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Maurizio Uber Basses ultra-short scale Miezo club

gscroggin

gscroggin

Supporting Member
Feb 2, 2006
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onebadoyster.com
#1
I think I posted somewhere else here on TB that I'd eventually get around to creating this. I'm hopped up on too much coffee this morning, so here it finally is :hyper:

For those that aren't familiar, here's the instrument we're talking about: https://www.mauriziouberbasses.com/miezo

Last I knew Maurizio (a.k.a. "Mau") offers it as 16" and 18" scales. He also has the super versatile XM3 series that has a wide range of neck swappable scales, but we'll stick to focusing on the Miezo here. I'm tagging everyone I've seen post pics of their Miezo, though I didn't do an exhaustive search.

@monsterthompson
@Anachronism
@funk generator
@Obese Chess
@Sacha Lévesque
@Starthief

One of the reasons I'm finally getting around to this is that I'm about so send my Miezo back to Mau for some mods. I ordered mine in June 2020 and received it in November 2020. It was the height of the pandemic and I recall Mau had to shut down his shop a few times. I think mine was one of, if not the first, 18" scale. I had contacted him about the 16", and he brought up the idea of the 18" that he was prototyping. When I first received it, it was tuned F#1/B/E/A/D/G with .125 to .30 gauges. This really takes advantage of the 18" scale, because you can go as low as the 2nd fret (F#) of a typical low E string. This means an 18" Miezo 6 can basically have the same octave range as a 21 fret, 34" scale 4 string bass. It had a really neat, dark sound to it.

I eventually switched to a more typical B1/E/A/D/G/C tuning with .95 to .25 gauges. It better matches my needs as a soloing/theory practice and tapping instrument. Here's pics of mine at the moment, and once I get it modded, I'll report back. In the meantime hopefully others will chime in and we can get some more buzz out there about these really cool instruments :bassist:
 
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#2
GSMiezo001.jpg

GSMiezo002.jpg

GSMiezo003.jpg

GSMiezo004.jpg

GSMiezo005.jpg

GSMiezo006.jpg

GSMiezo007.jpg

GSMiezo008.jpg

GSMiezo009.jpg

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GSMiezo015.jpg


This is what my Miezo 18" currently looks like.
  • Miezo 6, BEADGC
  • Zebrawood top
  • Chambered Padauk body
  • Ebony board
  • Bartolini Dual Coil w/ coil switch
  • Passive w/ volume and tone
 
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#3
Not playing mine as much as I should. I haven’t been playing any of my basses enough, honestly.

I’ve had a thought or two recently about going much thinner/lighter on the strings to treat it almost like a guitar/baritone. I might contact Mau for his thoughts on string options for this experiment.

Here’s a recent pic :)
CCB3D54B-6686-43A3-B219-9F2B3A286DB5.jpeg
 
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#5
Walnut and padauk :)

The Zens were great at first. Unfortunately I had an issue with one pot failing and the repair tech swapped the 250 for 500 on both pots and it lost some magic. I’m not sure if the pots are to blame but the pickups don’t seem to blend as nicely as they used to. Solo neck or bridge is good and both on full is good. But there’s something weird like phase cancelation happening when the volume of one gets rolled back. Because I had a pot fail so soon after I got it, I’m not sure if it would’ve worked this way right out of the box or not. There’s the added wrinkle of the pickups individually being able to be wired in series/parallel.

That said, I’m not picking. I think they’re solid pickups and I’d consider building with them again.
 
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#6
Beautiful stuff here! I actually don't have a Miezo, I have the G5 "Maranello."
NBD - MÜB G5 "Maranello"

It's still my main 5-string for studio work, though I don't bring it on stage often as I primarily play metal and hardcore and my basses get pretty beat up stage diving and generally being annoying.

Funds allowing, I'm slowly cobbling together a bunch of really weird parts to have Mau make me a four-string. Might get a Miezo for fun at some point, though.
 
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#7
Folks, I'm in the market for a sub-short-scale, travel-type (although it won't be traveling) bass with an 18"-22" scale length . I'm looking hard at the Uber Miezo/X3M, the Wing Bass NT, and the MihaDo FingyBass, but I'm finding it difficult to differentiate among them. With a few desired options for each, my maximum budget (let's say $1,500) will accommodate all of them. I presume that either Uber ranks highest in terms of build quality, but the exact scale length I finally settle on, as well as the ergonomics, are my foremost priorities.

I know that a number of you have, or have had, one of these, but if anyone has, or has had, two (or all three?!?), and is willing to offer feedback, I'd really appreciate a comparative evaluation. Thanks very much in advance.
 
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#8
I’ve got a Miezo 18. My biggest complaints about the ergonomics have a fair amount to do with my personal disability and hand mobility/strength issues. Not to focus on the negatives but here are my observations:

1. The fretboard is pretty flat and I prefer a curve. This isn’t something I gave much thought to before I purchased the Miezo but I notice it now. It reminds me of a nylon string classical guitar I once played. Speaking of classical, I find myself sitting in a classical guitar posture to play the Miezo (bass between my legs, instead of on the right hip/thigh).

