NBD: Manne Multibass (six string shortscale!)

[ole Jason]

Pics:

Really enjoying this new Multibass from Italian builder Manne. Some quick thoughts & specs:

• This is a 31" scale bass tuned B-C. The B sounds phenomenal. Andrea's build philosophy is that using a really rigid set neck helps the B sound full at a shorter scale. After hearing it in action I can't argue otherwise!
• The Nordstrand is mounted in the P position, bit of an optical illusion with it looking closer to the neck position because the bass has 29 frets. There is a piezo pickup in the bridge which sounds nice and woody.
• The back of the body is carved in such a way that it sort of pushes against your torso when standing. Kind of hard to explain but it works extremely well, unlike any other bass I've owned. It balances very well and tends to naturally fall into playing position.
• The tone is quite interesting. You get a bit of the shortscale thump in the lower register while the upper register sounds very natural and clear. Chords sound great all over the neck, even in the lower register there is nice note separation without muddiness.

Manne is little known in America so a few notes on ordering and the build:

• Build time was insanely fast, something like 3 months. I think I was just lucky and able to sneak in an order just before he started building a few other Multis. I get the impression Andrea builds in batches by model whenever possible.
• Andrea seemed willing to do pretty much any modification asked for.
• Andrea was always responsive to emails. He didn't send any pics during the build process but I also didn't ask for any so YMMV if that's a concern.

 

[CletusMarley]

That's pretty sweet! Congrats!

 

[JRA]

that beauty is about as classy as it gets --- and your appreciation of those cool features is an endorsement of a thoughtful builder, too. it just looks great (and playable!)! congratulations on your new instrument!

 

[nonohmic]

Sweet to see one in someones hands! Amazing. Enjoy.

Is it ok to ask price and import taxes?

 

[ole Jason]

Sweet to see one in someones hands! Amazing. Enjoy.

Is it ok to ask price and import taxes?

I haven't received the bill for import duties yet but I'm expecting around 9-10% which is unfortunate but it is what it is. Cost was just under $4k, I benefited from the dollar having parity with the Euro. IIRC you can get one with a plain top and single pickup (no piezo) for around $2700. I had upcharges for the piezo system, poplar top, and Luminlays.

 

[nonohmic]

I haven't received the bill for import duties yet but I'm expecting around 9-10% which is unfortunate but it is what it is. Cost was just under $4k, I benefited from the dollar having parity with the Euro. IIRC you can get one with a plain top and single pickup (no piezo) for around $2700. I had upcharges for the piezo system, poplar top, and Luminlays.

Thanks. That's not entirely unreasonable, and about in line with what I thought might be the case. I really like his acoustic vibrabass as well.

 

[DanieleCamarda]

Here some sounds of the Manne Multi in action:

Daniele Camarda on Instagram: "Had a wonderful time in Budapest with Kristof Bacso Triad at Opus Jazz Club. This is Mantra from our new album Imaginary Faces on BMC Records (link in bio). Looking forward to join this beautiful group again soon. @kristofbacso @aron.talas @martonjuhaszmusic @budapestmusiccenter @opusjazzclub_official #newrelease #newmusic #tenorsax #6stringbass #rhodes #synthbass #drums"

 

[nonohmic]

Pics:
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Really enjoying this new Multibass from Italian builder Manne. Some quick thoughts & specs:

• This is a 31" scale bass tuned B-C. The B sounds phenomenal. Andrea's build philosophy is that using a really rigid set neck helps the B sound full at a shorter scale. After hearing it in action I can't argue otherwise!
• The Nordstrand is mounted in the P position, bit of an optical illusion with it looking closer to the neck position because the bass has 29 frets. There is a piezo pickup in the bridge which sounds nice and woody.
• The back of the body is carved in such a way that it sort of pushes against your torso when standing. Kind of hard to explain but it works extremely well, unlike any other bass I've owned. It balances very well and tends to naturally fall into playing position.
• The tone is quite interesting. You get a bit of the shortscale thump in the lower register while the upper register sounds very natural and clear. Chords sound great all over the neck, even in the lower register there is nice note separation without muddiness.

