Mini Bass Comparison - Flight - Kala - Blackstar

Mini Bass Comparison - Flight Mini Bass Ukulele - Kala Solid Body U-Bass - Blackstar Carry On ST Bass Guitar - Flight Mini JB Bass
Taking a look at my different solid body mini basses or bass ukuleles. These are all fretted with magnetic pick ups and round wound strings. I look at the specs and features, the similarities and the differences and full sound demos.
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🚀 Want to support the channel - join my Patreon page here - / ukulelewales
✔️ Flight Mini Bass Ukulele Full Review - • Flight Mini Bass Ukule...
✔️ Kala Solid Body U-Bass Full Review - • Kala Solid Body U Bass...
✔️ Black Star Travel Bass Guitar Full review - • Blackstar Carry On Tra...
✔️ Flight Mini JB Bass Full Review - • Flight Mini JB Bass Re...
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23 1/2 scale mini bass or bass ukulele with magnetic pick ups, steel round wound strings, passive with round wound strings.
Mini Bass Comparison - Flight Kala Blackstar:
00:00 Intro to Mini Bass Comparison
01:19 Specifications and features of the Flight Mini Bass and the Kala Solid Body U-Bass
03:09 Flight Mini Bass Ukulele
04:31 Kala SB U•Bass
06:48 Blackstar Carry-on ST Bass
08:41 Flight Mini JB Bass
10:23 Sound demos of the fretted mini basses with roundwound strings
14:46 Conclusion and overview of the Kala, Flight & Blackstar Mini Bass comparison
‪@kalabrandmusic‬
‪@FlightUkulele‬
‪@Blackstaramps‬
Instruments and equipment used:
Flight Mini Bass Ukulele
Kala SB U•Bass
Blackstar Carry On Travel Bass Guitar
Flight Mini JB BAss
Genzler MG350 Amp head
Barefaced One10 Cabinet
Website: ukulele.wales/
T-Shirts & Merch: www.redbubble.com/people/ukul...
Ukulalien Play Along Channel: / ukulaliensukuleleclub
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[@UkuleleWales]

👉I've been really looking forward to comparing these mini basses. They are all very similar in size and scale. Flight Mini Bass Ukulele - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3-0ooNoaK2LpMU Kala SB U-Bass - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZepp6itr9qLibc Blackstar Travel Bass - kzbin.info/www/bejne/one1Xq13qcZ1ibc Flight Mini JB Bass - kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4HVqmailNqth5Y 🚀 If you would like to support the channel and get access to behind the scenes, PDF's and more - www.patreon.com/UkuleleWales

[@juliehall3331]

As always, Rachel, another great side by side review of these mini basses! I really enjoyed this one! Thank you! ❤

[@UkuleleWales]

You are so welcome Julie, it was a really fun one to do. Hope you are keeping well. 😊

[@MariUSukulele]

ooooh … excited to watch this! As you know i have the Blackstar and totally 🫶🏻 it! DANKE so much in advance, Rachel!

[@UkuleleWales]

Hope you enjoy it Marius and love your Blackstar with the tape wounds!! 😎

[@donsamazingstuff]

Great demo. Thank you!

[@UkuleleWales]

My pleasure! 😊

[@PeterMossUkulele]

It’s a close call as there is no “lemon” here. I’d love to try the blue Flight with flat wounds. Thanks for the great video ❤

[@juderandall703]

Thinking of flatwounds for mine too 😁🎵👍

[@PeterMossUkulele]

@@juderandall703 I once played a Hofner Bass with flatwounds and it was sooooo deep. It wasn't mine so I had to return it. 😪😪😪

[@UkuleleWales]

Yes, hoping to find some flat wounds that will fit. I Agree, all fine instruments. 👍

[@RobVespa]

Thank you for the nice video and commentary

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad you enjoyed it. 😊

[@tobiasware]

The tone varies between all models, but my favourites are the Blackstar and the Flight JB, with the Blackstar for the overall win in sound. Great video again, Rachel.

[@UkuleleWales]

Good choice Tobias. I think the sounds are all good but of course subjective and that is why it is so much fun playing them all. 😎

[@amberyooper]

That was my impression as well.

[@joefortune5040]

Great video Rachel, as always. I have 2 Kalas, a Spalted maple acoustic electric with flat wound strings on it and the Solid Body UBass and am looking forward to getting the switching to flat wound on the Solid Body when they are stocked in Europe. Southern Ukulele Store have said they will stock the flat wound “eventually”. Thanks again for a great video.