2. The back of the neck is also fairly flat. With the single cut it makes it hard for me to find a good thumb placement. My specific personal issues make it so that my fingers work better when the thumb can “hang” on the rounded edge of a neck, and I just can’t do that with this design.

3. I find the string anchor at the back side of the nut can be an obstacle I bump into with certain fret positions. It sticks out from the neck in a way that creates a “fence” at the end of the neck. You get used to it being there.

4. I opted for 17mm spacing thinking I’d like the tighter spacing based on my 17mm basses versus 19mm basses. I later realized that the narrow nut spacing is what I actually prefer and I don’t find the 17mm spacing to be as advantageous as I hoped.

Also worth noting is that over time I did get some fret sprout, which was easily cleaned up by my local tech.

I had an uncommon problem with one of the pots and had to get it fixed by a local tech. He swapped the 250 pots for 500 and I think he might’ve changed something else in the wiring as it’s never quite sounded as good as it did when the bass first arrived (my Nordy blade pickups have multiple options).

All that said, it’s a nice custom build for an uncommon design. I had a few unusual glitches/delays because my build went on through Covid lockdowns. I’d certainly consider doing another build with them. I’d probably go with a simpler build with only the neck pickup, and consider one of the X3M designs with a little more scale length and a cutaway to fit my personal needs.
 
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#9
monsterthompson said:
I’ve got a Miezo 18. My biggest complaints about the ergonomics have a fair amount to do with my personal disability and hand mobility/strength issues. Not to focus on the negatives but here are my observations:

1. The fretboard is pretty flat and I prefer a curve. This isn’t something I gave much thought to before I purchased the Miezo but I notice it now. It reminds me of a nylon string classical guitar I once played. Speaking of classical, I find myself sitting in a classical guitar posture to play the Miezo (bass between my legs, instead of on the right hip/thigh).

2. The back of the neck is also fairly flat. With the single cut it makes it hard for me to find a good thumb placement. My specific personal issues make it so that my fingers work better when the thumb can “hang” on the rounded edge of a neck, and I just can’t do that with this design.

3. I find the string anchor at the back side of the nut can be an obstacle I bump into with certain fret positions. It sticks out from the neck in a way that creates a “fence” at the end of the neck. You get used to it being there.

4. I opted for 17mm spacing thinking I’d like the tighter spacing based on my 17mm basses versus 19mm basses. I later realized that the narrow nut spacing is what I actually prefer and I don’t find the 17mm spacing to be as advantageous as I hoped.

Also worth noting is that over time I did get some fret sprout, which was easily cleaned up by my local tech.

I had an uncommon problem with one of the pots and had to get it fixed by a local tech. He swapped the 250 pots for 500 and I think he might’ve changed something else in the wiring as it’s never quite sounded as good as it did when the bass first arrived (my Nordy blade pickups have multiple options).

All that said, it’s a nice custom build for an uncommon design. I had a few unusual glitches/delays because my build went on through Covid lockdowns. I’d certainly consider doing another build with them. I’d probably go with a simpler build with only the neck pickup, and consider one of the X3M designs with a little more scale length and a cutaway to fit my personal needs.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback, monster. I have hand issues also, so I can certainly relate. On top of that, I'm intending to string this bass in fifths, so there'll be extra left hand stretching and/or shifting required. However, even though your insights may not entirely apply in my case, I'll definitely be aware of them, and can bring them up with Mau if I get to that point. Thanks again.
 
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#10
Rocket Queen said:
Thanks for the feedback, monster. I have hand issues also, so I can certainly relate. On top of that, I'm intending to string this bass in fifths, so there'll be extra left hand stretching and/or shifting required. However, even though your insights may not entirely apply in my case, I'll definitely be aware of them, and can bring them up with Mau if I get to that point. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Mau is super interested and helpful. I’ll say that any bass issues I have were not shortcomings on his part. He went out of his way to understand, estimate, and address my needs.
 
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#11
I agree with @monsterthompson on several things; the flat profile of the neck and fretboard, the classical guitar feel (which I love in this case), the string anchor (which in my case has cut my hand a few times on sharp string ends...I've starting filing them!). I also had fret sprout, which Mau attributed to the humidity differences between Malaysia and here. I've since started putting a two-way humidity pack in the Miezo case. I keep a real humidifier in the room where most of my instruments are, but the Miezo tends to travel around the house, so the pack in the case was Mau's suggestion.

Back to MUB vs. Wing vs. MihaDo, I can only comment on Wing. I got to handle one a few years ago and liked it. It was before I had the Miezo, and in comparison was pretty basic. I don't mean that in a bad way, just very little additional customization. I recall the body and neck design are also different between the two. I'd have no reservations about owning a Wing. I recall it played and sounded great for this type of instrument. It might be a plus to some that it's made in the USA.

