[SOLD] Kudela 11:28 Fretless Four-string

danomar · #1 03-27-2010, 07:49 AM

This is a 98% perfect Kudela four-string fretless bass that has never been gigged and has no dings or flaws. The fretboard is in exceptional condition with only a handful of visible string-bending marks from when it had roundwound strings on it. It currently has Roto-Sound black tapewound strings. Some like tapewounds, some don't, but the bass definitely looks good with them on.

It comes with the original hardshell case, an allen key for the back cover, the original DR Hi-Beam strings, and an unused wide padded Planet Waves strap with Dunlop straplock buttons installed. Steve Kudela likes to use straplocks, so he recesses the button mechanism into the bass body. Nothing protrudes with the strap off, and the strap fits flush with the bass while being worn.

If you want to learn more about Kudela basses, visit his site here: http://kudelabass.com/

Kudela basses are true high-end boutique basses. The neck and body are one-piece laminated designs. Steve places two pieces of carbon (I think) in the neck to ensure stability. It works. This Kudela keeps in tune as well as my all-graphite composite Steinberger. The bass uses Bartolini pickups and a Bartolini 24-volt electronics package that offers more tone options than you will ever need. There is a volume control, a stacked bass and treble control, a mid-bass control and another mid-bass control that has switchable rollover points. All tone controls have center-detents which make tone adjustment flat.

Almost two years ago, I sent this to Steve to have him tweak intonation and add side markers for fret positions up to the 12th position similar to the way Godin fretless necks are marked. Steve noted that this is an early version of the bass (number four, to be precise) and his daughter nicknamed it the "Fire Bass" owing to the wood grain pattern on the front.

More images can be seen at http://gallery.me.com/danomar/100049

$1325 shipped CONUS FedEx Ground. Local sales will take preference. Sorry, no trades: The point in selling this is to simplify my collection.

TimBosby · #2 03-27-2010, 07:55 AM

Wow, gorgeous. What's the fingerboard? I assume ebony. I dig the "side lines"

danomar · #3 03-27-2010, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBosby

What's the fingerboard? I assume ebony.

I want to say ebony but am not 100% sure. I talked to Steve Kudela about it and it is definitely very hard wood, and I think he said ebony, but cannot recall for certain.
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danomar · #4 03-27-2010, 11:23 AM

Sold! Thanks, Charles!

ivlucas · #5 03-27-2010, 11:54 AM

Wow that's the best deal on Talkbass I have seen in years!!!!!!!

climb · #6 04-28-2010, 08:26 AM

Ok, I've spent some more time with this bass and here are my thoughts.

The craftsmanship is really fantastic. Some things I particularly appreciate--the curved/beveled edge of the fingerboard near the neck pickup. Really elegant looking. The fingerboard itself is a thick slab of gaboon ebony, and it feels great under the fingers. Looks awesome as well. I also appreciate the body contour on the backside of the bass, which is also beveled inwards, creating a really striking, comfortable effect. I would say that the bass is aesthetically quite beautiful. The body shape of the 11:28 is sleek and streamlined; it's a work of art that turns heads immediately. (It doesn't hurt that it has a neck of walnut/maple/purpleheart, and walnut core with padauk facings!) If I had to criticize the bass at all, it would be on two silly things only--I wish the headstock were slightly larger (aesthetically, not in terms of balance) and I'm not crazy about the 'K' logo design.

As ivlucas writes, my Kudela has just awesome tone. Really needs no EQ or effects of any kind. With everything set perfectly flat (amp as well), the tone is pure fretless mwah. Very expressive; really sings. I have roundwounds on it, which emphasize the expressive nature of this instrument. I have played/owned many of the great fretless basses, as my profile shows. I got rid of all of them once I had my Fodera Imperial fretless 5. This Kudela rivals or beats all of them, and it made me have the crazy thought of selling my Fodera (until I realized that I should have both a 4 and 5 fretless...) Although Kudela basses are not well-known, I believe it's a matter of time, as this one is just too good. When I do mess with the EQ, it's natural/musical throughout the entire range. Nothing unusable or unnecessary here. The Bartolinis are a great match for the bass, which sounds organic, woody and plaintive.

Lastly, I've spent some time speaking to Steve on the phone, and he's as sincere, straightforward a guy as you could hope for. I have no doubt that he would do whatever possible to make the bass of your dreams, and I for one hope to spread the word on how great these basses are.

danomar · #7 04-28-2010, 03:02 PM

A quick bump: The original "K" on the headstock was dark (Steve admitted it was a semi-failed experiment), so I asked Steve to make a new truss rod cover with another, more visible "K" on it. So the "K" is my idea, but later Kudelas have much nicer-looking "K" logos. Everything described about the bass is 100% in accordance with my experience. Truly a magnificent piece of work!