This is an interesting short scale electro acoustic bass, the Korala UKBB-310. It has been a while since we came across a product with such an awkward sounding name, but thankfully the bass is a lot better than its title! The price is pitched closer to a level that is more accessible for uke players and ukulele groups. Although still quite an outlay, it matches up favourably when compared to the Kala Ubass pricing level.

This Korala bass ukulele has an okume body, which has been flamed - making the bass look very smart. This is finished off with some tortoiseshell effect binding and an abalone soundhole rosette. The fingerboard is rosewood as is nicely finished and very smooth - as are the 16 nickel frets. The scale length is 32cm. Markers appear on both the fingerboard itself and helpfully, down the side of the neck too. The neck is fitted with a truss rod for adjustments.

The strings fitted to the Korala UKBB-310 are Aquila Thundergut bass strings, which are very popular. The Belcat tuner and pickup system that is fitted has bass and treble controls on sliders, alongside the volume knob, and the unit has a built in tuner also. This is quite handy as not all clip on tuners are as effective as others when tuning a bass instrument. The jack input is placed at the bottom of the bass uke, with a ridged button that you can fit a strap too.

Acoustically there is good volume for practice and maybe accompanying one or two other ukuleles - but that nature of bass ukes means that they don't generate enough noise for larger groups than this. The most volume is generated when playing near the bridge, rather than in front of the soundhoule -although the latter technique is handy when you want quiet practice. The sound produced by the active EQ is quite natural, with the acoustic tone replicated nicely - making it a nice amplified accompaniment for uke ensembles.

This Korala bass is not supplied with a bag, but will fit neatly into the Warwick Baritone ukulele bag.