Kala UBass Megathread, Part 6 - Page 3

davewave · #41 03-12-2013, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formula144

I measured the string height on my acoustic -- it's 3mm at the 12th fret instead of the 5mm specified in the manual. No wonder I've got a buzz! Loosening the truss rod puts relief in the middle of the neck but doesn't do much at the 12th. 2mm seems like a lot to shim the bridge.

I pulled two 1 mm shims out from under my saddle when I set up my fretted acoustic for Pyramid strings. My string height @ 12th went from 5mm to 3mm.
Are you using the "feather light" touch that this instrument demands? Makes a difference.
Are you certain the buzz is from the fretboard and not the bridge? I got buzz from where the strings broke over the saddle and crossed the wooden bridge, especially when I lowered the saddle for the Pyramids, had to countour the wood quite a bit.
My S-U-B with TGs is 4mm @ 12th with no buzz.

Pretty sure Kala would do a setup for you, but don't you live where you have any access to a competent guitar tech?

Good luck with it.

SBassman · #42 03-12-2013, 06:32 PM

For whatever it is worth: my A string buzzes if I don't use
The Featherlight Touch.

But I always use The Featherlight Touch, so it's all good.

1stnamebassist · #43 03-13-2013, 12:46 AM

Just got my fdeck yesterday ( thanks Francis)! My u-bass fretless mahogany sounded ok through my Carvin MB15/15. Just ok. Plugged in the fdeck and now its a monster! I could not believe the difference! Hard to describe but definitely worth the investment! Check it out! Now I need to come up with a way to attach to a strap.

Formula144 · #44 03-13-2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davewave

Pretty sure Kala would do a setup for you, but don't you live where you have any access to a competent guitar tech?

Good luck with it.

There is someone local, but I thought I'd see what Kala had to say first. Still waiting for a response.

1stnamebassist · #45 03-13-2013, 06:08 PM

Put some Silver Rumblers on my U-Bass today. Love the way they sound and they hold tune better with less stretching and have a bit more tension. What i'm not too crazy about is while the D and G strings are smooth the A and D are pretty sticky. I hope they smooth out a bit over time. Oh yeah, and intonation was good too.

jburtonca · #46 03-14-2013, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gangonthehill

I have a mahogany acoustic and now I want a solid body with an adjustable bridge and flat wounds in the same short scale. I may have to settle for a set of pyramid strings on one of the existing solid body designs but I would love to be able to adjust the intonation. I don`t expect to see this come about any time soon but If someone has this kind of set up, the solid body with pyramid strings I would love to hear a review on how you like it. I hate to buy one and the strings and it not be what I want. A sound clip would be greatly appreciated. I would be interested in trading my acoustic for a set up like this or just buying one.

If you use my easy little workaround, the Pyramids work very well on the SUB. The sustain is very good, especially when compared the the black strings or TGs. The attack is quicker, more like an electric, but the sound is still very deep and full. I have a fretted mahogany with TGs, so the upright-like acoustic sound is covered. I wanted a different sound and feel with the SUB and that's what I got. I don't have a recording, but there is a recording on Youtube with Mike Upton demo-ing the pyramids on a fretted mahogany. The main difference is that the SUB has a bit less of the string brightness, if that makes any sense.

Jeff

jburtonca · #47 03-14-2013, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stnamebassist

Just got my fdeck yesterday ( thanks Francis)! My u-bass fretless mahogany sounded ok through my Carvin MB15/15. Just ok. Plugged in the fdeck and now its a monster! I could not believe the difference! Hard to describe but definitely worth the investment! Check it out! Now I need to come up with a way to attach to a strap.

How about a wide strip of velcro. Stick the rough side to the bottom of the Fdeck and the soft side to the strap. If the strap is made of fabric you could reinforce it by having the velcro sewn to the strap also.

