Kala UBass Megathread, Part 5

[Tin Dog]

It seems I am not alone. Its a steep learning curve with these things. I didn't realise there was so much string science involved. Thanks for the info guys, theres a lot to process, and Mimmo those basses look and sound great. How would I get my grubby hands on one of those and how much?

Cheers Col.

[Mimmo]

At present I employ Thundergut white strings for the 1st & 2nd ( however these Thundergut are not the same of the U bass; they are made in a different way) and loaded Thundegut for the 3rd and the 4th. I will take my time to realize that I will keep two white and two reds or all deep brick copper red. However they are NOT in the market. I must design the envelopes for all the models. In the meantime I developed a special red very heavy for the B note of the 5 string U bass version. I hope than in 1 month the 5 string set will be available. when we are ready you guys will be informed. as usual they will be available to Kala brand ukuleles because we have a very good and strong collaboration.
Ciao
Mimmo

[Mimmo]

... both the 60 cms and the 67 cms scale has the eletronic and truss- rode inside.
Mimmo

[CaballoViejo]

Mimmo I can't imagine why you would choose to go with a mixture of brick red and white if you weren't actually forced to, but notwithstanding that issue, the prospect of an audible 67 cm (26.4") scale acoustic bass guitar is pretty exciting!

Buon anno!

[olitoon]

Would it be possible to use Thundergut strings on this "extra short scale" (620mm) bass?

http://ortegaguitars.com/en/products...h/d-walker-wh/

[Mimmo]

no absolutely Olitoon; they will be damged.
as it is written in the specifications the maximum scale is 20 inches (every foot fits its own shoe...). generally speacking, a musical string is a complex matter, not just a fishing line. there are some things that must work close in their own limits. The strings designed for these longer instruments are completely different than the standard U bass T. strings.
Ciao
Mimmo
-----------
about the final colour of the strings: I going to believe that all red is better; however with this option it is not possible to distinguish special loaded Thundergut than a reddish standard Thundergut string. Final decision soon.

[3234718]

The world needs an increased awareness of proper ubass tuning post wrappage.

It's probably the light, but those almost look like ashbury strings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz7J8ViovwA

[olitoon]

Originally Posted by 3234718

It's probably the light, but those almost look like ashbury strings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz7J8ViovwA

looks white to me, like aquila thunderguts

[threshar]

I got a 5 string ubass last week. So far it has been going well - it isn't gig-able yet as the strings are still stretching a lot. But it seems as of yesterday they are finally calming down.

Used it on one tune on my last gig (which it started going out of tune halfway through. eeek!) and I heard someone say "what the hell is up with that little bass?"

I've spent the last few months battling wrist tendonitis and the ubass requires a lot less stretching of the fingers, which seems to be a positive thing for me. (I notice on tunes we play that have a lot of stretches that it acts up more). so hopefully using the ubass will help in that department. That and it sounds good in the mix on a number of our tunes.

[olitoon]

Originally Posted by Mimmo

no absolutely Olitoon; they will be damged.
as it is written in the specifications the maximum scale is 20 inches (every foot fits its own shoe...). generally speacking, a musical string is a complex matter, not just a fishing line. there are some things that must work close in their own limits. The strings designed for these longer instruments are completely different than the standard U bass T. strings.

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I meant the longer red/white Thundergut-like strings, not the Thunderguts for the U-Bass.

Btw, if the Thunderguts are made for a max scale of 20", how do they work on a 21" U-Bass?

Also I'm not sure, if the Thundergut strings are compatible to the solid body U-Basses. The Kalagear shop says Thunderguts are for all 4-string U-Basses, but I read somwhere else, that they are not designed for the solid bodies.

Originally Posted by Mimmo

about the final colour of the strings: I going to believe that all red is better; however with this option it is not possible to distinguish special loaded Thundergut than a reddish standard Thundergut string. Final decision soon.

What is the natural color of the nylon/copper string?

[Mimmo]

Hi Olotoon, You should take in charge this risk, if you mean to install T. on 21 inch. Our safety scale limit is a clear limit. I do not recomand to do this operation.
Solid body: I designed a special T. set for them. be patient: I need to I find a bit of time to design the new envelopes, to organize the new production etc etc. This is not an easy job; unfortunately it take out a couple of months again

The special Shortbass- one sets will be available in two months. Not before. I cannot send samples
Mimmo

[olitoon]

Originally Posted by Mimmo

Hi Olotoon, You should take in charge this risk, if you mean to install T. on 21 inch. Our safety scale limit is a clear limit. I do not recomand to do this operation.

Hello Mimmo, this is very confusing as the Thunderguts sold by Kala for all 4-string U-Basses and the Aquila website says:

"THESE STRINGS ARE DESIGNED FOR KALA U BASS & ASHBORY BASS ONLY (OF 18" till 21 " SCALE)."

http://www.aquilacorde.com/index.php...d=1676&lang=en

[Mimmo]

Ouch! sorry, I am maybe a bit tired. you are right....
Mimmo

[Mimmo]

Sorry guys
I had a problem with Youtube.
I charged the movie again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfwobF18W8g
Mimmo

[little george]

Never mind Mimmo, nice reason to see it again

[imperialbari]

Looking at the fractional cello market I hit a dead end with a 1/4 model with a string length of close to 24".

The fingerboard width at the nut end was just 1", which would cause very close strings.

Another possible hazard hard to tell until the strings (Thunderguts) are mounted is about the relief. Will there be string buzzing calling for a planing of the fingerboard? Experiences?

Anybody remember the link for the Australian maker of micro-uprights based on the Pahoehoe strings? Might be the cheaper and most functional solution after all.

Klaus

[yeelaberbin]

Mimmo, do you have an idea of the Shortbass sale price ?

[SBassman]

There is now a separate forum for UBass-like instruments.
The announcement came from the UBass Appreciation Society blog.

http://deantomasula.com/ubassforum/

[slaerts]

Yep I've been searching for months for a cheap 1/2 cello with no luck I was hoping to be doing the conversions now while I'm on holidays. I'll keep searching.

[fuzzy beard]

Any one playing there ubass throug tube amps? Low power tube amp? results? comments?