Kala UBass Megathread, Part 5 - Page 7

3234718 · #**121** 12-05-2012, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

You'll get used to the right touch and location to eliminate fret fart. Just stick with it for a while.
That one you Gotta keep.

I think I got it. It seems that a really light touch is necessary with the fretting hand. Once I got that, it sounds very much like the fretless, even when sliding up and down, though it's strange feeling the frets under the strings as you slide. This one seems really well built. Adjustable truss rod unlike the last hog, the input jack is shaped differently and feels more solid, and the cover for the opening in the back seems like it's higher quality too. The pickup seems different too, maybe even sitting slightly higher, though the action is comfortable. Pics coming later today

3234718 · #**122** 12-05-2012, 05:16 AM

It's strange, I'm looking on the kala site, and it says the exotic hog is $550 and the regular hog is $660. Is the exotic not solid wood? It also says custom die cast tuners like the spruce, but they're hipshot like the hog.

**HeavyDuty** · #**123** 12-05-2012, 06:32 AM

I believe the Exotic is lam, and the one at the local store has real Hipshots too.

3234718 · #**124** 12-05-2012, 06:51 AM

I've always heard that a laminate wood stringed instrument won't season and somehow improve with age like a solid wood instrument will. Is there any truth to this? If someone played and took good care of a solid hog and a laminate exotic for 50 years, would the solid sound any better?

**TimWatson** · #**125** 12-05-2012, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3234718

It's strange, I'm looking on the kala site, and it says the exotic hog is $550 and the regular hog is $660. Is the exotic not solid wood? It also says custom die cast tuners like the spruce, but they're hipshot like the hog.

I'd call them. They do get the details wrong. I've told Mark this can be an issue.

Dicey · #**126** 12-05-2012, 06:39 PM

Another question: What are the negatives about a u bass? Also, what amplification do yall tend to use?

imperialbari · #**127** 12-05-2012, 07:10 PM

Having fretted and fretless acoustic UBasses my biggest complaint is about the fairly difficult access to the upper frets. But then the shape and the proportions between neck and body are the very concept of the UBass as a diminutive contrabass instrument.

When my first UBass arrived, I only had an old Cube 60 keyboard amplifier, which didn’t give the UBass the real punch I wanted from it. So I bought an EBS Session 60, which is a bass combo amp. Better separation of the overtones than the Cube 60, but with the limitation of only going down to 60Hz in physical output, where the open E string oscillates at around 40Hz, so that the lowest fifth only is presented by means of their overtone patterns, not by the nominal oscillation itself.

These overtone patterns make the human brain imagine the real root note. But there is a ghost element to the sound.

However I made an experiment, which I due to the plugs and the available cords only could do with the Cube 60: I connected a subwoofer intended for a home theatre to the line-out socket. The subwoofer goes down to 20Hz in true physical output. Oh, does that give a punch to the E string!

I will see, if I can get an adapter to use the XLR line out (balanced) socket of the EBS Session 60 with the subwoofer.

Klaus

caeman · #**128** 12-05-2012, 07:13 PM

The Fretless U-Bass has no negatives. It is the perfect short-scale acoustic bass for aspiring bassists to aspire playing bass with.

Dicey · #**129** 12-05-2012, 07:54 PM

No negatives, huh? Great to hear! I am considering buying one since musician's friend has discounts to where I can get one for $380 with free two day shipping. I would spring for the solidbody, either black or red. Also, I wish it came in fretless, but alas the solid bodies do not. I will maybe get around to making my own some day.

kellyrojo · #**130** 12-05-2012, 07:54 PM

Hey guys just a heads up. I got this add from amazon in my email today for a 400$ mahogony Ubass. Seems like a good deal so I thought I would pass it on.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007NLUYLY/...700_pe_vfe_dt1

Its for a Kala Exotic Mahogany Ubass Em Fs...I don't know what that means...but anyway!

