Blackstar Carry On Travel Bass Guitar - First Look

Blackstar Carry On Travel Bass Guitar - First Look & Unboxing
So many of you have asked about the Blackstar Travel Bass and whether I could review it so here it is!
Only a first look today as I really wanted to check out how the Blackstar Travel Bass came from the seller (Gear4Music), the inital setup and any "out of the box" issues that may occur due to quality control.
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Blackstar Carry On Travel Bass Guitar - First Look:
00:00 Blackstar Carry On Travel Bass Guitar Intro and unboxing.
02:53 First look at the Blackstar Travel / Mini Bass
09:09 Sound Demos of the Blackstar Mini Bass
15:26 Overview and conclusions about the Blackstar Carry On Travel Bass
Instruments and equipment used:
Blackstar Carry On Travel Bass Guitar
Phil Jones Bass BG-400 Suitcase Compact Bass Combo Amplifier
Website: ukulele.wales/
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Ukulalien Play Along Channel: / ukulaliensukuleleclub
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[@UkuleleWales]

➡So many of you asked me about this bass I thought I'd better get one! Hope this helps and click here if you want to see the full review - kzbin.info/www/bejne/one1Xq13qcZ1ibc 🚀 If you'd like to join my Patreon Page for exclusive goodies such as PDF downloads and behind the scenes footage - www.patreon.com/UkuleleWales

[@ireland9292]

The additional audio details on screen are really appreciated!

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad to have helped with those. Thanks 😊

[@ProbablyTheBestUkuleleDadEver]

Thank you for doing this, now can't wait for the full deep dive

[@UkuleleWales]

Full review now done kzbin.info/www/bejne/one1Xq13qcZ1ibcsi=W4kRsJcmD0ehB2Z8

[@joefortune5040]

Great to see the initial unboxing review Rachel. It’s a bass I’ve had an interest in. Looking forward to your full review in due course. I think for Christmas it’ll be the blackstar or the new Kala. Of course the flight mini jazz bass could also enter the equation. My brass a Squier mini P bass which I’m going to try also. Thanks again, Joe

[@UkuleleWales]

Ooooh, so much choice, would love to hear which one you get. 😎

[@titichartay7216]

Must admit one of the folk curious about bass but I am seriously looking at the carry on guitar for practice & song writing when I am in bed or in hospital. Lovely to hear woofers telling you "delivery" ! Looking forward to your more comprehensive review. Take care. Cheers Titi & Harpo

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Titi, and yes, who needs a doorbell really! 😉

[@judynpeterjones3307]

Sounds ok this end!!

[@DZNTZ]

That cream color looks great… These are cool, I have one from the late 70’s (a Lotus ‘Vintage Mini Bass’) that’s a 25.5” scale - yours at 23.5” is crazy small but still has that bass! You make it sound good! Not everyone is full size, and sometimes it’s easier to grab a mini instrument and jam. I just think they’re fun and cool. Thanks for the vid 🙏

[@billmumbo2697]

I have a short scale Framus Starbass ,the body shape is like a double cut junior it has a sliding pickup metal scratchplate and has been strung as a tenor banjo for recording purposes in the past but is now in semi retirement, I still play it occasionally never seen another one?👍

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks for the great comment and I’ve just check out the Lotus Vintage Bass - very cool. I had a Matsumoku bass “Westone” years ago, fab bass!

[@nicolajenkinson4325]

Gear 4 music have a great shop in York. Lots of opportunity to try stuff out and really knowledgeable staff.

[@DussyHoppers]

This has been on my Christmas wish list since June. They have had some great reviews on other sites and it's been tough to resist buying one for so long. I'm just hoping my husband see's this so he remembers where he put my list and that this was my No.1 request!

[@UkuleleWales]

Let’s keep fingers crossed then 🤞🎄

[@anorak211]

I like this one, it's far more practical than my Squier PJ full size bass

[@UkuleleWales]

Totally agree, I picked up one of my Warwicks for the first time in ages recently, wow, the difference. 😉

[@ChrisGorman87]

I was going to buy this bass but unfortunately everyone only makes PBass and I have too many pbass so I bought the flight jazz bass! Also the flight jazz bass has a 38mm nut that makes playing so much better. Also jazz bass has more punch to the sound that I love. I can send it your way if you would like to review it! Let me know.

