This travel-sized bass guitar promises full-sized tone and playability for musicians on the move.
Blackstar has launched the Carry-on ST Bass in Sky Blue, a portable travel-sized bass that’s designed to play and feel like the real deal despite its compact dimensions.
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Constructed using a poplar body with a bolt-on maple neck and laurel fingerboard, the Carry-on ST Bass aims to deliver tone and feel that belies its smaller stature. At 23.46 inches, the scale length sits comfortably between a full-scale bass and a short-scale instrument, offering a middle ground that maintains playability while keeping its travel-friendly design intact.
The bass features an offset coil pickup paired with straightforward volume and tone controls for essential tonal shaping without unnecessary complexity. A one-ply black pickguard complements the Sky Blue finish, while chrome sealed tuners ensure stable tuning even when you’re on the road. The toploader-style bridge keeps string changes simple and maintenance hassle-free.
Blackstar has equipped the Carry-on ST Bass with custom gauge strings (125-105-85-65), specifically chosen to work with the reduced scale length. This ensures proper tension and response across all four strings. The 18-fret laurel fingerboard provides enough range for most playing situations, from walking bass lines to melodic lead work.
While travel basses often cut corners on build quality or playability, the Carry-on ST Bass takes a different approach. The two-piece natural finish maple neck maintains structural integrity while the poplar body keeps weight down. These construction choices suggest Blackstar has prioritised performance over simply making the smallest possible instrument.
For bassists who find themselves travelling frequently, whether for gigs, sessions, or practice, the Carry-on ST Bass offers a solution, and doesn’t demand you accept toy-like playability or questionable intonation. It’s designed for moments when you need a real bass but can’t justify lugging a full-sized instrument through airports or small accommodation. Win-win!