Manne is little known in America so a few notes on ordering and the build:

• Build time was insanely fast, something like 3 months. I think I was just lucky and able to sneak in an order just before he started building a few other Multis. I get the impression Andrea builds in batches by model whenever possible.
• Andrea seemed willing to do pretty much any modification asked for.
• Andrea was always responsive to emails. He didn't send any pics during the build process but I also didn't ask for any so YMMV if that's a concern.

Here some sounds of the Manne Multi in action:

Daniele Camarda on Instagram: "Had a wonderful time in Budapest with Kristof Bacso Triad at Opus Jazz Club. This is Mantra from our new album Imaginary Faces on BMC Records (link in bio). Looking forward to join this beautiful group again soon. @kristofbacso @aron.talas @martonjuhaszmusic @budapestmusiccenter @opusjazzclub_official #newrelease #newmusic #tenorsax #6stringbass #rhodes #synthbass #drums"

One spec I forgot to ask. What is the string spacing?

 

[ole Jason]

One spec I forgot to ask. What is the string spacing?

17mm is standard but it may be possible to request other spacings. I've played 17mm for many years so didn't ask but Andrea seemed pretty willing to do anything if you're willing to pay the cost.

After having the bass for a couple of weeks I'm still loving it. The idea for a 31" scale from @DanieleCamarda really works! The bass sounds great in all registers. Despite the wild looks I've been using it for recording some pedestrian conventional bass lines and it sits very well in the mix. Of course, it's also great for solo type playing with chords and whatnot.

 

[Avezzano]

Andrea Ballarin ("Manne" for the family and friends) is one of the top luthiers in Italy (in the whole world, to me). His mind is absolutely innovative, his products are the direct result of his continuely creative approach. I have my passive Manne 5 since almost 20 years (bought second hand, it was already abundantly used and abused): 2 truss rods, quarter sawn neck, ebonol fretboard, ergonomic body shaping, with the lower horn cut "triangularly" (looking at the horn section) so that the fretting hand wrist is at better ease. Details. Never needed to adjust the rods. Tuning stays ok for ages. Very versatile tones. Cuts like an active bass.

 

[DanieleCamarda]

17mm is standard but it may be possible to request other spacings. I've played 17mm for many years so didn't ask but Andrea seemed pretty willing to do anything if you're willing to pay the cost.

After having the bass for a couple of weeks I'm still loving it. The idea for a 31" scale from @DanieleCamarda really works! The bass sounds great in all registers. Despite the wild looks I've been using it for recording some pedestrian conventional bass lines and it sits very well in the mix. Of course, it's also great for solo type playing with chords and whatnot.

Hi Ole, very glad to hear you are enjoying the sound and feel. Yes, 31" it's a great format for a unique sounding 6. What about the ergonomics, are you comfortable?

 

[ole Jason]

Hi Ole, very glad to hear you are enjoying the sound and feel. Yes, 31" it's a great format for a unique sounding 6. What about the ergonomics, are you comfortable?

The ergonomics are great! I primarily play sitting using a footstool and the bass balances very well. I do a lot of soloing on gigs so it's important to be able to play the entire range of the bass without feeling fatigued or needing to shift the instrument. I had heard you and Andrea mention in interviews the unique way the back is carved and I have to say it works amazingly well to push the bass into the body when standing. It is kind of hard to describe but it's really interesting... I wish all of my basses were carved that way!

Daniele have you experimented with different strings on the Multi? I'm enjoying the Galli set (35-130) but I will likely try some lighter gauges in the future. I usually use .028 .040 .060 .080 .100 .120T but will go slightly heavier given the shorter scale of the Multi.

 

[DanieleCamarda]

The ergonomics are great! I primarily play sitting using a footstool and the bass balances very well. I do a lot of soloing on gigs so it's important to be able to play the entire range of the bass without feeling fatigued or needing to shift the instrument. I had heard you and Andrea mention in interviews the unique way the back is carved and I have to say it works amazingly well to push the bass into the body when standing. It is kind of hard to describe but it's really interesting... I wish all of my basses were carved that way!