[@UkuleleWales]

Fantastic Chris and cool to hear about the thinner neck, I hadn’t thought about that. Flight are actually going to send me one on loan to review but as always, Thanks for the offer. I need reminding, I know you asked for my email to send me some pics, did you send me any?? Sorry, brain fog time. 😂

[@yonglish]

thanks for the nice first look! seems like a decent bass for the price. will you also check out the tiny boy bass?

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks and yes, one day I’d love to try the Tiny Boy bass. 😎

[@Bettys_Eldest]

Auden guitars bought out Gordon Smith Guitars in about 2016, they later acquired Blackstar amplification. Last year they collaborated to build a travel guitar under the Blackstar brand. It is vaguely Les Paul Junior shaped, with a modified cutaway to facilitate access to the higher frets. The few comments I have read amongst Gordon Smith Owners have been broadly positive. I was not aware of the bass version. At £200 for a uke scale bass, designed by Gordon Smith Guitars, though presumably built in the far east, that looks like a very fair deal.

[@UkuleleWales]

Interesting info there, Thanks and yes, I think these are great value!

[@gibb253]

Hello again Rachel. Great review. While we’re on new products do you have any thoughts on the Fender Fullerton P Bass Uke?

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi and Thanks. I've seen the Fender Fullerton bass but really not my thing. I've heard there are a few issues with it and a friend of mine had the Tenor version and that really didn't impress either of us and she has since sold it. Might be worth looking to see if there are any review videos, I couldn't find many but there are a couple and it is mentioned on a few forums.

[@marcsmith1134]

Shwmae again Rachel. Thanks for sharing this video. I actually quite like the "look" / design of this bass - I think it looks great in cream too. That Jack socket does look like it might be in the wrong position for some people, who may wish to noodle on the sofa with their small bass though. Perhaps a right-angled jack plug might help? But it looks like a design flaw to me, and so easy for the manufacturer to change.... ah well. I once had a Tanglewood "Elfin" bass (which was slightly longer scale) and wish I hadn't sold! By the way.... you're not alone in having too many basses lol

[@UkuleleWales]

Shwmae Marc, too many basses - not possible! 😂 I haven’t really found the jack to be too much of a problem but yes, as you also mention, a right angle cable works a treat! 👍

[@RebeccaHindle]

I want this bass need to get it at some point. I got the more expensive version of electric guitar one and that is fantastic little guitar

[@UkuleleWales]

It is indeed a great bass, not one I was really looking at but now so glad I got it! 😊

[@deniseshaw3871]

Ahhh its lovely

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Denise, yes every time I play it I like it even more.

[@Kunibert_Knatter]

This is - in my opinion - a really nice and good looking little bass! Sounds good (especially the line out demo), seems easy to play with a competitive price tag. Well, the cable output is at an odd position thuogh, me thinks. Unfortunately not available in Germany, where I sit. And ordering from the UK? Well, a bit cumbersome now for the last few years. But thats another story. I think, this little one is worth to have an eye on!

[@MariUSukulele]

nice instrument, i fully agree! A Brit-important indeed is a bit of a pain but hey … 200 quid - screw it!

[@gibb253]

I live in Italy and I’ve just ordered one from an Italian retailer for Euro 178. The shop is Epica Music if you’re interested. I should now add that delivery was VERY slow, but it has arrived 😮‍💨

[@UkuleleWales]

Agree, a great bass. I’m sure Gear4Music does ship to Germany and yes ordering in and out of the UK these days is a real pain.

