Palatino - VE 500
Reviewer: Tim
Primary Use: Big Band, Jazz
Amplifier Used: Warwick
- Vintage: 2007
- Number of Strings: 4
- Electric bass strings compatible
- Bowable: Yes
- Playable Seated: Yes
- Balance While Playing:
(4/10) - Transportability: (8/10)
- Overall Rating: (4/10)
It sounds like an Amplified double Bass. It's heavier than a normal DB but slimmer, so it is quite robust. The battery to amplify the Piezo pickup which is under the bridge (adjustable)is swiched on by a really flimsy switch on the back, This also lights an LED which helps to drain the battery, and is invisible if you put it down properly. Take it out and wire in a proper on/off via a stero Jack on the output. As well as the standard 1/4" outlet on the side it has an earphone outlet as well on the rear, but no MP3/CD input, and it is on the rear, so is useless. Support from the manufactuer is non existant, and the preamp hisses like a snake, so the first thing you will nedd to do is a rewire and install proper electronics. Finish is OK, but the tuners look a bit flimsy, time will tell. If you get one cheap, say around £100 it is ok, but other than that, avoid and go for a WAV4, which has the advantage of no batteries, the forst one of which on this baby died halfway through a gig, after around only 4 hours playing. Good job we had a back up.
Text copyright © Tim.
