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NBD: Ministar Basstar

Turock

Turock

Apr 30, 2000
7,003
1,047
Melnibone
shamelessdave.com
#1
I ordered one of these. For $99, I wasn't expecting much, but I must say I am pleased with what I got: a bass, two cheapo instrument cables, a line cable, headphone amp, strap, headphones, and three steel arms for sitting or standing, and a gig bag that holds it all. I figure I'll keep it behind the seat in my truck and always be ready for whatever comes along.
It plays pretty good; good action, good intonation. Sounds pretty good; a little twangy, but not too much. I like this little sucker.

Ministar Basstar:
DSCN0024.jpg
 
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#10
I just bought one of these and the little amount of time I've had with it, I'm pleased with the purchase. I am considering changing the strings to flat wounds. Does anyone know if Fender Light Gauge Flat wounds would work? From what I'm reading any strings used shouldn't have the cloth ends on them due to the tight space where the strings go through. Any and all thoughts would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
DW
 
#11
oldbassplayergu said:
they make an upright stand that goes in the end. and a hip rest to make it easier to play like a standup. I think it's $25 or $30.
Click to expand...

My 4F was my 1st bass...bought it in late '09. I e-mailed the company twice about getting the stand-up rod & also about the rod(s) to hook 2 of them together. My bandmate has a Castar & I thought it would be neat to put my fretless bass-tard neck with his strat-neck bastard ha ha! I got no response from them & I've looked on ebay & Amazon various times. Keep thinkin' I'll just have to make something. It does play nice & I've never adjusted anything on it. :cool:
 
#13
I like mine. The sound is better than you would think by looking at it but I agree it doesn't play well in a sitting position. It is a fun bass to have around and I am planning on taking mine to work with a headphone amp and getting some practice in at lunch time.

When I got it I kept thinking I might get some styrofoam bodies made up for it (maybe a jack o' lantern for halloween shows and stuff like that.) it wouldn't be much to have a themed bass for all holiday events. Of course I have been too lazy to do it yet so it is just another of the dozens of unfinished projects in the house. But someday....

-eSmith.
 
#14
I bought one of these to take with me when I fly. They fit in most overhead bins but not all. I flew with it to the UK last year and flew either a 757 or 767 and the bins were not quite wide enough but I was allowed to put it in a coat closet. But they do fit in the bins on most planes, even the smaller commuter planes.

When I took my first flight with it, I was a bit nervous about taking the bass with the metal rods through airport security. I mean, you could hurt someone with them it you used it as a weapon, but I suppose you could say the same thing about the bass itself. I've not had a problem with security but I did buy some foam tubing to put on the rods to make them look less threatening. It also makes them a bit more comfortable when playing. The rod for sitting it totally worthless. Playing the bass with a strap is just as comfortable when sitting.

I only have a few beefs about the instrument itself and I can't complain too much considering what it cost. The stacked vol/tone knob is worthless. I can't turn one without the other moving. One of the tuners is really stiff to turn and the bridge design just plain sucks. I also wish the manufacturer would offer a sturdy canvas bag with a larger outer pocket.

Surprisingly, the bass sounds good. And the convenience of having an instrument I can carry on an airplane makes up for the instruments short comings.

There is a Pro version of these basses with a better bridge and separate volume and tone knobs and a built-in headphone amp. I haven't seen them for sale though. When I bought mine 2 years ago, I bought their "kit" which included a headphone amp. It's a cheap plastic thing but it work great for practicing in a hotel room or even in an empty airport gate. To sum up, it's a great travel bass for the money.
 
#15
I'll join the bandwagon, I just received my Basstar yesterday, and haven't had much time to tinker with it. the strings it came with (it's the 5-string fretless) were horrible, though, totally dead... the B-string only thumps and thuds a little before it goes to rest. *lol*

But the action is pretty high, i'd like to lower it, but have ran out of room on the bridge holes. Has anyone widened these slots to make the bridge go lower?
 
#16
I just replaced the not so good stock strings with Webstrings Light Gauge Flatwounds.I'm a flatwound string guy and already the new strings have made a world of difference on this guitar. Like others have said,you have to use strings that don't have the silk windings as the holes to run the strings through on the funky bridge plate are a tight fit.
 
#18
I purchased one of these things to take on the road with me, as I work 7 on/7 off. I use it in conjunction with my macbook and Logic 9. When on the road I have used it anywhere from 9 to 19 hours, depending on my workload.

So far, I have few complaints, as it does what i ask of it. The intonation isn't great, but it is more than sufficient for practicing. The feel is also adequate. It is easy to adjust, however, the tuning machines are cheap, and I am curious as to how long they will last.

I deadhead on airlines at least 2x per workweek, and have found that the bass fits in the back of the Airbus 318-321 overhead bin well. However, it does not fit in the 737-300 to 500 bins, and has to be stowed in the coat closet on the RJ's. during the rest of my workweek it is in an unpressurized / unheated cargo compartment.

I have used it for about 6 months, and hope that it lasts.
 

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