[@UkuleleWales]

My pleasure. I will be putting some flat wounds on mine very soon and the Kala fretless review has just been uploaded. 👍

[@tomtigerwoods]

Hi Rachel, I saw you playing the Kala on Saturday at Dewslake. I played bass with the Jumping Fleas. Loved your performance and ordered the Kala in sunburst when I got home. It is arriving any minute now. Can't wait!

[@UkuleleWales]

Absolutle loved reading this Tom and I'm so glad you enjoyed. Hopefully you are already loving your new Kala!! Hopefully see you again soon and I thoroughly enjoyed the Jumping Fleas performance.

[@frankvecsei7918]

Thank you Rachel, invaluable comparison.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Frank 😊

[@Myndi78]

I am very much looking forward to a review on the Kala fretless solidbody! 😍 I am about to preorder one, but I won't get it untill april 😑

[@UkuleleWales]

Coming very soon but I have to say, I LOVE it!! 🥰

[@kaywilson2714]

Hi Rachel. Great video. I started playing Bass on an acoustic/electric Baribass from Luna. For Christmas I got a 'Tiny Boy' short scale solid body bass. It is certainly a cut above my Luna. It is Japanese, 2.5Kg, 22 Frets. MIne has the JB style pick up, but there are models with the Precision style pick up and also a 5-string version. I play TB with a Fender Rumble and the sound is fantastic. I was also wondering about the Neck Wraps but I think Billy has answered that one for me, thank you Billy.

[@UkuleleWales]

That is awesome Kay, I would love a fretless TB one day. Yes, the fretwraps (neck wraps) are something I just chuck on the basses, I will try and do a video at some point. Bet your TB sounds fab through the Fender.amp.

[@charlesgraham4286]

Thanks what a wonderful video

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad you enjoyed it, Thanks 😊

[@ukuleleplein]

Nice comparison!

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@julieannwilliams9134]

Hi great video thanks. How did you get on with the flight Centurian? 😁

[@UkuleleWales]

Hopefully you have seen the video on the Centurion. Really nice, couldn’t fault it but just couldn’t justify keeping it. There will be a comparison with the Risa and then the Pathfinder and Vanguard soon. 👍

[@SirDude555]

Good video / information. Question: Do you know if we can use Tape-wound strings or are we stuck with strings made for these bass(es)?

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks. Yes I have heard of the Blackstar having tape-wounds put on it and working well so I am assuming they will work with the others. Check out this Facebook thread - facebook.com/groups/105823219514464/user/618951942

[@judih.8754]

Great comparison. I wasn't prepared to like the Jazz style bass but I do! A couple questions: What is the value of the neck wraps you used on 3 of the basses? Do you have the tab for that walking bass line that started at 11:57? I'd like to learn that! Thanks for a great video!

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi Judi. The fretwraps help dampen notes when used, I’ll do a video on them at some point. I’ve done a lesson on that walking bass line here. The TABs are within the video and the PDF is available on Patreon. 👍 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5PLlGSkbthjZ7ssi=8bARSW-DPv7DGA4a

[@judih.8754]

@@UkuleleWales Thank you!!

[@frankkiethebassplayer]

I can't wait to see the fretless review. I've been itching to get one

[@UkuleleWales]

Hope you enjoyed it Shannon. 🤞

[@kayaker4911]

Thanks for the mini bass comparisons. I fell in love with the look of the Flight JB mini bass before ever hearing it. After hearing your video it just sounds like a bass should sound like. Most likely I would buy the Blackstar just because of the price and sound even though to me it is the least eye appealing. An entry level mini bass I recently found is the Glarry GW101. Even though it isn’t at the level of these basses I’d love to see a review on one. I like the idea of a 25” scale which is between the original Ubass and a short scale bass.

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad you like it I wasn’t a fan of the JB looks but it has definitely grown on me and the sound and playability are fab. I did try to get hold of a Glarry bass but they had stopped making them or at least selling them in the UK.

[@DarkSideOfTheUke]

Perfect review! Just what I really wanted - to hear them all side by side. Happily I didn't find myself wishing I'd bought any other bass than my Flight JB. I thought they all sounded good but I do think Flight have improved the sound somehow with the JB, don't know if that's just down to the pick up configuration, it just seemed noticeably better. I'd have been a happy bunny with any of them I expect but I really like the sound you can get from the bridge pickup on the JB, you just can't get that on the others, it's why I went for thar one in the end, plus the looks... gorgeous! Anyway, that you for that review. Cracking job as always!

