All about the bass
Bass ukulele
The Bass ukulele is similar in size to the Baritone, but it’s a small instrument with a big sound. The electro acoustic version of this little ukulele sounds very similar to a double bass, whereas the solid body models sound much like a standard bass guitar, and when plugged into and amplifier can really rock your world!. The Bass Ukulele has been growing in popularity over the last few years as musicians realise this instrument is like a miniature bass guitar but is lighter and more portable making it ideal for gigging.
Kala Passenger Electro U-Bass
Bass ukulele tuning
The bass ukulele tuning, E, A, D, G is exactly the same as a bass guitar and can be played using the same finger patterns as a full size bass guitar. They are available in fretted and fretless although if you are a beginner then the fretted option would be advised. The polyurethane strings have been likened to elastic bands and new strings take a while to settle down and stay in tune, they are also quite chunky and seem strange at first. It is also possible to buy a bass ukulele tuned the same as a standard ukulele G, C, E, A however it will not give you the same sound.
Bass Ukulele Tuner
Any clip on tuner that has a Chromatic setting [C] or guitar setting [G] is suitable for use as a Bass ukulele tuner.
The Chromatic setting will allow you to tune any note, while the Guitar setting will only allow guitar notes to be tuned i.e. E,A,D,G,B,E. The bass ukulele falls into this range as it is tuned E,A,D,G.
Kala Solid Body Electric Bass
A brief history
The bass ukulele was developed after experiments by Owen Holt of Road Toad Music based in California USA, manufacturer of hand crafted instruments. Owen teamed up with manufacturer Kala and the acoustic U-Bass was born. The instruments now have a piezoelectric pickup under the saddle and are fitted with a 1/4″ (6mm) jack socket to enable connection to an amplifier. Kala now produce various models including a solid body version shaped like a small bass guitar.
Bass ukuleles are now produced by several companies so there is more choice than ever before.
Notes on the bass ukulele fretboard
The diagram shows the Bass Ukulele fretboard notes for a standard bass ukulele tuning E, A, D, G. All the note and their positions can be clearly seen for one octave. The same pattern repeats for the second octave starting at fret 12.
