Gold Tone MicroBass Talk

[Orangeclawhammr]

I installed Pahoehoes as suggested by 1stnamebassist and had a similar experience. I didn't think I'd like the black ones so I got the red ones. Get black ones.

 

[cultrvultr]

Ok thanks guys, looks like I'll have to try the Pahoehoes on the GT.

I like the GT but it is clear they really didn't think through all the little things.

 

[BrianMarc]

Question

• Does anyone prefer the fretless over the fretted because there is fret buzz on a fretted model?
• Or, does anyone feel that the GT Microbass fretted model is not likely to have fret buzz for whatever reason (e.g., larger scale than UBass, etc.)

Reason for question: I had a fretted UBass and sold it because of the tons of fret buzz. While many have stated it is due to pressing too hard, I could not get used to it.

Please accept my apology if this is already addressed, but I cannot get through all the posts.

Thanks for your input.

 

[vHarmonic]

Hey BrianMarc, I have never played a fretted micro bass. But I much prefer fretless acoustic basses in general, mostly because of the lack of fret buzz. I love my fretless micro, but it seems like there are lots of folks on here that love their fretted micro too. Was your ubass set up correctly? The strings on my micro are much higher than any other bass I have. But it is still extremely comfortable to play.

 

[KohanMike]

My Pahoehoe have not worn out at all compared to the Thunderguts that came with it, which dented very quickly.

 

[cultrvultr]

Ok time for some Pahoehoes I guess. Clearly GT missed the boat on this. I wish they were more active here to get some real world feedback. It seems like they don't have any bass players working at the company

I have a new monthly with the uke bass so will time the change to get 1 month of stretching time before I play then out.

 

[Hallic]

How loud is the microbass 25 inch?
I mean, is it loud enough to play along with ukuleles and/or classical guitars acoustically?

 

[Gorn]

How loud is the microbass 25 inch?
I mean, is it loud enough to play along with ukuleles and/or classical guitars acoustically?

Unless you're playing an upright bass or an enormous acoustic like the Earthwood, you're not gonna be heard unplugged with any acoustic bass playing with another stringed instrument.

If it's a quiet room and the guitarist is playing very gently, you might have a shot, but useful unplugged volume isn't something anyone should expect from an acoustic bass guitar.

 

[Hallic]

Unless you're playing an upright bass or an enormous acoustic like the Earthwood, you're not gonna be heard unplugged with any acoustic bass playing with another stringed instrument.

If it's a quiet room and the guitarist is playing very gently, you might have a shot, but useful unplugged volume isn't something anyone should expect from an acoustic bass guitar.

thanks for the repleying. I know it wouldnt compete in terms of volume, and am not expecting it to be. I am just trying to gauge its loudness, since i would like to play it acoustically while practicing(when no other instruments are playing). I mean the really small ubasses dont have that much volume and the low E can be very hard to hear sometimes.

 

[Gorn]

thanks for the repleying. I know it wouldnt compete in terms of volume, and am not expecting it to be. I am just trying to gauge its loudness, since i would like to play it acoustically while practicing(when no other instruments are playing). I mean the really small ubasses dont have that much volume and the low E can be very hard to hear sometimes.

It's louder than the ubass, definately. And the strings it comes with are more trebley so it's more audible. Good for practicing alone but the tone really comes to life plugged in.

There's also the newer 25" scale with a bigger body. That's probably even louder than the standard 23" model.

 

[cultrvultr]

I rehearse with my GT 23 acoustically. Keeps up pretty well with an accordion and acoustic guitar in a living room. It doesn't sound great, but it's fine for running through tunes.

The 25 is deeper but the bass doesn't carry very far. the 23 is punchy and cuts a bit better acoustically. The tiny new hotone speaker looks like the way to go for a little more volume.

 

[cultrvultr]

And if I remember right GT says the 25 is 10% louder than the 23.

I rehearse with my GT 23 acoustically. Keeps up pretty well with an accordion and acoustic guitar in a living room. It doesn't sound great, but it's fine for running through tunes.

The 25 is deeper but the bass doesn't carry very far. the 23 is punchy and cuts a bit better acoustically. The tiny new hotone speaker looks like the way to go for a little more volume.

 

[HeavyDuty]

Unless you're playing an upright bass or an enormous acoustic like the Earthwood, you're not gonna be heard unplugged with any acoustic bass playing with another stringed instrument.

If it's a quiet room and the guitarist is playing very gently, you might have a shot, but useful unplugged volume isn't something anyone should expect from an acoustic bass guitar.

While I generally agree with this statement, there are exceptions. I can keep up with two acoustic guitars in a living room jam setting using one of my ThunderChiefs and a felt pick. Fingerstyle or a larger room, not so much.

 

[Gorn]

Yah the pick makes a difference. I'm trying to learn to play with one. I stink at it.

 

[vHarmonic]

Anyone else have a week note or a dead note on the C note 10th fret on the D string? On my 23" micro, that not is not dead but it is definitely weaker. It is still useable but does not sing like the notes around it. Anybody else notice any dead/weak notes on their micro bass?

 

[HeavyDuty]

Yah the pick makes a difference. I'm trying to learn to play with one. I stink at it.

It's the only thing I use a pick for, so I know what you mean!

 

[vHarmonic]

I decided to try a set of Aquill 91U Red Thunder for the UBass on my Goldtone Micro Bass. I have had them on there for about a week, and I gotta say I really like them. They have great tone, better acoustic volume, sustain, they sit in the mix better and better feel on the right hand too, easier to play fast tight notes.They where made for a 21" bass but I had no trouble installing the on my 23" micro. They have a bit more tension than the thunderguts I had on there. I was able to remove one of the shims under the bridge, lowering the action a bit. The D string felt kind of sticky and hard to slide on. But I found rubbing just a tiny bit of oil on my finger tips completely clears that up and all the strings slide effortlessly. Anyhow, I don't know if this will interest anyone else but I am really loving them, great tone, sustain and feel on the fingers. They haven't fully settled yet but are fairly usable. They go just a bit flat after 10 minuets of playing. I will report back with updates after have had them on there for a while.

 

[cultrvultr]

Thanks for the heads up on the reds! I got fed up with the stock strings last night and ordered some Pahoehoes, but now I'm curious about the reds too!

 

[KohanMike]

I bought Thunder Reds a few weeks ago, but they were not as smooth as Pahoehoes, which never needs anything added, no powder or oil. I really don't understand why anyone would even want do that all the time, I sure don't want to carry powder or oil around, plus risk getting that on everything, makes no sense to me.

 

[vHarmonic]

I hear you man. I use my micro for practice at home and mostly acoustically. If I wanted to gig with it I could definitely see the appeal of Pahoehoes. I went with reds for acoustic volume and punchy tone. So far I haven't had problems with the strings squeaking like thunderguts. But I only had big problems with that during really hot wheather and it is quite cold at the moment.
How is the acoustic volume of the micro with Pahoehoes? I was not thrilled with their volume on the ubass, but the micro might be better.