Daniele have you experimented with different strings on the Multi? I'm enjoying the Galli set (35-130) but I will likely try some lighter gauges in the future. I usually use .028 .040 .060 .080 .100 .120T but will go slightly heavier given the shorter scale of the Multi.

I agree, it's unusual and difficult to explain but the goal was to have both the bodies of the player and of the bass blend smoothly, avoiding the bass to just sit on the ribs. I feel it works perfectly both sitting and standing.

String-wise.. My tuning is EADGCF and I use 24, 32, 45, 65, 85, 105. For regular BEADGC tuning on other basses I remove the top string and add a 130 on the bottom. HOWEVER... even though it shouldn't make any sense.. on the Multi I often detune EADCGF down to BEADGC (as detuning a guitar into baritone tuning) and get a very interesting result, a super light ultra low tension string set which, if I raise the action, allows me very unique sonic and expressive flavors. So, I can totally relate to your 28-120..

 

[Killing Floor]

That’s sharp. I like the dark stain continuing up the neck. Congrats

 

[Green Knight]

Exceedingly sweet.

 

[BassVienna]

I agree, it's unusual and difficult to explain but the goal was to have both the bodies of the player and of the bass blend smoothly, avoiding the bass to just sit on the ribs. I feel it works perfectly both sitting and standing.

String-wise.. My tuning is EADGCF and I use 24, 32, 45, 65, 85, 105. For regular BEADGC tuning on other basses I remove the top string and add a 130 on the bottom. HOWEVER... even though it shouldn't make any sense.. on the Multi I often detune EADCGF down to BEADGC (as detuning a guitar into baritone tuning) and get a very interesting result, a super light ultra low tension string set which, if I raise the action, allows me very unique sonic and expressive flavors. So, I can totally relate to your 28-120..

I recently got a Multibass and love it. Sounds beautiful and plays so easy. It's a really gorgeous instrument!

Since the bass is setup B-C i would like change it from E-C, can i ask what strings you use for that?

I really enjoy your playing and your music btw!

 

[DanieleCamarda]

I recently got a Multibass and love it. Sounds beautiful and plays so easy. It's a really gorgeous instrument!

Since the bass is setup B-C i would like change it from E-C, can i ask what strings you use for that?

I really enjoy your playing and your music btw!

Hi there, thanks for your words! Which woods/pickups configurations have you got it with? I used D'addario Nickel for many years, just adding a top .024 and .032 (you can find them as a single strings on JustStrings and similar websites) to a regular .045-.105 set. Recently I've been experimenting with the Galli Synthesis Nickel which I find extremely interesting (slightly ticker gauges on the top: 25, 35, 45, 65, 85, 105.. and 130 on my 7 strings), a bit less thick and more agile sonically on the low end and more crunchy on the harmonics in the high end in comparison with the Daddarios. Let me know if you need any other info.

 

[BassVienna]

Hi there, thanks for your words! Which woods/pickups configurations have you got it with? I used D'addario Nickel for many years, just adding a top .024 and .032 (you can find them as a single strings on JustStrings and similar websites) to a regular .045-.105 set. Recently I've been experimenting with the Galli Synthesis Nickel which I find extremely interesting (slightly ticker gauges on the top: 25, 35, 45, 65, 85, 105.. and 130 on my 7 strings), a bit less thick and more agile sonically on the low end and more crunchy on the harmonics in the high end in comparison with the Daddarios. Let me know if you need any other info.

Thanks for your answer! The bass has a paulownia body + poplar top and a single zenblade + piezo. I was looking for the Galli set but can't seem to find to buy them with a 25 topstring. Since i play the D'addario Nickels for years i would love to try the Galli.

 

[DanieleCamarda]

Thanks for your answer! The bass has a paulownia body + poplar top and a single zenblade + piezo. I was looking for the Galli set but can't seem to find to buy them with a 25 topstring. Since i play the D'addario Nickels for years i would love to try the Galli.

Yes, I forgot to mention that's not a set you can find ready to buy. You have to contact them and have it "composed" for you as you would do with the Daddario.