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks and great to hear your thoughts on the JB, a cracking instrument indeed. So glad you like yours and made the right decision for you. 👍

[@keithcosentino994]

Great comparison. If you had to pick one for musical theater, which one would YOU prefer? I am leaning towards the new Kala 5 string. As far as you know, do any of the others sell a 5 string?

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi Keith and Thanks. At the moment the Kala is the only 5 string readily available (and these are brand new out) so maybe others will follow. There is another company making 5 string - Tiny Boy Basses bit they are difficult to get hold of and are a good bit more expensive. The Kala basses really are awesome both in feel and sound and a good friend of mine (u-bass player) LOVES his 5 string. As a long time reader and theatre player, these are perfect for that. 👍

[@rbarton15]

Hi Rachel can you tell me which wireless system you are using (instead of a cable)? I've tried a couple of cheap ones that were very poor. I play the Blackstar but haven't got the setup correct yet and, regarding the tuning, I wonder if you had any trouble with the strings sticking in the nut? Thanks for the informative videos.

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi, I am using the Lekato WS90 which I have done a review on and the Swiff Audio uhf pogolab system which there will be a review. Coming soon. Both work really well with the mini basses including the Blackstar. If I had a preference I would say the Lekato WS90 as we’ve all been using them in the uke band with no issues. I haven’t had any issues with the strings sticking on the nut. Firstly try adding some pencil carbon on the nut where the string site, this might help or possibly file the nut a little but I’d try pencil first.

[@pittarak1]

Great review - just what was needed. Thanks so much. Greetings from 'Straya'🦘

[@UkuleleWales]

You are so welcome and greeting down under. 😎

[@vincewhite5087]

Do you have a video on the bass muting bands you put on the headstock. If not, might be a good idea for a video.

[@UkuleleWales]

I’ve been meaning to do one for ages. Will do soon. 👍

[@gibb253]

As you discovered, you can’t cut down normal bass strings to fit the Blackstar as it requires its own specific strings with thinner winding at the headstock end to fit the narrow slots in the machine heads. Do the other three have normal tuner slots enabling any brand of strings to be fitted? Great comparison- I found that the Jazz bass seemed to “sing” a bit more than the other three, having a bit more sustain

[@UkuleleWales]

Yes, the JB has a fine sound hence why I ended up buying it! I now have some Kala flatwound strings so I shall be taking a good look at the tuners of them all over the next few days. 👍

[@ryeguy88]

With the string options Kala has and the various options in bass models they provide its hard not to be swayed by their product. They really know the bass player market.

[@UkuleleWales]

Totally agree, it helps having the founder of Kala being a bass player. 😎

[@Szm1nka]

Hey I wanted to ask how loud is electro/acoustic u-bass? I tried to look for some information about it online but it seems like everyone Is only playing it while plugged. Is it really not worth playing unplugged?

[@UkuleleWales]

I can certainly hear the electro acoustic basses when playing unplugged but you would need an amp if playing with other instruments. I’m sure I talked about this in a video a long time ago BUT the audio would have been bad. I will try and make a new video soon talking about this. Thanks 😊

[@crinocerous]

Hi Rachel, do you know where I can find Strings for the new kala solidbody 5 string? It has the magnetic PU so needs steel core strings in 23.5 scale. I think they came out with the bass without making replacement strings🤔

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi, as far as I am aware they have only brought out the 4 string sets so far but I know there are plans for releasing them soon. The only 5 string sets I know for this scale are the Tiny Boy Bass strings by Dogal but they are VERY expensive! www.stringsbymail.com/dogal-tiny-boy-flat-wound-carbon-steel-electric-5-string-jc106tb5-45-130-23-scale-26728.html

[@crinocerous]

@@UkuleleWales wow youre not kidding! that is a hefty price! Thanks for your response. I attempted to make a set by unwrapping part of the outer wrap of the B and E string of long scale strings and adding a dab of super glue so it so it doesn't unravel. So far it has worked🤞

[@UkeDad]

Have you done any comparisons between fretted and fretless? Is there a substantial difference? Agree with flatwounds…

[@UkuleleWales]

I recently did the 2 Kala SB basses. I will do my Fannaer Pee wee fretless at some point. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5PRdIiYYrWUg7csi=0pxf7RKVvsbwKSs9

[@makingmusiconline2309]

Just a first impression but I like the Flight Mini Bass Ukulele (the pretty one!) and Blackstar best. The other two sounded just a little more muffled. Thank you for the very useful review!

