Ministar AMS-BASSTAR 5 Electric Bass Guitar (5 String, Natural Maple, 34 Scale) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Electric bass guitars are traditionally very big and heavy. I desired to have a bass that I could easily travel with and take with me wherever I went so I could practice frequently. That's what drew me to the Ministar Basstar 5, and the price was obviously very attractive.

What ensued however was a demonstration that some things can indeed be too cheap, or that they're cheap for a reason. I have gone through three of these basses, having replaced two under the limited lifetime warranty, and I'm still not satisfied.

The first Basstar had a broken tension rod. The neck was very bowed-out, lifting the strings over a quarter inch from the 12th fret. The tension would not budge. The bridge (more about that later) also had burrs in it, which caused a string to break. It also smelled strong of "gun oil."

I contacted the distributor, American Music & Sound, and they arranged a replacement. It took about two weeks via FedEx Ground, because the distributor wouldn't release the replacement instrument until the defective instrument arrived.

The replacement Basstar had a very noticeable crack in the neck, ironically running right through a quality assurance inspection sticker from the Korean factory.

I spoke with the distributor, and just received a third replacement. The situation is better, but I keep finding compromises, shoddy construction, cheap materials and poor workmanship. Several of the tuners were loose and needed to be tightened down.

The bridge is not-adjustable, and forces a severe 90 deg. angle on the strings. You have to be careful about what strings you buy, because if they're too thick or have silk windings, they won't fit through the string holes. Intonation is off past the 12th fret, and again, with the minimalist and severe bridge, it is not-adjustable. And some of the screw holes for the bridge are stripped.

The electronics cavity is not shielded, so it can pick up electromagnetic interference fairly easily. It's fairly easy to solve with some shielding self-installed or installed by a guitar tech.

It's playable and light and easy to transport. I'm slowly adjusting the truss rod and letting the wood adjust and acclimate so I can get the neck more playable. The jury is still out on wether I'll keep the Ministar Basstar or if I'll ask for a refund.

The carrying bag is extremely cheap, and falls apart quickly from use.

My advice. If you want a cheap bass guitar, then look elsewhere like FatDawg. If you want a travel bass, then save your money. A much better choice in a travel bass would be the Traveler Guitar Escape MK-II. It's much better designed, even smaller than the Ministar Basstar and has a very intelligently designed bridge. It also has a built-it headphone amp and EQ, while the Ministar Basstar does not.

Traveler Guitar Escape MK-II Acoustic-Electric Travel Bass Guitar (Nylon String, Deluxe Gig Bag)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ministar AMS-BASSTAR 5 Electric Bass Guitar (5 String, Natural Maple, 34 Scale)

Product Description:
Ministar guitars and basses are designed to be the worlds smallest full size guitars and basses. Ministar instruments are patented or patent pending due to their unique capabilities or design. When you play a Ministar guitar or bass, you will be amazed by the "FAT" sound, the "LONG SUSTAIN", and the "PLAYABILITY" offered be each model. "No Body Gets A Better Sound" than Ministar, and they're ready to go where you go. Ministar instruments fly through airport security and fit easily in the overhead compartment. The BASSTAR 5 is a 5 string bass that features a 34" scale, 24 frets, 1 dual alnico pickup, die cast tuners, volume and tone control, an adjustable nut and bridge, and full length truss rod. Included are a carrying bag with shoulder strap, bass strap, instrument cord, arm rest, and rods for playing while standing or sitting.

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