**TimWatson** · #**131** 12-05-2012, 07:55 PM

I'd say amp it with anything clear and true (relatively not voiced) or voiced vintage (no tweeters, lots of bass). Modern voiced hi-fi type rigs just don't do it for me. And even more importantly is the preamp. My favorite is the F-Deck. Most that are meant for acoustic instruments or upright bass pickups work well. Just make sure the first thing your U-bass "sees" has Rey high input impedance.

Dicey · #**132** 12-05-2012, 08:09 PM

That works out well, because my only rig is just a big peavey 115 combo. definitely cranks out the bass. I think the aluminum coned-hifi junk for a ubass would be like putting a lift kit on a honda civic.

**HeavyDuty** · #**133** 12-05-2012, 08:41 PM

Heads up - GC Knoxville has a used Cali fretted five for a little under $600. If it were only a fretless...

3234718 · #**134** 12-06-2012, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellyrojo

Hey guys just a heads up. I got this add from amazon in my email today for a 400$ mahogony Ubass. Seems like a good deal so I thought I would pass it on.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007NLUYLY/...700_pe_vfe_dt1

Its for a Kala Exotic Mahogany Ubass Em Fs...I don't know what that means...but anyway!

That amazon store is selling the exotic hog for 399 and the spruce top for 450. Odd.

SBassman · #**135** 12-06-2012, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3234718

That amazon store is selling the exotic hog for 399 and the spruce top for 450. Odd.

Sumpin's not right there.

imperialbari · #**136** 12-06-2012, 04:49 PM

This is a tricky matter, which I have experienced in another context myself. As a collector I strive to buy as high quality as my means allow. My upright is an all plywood GDR-made instrument without much finesse, but it meant something to me while my hands still allowed me playing it.

Yet my strive has since gone for all solid wood string instruments. 2 years ago I bought an Ovation (not Applause) tenor ukulele from a Hawaiian store, which sold it as having a solid Koa soundboard. Since then an employee of that store in another (web-)context has told that they knew it was laminated koa on top of the cheaper mahogany.

I went furious, but what could I do a year later from the other side of the globe? I stopped playing that instrument because of my hurt sentiments. But only for a while, because I still like its sound.

My lesson from reading ads and comparing them with other information available is, that if the soundboard, sides, and/or back aren’t told explicitly, by the maker, to be solid wood, then they are laminated.

And I think the reason for the price relation mentioned is that the exotic mahogany in question here like most figured woods, except maybe of some spruce variants, is laminated when used for acoustic string instruments.

I like the looks of spalted maple, but the very phenomenon causing the spalted effect very likely also causes a weakened structure not useable as solid tone-wood.

Klaus

little george · #**137** 12-06-2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imperialbari

And I think the reason for the price relation mentioned is that the exotic mahogany in question here like most figured woods, except maybe of some spruce variants, is laminated when used for acoustic string instruments.

I like the looks of spalted maple, but the very phenomenon causing the spalted effect very likely also causes a weakened structure not useable as solid tone-wood.

Klaus

Klaus:
Very interesting conclusion, I´ll keep this in mind in the future, whenever I´m buying an acoustic instrument. Thanks.

cire113 · #**138** 12-06-2012, 07:16 PM

the classic ubass feels really uncomforable and odd for me to play;

mainly because i really cant play with my right wrist bent at a 90 degree angle...

???

The body shape is just really strange to me do i need to get used to it?

little george · #**139** 12-06-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cire113

the classic ubass feels really uncomforable and odd for me to play;

mainly because i really cant play with my right wrist bent at a 90 degree angle...

???

The body shape is just really strange to me do i need to get used to it?

How high are you holding it? In despite of its size, the acoustic ubass shouldn´t be hold has high as an ukelele. This makes it really unconfortable. I keep it where my belly button is leveled with the pickup, and feels very natural this way.

I would suggest try to copy Tim Watson´s posture in this video (an playing if you can):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajXYoqvFOqg

**TimWatson** · #**140** 12-06-2012, 07:58 PM

I have arrived. A video of mine was quoted. Yay! Thanks all.

When you get the bass at a comfortable angle then I end up playing with the hip of my right hand on the body. My wrist naturally bends around the upper body bout but not even close to 90°. The angle gets sharper the farther away from the face my hand surface gets.