Thank you for your recent purchase of the Gold Tone MicroBass. The MicroBass is a short scale bass guitar that uses rubber strings and an
active piezo pickup to produce the low rumbling tone of a full size bass when plugged into a bass amp. Designed to be tuned to standard
EADG tuning, the M-Bass offers bass players a unique voicing with ultimate tone flexibility in the lower register to cater to infinite genres
of music and bass styles.
Strings
MicroBass strings are made of a rubber polymer and are available direct from Gold Tone or through an authorized Gold Tone dealer. Use
ONLY MicroBass branded strings as they are designed specifically for this 23” scale length model. Similar off-brand rubber strings will not
work and may cause damage to the instrument. Using non-MicroBass branded strings will void the 5-year warranty.
Tuning & String Installation
The MicroBass is designed to be tuned to EADG (low to high).
A short string installation and tuning video is available on the MicroBass page on the www.goldtone.com website.
Slicking up the strings
Some players will find that their fretting or picking fingers slightly stick to the rubber strings in that there may be audible unwanted sounds
during slides. Applying a small amount of baby powder or silicon to the strings and/or fingers will eliminate these sounds and provide
effortless playability up and down the fretboard.
Setup
The ideal setup on the MircoBass is so that the strings are low enough to the fretboard so that the instrument is easily fretted with accurate
intonation and high enough that the strings will not rattle or buzz on any fret. Easy adjustments to the action can be accomplished by a
minor tweak of the two-way adjustable truss rod accessible inside the soundhole. To raise the action, simply use the included allen wrench
to loosen the truss rod by turning it clockwise in increments of 1/8 of a full rotation. To lower the action, tighten the truss rod by turning it
counterclockwise in increments of 1/8 of a full rotation.
The Pickup
The MicroBass features a built-in transducer pickup with a master volume control as well as independent bass and treble tone controls.
In the acoustic models, there is also a built-in electronic tuner with mute function that will aid in quick and accurate pitch adjustments.
When the tuner is engaged, the instrument output is muted. When a 1/4” instrument cable is inserted into the output jack, the tuner
is automatically engaged and the instrument is muted. By pressing the tuner button, the tuner is disengaged and the bass output will be
audible. The solid body model features the same pickup only with single volume and tone controls.
Battery
Both acoustic and solid body MicroBass models feature an active pickup which means that a battery is required for the pickup to function.
The acoustic MicroBass uses a **** battery and can be accessed in the built-in preamp on the upper bout of the instrument. The solid body
MicroBass uses a 9v batter which can be accessed under the plastic cover on the backside of the instrument opposite the volume and tone
controls. A battery is included with all new MicroBasses.
Warranty
The MicroBass includes a 5-year warranty to the original owner covering manufacturing defects.
Register the warranty at www.goldtone.com.
Insert one end of the string through the top of the
bridge and pull through the soundhole. Tie a loop
knot at the end of the string and cinch tight. Pull
the string from the top of the bridge so that the
knot secures up against the inside of the bridge.
Pull the leading end of the string tightly towards
the headstock and straight through the appropri-
ate slotted tuner. Using a pen or marker, mark
the string where it exits the back of the tuner,
closest to the top of the headstock. Carefully cut
the string at mark. The string should have as few
wraps around the tuner as possible so it will fit
inside the tuner hole but no longer.
Insert the string end inside the center hole of
the tuner. Because the string is made of rubber,
expect the string to stretch quite a bit before it
reaches the desired pitch. When tuning up to
pitch, constantly pull the string up above the
bone nut to evenly tension the string. Failing to
do this may cause an unwanted amount of stress
on the string and may damage it. Using a string
winder will help get the string to pitch faster.
Once the string reaches the correct pitch, tug on
the string slightly to stretch it. It will continue
to stretch for several hours before finally reaching
its stability point.
NOTE:
If a string stretches and overlaps the existing
string wrap, as seen on 3rd string in photo, loosen
string and shorten it’s length by repeating the
previous instructions.
String Installation Instructions
