well and sounds good. The ergonomics are sound (especially seated), the action is low, and the tone is good (adding the humbucker with coil split was worth it for a bit more variety, more complex options are available). The workmanship is excellent, and the bass feels sturdy despite the small size. Tuning is stable and the small adjustments that are needed in travel are easy to make.
Though I bought this as a travel bass, it certainly could be a gigging instrument for someone who plays a piccolo bass, and I believe there are artists using MUB basses that way.
This was my first custom bass, and I must note that dealing with Maurizio was a pleasure. There were some delays (thanks COVID) and a mistake, but he was always responsive and professional, and the problem was resolved. International delivery was quick and easy.
The pricing is very reasonable, and the build time, despite the delays, was still much faster than that of some of the other builders in this market. And the Miezo just looks good.
For me, buying this bass was about travel. I want to practice when I am away from home, but I am tired of hauling full-size basses or guitars on car trips, let alone airplanes. Maurizio Uber Basses, a small shop run by an Italian in Malaysia, is one of the companies responding to this market niche, and the Miezo (16-inch scale, tuned an octave above standard) is easy to tote along. I was able to put the bass (inside its gig bag) in my backpack, along with its accessories and my usual travel items (tablet, keyboard, a book, etc...) and still fit my backpack under the airline seat in front of me.
In addition to its stow-and-go travel convenience, I have found the Miezo to be a good choice for quietly noodling on the couch or while in a recliner. The half-length scale means that I do not need to worry about what the headstock might hit if my attention wanders.
Of course, the portability would not be worth much if the instrument were miserable to play. Fortunately, it plays well and sounds good. The ergonomics are sound (especially seated), the action is low, and the tone is good (adding the humbucker with coil split was worth it for a bit more variety, more complex options are available). The workmanship is excellent, and the bass feels sturdy despite the small size. Tuning is stable and the small adjustments that are needed in travel are easy to make.
Though I bought this as a travel bass, it certainly could be a gigging instrument for someone who plays a piccolo bass, and I believe there are artists using MUB basses that way.
This was my first custom bass, and I must note that dealing with Maurizio was a pleasure. There were some delays (thanks COVID) and a mistake, but he was always responsive and professional, and the problem was resolved. International delivery was quick and easy.
The pricing is very reasonable, and the build time, despite the delays, was still much faster than that of some of the other builders in this market. And the Miezo just looks good.
