Bass ukulele: characteristics and popular models

Many bassists or ukulele players have heard of such a small and rare but amazing instrument like the bass ukulele. This instrument has an amazing, melodic sound that is almost completely similar in sound to electronic drum kits. This item combines a ukulele and a bass guitar in one small size and easy to use. Let's take a closer look at what a bass ukulele is.

Owen Holt, founder of Road Toad, came up with the idea to create this instrument. The project showed very high hopes, but the high cost of the product was a big hindrance - not every wealthy person could buy it, which is why the implementation was not profitable. To somehow save the situation, it was necessary to make the tool more accessible to people, to reduce its cost. Already in 2007, the founding company of the bass ukulele merged with the Kala company. The U-Bass company, which emerged as a result of the merger, immediately began to sell the goods, and in the same year the first batch of the instrument came out immediately.

Despite all efforts, the price still remained too high, which is why the tool is still not widely known, it has not really received wide distribution. The tool body is hollow and solid. The first option is similar to a regular ukulele, only larger in size, and the second looks like a small bass guitar.

Due to the specific structure and small size compared to a guitar, special polyurethane strings with a higher density are placed on the bass ukulele. But, installing them, the musician should be patient - they adapt on the neck for 2 weeks or longer, only after that the sound will return to normal. On the other hand, these strings have such qualities as flexibility and strength, as well as provide comfort while playing. Such strings cost several times more expensive than conventional bass strings. In addition to them, others are sometimes used: with a nylon base and a silver winding, or with a silk base and copper winding. These strings sound very similar to regular bass strings, but they cost even more than the already expensive polyurethane strings.

The bass ukulele is also divided into bass and contrabass. The first of the listed ones are the usual version, they have the same notes as the bass guitar, only one octave higher, and the contrabass ones give a sound in the same octave as the classical bass. It is worth noting that the contrabass ukuleles also differ in size, having a length of about 5 centimeters longer than that of the representatives of the first type. Usually people buy the fret version of the instrument, however the fretless version is better in itself, as it covers the disturbances in the sound of polyurethane strings. But it is suitable only for professionals, because playing it will be more difficult, given that the bass ukulele itself is not an easy instrument.

The bass ukulele is the lowest sounding representative among all the instruments of this group. Neither tenor, nor soprano, nor concert can compare with him. The sounds of this instrument are almost the same as those of a regular bass guitar: dense, strong, low. Many people take it, and not the guitar version, precisely because of the size, leaving the same goals.

Let's get acquainted with the best bass ukulele models.

It has 16 frets, the sound is close to the double bass. The body is made of mahogany. A pickup and an active tone block with a three-band equalizer and a tuner are installed. The set includes a compact thermal cover.

Standard bass ukulele. The body is hollow, made of acacia, with a cutout, neck in mahogany. Edging all over the body, varnishing the product. Active electronics: volume knob, equalizer, tuner.

The very first bass ukulele to be produced. It is still sold as a quality standard. Has a double bass range, made of mahogany or spruce.

It costs an order of magnitude cheaper than its neighbors in the market. Many people praise this model, because for its money it justifies itself headlong, although it has slightly worse characteristics compared to much more expensive options.

A simple, mid-range bass ukulele. No notch, Tao body, 15 frets. Electronics - Ortega MagusUke Bass with tuner.

The bass ukulele is an extremely unusual, rarely used instrument by anyone, but very convenient. Perhaps, in the future, their sales will go up, but so far this most often remains an exclusive thing, few people can afford and need. But almost all models justify their price by their very high quality, given the need to use silicone strings and high-quality wood species in the guitar body.