[@txrn8268]

Excellent video, what is the small electric bass in the background? The tobacco sunburst one. Thanks

[@gibb253]

That’s the new Kala already reviewed here

[@lalau_od]

New Kala solid body ubass :)

[@UkuleleWales]

As mentioned, the newly released Kala solid body U-bass, a fabulous little bass. 😊

[@alanm8431]

Nice unboxing video. The cream color is nice w/ the black pickguard. I'm pretty much agnostic about shape as long as the instrument has a good tone and the strings sound evenly. That one seems to. The jack placement does seem rather unfortunate. Still not a "slapper" yet, Rachel? ;) Have you given a thought to holding an online charity auction of any instrument you haven't picked up in the last year or more? Or would that not be very many? Peace from the wet coast of Canada.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Alan, agree the jack placement could be better but I haven’t really found it an issue yet. 👍

[@zenmaster6780]

How would this bass stand up to the Kala solid body? Would love to hear which you would pick

[@UkuleleWales]

It stood up much better than I thought it would. I don’t normally play with a pick but will think about it. 😎

[@judih.8754]

I agree, the shape is not attractive. But it sounds very good. Thanks Rachel!! PS: Just bought a couple tee shirts to help support the channel. They’ll be great to wear at my local Uke group.

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi Judi and yes, sounds and plays better than it looks but I have to admit, it is definitely growing on me. Thanks for support via the t-shirts, hope you like them! 😊

[@PaulMansellukulele]

well it sure is a looker !

[@marcsmith1134]

Me again - quick question. Is that a standard size P pickup and bridge, and what is the neck width like, particularly at the nut?

[@UkuleleWales]

Great question Marc, and not something I had even thought about but yes, all standard. Now I’m think possible upgrades to pick ups in the future!! Thanks 😎

[@rogvoyce4014]

Hi! I don't know if you could help me but I have bought the Blackstar carry on guitar a few days ago. first few hours everything good now, I'm getting an intermitant noise which sounds a bit like pulling the lead out from a guitar with sound still on. I would be grateful for your thoughts on this one!

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi, it sounds either like a lose jack connection or possibly the jack input needs cleaning up. Either way I would contact the shop to get their advice first before trying to adjust the instrument yourself as you could affect the warranty. Hope that helps. 👍

[@rogvoyce4014]

The problem was the pickups needed to be lowered the strings were bouncing off the pickups!@@UkuleleWales

[@UkuleleWales]

Good to know you solved it, Thanks @@rogvoyce4014

[@gibb253]

Not bad at all for an out of the box instrument

[@lalau_od]

Pleaseeeee compare it with the new kala solid body ubass !!!! ♡♡♡

[@UkuleleWales]

Yes, definitely! 😎

[@Skullskalle]

What kind of strings would you recommend for this bass? The strings I have feel so loose.

[@UkuleleWales]

Try and get strings made for the 23.5" scale basses as I haven't had much luck cutting them down. Kala make them (and are available) either on their website or from Strings By Mail

[@Skullskalle]

@@UkuleleWales Thank you.

[@eprohoda]

Ukulele- that is great ,farewell,

[@BadHorsie2]

Did it come with a gig bag?

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi, no it doesn’t but there is a gig bag available for it. amzn.to/3vK6Ty1

[@trinitygarrett2158]

I can’t find the bass guitar online😭 does anyone have an Amazon or Sweetwater link?

[@UkuleleWales]

I'm sure they have been available in the US. Check out the Blackstar website as they might have Americam dealers listed. If I do find a link, I'll pop it here.

[@gibb253]

Ok on the basis of your review I’ve ordered one. At just over half the price of the Kala you can’t go wrong really!

[@UkuleleWales]

Hope you are enjoying it. Love playing mine! 😎

[@gibb253]

@@UkuleleWalessadly it’s got caught up in the Xmas courier rush and it hasn’t arrived yet😥

[@gibb253]

Got it at last!

[@UkuleleWales]

So glad it has arrived, time some fun now! 😎

[@gibb253]

@@UkuleleWales so far so good. Nice finish, intonation spot on, unlike some U basses

[@rickc2102]

looks somewhere between a junior and a kidney

[@billmumbo2697]

Hi Rachel that body shape is reminiscent of Hofmer Club series guitars a friend had one years ago nit wasn't great but now I have the knowledge to improve it looks a good starter bass for an 8year old good video as always 👍🥸

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi Bill, yes it is quite similar to the Hefner Club shape. Definitely a great bass for an 8 year old! 🥰

[@Ukuleleal]

Cool Bass. Look forward to your full review. I am a bit of a Blackstar fanboy ( have 5 of their amps) , so I hope it does well. lol :)

[@UkuleleWales]

I hope so too Al, but so far, so good!