Blackstar Carry On Travel Bass - Review

Blackstar Carry On Travel Bass - Review
So many of you have asked about the Blackstar Travel Bass and whether I could review it so here it is!
A full review with specs and sound demos. If you wish to skip to the demos, please feel free to use the time stamps / chapters.
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Blackstar Carry On Travel Bass Guitar First Look - • Blackstar Carry On Tra...
🚀 Support my Patreon Page for exclusive ukulele and bass ukulele goodies like: pdf transcriptions, bass TABs, chord charts, behind the scenes and more - / ukulelewales
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Blackstar Carry On Travel Bass Guitar Review:
00:00 Blackstar Carry On Travel Bass Guitar Intro and price.
01:57 Blackstar mini bass specs and features.
08:41 Sound Demos of the Blackstar Mini Bass - no pedals
12:41 Sound Demos of the Blackstar Travel Bass - with various pedals
16:21 Overview and conclusions about the Blackstar Carry On Travel Bass Guitar
Instruments and equipment used:
Blackstar Carry On Travel Bass Guitar
Genzler MG350 Amp head
Barefaced One10 Cabinet
Behringher BDI 21 V-Tone
Electro Harmonix Bass Preacher
AZOR Bass EQ
Website: ukulele.wales/
T-Shirts & Merch: www.redbubble.com/people/ukul...
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! Here is a link to the unboxing video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqKlZX2YpKqCp5o 🚀 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

[@julesV1223]

Can't wait to see how it goes with the heavier gauge flatwounds! Thank you for this awesome demo.

[@UkuleleWales]

You and me both Jules. I’m hoping to have a look within the next week. 🤞

[@ProbablyTheBestUkuleleDadEver]

Thank you Rachel, it's definitely on my wishlist now. Cheers 🍻

[@UkuleleWales]

My pleasure, the more I play it the more I like it! 👍

[@juderandall703]

Great review, Rach. Fab sounding Bass, looking forward to hearing it with the flatwounds 😊 See you soon x

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Jude, hopefully flat wounds very soon. X😊

[@dougirvine6978]

Nice video, thanks! You can never have too many basses so something else to go on my long list of wants. Have a great Christmas!

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Doug and yes, totally agree with you. Merry Christmas 🎄

[@judynpeterjones3307]

Great sound Rachel, I like the look of it too!

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad you like it, yes definitely growing on me! 😊

[@arcovanduin5087]

As my fingers are quite small I am realy happy with my u-bass. Recently I have the bought the Blackstar all Black version. As with you the intonation on the strings were fairly sharp on all strings. Now adjusted I am over the moon. Sounds great and easier to play as my full size basses. Thanks for your review and keep us informed. Thank you very much.

[@UkuleleWales]

So glad to hear you are enjoying your Blackstar bass too. Yes, once set up they really are a nice little bass. I’ve been enjoying playing mine. 😎

[@ChrisGorman87]

For flat wound strings on a 23 inch scale bass I use the daddario chrome short scale strings because the string tension is perfect! Give them a try and you won’t be disappointed

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Chris, may well check these it too. Also Kala have just released Flatwounds but the shipping costs are more than the strings at the moment. Will try these Slinky strings very soon. 🤞

[@Frolicks1]

Thanks for that perfectly made review! Inspired me to get one, and I absolutely love it! Had tapewound strings custom-made from Pyramid Strings, and they’re perfect on this! Highly recommended!

[@UkuleleWales]

Great to hear Frolicks and I am so glad you love it. Yes, I may look into the tape wound strings on it, I’ve heard great demos with them. Did you have to order them direct from Pyramid?

[@Frolicks1]

@@UkuleleWales Yes, indeed, I called them and they even had on set left from an order a few years ago. I’m sure they’ll be ready to produce more. I only have this little clip recorded so far: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJCQo2tnqd9rgKssi=OaJ1-R5oQb3ojaX8 Oh, and I love the purple pickguard on your fretless Kala bass!

[@twokatmew]

Great demo, Rachel! I’ve been interested in this bass and compared to the Kala and Flight. ❤

[@UkuleleWales]

Will definitely be doing the comparisons and Thanks. 👍

[@gibb253]

Very comprehensive review. As you know I just got mine too, and the action as supplied is high at the nut, so I think a visit to a luthier may be on the cards. Season’s Greetings! 🎄

[@UkuleleWales]

Have you tried lowering the saddle a little just to see if it helps before taking it somewhere. This bass is definitely growing on me. 😊

[@gibb253]

@@UkuleleWales mine was definitely set high at the nut-The strings needed a hard press at the first fret, so I did spend some money getting the nut slots lowered and it is significantly more playable and sounds great!

