Gold Tone ME-Bass/L 23-Inch Scale Electric MicroBass Left-Handed with Gig Bag

I want to be upfront right away: this is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone ME-Bass, and it’s one of the most genuinely clever instruments Gold Tone has produced in recent years. The ME-Bass is a 23-inch short-scale solid-body electric bass that weighs in at just 5.5 pounds — light enough to play all night, compact enough to fit in an overhead bin, and loud enough to anchor a full band through a PA or amp. Whether you’re a ukulele or tenor banjo player who wants to add bass duties to your toolkit, a traveler who needs a real bass without checking a full-size instrument, or simply a left-handed bassist looking for an affordable short-scale that doesn’t feel like an afterthought, this instrument was built with you in mind.

What really sets the ME-Bass apart from generic short-scale travel basses is the attention Gold Tone has paid to the details that actually matter. The specially engineered bridge features long-throw adjustable string compensation, which means you can dial in accurate intonation whether you’re running the included Aquila Thunderblack rubber/polymer strings or swapping to a set of steel strings — a flexibility I genuinely appreciate and rarely see at this price point. The mahogany body and neck give the instrument a warm, fundamental-forward tone, while the active MBass preamp with separate treble and bass boost controls lets you shape your sound without an outboard EQ. The piezo pickup system is surprisingly full and responsive, and the rosewood fingerboard with 24 frets gives you a smooth playing surface across the full range of the instrument. Butterfly bass-style tuners, a bone nut, and a satin natural finish round out a package that feels considered rather than rushed.

Every ME-Bass/L receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before shipping — checking nut slot depth and width, setting the action at the bridge for comfortable playability, verifying neck relief via the two-way adjustable truss rod, testing the electronics and battery connection, and making sure the tuners are seated and tracking smoothly. You’ll open the box and be able to plug in and play immediately, not spend an hour wondering why the neck feels wrong.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every instrument we sell comes with the full manufacturer’s warranty and the confidence that you’re buying a genuine, properly sourced instrument. The ME-Bass made the cut. We also offer flexible financing so cost doesn’t have to be a barrier: PayPal Pay in 4 and installment plans at 3, 6, 12, or 24 months are all available at checkout, with no late fees, plus Afterpay.

Gold Tone ME-Bass/L Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use steel strings on the ME-Bass/L instead of the polymer strings it comes with?

Yes — that’s actually one of the standout features of this instrument. The bridge is designed with long-throw adjustable string compensation specifically so you can switch between polymer strings (like the included Aquila Thunderblacks) and steel strings while still achieving accurate intonation. You may need to adjust the compensation saddles and possibly the truss rod slightly when switching string types, but the hardware is built to accommodate both. The instrument is professionally set up at the Gold Tone factory in Titusville, Florida with the polymer strings before shipping, so if you plan to use steel strings, just reach out and we can discuss the setup preferences before we ship.

Does the ME-Bass/L need an amplifier, or can it be played acoustically?

The ME-Bass is a solid-body electric instrument, so its unamplified output is quite low — similar to any solid-body electric guitar or bass. It’s designed to be used with an amplifier, a PA system, or plugged directly into recording interfaces and headphone amps. The active preamp runs on a standard 9-volt battery, which powers the onboard EQ and gives the piezo pickup a significant volume and tonal boost. For practice through headphones, a small bass amp or a headphone amp with a quarter-inch input works perfectly.

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