Ibanez UB804 Mini-Review

(IMO) This bass is a perfect compromise for the electric bass guitarist that wants to experiment with more “traditional” upright bass techniques and tones. (Apologies for saying 8804 repeatedly, the model of this instrument is the UB804 from Ibanez.)
Bass is plugged directly into a QCS K12 speaker, and the audio (sorry for the low volume) and video are captured with an iPhone 12 with no post-production or editing.

[@derPaul76]

Always nice to see someone having fun with a bass

[@MaineBassGuy]

Thanks, Paul. I realized a long time ago that I may never be the best player in the world but that didn’t need to steal my joy. I’m okay with increasing competence and consistent professionalism. :)

[@shamrock3639]

Thank you for your video. You showed, that this bass is reale an alternativ to an upride, or a NS bass. Especally for players with short hands. I think, that this bass is underrated.

[@arminsturm3024]

Transitioning from electric bass to double bass, electric upright was a bit of a waste of time for me. Correct double bass technique requires balancing the instrument against the stomach so the hands are not needed to hold it. Pressing down the strings uses the weight of the arm as well as the muscles of the back (i.e. drawing your left arm back as if swimming) and that works only if the bass sits against the player's tummy. An electric upright set on a tripod would fall over, while most other electric upright models lack the contours of a double bass that would be the point of contact. Once acquired the basics of db technique, it is possible to get along on a stick bass, especially when seated, by trying to find alternative ways of leverage/contact, but this is tricky when beginning. If interested in double bass, my tip would be getting a well set up beginner instrument second hand, rather than buying an EUB (expect to pay ~£800 and take someone with you who knows about db's). Apart from the discontinued Yamaha SLB-100 (which was expensive but felt like a db) none of the stick basses on the market work in my humble opinion with regards to technique. Electric uprights may sound OK when playing a few notes, but developing fluid and relaxed technique can be a challenge. I'm not saying it's impossible to acquire good technique on electric upright, just more difficult than on double bass, at least that was my experience. Either way, my tip for the db/eub newbie is try to find a teacher for some basics. I would not recommend using electric bass technique on an upright. It's better to first study the basics of double bass technique. Incorporate ideas from electric bass later in situations where it works.

[@revel9243]

Very interesting output! I also hear many say that electric upright doesn't sound like acoustic which I expect, but that leads to the question, which instances would it be good to use an electric double bass over an acoustic double bass? Or are there no good instances to use an electric upright?

[@stevenmonroe8652]

I don't think of the EUB that way. It's really its own thing. A lot of people might say, "Eh ... just sounds like a fretless bass" but that's not the point either because you can't play a fretless bass con arco. You can play a EUB con arco though, and it's just like Jean-Luc Ponty or Mark Wood playing an electric violin. When playing an EUB con arco, your technique better really be spot on or it will sound unbelievably bad. In fact, an EUB played con arco is less forgiving than an acoustic upright. It's really quite demanding because the sensitivity of modern piezo systems is pretty amazing. When Wood plays violin, no one would say, "eh ... just sounds like a guitar" ... because it just doesn't ... So, Don't think of it as being "midway" between electric bass and double bass. It has features of both, and features of neither. And most importantly, the EUB has the amazing ability of playing at high volume levels but without the feedback.

[@markharding9263]

I got one and I love it! Full-time upright bass player in the past, but due to sickness do not any longer have the strength to play a real one for long. This thing is the perfect solution to my issue. The shortest scale makes the fingering easier and the action is perfect for someone with reduced strength.

[@MaineBassGuy]

Hi, Mark. I'm glad you found a way to keep playing. This bass is fun and inspiring. Every time I try a tune with it I find my approach is totally different than it would be on the upright or regular electric fretless. Have a good weekend!

[@markharding9263]

@@MaineBassGuy thanks for the response, and same to you, my friend!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

No more straining your back trying to lug around a Double Bass, use this Ibanez UB804 Upright Electric Bass. It has a 34 in Scale so it takes Standard Long Scale Bass Guitar Strings. D'addario Omni Bass Strings could work.

[@DuffTV]

Nice listening to someone who really knows what he's on about. I'm coming electric fretted bass so thanks for the great insight.