[@UkuleleWales]

Lovely hearing your thoughts, interesting. I love how we all hear and feel different things, it’s what makes life more fun. What do you think of the flatwound sounds in the more recent videos?

[@jensbomholt4529]

All four 😊

[@UkuleleWales]

Yes!

[@ludwigvanzappa9548]

I really want a Kala fretless u-bass but here in Canada they are out of stock everywhere...:( Love your videos, thank you!

[@UkuleleWales]

Just replied on another comment. 🤞

[@UkuleleWales]

Just had another look - any good? www.long-mcquade.com/363157/Guitars/Ukuleles/Kala/Solid-Body-4-String-Acoustic-Electric-Fretted-U-Bass-with-Gigbag-Tobacco-Burst.htm

[@oldmanzen6682]

Surprised we didn't see the West signature in the mix. Great stuff as always.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks. I didn’t want to confuse as the NW has a piezo pick up and active electronics but it might be interesting to do a comparison between that and the Kala SB. 👍

[@amberyooper]

I was not aware that these super short scale bass guitars exist, this is pretty cool! I recently bought a Fender mini-P bass thinking it was the smallest lightest bass I could find, with it's 28-1/2 inch scale length, and light weight, good for my bad back. Now I find out that I can get a bass with a 23-1/2 inch scale length and less than 6 pounds... Perhaps it's just my ears, but I think the Blackstar bass has slightly more mid and treble than the other 3, which I like. I also like it's retro looks.

[@UkuleleWales]

So glad you’ve discovered the mini basses Amber, yep I’ve moved from regular scale right the way down. The Blackstar is a great bass and has a pretty good range of tone too. Let me know if you decide to get one. 👍

[@hadisek6650]

Thanks a lot for testing. You said you got them all for different reasons. Could you helps us out there. I mean sound is not everything. I got the Blackstar and could fit it in a smaller case that I already had. Its cheaper than the others and I find it easier to carry around without worrying too much about it. Its also about he looks. Its an eye catcher when I wear black/white clothes at gigs.........

[@UkuleleWales]

Great question! Blackstar because it was cheaper so I don’t mind taking it to school. Kala SB because apart from the fact I totally respect Kala for all they have done for bass ukes I really fancied the look and precision pickups. Flight Mini because I think it looks incredible and I think I will be able to practice my slap on it and the the Flight JB and really didn’t want to like but it sounds quite different to the others with the Jazz pickups and thinner neck width plays really well.#Yes, bet the Blackstar looks good if you are wearing all black. 👍

[@kathyadler6464]

What is the purple band you have on the headstock for?

[@billyaitken7461]

There’s a thing more common to Stratocaster style electric guitars where there is an unwanted harmonic tone generated by the vibration of strings after the nut - this can be cancelled or minimised with a bit of foam under the strings on he headstock or some type of band over the strings…….either that or there just wasn’t enough Purple for Rachel 😁👍

[@UkuleleWales]

Bit of both Billy 💜😂

[@UkuleleWales]

As Billy says, to suppress any unwanted tones.

[@evenseb7574]

Great playing madame 🎸😃. The Jazz bass might be the most versatile of them, it also sound pretty 'grown up'. Two separate pickups makes more variation possibilities, lets say you want to play a solo, then just roll the neck pickup off and you will cut more through in the mix. The first bass (the beautiful blue one) might have not the best balance btw the strings, D and G sounds a bit thinner than E and A (to my ears/ speakers). Maybe adjustable with the height screws though

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks for the great comment. I think the Flight (blue one)does sound a bit thinner, especially as you say with the higher strings. I think that is partly due to the thinner gauges strings but I will certainly be looking at setting it up further in the future. 👍

[@evenseb7574]

@@UkuleleWales Yeah, good point about gauge, I suppose with shorter scale it is an advantage to go up a number or two in gauge to compensate for the 'looseness' there is. (Parden my Norwegian English, having a limited vocabulary) 😃

[@musicforsax]

Just got around to watching this. Thanks for another great review I’m addicted to watching them all! I think the Flight JB wins it for me it has a nice meaty sound in my opinion. I had a Blackstar but returned it, it just wasn’t for me I really didn’t like it, interestingly mine didn’t have the pick guard or chrome volume and tuning knobs, mine were black 🤷‍♀️ Anyway, I think I’ll be in the market for the Flight JB instead 🙌

[@UkuleleWales]

Sorry to hear you didn’t get on with the Blackstar, and odd it was so different, maybe an early model?? The Flight Mini JB is a completely different beast both in terms of playing and sound. 👍

[@jazzman1954]

Thanks for the demo. They all sound surprisingly good with marginal differences. Not sure why anyone plays a long scale bass now!

