Rob Allen MB-2 Koa Fretless (pre-owned)

MB-2 Koa Fretless 2011

The Rob Allen MB-2 Koa Fretless

This is the MB-2 from Rob Allen, out of California, USA. It’s a 2011 bass with serial number 1035, and it has a beautiful koa top.

First of all, it weighs 2.74 kilos. That’s really light, which means you can play it all night without thinking about your shoulder. Moreover, the MB-2 is a semi-hollow fretless with a piezo pickup, so it’s built for one thing: that warm, woody, upright-like fretless sound.

Ida Nielsen’s Rob Allen MB-2

Now, here’s the special part. This bass has belonged to Ida Nielsen, the Danish bassist who joined Prince’s New Power Generation in 2010 and later played in his trio 3RDEYEGIRL. In other words, it comes from one of the funkiest bass players out of Denmark, and we’re really proud to have it in the shop.

In addition, Pino Palladino also chose an MB-2, for example when he played with Beck.

Body, Neck & Woods

A semi-hollow body with a koa top

To begin with, the body of the Rob Allen MB-2 is chambered. In other words, it’s semi-hollow, and that’s a big part of why it’s so light. As a result, the bass has a lot of air in the tone, kind of like an acoustic bass, but without the feedback problems.

On top sits a koa top with a ton of figure and colour. Likewise, the body has a thin oil finish, which Rob Allen uses so the wood can breathe and resonate.

Birdseye maple neck and a lined fretless board

Meanwhile, the neck is birdseye maple with a satin finish, bolted on with four bolts. Furthermore, the fretless fingerboard has lines, so you can find your way with your eyes as well as your ears. For example, if you’re new to fretless, the lines make the first months a lot easier.

34″ scale on the Rob Allen MB-2 Koa Fretless

Finally, the MB-2 has a full 34″ scale and a 1 5/8″ nut. Consequently, it feels like a normal bass under your hands, even though it sounds like something else.

Condition

Condition of this Rob Allen MB-2 Koa Fretless

This 2011 MB-2 comes from Ida Nielsen, and it has been well looked after. For example, the koa top and the birdseye neck look clean on the photos, and there are no big dings to speak of.

In addition, the bass comes in a Rob Allen hardcase. As always, we’re happy to send more photos or answer questions before you buy.

Electronics, Sound & Feel

A piezo pickup in the bridge

Now, there are no magnetic pickups on this bass. Instead, a Fishman Matrix piezo sits under the saddle in the wooden bridge. Therefore, it picks up the vibration of the whole bass, not just the strings. As a result, you get that round, woody, almost upright sound with a lot of information in the tone.

One knob, built into the bridge

Furthermore, the only control is the volume, and it’s built right into the bridge. In other words, there’s nothing to fiddle with, and you shape the sound with your hands and your amp. Likewise, the black nylon tapewound strings help keep it smooth and warm.

Our take on the Rob Allen MB-2 Koa Fretless

All in all, the Rob Allen MB-2 Koa Fretless is a bass for the player who wants a real fretless voice, close to an upright, in a light and easy package. For me personally, it’s perfect for ballads, jazz and anything where the bass has to sing. So, what’s not to like?