I whole-heartedly recommend MUB, and coincidentally just got mine back again after having some work done to it (I'll post some new pics soon). Working with Mau is a pleasure. If I could have done anything different, it might have been to stretch my budget a bit and get a X3M. Start with the 18" scale and give myself the runway to grow into other necks. I love the idea of it, though I'm not traveling like I used to, and certainly not flying to gigs, so much of the practicality is lost on me. I love the idea and versatility though.

Good luck @Rocket Queen !
 
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#12
gscroggin said:
I agree with @monsterthompson on several things; the flat profile of the neck and fretboard, the classical guitar feel (which I love in this case), the string anchor (which in my case has cut my hand a few times on sharp string ends...I've starting filing them!). I also had fret sprout, which Mau attributed to the humidity differences between Malaysia and here. I've since started putting a two-way humidity pack in the Miezo case. I keep a real humidifier in the room where most of my instruments are, but the Miezo tends to travel around the house, so the pack in the case was Mau's suggestion.

Back to MUB vs. Wing vs. MihaDo, I can only comment on Wing. I got to handle one a few years ago and liked it. It was before I had the Miezo, and in comparison was pretty basic. I don't mean that in a bad way, just very little additional customization. I recall the body and neck design are also different between the two. I'd have no reservations about owning a Wing. I recall it played and sounded great for this type of instrument. It might be a plus to some that it's made in the USA.

I whole-heartedly recommend MUB, and coincidentally just got mine back again after having some work done to it (I'll post some new pics soon). Working with Mau is a pleasure. If I could have done anything different, it might have been to stretch my budget a bit and get a X3M. Start with the 18" scale and give myself the runway to grow into other necks. I love the idea of it, though I'm not traveling like I used to, and certainly not flying to gigs, so much of the practicality is lost on me. I love the idea and versatility though.

Good luck @Rocket Queen !
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks so much for the feedback. It's especially helpful that you were able to provide insight on both the MuB and the Wing. I have in fact been thinking that, as my hand flexibility hopefully improved and I got more comfortable with the fifths tuning, it might be possible eventually to move from 18" to 22", so the X3M would provide a significant long-term advantage. In any case, thanks again for the input.
 
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#13
I am a little late to the party here, but I’m happy to add my thoughts.
I jumped on the MuB train pretty early and #21 is still my main bass. Unfortunately fret sprout does tend to happen with MuB. Malaysia has humidity like no other. That’s fortunately a pretty easy fix. Aside from that it has been routine maintenance for my basses for years.

The flat fingerboards took some getting used to for me. My first MuB the edges of the fingerboard are rounded a bit which helps the comfort for me substantially. These are my first basses that haven’t been radiuses. I have grown to love it.

I did have a Miezo. It was well made and really cool but at the time was tuned an octave up. He now offers custom strings that allow for standard tuning. To me the X3M seems more versatile and has the option to add addition necks. With a 16 on 12 off schedule that is great for me. I can have a shorter neck for air travel and a standard neck at home. I have spent a lot of time looking into travel basses. Nothing seems to be as convenient as the X3M. You may not travel often, but it is nice to have the ability. I will update this with a full travel review once my new bass arrives.

Mau is one of the nicest guys you are ever going to deal with. Insanely helpful, and he will spend ours going over ideas with you. My main advice for ordering is have fun with it, and don’t forget the smallest details because those are what really make the bass yours.
 
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#14
Miezo new 1.jpg

Miezo new 2.jpg

Miezo new 3.jpg


As mentioned at the beginning of the thread, I sent my Miezo out for some fret repairs and upgrades, and couldn't be happier with the results. Beyond the frets, Mau added the fretboard inlays (a take on his logo, at my recommendation), swapping the single Bartolini Singularity for a pair of Nordstrand Zen Blades, and wrapping them in a new ebony ramp. The electronics are a passive Vol/Vol/Tone, with a dual/single coil tap. Dual is fuller, deeper, more output, with the single being brighter and clearer with lower output.

Although I'm a long time Bart fan, this new pickup config is much better suited to my Miezo. It has a sweetness now that it didn't previously. I'm also really digging the ramp. This is my first instrument with a real one. Until now I'd only tried retrofitting wood blocks between pickups to existing basses. I much prefer the feel of this one-piece unit and am really glad I had him build it. I'm absolutely loving having this thing back :hyper:
 
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#15
I am a huge MÜB fan. I have found that the Miezo is a little TOO short scale for my taste.
I do have a 22, 25, 27, and 34" scale Marizio, so I am a fan. Since there is no Maurizio appreciation account, I am posting these here. The 4 string is the bass with the 22" neck. All basses are tuned standard, with the exception of the 22" neck, which is tuned Soprano with Marleaux soprano strings.
597537616_1176286651386217_2682579362764627781_n.jpg
 
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