[@blackmoofou6385]

Thanks for all your mini bass reviews. I settled on this based on affordability and your review. It arrived with all the string risers all set to a huge angle but i soon sorted that. I love this thing it's great! I also picked up the mahalo solid body with rubber strings , it was a punt on reverb from a seller who said it had pick up issues but serms its more jack socket issues thankfully. I know you weren't fond of the one you borrowed but im liking it. Anyway thanks again for sharing your knowledge and info. 😊

[@UkuleleWales]

My pleasure and it sounds as if you have done very well on the bass front of the last few weeks! 😊

[@blackmoofou6385]

@@UkuleleWales Honestly as a bass player I love this thing I've been using it all the time! 🙂

[@JonesHess]

Great video. Will you be making a comparison video with the other mini basses? That would be super useful.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks. Yes, I’m going to do a comparison with all of them, already filmed the sound demos so hopefully soon. 👍

[@wojciech2456]

I have the same! I put some 3m 400 grit sticky sandpaper on it so it won’t slip off my leg. Done the same to my carry on guitar

[@UkuleleWales]

Interesting, glad to here it helps. Do you find the jack input gets in the way when sitting and playing. I am okay if I use a right angled cable and use a strap.

[@darpope2752]

LOVE this video!!!! You and I seem to have a lot of the same views on mini bass guitars. I had previously asked you about flatwound strings for my Flight Pathfinder (and YES, the scale is 23.5 inches on the Flight). I had purchased Gold Tone's flatwounds they sell for their solid body mini bass. Evidently, the tuners on the UBass and the Gold Tone are physically larger and have a larger radius than the Tiny Boy bass, the Flight, and now the Blackstar tuners. When I installed the Gold Tone flatwounds I discovered, the center core is too rigid and broke when I tried to make the strings conform around the smaller circumference of the tuner. Like you, I considered cutting down short scale bass strings but was concerned the non-tapered ends wouldn't fit into the tuners, AND my OCD would miss the thread ends. What to do! The thing I did was buy strings hand-made in Italy for the Tiny Boy bass - Dogal JC106TB Tiny Boy Flat-Wound Carbon Steel Electric 46-105, 23" Scale strings (from Strings By Mail, here in the US, at about $90). My luthier dismissed the cost, saying I won't have to replace flatwounds for the next decade or so. All I can say is that the strings sound remarkable. Hit the open E string and guess what, it sounds as rich and full as the open E on a full scale bass, and better than on my shortscale bass.

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi, yes I remember you talking about the strings before. I really fancy trying the Dogal strings and now I now they sell them on Strings by Mail I may well try them. Kala have just brought out Flatwounds for their solid body u-bass which sound ideal, unfortunately their shipping costs are more than the strings. I am hoping to do a live stream talking about bass strings soon as I am still trying to learn as much about them as possible. Maybe something you might be interested in and Thanks again for the great info! 🥰

[@darpope2752]

Let me know when your live stream is gonna be. Here in the US KZbin doesn't always send out notices.

[@judih.8754]

Thank you Rachel. Great review. I think the flat wound strings will make a marked difference. Looking forward to hearing them, maybe in a short video.

[@UkuleleWales]

You are so welcome! Judi. Yes I’m hoping the flat wound strings work out well. I’ll post a video when they are done - however it turns out. 👍

[@sparkle4u666]

Rachel do you think the flat wound strings will hurt your fingers less? Also would that be advised on the (finger pain) flight mini bass? Thanks!

[@judih.8754]

@@sparkle4u666 I have flat wounds on my full size bass and they are easier to play. They do offer a slightly different sound than rounds.

[@pittarak1]

Great video. I've been thinking of buying this travel bass for quite sometime. I'm also a fan of 'flat wounds' too. Thanks to your in-depth review, I think I'll go ahead and get one. Greetings from 'Straya' 🦘

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad to have been of help. I’m hoping to fit the flat wounds over the next day or so, I’ve had to wait as I wanted to compare this one with other mini basses but wanted use the round wounds for that. Cracking little bass. 👍

[@billyaitken7461]

She’s a biggie🤗. Bassist really win in the Uke version Vs full size equation.

[@UkuleleWales]

Agree Billy 😎

[@MariUSukulele]

cool instrument

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Mari, yes, very cool. Danke 😊

[@despeed]

Great review. I do love the bass sound.... But, when to make the transition from a Concert Ukulele to a more complicated bass?

