travel basses...any good?

I tried an Ashbory - 18" scale is not even close....

Do you fly? I use a Traveler Guitar Mk II bass. I travel with a tool case, suit case, computer backpack and this bass I've never had a problem taking this travel bass as a carry-on, and it fit's in the overheads on Canadairs and ERJs. Built-in headphone amp. I use it to maintain my practice while on the road. Here's the link to the manufacture

http://www.travelerguitar.com/

When I travel by car, I either take the Traveler, or take a a Ibanez GSR190 in a gig bag I inherited and practice through my laptop - depending on how long I'll be gone, changing rooms every night...etc. I do prefer the full size bass; both get the job done.

If you travel by air, the Travel works out pretty well - $499
If you always travel by car, I think I'd pickup an SX, and either a headphone amp, or if you travel with a computer, a Toneport or something similar - under $200.00

just my $0.02

 

Ashbory really isn't a travel bass. it's a unique instrument with silicon strings. They are lauded for sounding close to an upright, but the few times I played one I found it not worth the effort to spend time getting used to the (IMO) bizarre feel of it.

 

This is the best option. They sound very good.

 

+1 on the Traveler Escape Mk-II bass. It looks like it could be a Guitar Hero controller and has a bit of a neck dive problem but it has killer tone. It's an alder body with spruce top, and is 32" scale. I think it's very giggable. Just for the novelty, I'd like to do a gig where the guitarist and I are both using Travelers. My son sat playing the Traveler Escape EG-2 for around two hours and couldn't get over how fast it played and how great it sounded.

 

The new ones I saw at GC have a front strap button extension bracket which solves this. I'm trying to get one of these brackets from the factory for mine, but may end making my own. They're not pictured on the website yet.

 

The Aria Sinsonido is worth a look. IMO it's much more than a travel bass, (unique appearance, light weight, full scale-length, teriffic tone with flats or tapewounds) but you can plug headphones directly in and there's enough space in the little bag they give you for most of what you'd carry in a briefcase, alongside the bass of course.

 

Totally agreed on the XZs. Get quality strings and a good setup, and you've got a nice, easily transported bass.

Plus zero neck dive, and lightweight on a strap.

I use 'em and recommend 'em.

 

I have this one. I usually wait for a overhead compartment fill with luggage then overlay the bass. I add a bubble wrap "hat" over the head stock to protect it better.

 

Can you buy these new anymore? When I was in the market this past summer, these couldn't be found. I contacted Aria (then) and they told me they were looking for a new US distributor. Maybe it's been resolved.

 

Slight high-jack and self-serving question here.....have you been able to use these as a carry-on on regional jets (Canadairs, ERJs..etc) in the US, post 911?

 

i checked out the travel bass...the one i tried had horrific intonation problems....no adjustable bridge...

 

Where did you check it out at, GC?

When I received mine, I did have to adjusted the truss rod. I aslo shimmed the neck to get the action lower, which I prefer. Once this was performed, I checked the intonation, and it was quite acceptable. Scope perfect? no, but decent. No different than an acoustic guitar. I contacted the dealer about getting a replacement bridge saddle. I planned sanding down the bottom of the bridge saddle so I could remove my shim. I wanted an extra saddle on hand in cause I screwed it up. Within a week I had received several bridge saddles free of charge. FWIW, I ordered mine through "Traveler Music" on ebay - no affiliation, but I did receive great service...also, I've never gotten around to sanding down the bridge saddle, my shim works just fine.

 

Ewww... you said 'high-jack' (sic) and 911 in the same sentence. You better hope Rudy doesn't get elected

I now return you to our scheduled thread...

 

I got stopped by a copper a while back when walking down the street with the Steinie in a camo bag. I was asked why I was walking around with a shotgun. When I showed him what it was he suggested I get another case. I use a standard guitar gigbag now. This is about the third or fourth time this has happened over the years.

 

yup, at a gc. the action was good, it sounded pretty decent as well.
it would make more sense as a fretless, imho.

 

PhilM47..There was a thread here a while back which Soloette got involved in..they licence the Sinsonido to Aria. They seemed keen to sell them, so I expect they'll let you know what the agent situation is.

 

I saw a new travel bass at NAMM earlier this year by a company called Codel Enterprises. It's call the MiniJazz and it's got a full-scale, 34" neck. There's a matching 6-string guitar called the MiniStar. It's basically a bass without a body, but it has specially-shaped metal rods that stick out, so you can attach a strap to these rods and it will hang like a real bass would. I played it briefly and it felt and sounded pretty good. Not like a toy at all. When I was at NAMM, they had a prototype there and it wasn't on the market yet. I don't know if it's for sale yet, but when it is, I want one. Especially since the MSRP retail price is $159.99, including a padded travel bag, cable and strap!

See the details and a photo in this PDF document:

http://www.codelenterprises.com/MinistarSheetweb.pdf

 

That looks sort of neat actually