Gold Tone M-Bass 23-Inch Scale Acoustic-Electric MicroBass with Gig Bag

I have played and sold a lot of unusual instruments over the decades, and the Gold Tone M-Bass still surprises people every time I pull one out. At only 2.8 pounds on a 23-inch scale, it looks almost like a parlor guitar — until you play it. The Aquila Thunderblack rubber/polymer strings produce genuine bass fundamentals that simply should not come out of something this small and light. Whether you are a bassist who needs a travel instrument, a guitarist or banjo player who wants to add bass lines to their acoustic jams, or a music teacher looking for something that younger students can actually hold without strain, the M-Bass fills that role in a way no full-scale instrument can. The mahogany top and okoume back and sides give the body real acoustic warmth, and the built-in MBass preamp with EQ means you are always plug-and-play ready — at a campfire or on a stage.

Gold Tone builds these in Titusville, Florida, and the attention to detail shows. The nato neck is solid and comfortable, the walnut fingerboard and bridge are properly fitted, and the butterfly bass-style tuners hold pitch reliably. Black hardware keeps the look clean and consistent. The two-way adjustable truss rod means the neck can be dialed in for any string gauge or climate condition. With 20 frets on a 23-inch scale you have plenty of range for everything from roots to jazz walking lines, and the natural satin finish is understated enough to fit any musical setting without looking like a novelty item. This is a working instrument, not a gimmick.

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you. It arrives ready to play straight out of the gig bag.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every instrument we sell carries the full manufacturer warranty and comes through the proper distribution chain — no gray-market surprises. I have been in the stringed instrument business for more than 45 years, co-own Watch and Learn in Atlanta, and co-designed the Gold Tone OB-Standard, so when I stock an instrument I have already put it through its paces. We carry financing options to make it easy to get the instrument you need today: PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, and 24-month plans are all available with no late fees. Questions before you buy? Reach out — we are happy to talk bass.

Gold Tone M-Bass Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Aquila Thunderblack strings sound like a real bass, or is this more of a novelty instrument?

They genuinely sound like a bass. The Aquila Thunderblack rubber/polymer strings are engineered specifically for short-scale microbass instruments, and on the M-Bass they produce low-end fundamentals that hold up in an acoustic jam circle or through a PA. Is it going to replace a full upright in a recording studio? No. But for campfires, singer-songwriter accompaniment, travel, and teaching, the tone is completely convincing and musical. I would not stock it otherwise.

Can I plug the M-Bass into a regular bass amp or PA?

Yes. The onboard MBass preamp with EQ has a standard output jack, so you can run it into any bass amp, acoustic amp, or PA system. The built-in EQ lets you shape your tone to compensate for the room or the amplification you have available. Many players also use it direct into an audio interface for home recording with excellent results.

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