Ultra Portable Bass

[Rimas]

Recently I've been thinking about picking up either a ukulele or mandolin, both having four strings and being a whole lot smaller than a bass. I would most likely tune the instrument EADG, and would mainly use it to tote around with me on trips and what not, to keep the creative juices flowing. I guess kind of like a sketch book except for a bass player. I was just wondering if anyone has done anything like this, with these or any other instruments (bazookies?), and what their experience was.

I already have an acoustic guitar, and am trying to find something quite a bit more portable, definitely acoustic, and not too much different than a bass (with consideration to the obvious differences steming from a smaller size). I dont really want to focus on learning a new instrument, or dealing with any more strings than I already have.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Davehenning]

Bouzoukis or as they are also known, "Mandocellos" are
Normally quite expensive.

They are also usually tuned in 5ths. C G D A (IIRC)

I looked into purchasing one myself and a Weber was going for about 8K. The old Gibsons very quite varied in their prices.

Jaco used to play Mandocello. You can hear him playing it on the "Heavy Weather" album and there is a photo of it on one of his family's sites.

 

[Frank Martin]

Hows about a Steinberger head-(and almost body-)-less bass? Maybe it is ugly, but that should be the smallest bass (they are about the size - and shape - of a broom), if you want to stay in the same dimensions (scale, spacing, strings, etc). A different kind of instrument would take quite some time to get used to.

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[CoolHat]

How about the Ashbory bass ? It might be too quiet unplugged, but you could get one of those pocket-sized guitar amps that run on batteries. Or better yet, a small headphone amp.

 

[rllefebv]

Originally posted by CoolHat
How about the Ashbory bass ? It might be too quiet unplugged, but you could get one of those pocket-sized guitar amps that run on batteries. Or better yet, a small headphone amp.

I used to own an Ashbory and occasionally travelled with it. After some 'getting used to' time, it can be a very fun lil' axe...

-robert

 

[egotistical]

fernandes nomad?

 

[Killdar]

fretted and fretless steinbergers with an ashbory.....all 3 will more then alikely fit in one hardshell case. I plan on doing that someday.

 

[drivenmore]

I've got one of these, and not only is it ultra-portable, but the stereo microphone tube pickup actually sounds pretty fantastic. When playing festivals or street fairs, it's a helluva lot easier to carry around after the gig.

You can get 'em on eBay or music stores for around $300.

 

[Figjam]

I would recomend a Steinberger or Hohner headless. My Hohner plays like a dream, it has the nicest action out of all my basses.

 

[Niels Keijzer]

Bouzoukis or as they are also known, "Mandocellos" are
Normally quite expensive.

They are also usually tuned in 5ths. C G D A (IIRC)

I looked into purchasing one myself and a Weber was going for about 8K. The old Gibsons very quite varied in their prices.

Jaco used to play Mandocello. You can hear him playing it on the "Heavy Weather" album and there is a photo of it on one of his family's sites.

I think bouzoukis shouldn't be that expensive...I wonder though if you could play one with your fingers...I've seen the mostly being played with a pick.

Look, this is one made by Fender:
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[lamarjones]

Kinal Kompact or Zon Vinny?

I think a Kinal Kompact would really rock......

 

[Christopher]

The Kinal Kompact looks like it might fit the bill. Only downside is that it's $$$ for a "travel instrument".

http://www.bunnybass.com/basses/kinal_kompactbass/kinal_kompactbass.shtml

 

[BartmanPDX]

I've heard the Kinal Kompact is an incredible sounding instrument. I was considering getting one to fool around on until I saw the price tag. Ouch!

 

[Nick Tate]

+1 for the Steinberger.

I have a re-issue headless 5 which I use as a spare bass for gigs. But this with a Pandora and headphones is great for practice in hotels.

Only problem is the case wich looks like it contains a shotgun. Not a problem USA but in England.........

 

[srxplayer]

Check out a Traveler Escape Bass. You can play them with headphones or plug them into an amp.

The are headless like a Steinberger, very light and very portable. They are kinda ugly IMHO but they do what they are intended to do. They also make guitars.

I played one for a couple of days and had some fun with it.

You can see them www.travelerguitar.com

 

[Hawkeye]

How about a retro Ibanez bean bass (RKB999)? 34" scale, active, one quasi-soap bar and one J pickups with teeny, beeny shaped body. I got one a couple of weeks ago and don't know quite what to do with it.