[@UkuleleWales]

Start basic on the bass Des, by keeping it simple it can be fun playing along and then grow confidence. 👍

[@WilDBeestMF]

I'm intrigued by this. It's cool. I dare say that if it had single coils or a P/J config, it would jump at me more.

[@UkuleleWales]

I think it’s a cracking little bass and great value. It’s definitely grown on me. 👍

[@WilDBeestMF]

@@UkuleleWales I got to play one just yesterday. I was having fun!

[@joefortune5040]

Great review as always Rachel. I am currently awaiting delivery of my Kala Solid Body UBass from Thomann but always liked the potential of the Blackstar. Could you tell me though what is the purpose of the ‘Fret Wrap’ on the bass? Thanks. Joe

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi Joe, hopefully your Kala won’t be long and yes, the Blackstar is a great cheaper option too. I will do a Fretwrap video at some point but basically it can stop overtones on a bass and make it sound slightly more controlled if that makes sense. 👍

[@ludwigvanzappa9548]

Thank you Rachel, your passion is contagious and I'm affected! I just ordered a baritone and a bass ukulele. I'm waiting for the ubass but I been practicing with the baritone for 2 weeks now and I make progress every day. Can I plug my baritone in a bass amp and if yes, how does it sound? I wish I had just one amp but is it possible? Maybe a equaliser pedal would help? Thanks again from Québec Canada!

[@UkuleleWales]

As always Thank You for your lovely comments. Yes, you can put a baritone or any uke through a bass amp, just don’t put a bass through a guitar amp. It will sound great, I only used bass amps with my ukuleles to start with, and now only have acoustic guitar amps so I can have an input for a microphone too.

[@volker3923]

Thank you for the information, but as you know I`m a ukulele purist..Merry Christmas!

[@UkuleleWales]

Appreciate you as always Volker. 😊

[@jburtonca]

Here's how I would summarize my opinions of the Blackstar, Kala and Flight. I like the body size, shape and color of the Flight and the pickup placement (and therefore sound) and wheel truss rod adjustment of the Kala. I wonder if it would be possible to use the lowest strings of a flatwound 5 string set for more tension ie. 65, 85, 100, 130. Or would that be too much tension on the neck?

[@kansasref]

I can’t speak for any of the other brands, but Fanner recommends the low strings from a 5-string set as you suggested. For those who feel bad about paying for and throwing out a string, DHS sells a set of four in the same gauges (60-80-100-125) for BEAD tuning. Those are item number 4ML-B-DYB. Sadly those are round-wound and, as far as I know, do not come as flat-wounds. I’m going to give those Ernie Ball Power Slinkys a try on my next string change.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks for the great info Kansas. Yes I remember Brian Fanner saying about the 5 string sets. Hopefully will try the flat wound heavy gauge strings very soon.

[@UkuleleWales]

As mentioned Fanner have recommended this in the past, I think the neck would be okay but might need some adjusting at the nut and tuner. Hopefully I’ll try out the heavier gauge strings very soon.

[@user-NJ_Luna993]

Aweaome Maam' What is string spacing on bridge??

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi, it’s 20mm between the strings. The Kala is the same. I think these are pretty much standard bass bridges.

[@myhapylife]

This looks like in style of Tiny Boy basses. I wonder if can fit Dogal Tiny Boy strings which is 23" too.

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi, yes I would have thought the Dogal strings would fit but they are very pricey. Strings By Mail do stock the Kala strings though, just make sure they are the 23 1/2" scale.

[@zenmaster6780]

How does this hold up vs the Kala solid body ?

[@steveatthews3472]

I’ve had one for a few months now and we are getting on well. I was impressed that it was well set up as delivered. Also the sound is great. Very much an electric bass sound like a p bass, but with a hint of j bass about it. Would be a good choice for guitar players as the scale length is similar to a guitar so it feels comfortable from the get go. I also think flat wounds would be a good choice, but have yet to give it a try since selecting a set isn’t that easy. Anyone else have any experience? Ps I asked blackstar for some help here but they were no help at all…

[@UkuleleWales]

Great info There Steve, Thanks. Hopefully I'll try the flat wounds on it VERY soon and we'll see what they are like! I know Kala have just released them but the shipping costs are more than the strings just about.

[@Frolicks1]

I really wonder if you’ll manage to wind the cut flatwounds around the poles, as they tend to be quite stiff. I once managed to break on while trying to do that, so I gave up. But there is a set of flatwounds from Galli Strings that they apparently developed for Kala U-Basses. You can also get it for about 23in scales, so I guess that should be fine on this. I don’t own a u-bass yet, but I tried it recently on a friend‘s Harley Benton bass uke. They sound and play really great on that. I will definitely put them on my soon to be acquired bass ukulele (haven’t decided on the model yet).

