Tiny Body. Big Boom. Why Bass Ukuleles Belong in Your Lineup

When most folks picture a ukulele, they think of high, cheerful tones and breezy beach jams. But somewhere along the way, someone dared to ask:

“What if a ukulele could groove like a bass guitar?”
And just like that, the bass ukulele was born.

At UKE Republic, we’ve watched the rise of these little low-end dynamos—and we’ve been happily riding the wave alongside curious strummers and seasoned bassists alike. Whether you're looking to add bottom end to a uke jam, downsize from your traditional bass, or just want to play something wildly fun and portable, bass ukuleles are where it's at.

Metal Wound Bass Strings

The Origin of the U•BASS®: A Smart Revolution in Sound

It all kicked off in the early 2000s when Kala rolled out their now-iconic U•BASS®—a short-scale ukulele tuned like a standard bass guitar (E-A-D-G) but strung with thick polyurethane or fluorocarbon strings.

Suddenly, bassists didn’t need to lug around a massive rig to get fat, thumpy tone. Ukulele players could explore an entirely new sonic range. And producers? They fell in love with its compact footprint and round, warm character in studio mixes.

From there, other top names like Ohana and Flight joined the low-end club, offering up their own unique twists—acoustic bodies, hybrid models, solid-body electrics, and both fretted and fretless styles. You want variety? It’s here.

How Can Something This Small Sound So Huge?

It’s all in the engineering—and the strings.

Most models use proprietary strings like:

  • Pahoehoe: A slick, stretchy polyurethane that delivers buttery smooth tone.

  • Thundergut: More grip and attack with a nice low-end growl.

  • Metal-wound options: For players who want that familiar tension and snap of traditional bass strings.

These strings, combined with a short scale (typically around 20"), produce a deep, warm, almost upright-bass quality that surprises every time. And yes—they’re tuned exactly like a standard bass: E-A-D-G.

Meet the Pros Who Put U•BASS® on the Map

This isn’t a gimmick. The U•BASS® is being used by real, working musicians on real, big stages.

A few names you might recognize:

  • 🎶 Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon) – That smooth, fretless magic on Graceland? Yep, he brings that same vibe to his U•BASS®.

  • 🌍 Jacob Collier – Grammy-winning musical wizard who experiments endlessly with textures—including the U•BASS®.

  • 🎸 Nathan East – One of the most recorded bassists of all time. If he’s into it, you know it’s legit.

  • 🧡 Nicole Row (Panic! At The Disco), Chris Baio (Vampire Weekend), Tal Wilkenfeld, and even Jim Mayer (Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band) have brought the U•BASS® into live shows and studio recordings alike.

So yeah—this thing’s got cred.

Why Get Yours from UKE Republic?

There are plenty of places to buy a bass uke online. But here’s the deal:

We don’t just ship it in a box and call it a day. Every single instrument we offer is:

  • Carefully inspected for quality

  • Fully adjusted with our Pro Setup (intonation, action, overall feel)

  • Strung and prepped for peak performance

  • Packed with care by folks who actually play and understand these instruments

That means no surprises when you open the case—just buttery low-end goodness, ready to groove.

light SFG Surf Green Solid Body Bass Ukulele
Flight SFG Surf Green Solid Body Bass Ukulele


Flight Mini JB Moonburst Bass


Kala Ubass | UKE Republic Includes Setup
Kala U-Bass

Kala U-Bass Thundergut Strings

Ohana OBU-22 Compact Bass with PUP

Who's It For?

Honestly? Pretty much everyone.

  • Ukulele players wanting to expand into rhythm and groove

  • Bass guitarists looking for a more portable, expressive option

  • Studio musicians needing warm, controlled tone

  • Bandmates who want to travel light but still pack punch

  • Or anyone who wants to turn heads with a bass that looks like no other

Final Thoughts: Small Size. Huge Sound. Endless Fun.

The bass ukulele is one of those rare instruments that feels fresh but familiar. It opens up creative space. It surprises people. It fits in airplane overhead bins. And best of all—it’s just fun as heck to play.

If you're ready to explore the bass side of ukulele, check out our handpicked selection from Kala, Ohana, and Flight. Each one is ready to groove, and set up to play beautifully—courtesy of your friends at UKE Republic.

👉 Browse Bass Ukuleles Now
Low-end never looked (or sounded) so good.


Location: 5000 Austell Powder Springs Rd STE 250, Austell, GA 30106, USA

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