Kala UBass Megathread, Part 5

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by kevwalker

I have been away from the UBass Megathread for months, so forgive me if I'm bringing up anything that has been previously covered.

I have been gigging regularly with my Hogcoustic, first with the original Pahoehoes, and then with Thunderguts. I was getting ready to go to a gig on Friday when I noticed that the Thunderguts were, well, I'll call it "sausaging". I don't have the bass handy, but as I recall, it was the E and the A that had become non-uniform in terms of gauge. As I looked along the length of the strings, I saw them getting thin, then thick, then thin.

Is this old news, or something new and weird?

I guess I will put the Pahoehoes back on. Or try the Rumblers. By the way, I got a little rosin bag--the kind that rock climbers use--to hold my corn starch, so that I can dip into it during gigs, rather than having to shake the stuff onto my fingers and make a mess. Hmm, I wonder if corn starch is making the Thunderguts "sausage".

Excuse me, I'm getting hungry.

Can you take a picture of the Thunderguts on the bass? I think I can explain it, but I'd like to see a picture first.

[little george]

http://www.thomann.de/es/tenayo_ugb_...ss_starter.htm

Uncommon things: Aquila thunderguts, laminated woods, only fretless.

I think it´s got a very narrow neck, strange machine heads, funny pots, no strap peg... Do the tenayo people pretend us to hold it ala ukulele?

As a (probably) positive point, active electronics, and very cheap: 272 euros versus 466 on the cheapest Kala SUB

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by little george

http://www.thomann.de/es/tenayo_ugb_...ss_starter.htm

Uncommon things: Aquila thunderguts, laminated woods, only fretless.

I think it´s got a very narrow neck, strange machine heads, funny pots, no strap peg... Do the tenayo people pretend us to hold it ala ukulele?

As a (probably) positive point, active electronics, and very cheap: 272 euros versus 466 on the cheapest Kala SUB

We see this, and we saw the Legpap model.
Only a matter of time before there are multiple options for this class of bass in the marketplace around the world. Good news for all.

[little george]

Sure. But the legpap looks like a good copy. This one looks more like a frankstein ubass, kind of:
- Oh boy, now we can finally get rid of all these damned bari uke we had in stock! Now, where´s my screwdriver?

[TolerancEJ]

Hi. I bought a Kala U-Bass SUB Solidbody bass. Is this the proper thread to request a U-Bass club number? If so, I would like one. Otherwise, please feel free to direct me to an appropriate thread. My NBD link is attached...

NBD Kala U-Bass SUB Solidbody

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

Hi. I bought a Kala U-Bass SUB Solidbody bass. Is this the proper thread to request a U-Bass club number? If so, I would like one. Otherwise, please feel free to direct me to an appropriate thread. My NBD link is attached...

NBD Kala U-Bass SUB Solidbody

We're not really doing numbers here, but, welcome.

[AMJBASS]

Here's an Exotic Mahogany UBass I just picked up. I have had the solid Mahogany model before. This particularly bass is one of the better UBasses I've played. Thick and full sounding!

[CaballoViejo]

I find it interesting that the saddle is set at an angle, as I thought Kala had gone away from that ages ago. How's the intonation, especially of the E and A?

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by SBassman

We're not really doing numbers here, but, welcome.

Hmm, I like numbers. Ok, I will assign myself a random number... #2637

[melikecookies]

This thread gave me some of the worst GAS I've had in a good while. I had the opportunity to snag an Acacia u-bass for an amazing price last week because it was classified as "used gear" (though I saw no signs of it being used whatsoever). MF wouldn't allow me to use any coupons, but WWBW sure did. Here's a pic of my newest (and smallest) member of the family:



This little thing is amazing! I literally haven't put it down since I got it, and each time I pick it up feels like the first time all over again. Could this really be the cure for GAS I've been searching for? I swear, TB can be a blessing and a curse sometimes..

[CaballoViejo]

Another one with the angled saddle!

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by melikecookies

...
This little thing is amazing! I literally haven't put it down since I got it, and each time I pick it up feels like the first time all over again. Could this really be the cure for GAS I've been searching for? I swear, TB can be a blessing and a curse sometimes..

I had the same experience. If I'd go a few days without picking it up, I'd pick it up, and it would be - New Bass Day again.
These basses are ridiculous fun to play.

[TolerancEJ]

Since I received my U-Bass Solidbody yesterday, I've been itching for its Ukelele counterpart. I hope to be posting a new NBD in the not-too-distant future.

[SBassman]

I have to confess that - I have been very UBass-sad for some time.
When we cruised into the Christmas season, I sold my one and only UBass to free up some funds for Christmas. I have a very large family - don't ask - and I felt I had to do it to free up some funds for gifts. My wife thought I was crazy, but, it's done.

I'm down to one bass - my Mikro.

So, carry on UBassers. Keep writing about all the great times with this bass.
I'll have one again - I just have to wait it out until we get through Christmas and things improve financially. Sometime next year, or, whenever, I'll have another. The next will be one of the acoustic fretted models with a finish.
The black one.

To be continued.

When I'm back in the water, the Aquila strings will go back on the bass on day 1.

[melikecookies]

Originally Posted by SBassman

I have to confess that - I have been very UBass-sad for some time.
When we cruised into the Christmas season, I sold my one and only UBass to free up some funds for Christmas. I have a very large family - don't ask - and I felt I had to do it to free up some funds for gifts. My wife thought I was crazy, but, it's done.

