Gold Tone M-Bass 23-Inch Scale Acoustic-Electric MicroBass with Gig Bag (Left-Handed)
$ 629.99
This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone M-Bass, a remarkably compact acoustic-electric MicroBass with a 23-inch scale that makes bass more accessible and portable than ever. Strung with Aquila Thunderblack rubber/polymer strings and equipped with an onboard MBass preamp with EQ, it delivers genuine low-end character in a lightweight 2.8-pound body. Whether you’re a guitarist doubling on bass, a traveler who refuses to leave their low end at home, or a left-handed player finally getting a bass built right, this little instrument punches well above its size.
In stock
If you’re a left-handed bassist — or someone who’s always wanted to add bass to your toolkit without hauling around a full-size instrument — the Gold Tone M-Bass 23 is one of the most thoughtful solutions I’ve come across in my 45 years in the stringed instrument world. This is the left-handed version, purpose-built for players who need everything mirrored correctly from the nut to the strap button. The 23-inch short scale makes it genuinely comfortable for smaller hands or players transitioning from guitar, while the Aquila Thunderblack rubber/polymer strings give it a warm, upright-adjacent thump that you simply don’t expect from something this compact. At just 2.8 pounds with gig bag included, it’s the bass you’ll actually bring to the session.
Gold Tone built the M-Bass with an okoume back and sides, a mahogany top, and a walnut fingerboard and bridge — tonewoods chosen for warmth and clarity rather than flash. The satin natural finish feels honest and open, and the black hardware keeps the aesthetic clean. Twenty frets on a walnut board give you plenty of range, and the two-way adjustable truss rod means the neck can be dialed in precisely for whatever string tension and action you prefer. The onboard MBass preamp with EQ means you can plug directly into a PA, an amp, or an audio interface and sound like you mean it. Standard EADG tuning keeps your muscle memory intact, and the butterfly bass-style tuners hold tune reliably. This is a serious little instrument, not a novelty.
Every M-Bass receives a complete professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida — checking neck relief, adjusting action at the nut and bridge saddle, and making sure intonation and tuning stability are right before shipping to ensure this specific instrument plays and feels exactly as it should when it arrives at your door.
Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse
Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every instrument we sell is fully covered under Gold Tone’s warranty and backed by our direct relationship with the manufacturer. I’ve been in this industry since the late 1970s — I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta, wrote Banjo Primer (still the top-rated beginner banjo method), and co-designed the OB-Standard with Gold Tone — so when I put my name behind an instrument, it means something. I’ve seen a lot of short-scale and travel basses come and go, and the M-Bass is one of the genuinely good ones. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans with no late fees, so you can get this instrument in your hands today without stretching your budget.
Gold Tone M-Bass 23 Specifications
| Scale Length | 23″ |
| Nut Width | 1-11/16″ Bone |
| Neck Material | Nato |
| Fingerboard | Walnut |
| Frets | 20 |
| Inlay | Dot |
| Truss Rod | Two-Way Adjustable |
| Top | Mahogany |
| Back & Sides | Okoume |
| Bridge | Walnut |
| Finish | Natural / Satin |
| Hardware | Black |
| Tuners | Butterfly Bass-Style |
| Headstock Buttons | Metal |
| Pickup / Preamp | MBass Preamp with EQ |
| Strings | Aquila MicroBass Thunderblack Rubber/Polymer |
| Tuning | EADG |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs. |
| Gig Bag | Included |
| Optional Hard Case | HDMI23 |
| Handedness | Left-Handed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special amp or can I plug the M-Bass directly into a PA?
The onboard MBass preamp with EQ gives you a balanced output that works well straight into a PA system, an acoustic amp, or an audio interface for recording. You don’t need a dedicated bass amp to get a usable, musical tone — though a small bass or acoustic amp will certainly give you more volume and presence for live playing.
Are the Aquila Thunderblack strings very different from standard bass strings?
They are different in feel and character, yes — they’re made from a rubber/polymer compound rather than metal winding over a metal core, which gives them a rounder, warmer attack with a bit of upright-like softness. Most players find them comfortable and easy on the fingers, and they’re well matched to the short 23-inch scale of the M-Bass. Replacement sets are available through Aquila directly and through a number of online retailers.
Is this truly a left-handed instrument, or is it just a right-handed bass with reversed strings?
This is a purpose-built left-handed model from Gold Tone — the nut is cut for left-handed stringing, the electronics and controls are oriented correctly for a left-handed player, and the instrument is designed to be played with the right hand on the fretboard. It is not a simple string reversal on a right-handed body.
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