Samick MCR 1 Corsair Mini Bass

Bought 2 years ago (new) on ebay. The model I got has BOTH a split PJ style neck pickup and a Jazz bass style bridge pickup.

This is where I differ from the most previous submission - and I think the reason may be becuase it appears the newer version of the Mini Corsair just has the split Precision style pickup; whereas mine has another bridge pickup.

The sound is articulate, full with very good tonal variety.

They may have changed this bass from the model I got.

The volume and tone knobs are lopsided and are not set level. The finish is OK. The pickguard could be nicer. Tuning pegs OK for the price.

For what it is - a short scale bass that typically costs $140 new on ebay - it has got a good sound and great for what most people use it for - a beginner bass for a kid or girl with smaller hands. The neck is not as fast as thin and an Ibanez SR; more of a traditional Fender type neck.

I have several othr basses (Ibanez, Fender) and the tone is competent - however I think they changed this model from the one I got and now they only have one set of pickups.

Here is a link to the newer model (2008)

http://www.gregbennettguitars.com/mcr1.html

Bought new in 2006 as a present for my daughter. Basically a scaled down P-Bass with 25.5" scale, tuned same as a full scale bass. Black with white pickguard. Part of the Greg Bennett series which comes in 25.5", 30" and 34" scales. Generic parts, exactly what you would expect for the price. The strings appear to be generic bass strings cut down to size. As a result they are a bit floppy.

I didn't take much notice at first as I wasn't that interested. However when my daughter lost interest I picked it up, and was very disappointed. The volume control did nothing until about '7' then it was full on. Tone control had no discernable effect on the sound (it was very trebbly regardless of the setting). Pickup was nice and quiet though. The bass has no sustain but this is to be expected. I figured something was wrong here so I whipped off the pickguard and suprise suprise the bass was wired with 500k pots rather than the normal P-Bass style 250k pots. This explained the volume control being so crappy and the tone. I replaced the pots with 250k versions and I now have a mini P-Bass that actually sounds a bit like one. It never will of course due to the super short strings. While I had the bass apart I replaced the original strings with D'Addario XL156's which are made for the Fender Bass VI (I use them on my Gretsch Jet Baritone). This give a MUCH better string tension than the original strings. One weird thing to remember though. The super short scale means that you have to be careful how much finger tension you use. You can hear the notes bend as you press down, until you adjust to it. Rating is based on the original sound, after the changes I give it a 5.

Very well made for the price. Big chunky bridge, much bigger than a standard P-Bass. Action and intonation out of the box was terrible. I had to adjust both the neck and saddles quite a bit. Intonation took forever to set, the super short scale requires micro adjustments to get close once you are in the ball park. However once set up it was great, and very stable, perhaps helped by the huge bridge. Paint, fretwork and fittings are excellent. Rating is based on the original, after a setup I give it an 8.

The neck is rock solid and I see no reason why it would need another adjustment. It is much more stable than any other bass I own. The bass is built like a brick and I wouldn't hesitate to use it for self defence if required!!!! I don't take it out of the house but would expect no problems live, although the tuning goes out regularly because of the super short scale.

My local dealer looks after their customers. Unfortunately I left it too long before I found the faults so I thought it was unfair of me to complain. So I just fixed it myself for the practice.

Despite my low ratings this is a great bass for the money (if you get one that is made correctly) and remember to use a light touch, I probably wouldn't get another one though as I know my daughter wouldn't be interested. I'm an old fart but have only been playing for about 6 years. However I have a garage band that plays at it's own parties so I know what to look for in an instrument. I currently own a Japanese 51' P-Bass, Belman 4 string (they went bust unfortunately), Gretsch Jet Baritone, Mustang, Squier Bronco that I put lipstick pickups into to make a Dano. soundalike, Jaguar bass, Ibanez ATK305 5 string, Squier Tele bass and a mid 70's Rick copy (the ones they pretend don't exist). All fed through a Cube 100 with Hartke 15" external cab. I only use the Bassman setting which should give my age away...

Short scale p-bass style. One of the smallest short scale basses 26" I have ever seen. Kids size but very nice. Very cool looking Red sparkle finish, with gloss black head stock.
Pro features include tilt back two over two tunner headstock.
This is part of the Greg Bennett signiture series basses.

Great considering it's small size. Fairly full P-bass kind of sound.
Everything is small about this bass except the sound, very cool.
I would recommend this as a travel bass for Pros to carry.

Very high quality parts, extra nice neck.
Pro stuff like very solid fully adjustable bridge with intonation screws and everything, grover style tunners, all crome hardware looks very well made.

Simple bass should last a long time. Clearly designed and build as a student instrument BUT I would and have played it on a gig, you should see the looks I get. I'm six foot tall with this little RED bass.

Samick made in ???? who knows.

This is super little bass I bought it for my nine year old to learn on. I play professionaly and want to teach my girl. This is a super bass considering the low price and high quality.
I like it so much I can't put it down and I own five Basses including a $1500. five sring Yamaha, and Two American Fenders. Now will my kid get to play it? I hope she gets a chance cause I love her.
Can't give it higher numbers because is kids size, but a great value.

Mini bass (made overseas in Asia somewhere), shaped like a Fender Precision. Bought new. Individually sealed die-cast tuning gears. Bolt-on neck. Super short scale (I haven't measured it but it's about the same as a regular guitar - probably around 25 inches). Painted bright red! Single split-coil pick-up. Passive electronics. One volume and one tone knob. Individual string saddles at the bridge. Chrome hardware. Rosewood fingerboard on top of a maple neck. Everything is "scaled" down on this bass - it's very easy to wrap your hand around the small neck. Bought a gig bag for it a week later for under $20.

Sounds like any other bass to me (I'm really a guitar player, but when I saw this I had to have one).

My only problem was a loose volume pot. Everything else was great.

It sure seems durable enough to me. I'd use it on a gig if somebody would hire me to stand there with this mini-bass. Ha-ha!

Don't know what the warranty is. Never dealt with Samick before.

I wish it had come in another color besides bright red, but what the heck. Too bad it doesn't come as a fretless - I'm thinking about buying another and ripping the frets out of it - and I'm not even a bass player! This is the perfect bass to sit around with in front of the television (paired with a mini amp) or to leave right next to the bed. A buddy who's got one (and who is actually a bass player) uses it as a "travel" bass as well. As this is such a short scale bass - the strings have a very "loose" feel to them; but for me, I like it - the strings are very easy to press down on. This would also be a "plus" for young musicians with small hands (as would the super short scale neck). It's a bargain - buy one today!