Harley Benson Kahuna ukulele bass, an excellent quality / price compromise for those who want to spend little and still have a credible sounding mini bass.
If we look at the dimensions it is actually a mini guitar, a little bigger than the more expensive competition but this makes it better appreciated even without amplification. The sound is round, quite precise in the central part, less on the highs and requires additional pressure on the notes of the first fret.
The strings are made of silicone and this on the one hand gives depth and roundness to the sound but on the other hand makes the tuning more sensitive to temperature. They are a bit rubbery strings that generate more friction than you feel on metal strings, but you get used to (other types of strings are available for the instrument anyway).
That said, it remains a very versatile instrument with a two-band equalizer on the side, an electronic tuner with a mute button, a volume. The jack is on the back of the case.
It is possible to mount a shoulder strap.
The neck is obviously shorter than that of a traditional bass, 20 frets, but the instrument is playable with tranquility especially if you do not expect to use too specific techniques from electric bass such as slapping (there are those who do it but it is not really the suitable instrument given the low tension of the strings). The length of the tool is 83cm.
The harmonics play on the twelfth on the fifth on the seventh, on the first fret where they should.
On sale at Thomann.de at a really low price for such a product. Great for studying without necessarily having to mount an amp but, again, also for playing it adapts to many bass styles.
It obviously supports the classic EADG tuning but we also tried to tune it as a cello by bringing the lowest note to C.
The result is amazing, the sound comes out, it gets a little confused in the vicinity of C but if you watch the video below with the bass tuned in CGDA you will judge for yourself.
Clarifying note
Why tune it like a cello?
Firstly because we like to try out lower notes and different tunings and then, to be honest, when you've learned Bach on the cello why start all over on the bass !?
Distributor
Thomann GmbH
www.thomann.de/en/harley_benton_kahuna_clu_bass_ukulele.htm
149 euro price