[@steveatthews3472]

@@Frolicks1 that’s a good comment. I am tempted to try to cut down a cheap set of flat wounds just to see how it works out as the galli set are pretty expensive and so I would hate to be caught out if they were a bit short. For me, I was never very happy with the piezo pickups, so for me, the split magnetic pickup works great. Hope you find a bass that makes you smile

[@Frolicks1]

@@steveatthews3472 Once you cut the silk wound part (or whatever material they use to wrap that thin end of the strings that you’re supposed to wind around the pole) of your string, the actual flatwound string is rather stiff, so I doubt that it will wind around the pole of the tuner. But then, the flatwound string I managed to break was a cheap and medium gauged one (an .085 a-string), and I gave up after that. Maybe strings from other producers might not have that issue, but I’d doubt it. The Galli strings are specifically produced for the Kala semi-acoustic U-Basses, AND, in their longer version, for the solid body U-Basses. So as this Blackstar seems to have more or less the same scale length as the Kalas, I’m pretty sure that it’ll work. Btw, I’m in no way affiliated with Galli, I just could try them recently on a semi-acoustic Harley Benton fretless, and really liked them. They actually made me change my mind about buying a bass ukulele, as I don’t like those rubber strings, nor do i like roundwound strings on a solid bass guitar.

[@steveatthews3472]

Hi frolics. Thanks for the suggestions. One thing that worries me about the galli strings is that they have a nylon core, so I’m not sure how this would affect the tension and also how they would respond to a magnetic pickup. I guess there’s only one way to find out for sure…

[@jazzman1954]

String spacing at the bridge?

[@watfordchopper]

I have been looking for flatwound strings for this bass, can you tell me what set you have and where you got them please?

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi, these are still round wound strings on here but I have recently looked into whether the new Kala flat wound strings would fit. Check this video here as I look at the Blackstar. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZCQgKh6g5qIrpIsi=3RNsr2ufBAgDjubx&t=160

[@BenD_Bass]

Have you tried out the 'newish' P Ubass yet?

[@UkuleleWales]

Do you mean the new Flight JB bass? I have one in the house and will be trying it out next week. 👍

[@BenD_Bass]

@UkuleleWales no, not that one. I do like that one, though.The Fender Fullerton uke p bass

[@gregsmith984]

does the blackstar have any neck dive issues? Thanks

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi Greg, no, no neck dive with it. 👍

[@PetrHosek]

I'm curious whether the original strings are nylon core or steel core. I'd assume this would affect the possibility to swap for the other set.

[@UkuleleWales]

These strings are steel core to wrk with the magnetic pickups. 👍

[@PetrHosek]

@@UkuleleWales Thanks for the info. I'm wondering whether the metal winding on the strings would be enough to interact with the pickups. Nickel is ferromagnetic, some stainless steels can be too. Even non-ferromagnetic metals can interact with magnetic fields during motion through induced currents... I'll have to look into this...

[@UkuleleWales]

@@PetrHosek I think it is a case of trying. I have read cases where nylon cores have worked but often with a much weaker signal. Let me know how you get on. 😎

[@conjuntosdearpamichoacanos]

Hello, does anyone know where I can find this mini bass in the US? I tried contacting blackstar and they had me contact Korg. Neither gave me the answer I was looking for.

[@UkuleleWales]

Might be worth asking Sweetwater if they will be having them as I can see they stock other Blackstar products and they already sell the Kala Solid Body mini bass. 👍

[@conjuntosdearpamichoacanos]

Hi, thank you for replying back. I actually did contact sweetwater and they can't get the bass either. I've been looking all over the internet and can't find it anywhere. 😢

[@conjuntosdearpamichoacanos]

The main reason I'm interested in this bass is that it's 5 pounds 5 ounces. My 8 year old is using an Ibanez Mikro bass @ roughly 7 pounds.

[@UkuleleWales]

@@conjuntosdearpamichoacanos If I see it anywhere I'll let you know.

[@MichaelStoneham]

Ah but is it a bass ukulele or are you now branching out.

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi Michael, I don’t call this a bass ukulele but it is definitely another 23” scale “ mini bass” similar to the Kala Solid Body U-basses, the Flight Mini basses and the Tiny Boy basses which of course feature on the channel. 👍

[@aaronag7876]

Bass ukuleles look like small guitars lol

[@UkuleleWales]

Yes! I think some of them have actually been styled on traditional bass guitars.