[@UkuleleWales]

Totally agree, yep, my long scale bass don't get much of a play these days.

[@JulianWest]

So are these tuned like a regular bass, or uke?

[@UkuleleWales]

Great question Julian. Exactly the same as a bass guitar or double bass. 👍

[@JulianWest]

@@UkuleleWales Thanks so much! Just ordered one!

[@UkuleleWales]

@@JulianWest Which one did you go for? I am nosey - sorry! 😉

[@JulianWest]

@@UkuleleWales I went for the solid body one with the tobacco finish!

[@user-kl8jq5rv4o]

All seem very nice I seem to prefer the Flight JB.

[@UkuleleWales]

It is a very nice bass hence why I ended up buying it. 👍

[@Frodohotep]

I think the one I liked the look of least wound up being the one whose sound I liked most. On my speakers, anyway, they all sound similar, but the JB seems least consistent in volume. Your hands get great sounds and you’re very consistent with your touch, yet that bass seems to have whatever is the opposite of “hot spots.” I immediately loved the look of the “beach” painted Flight bass, and it sounds okay, but seems to have less volume. The other two both sound really good, the Kala Ubass a little warmer and the cream-colored one a little brighter and extremely consistent all over the neck.

[@UkuleleWales]

Really loved hearing your interpretations of the various bass sounds, Thanks. 😊

[@randallmoore4000]

if you lived in the states, I would send you my tiny boy from Japan. It's a jazz with roundrounds at the momemt. Think you would lose your socks. LOL. get access to one of these 23" scale beasts and I doubt you will play anything else. Love your content. Keep up the great work please.

[@UkuleleWales]

I keep looking at them Randall, they are a pit tricky to get in the UK (at least what you want) but maybe one day. I’ll keep looking. So I take it you like yours? 😊

[@randallmoore4000]

@@UkuleleWales Yes I love it. Its great on my old hands and sounds great. I love my Kala Solid body as well. (thanks for the recomendation by the way). Got the Kala first . To me the the tiny boy is like a Risa compared to a Flight.

[@josephnaja]

You remind me of Carol Kaye, enjoying your channel. Thanks

[@UkuleleWales]

Wow, thank you! 😊

[@josephnaja]

@@UkuleleWales Your welcome 🤗

[@lizabeckett5169]

Love your videos but wish your amp was louder find it hard to hear the sound even with everything on my laptop up full!

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi Liza, try listening with headphones on, laptop speakers cannot play bass very well. Let me know if it sounds okay then.

[@lizabeckett5169]

Thanks Rachel, will try that

[@Stick3x]

Kala for the win.

[@LaoFarm]

i love mini basses!!!😊

[@UkuleleWales]

Me too! 🥰

[@anorak211]

My vote goes to the Flight JB Bass, just needs to be in a different colour, dark midnight blue will do it

[@UkuleleWales]

Ooooh, sounds good in dark midnight blue!! 😎

[@Hornyderp]

You have quite the big colection of small basses

[@UkuleleWales]

We are getting there Joao 😉

[@heigoensling]

Väga hea ülevaade!

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank You 😊

[@wack8589]

Audio problem

[@UkuleleWales]

Yes, I know there were a few clicks on the small comparison sections which I didn’t notice until it was too late. Something I’m keeping an eye on now for future videos. 👍

[@vincewhite5087]

J bass is best

[@UkuleleWales]

It is a very nice bass, it is subjective though so it’s nice to have the choices. 👍

[@billyaitken7461]

Righto Rachel, any chance of a ‘So you want to learn bass?’ type lesson, for all of us that play High G Uke, low G Uke, guitar etc but are nervous about committing to buying a bass?🥹🙏

[@alanm8431]

Check out Rachel's youtube channel "ukulelewales". She has a entire lesson series based on the Team Strings Double Bass lesson book. It starts with a "taster tester" . Dive in. I have....

[@bonniedavidson936]

I agree good idea. These look so cool !

[@bonniedavidson936]

Good video Rachel. Nice to see the comparisons even though I don’t play bass but they always looked like fun !

[@UkuleleWales]

Cracking idea Billy - YES! 🥰

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Bonnie and will look at the idea Billy mentioned! 👍