Rob Allen

Rob Allen basses at Bass Buddha

Rob Allen basses are built by hand in California, USA. In short, Rob Allen makes a small number of light, semi-hollow basses with a very special voice. As a result, they are a favourite among fretless players all over the world. You can read more about the builder on his own website.

The MB-2, a semi-hollow fretless

First of all, the MB-2 is the model most people know. It is a full 34″ scale semi-hollow bass, and it comes standard as a fretless. Moreover, it has a piezo pickup in the bridge instead of magnetic pickups. As a result, the sound sits somewhere between an upright and a solid-body electric bass: warm and woody, but with punch.

For example, Pino Palladino also chose an MB-2, among other things when he played with Beck.

Why a piezo pickup sounds different

Basically, a magnetic pickup only hears the strings. A piezo under the saddle, on the other hand, picks up the vibration of the bridge and the body as well. Consequently, you hear more of the wood and the air inside the chambered body. In other words, it sounds more like an acoustic instrument, and the fretless growl really comes through.

Short scale and other models

In addition, the builder makes the Mouse 30, a 30″ short scale bass. Likewise, there is the Deep 4. However, the idea behind every model is the same: a light bass that sounds alive and feels easy to play.

Why we really dig Rob Allen basses

For me personally, these are some of the most musical fretless instruments out there. Consequently, when one comes through the shop, we grab it. You can see the ones we have right now below, and you can find the rest of our instruments under basses. So, what’s not to like?