Ortega Lizard Series 4 String Bass Ukulele Review

9.9

This is a wicked little bass.  It is well constructed, it sounds great and it looks great.

$449.99
Last Amazon price update was: March 23, 2024 3:24 pm
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This Ortega 4 String Ukebass is touted as a work of art, so we wanted to take a look at it with our best bass ukuleles.  The craftsmanship and attention to details certainly reflects that claim.   

Features:

  • Includes well designed deluxe gig bag
  • Acacia Top
  • Acacia Wood Back & Sides
  • Gloss Finish
  • Mahogany Neck
  • Abalone Style Shell Purfling 
  • Walnut Fretboard
  • Walnut Bridge
  • Fretless Bass
  • 2-Way Truss rod 
  • Black Custom Designed Indirect Tuning Machines – 
  • Ortega MagusUkeBass preamp pickup system 
  • Built-in tuner 
  • Venetian Cutaway
  • Aquila Thundergut Short Scale Uke-Bass strings 

The Acoustic Electric Ukebass is a well made fretless U-Bass that has a solid construction.  The Acacia wood top stands out with it’s natural wood grain and which continues with the acacia back and sides accented with a gloss finish.   

The Mahogany neck and walnut fretboard and as well as walnut bridge are similar in design to some very nice acoustic guitars. The Abalone style shell purfling accentuates the classy finish of this 4 String UkeBass.

With any electric acoustic U-Bass, the preamp and pickups have a big effect on how well the electric part of the equation will work out.  WIth this Ukebass, Ortega uses their own MagusUkeBass which provides a rich deep tone that helps deliver the U-Bass tone that is very similar to an upright bass.  Even in it’s acoustic state, the venetian cutaway provides a focused and projected tone that sounds deep and full, with just the right amount of high end that you would expect from a U-Bass.


 

9.9 Expert Score

Ortega Lizard Series U-Bass

The Ortega Guitars Lizard Series 4 String Ukebass is an extremely well made U-Bass.  

The Acoustic Electric, fretless Ukebass has a stunning Acacia wood top, back and sides that really shines with the gloss finish.   The Mahogany neck and walnut fretboard and bridge almost complete the classy design.  This particular model has the added bonus of an Abalone style shell purfling which you rarely see on bass ukuleles.

The venetian cutaway projects the acoustic tone very well and the Ortega MagusUkeBass preamp/pickup system does a great job of projecting the tones of this beautiful instrument.  The use of Aquila Thundergut Short Scale Uke-Bass strings work with the design as the more traditional bass strings would likely have hard time staying in tune on this type of design.  

Ortega Guitars have really dialed in a solid tone that is reminiscent of an upright bass guitar, especially when plugged in to a bass amp.

Sound
9.9
Build
9.9
Look
10
PROS
  • The build has a very artistic and custom feel to it. The use of Acacia Wood, Walnut and Mahogany is high quality and striking.
CONS
  • Some of the Kala U-Bass selections are of similar value but cost a little less.