I'm down to one bass - my Mikro.

So, carry on UBassers. Keep writing about all the great times with this bass.
I'll have one again - I just have to wait it out until we get through Christmas and things improve financially. Sometime next year, or, whenever, I'll have another. The next will be one of the acoustic fretted models with a finish.
The black one.

To be continued.

When I'm back in the water, the Aquila strings will go back on the bass on day 1.

Hey man.. I'm sorry to hear about your current financial situation, I've been there a couple times myself... actually had to sell a couple of electrics to get the u-bass and break even for the holiday. It's refreshing to know that you're someone who realizes family comes first, you just don't see that too often lately. I know you'll get another U-Bass sooner than you can count! Til then, rock that Mikro... I'm sure it won't let you down.

[caeman]

Tuesday (12-11-2012)
Listening through AT-D40fs headphones, it sounds like more mids are coming through compared to the HPF-Pre. The unit is a solid metal, feels like it weighs a lot. Will I miss not having an EQ for the mids in a band setting?

Thursday (12-13-2012)
Kala U-Bass => Radial PZ-DI => FOH was the setup for the Fedora Menorah band practice. We were working on our 3-song set for the Chanukah production at the Synagogue for Saturday the 15th. Three female vocalists, drum set, clarinet, electric guitar and my bass. The end result? My U-Bass stood out just fine. To be honest, I couldn't get much of a difference from my FX board (HPF-Pre, EQ, DI) and just using the PZ-DI by itself. I use the EQ to push the mids a little, rather the usual smiley face, anywho. I liked the sound through the PA in the total. I could clearly be heard and the acoustic thump could be felt. With the HPF at noon -- not sure what frequency that would equate to just yet -- I was able to dial out the "Hollow Stage Problem." Each string pluck was distinct, not muddy. Tonight's 90-minute practice convinced me that I will be using the U-Bass and the PZ-DI all weekend which includes two gigs Saturday and one gig Sunday.

Saturday Morning (12-15-2012)
U-Bass => PZ-DI => FOH for Shabbat service at Beth Messiah. The PZ-DI was pegging the sound board channel. The tech put the gain to minumum and it was still reaching red on the LED tree. My U-Bass doesn't have a volume knob. Compliments on the tone of the U-Bass.

Saturday Evenng (12-15-2012)
Fedora Menorah at Beth Messiah Chanukah Celebration. Tried a different DI for a minute and it sounded awful. Went back to the PZ-DI despite it pegging the channel and all went well. I got a lot of compliments on the sound of the U-Bass and it being close to upright-sounding. When I got home, I submitted an e-mail to Paul at Radial to ask about the Balanced Out level and the curious decision to have the THRU signal port not have the selected impedance applied.

[3234718]

Originally Posted by CaballoViejo

Another one with the angled saddle!

There seems to be a lot of variation between different acoustic models.
His acacia:


My exotihogany:

[pauliebass]

So what's the best/current bridge to look for?

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by pauliebass

So what's the best/current bridge to look for?

Good question. I think we would need Kala to tell us, to know for certain.

Here's my guess:

I believe that the different colored acoustics were the last models announced by Kala. [Sunburst and Black acoustics] The pictures of those have slanted bridges.

[scotch]

Originally Posted by caeman

Tuesday (12-11-2012)
Listening through AT-D40fs headphones, it sounds like more mids are coming through compared to the HPF-Pre. The unit is a solid metal, feels like it weighs a lot. Will I miss not having an EQ for the mids in a band setting?

Thursday (12-13-2012)
Kala U-Bass => Radial PZ-DI => FOH was the setup for the Fedora Menorah band practice. We were working on our 3-song set for the Chanukah production at the Synagogue for Saturday the 15th. Three female vocalists, drum set, clarinet, electric guitar and my bass. The end result? My U-Bass stood out just fine. To be honest, I couldn't get much of a difference from my FX board (HPF-Pre, EQ, DI) and just using the PZ-DI by itself. I use the EQ to push the mids a little, rather the usual smiley face, anywho. I liked the sound through the PA in the total. I could clearly be heard and the acoustic thump could be felt. With the HPF at noon -- not sure what frequency that would equate to just yet -- I was able to dial out the "Hollow Stage Problem." Each string pluck was distinct, not muddy. Tonight's 90-minute practice convinced me that I will be using the U-Bass and the PZ-DI all weekend which includes two gigs Saturday and one gig Sunday.

Saturday Morning (12-15-2012)
U-Bass => PZ-DI => FOH for Shabbat service at Beth Messiah. The PZ-DI was pegging the sound board channel. The tech put the gain to minumum and it was still reaching red on the LED tree. My U-Bass doesn't have a volume knob. Compliments on the tone of the U-Bass.

Saturday Evenng (12-15-2012)
Fedora Menorah at Beth Messiah Chanukah Celebration. Tried a different DI for a minute and it sounded awful. Went back to the PZ-DI despite it pegging the channel and all went well. I got a lot of compliments on the sound of the U-Bass and it being close to upright-sounding. When I got home, I submitted an e-mail to Paul at Radial to ask about the Balanced Out level and the curious decision to have the THRU signal port not have the selected impedance applied.

Thanks for the updates, Chad! The Radial looks like a smart choice!

Waiting for Tim Wilson's Firefly report too!

Also- looks like there will be another U-Bass inspired instrument hitting the market next year! I cannot share any details yet, and I haven't played a prototype yet (forthcoming), but it may appeal to a whole new segment of the market!

secrets....