[@dr.riccardo3575]

If you wanna get an even more traditional tone, you could try putting foam under the strings to "mute" them. Also tapewounds will make a huge difference

[@MaineBassGuy]

Thank you for all the good recommendations. I may start bringing a foam pad to gigs. I love the tapewound strings on my fretless bass guitars (Labella deep talking black) but I think I'll stick with the nickel flats here. I believe this bass ships with Chromes. Maybe someday I'll swap them out for TI flats but I'm enjoying this just the way it is right now.

[@MaineBassGuy]

Dr. Riccardo, I just wanted to let you know that I took your advice on the bridge pad! Greatly improved the "upright-ness" of the sound!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

There's a 5 String Version too called UB805. I don't think they make a Bow designed for this Bass, but you can use your favorite Double Bass Bow. This is based on the very 1st Electric Bass which was a Fretless Bass & it was basically a Scaled Down Electrified Upright Bass morphed into the Shape of a Guitar.

[@peterjosvai9804]

your mini review is a GIANT :) we see an honest musician sharing his experience and playing... watching your video after the Ibanez official video is uplifting, cause this gives the viewer a real sense of playing the instrument.. including that the sound of the video is NOT BAD -- it is real, "human readable", we can imagine the actual experience BUT recording the DI out put (direct input output :)) in your other video is also good... only, your playing seems, in the second video, less "loose" :)

[@littlewoodenboy1971]

Thanks for posting this. Cheers!

[@MaineBassGuy]

You're welcome, cheers!

[@jemaines]

Thanks for the mini review. Just started looking into one of these. I have zero time and space to practice my DB, and no room in the church orchestra section, so giving this a serious look. Some folks have tried other strings, to include NS strings and spoke of good results with the NS strings.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

You could use the UB804 (and UB805 which is the 5 String Version) in Concert Band too because it's a good best of both worlds, you can still play w/ a Bow & it's Portable like the Bass Guitar.

[@timkbt]

You can't use tape strings bow. Some other good choices would be the Galli JF4505 and the Thomas JF344. The Thomas flats are made to sound like the upright spirocores. I've seen them online for $75. The Galli go for $30 on Strings By Mail. They are made in Italy. The Thomas strings should last for 10+ years.

[@archivestereo]

You know you are absolutely right about rolling off that tone control. All the other videos have it turned up and it does not sound as good as yours does. When I want an upright sound on my electric fretless I do the exact same thing. Great video! Glad I saw yours first!

[@MaineBassGuy]

Thanks! I’m glad you dug it.

[@rubykaufman5361]

I read that the Tone control has little effect due to poor quality parts!

[@jazzl7190]

Thanks for the demo. Nice playing and tone.

[@MaineBassGuy]

Thank you for the comment!

[@cortical1]

Nice demo! Thanks.

[@I.O.M.]

Such a great hybrid option.

[@rv9905]

I really like your playing!

[@spikesvideos]

sounds nice!

[@lennymo9088]

Nice review and playing. Sure does sound awfully close to a DB.

[@MaineBassGuy]

Thanks, Lenny! I did another short video playing around with some string dampening that really sounded even more like a DB, IMO. Cheers.

[@jed_shred_guitars]

What is the name of the first piece that you played? I’d love to hear the whole thing.

[@MaineBassGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/faTdZKCoo651mpI

[@MaineBassGuy]

Autumn Leaves

[@jackjoshua3615]

No neck heel makes playing certain scales difficult and transitioning to thumb position almost impossible.

[@MaineBassGuy]

That's a fair critique of this in comparison to a real upright, it's hard to know what position you're in in the upper register without that tactile reminder of the neck heel. Conversely, I don't know that you need to employ "thumb position" technique on this instrument. It really is its own thing.

[@charlieburns1385]

What string length and make? Thanks Sounds good!

[@MaineBassGuy]

Thanks! These are the factory d’adario chrome strings.

[@dazaelmilian9450]

Regáleme un bajo de esos..🙏

[@MaineBassGuy]

Lo siento amigo, no puedo ayudarte. ¡Buena suerte!

[@techfour4921]

Play freebird.

[@JesusChrist5000]

sound quality is terrible

[@Thurgor_Supreme]

If you're going for the traditional upright sound, then this sounds like complete butthole. I'm surprised they're able to sell a single one of these

[@jazzman1954]

No one said it’s a traditional upright sound. It’s a compromise obviously.