Jeff

1stnamebassist · #48 03-14-2013, 09:56 AM

Yeah, I think I will go with the velcro idea sometime soon . Thanks for the idea!

gangonthehill · #49 03-14-2013, 11:11 AM

I thought I read that pyramid strings would now work on any of the Kala's solid body or acoustic. I just put silver rumbler strings on my acoustic and I did not see pyramid strings for the U bass for sale. I still want a solid body regardless and I am just kind of waiting for a deal I can't refuse or GAS to win. I am also kind of curious for somebody to compare the differences between the sub and the cali . I know the technical stuff but would like to hear from a bass player that has some time with both give an honest opinion.

dougness · #50 03-14-2013, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gangonthehill

I am also kind of curious for somebody to compare the differences between the sub and the cali . I know the technical stuff but would like to hear from a bass player that has some time with both give an honest opinion.

Yes, I'd like to hear an informed opinion comparing the California-made U-bass vs. the SUB as well. Other than the battery and the finish, how different could they be?

gangonthehill · #51 03-14-2013, 06:11 PM

I will step up and take one for the team. Kala can send me a Cali and a SUB and I will play them for a while . When I get done and decide which one I want I will share my findings with the thread and pay for the keeper. Sure it will be like taking on another job but I will do this for the greater good.

RAGZDADDY · #52 03-14-2013, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gangonthehill

I will step up and take one for the team. Kala can send me a Cali and a SUB and I will play them for a while . When I get done and decide which one I want I will share my findings with the thread and pay for the keeper. Sure it will be like taking on another job but I will do this for the greater good.

Now here is a guy there ought to be a ' Super Action Hero Figure ' modeled after . Nothing like a guy jumping on a grenade for everyone huh ? lol lol

I'll just hide behind the wall though .

Great post though . lol

gangonthehill · #53 03-14-2013, 08:17 PM

Some one on a thread about a 4lb miniature bass that can sell for upwards of a thousand dollars with a sense of humor, outlandish, you must be punished. Kala send RAGZDADDY the same set of instruments so they too can share in my punishment. Let that be a lesson to you.

RAGZDADDY · #54 03-15-2013, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gangonthehill

Some one on a thread about a 4lb miniature bass that can sell for upwards of a thousand dollars with a sense of humor, outlandish, you must be punished. Kala send RAGZDADDY the same set of instruments so they too can share in my punishment. Let that be a lesson to you.

TeeZeeMee90 · #55 03-17-2013, 01:01 PM

Been thinking about getting a U-Bass...which means I will get one lol. Just dont know if I should get the A/E version or solid body. Any suggestions?

I will be doing more solo project stuff with it...and occasionally some bluegrass stuff in a band. Leaning to the looks of the solid body but figured Id ask opinions on them here

scotch · #56 03-17-2013, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeeZeeMee90

Been thinking about getting a U-Bass...which means I will get one lol. Just dont know if I should get the A/E version or solid body. Any suggestions?

I will be doing more solo project stuff with it...and occasionally some bluegrass stuff in a band. Leaning to the looks of the solid body but figured Id ask opinions on them here

My humble opinions, long time acoustic U-Bass owner, critical listener, and now having tried half a dozen solidbodies (but not purchasing any- guess where I'm gonna land?

)-

Both the solidbody & acoustic models exhibit the signature 'subterranean' lows that really make the U-Bass sound special!

The acoustic model exhibits maybe a 10% tonal difference with it's more "woody" or "acoustic" sounding properties. Is that 10% difference going to matter to everyone in an ensemble context? Surely not everyone, but it matters to me!

While the acoustic model is not acoustically loud enough to compete with another instrument like an acoustic guitar, it still is enjoyable and rewarding to play by yourself outside or watching tv, etc... You won't get that from the solidbody.

Purely opinion here, but the acoustic Uke shape is cooler and more timeless looking than the Ibanez-esque aesthetics of the solidbodies. It also seems to surprise people more when that little hollow box comes thumping out of some speakers!

ymmv

SBassman · #57 03-17-2013, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeeZeeMee90

Been thinking about getting a U-Bass...which means I will get one lol. Just dont know if I should get the A/E version or solid body. Any suggestions?

I will be doing more solo project stuff with it...and occasionally some bluegrass stuff in a band. Leaning to the looks of the solid body but figured Id ask opinions on them here

I agree with Justin.

Depends on what you are looking for out of it, but, if I Had to choose only one, I'd choose the acoustic.

TeeZeeMee90 · #58 03-17-2013, 02:05 PM

Thanks for the opinion

I can see where youre coming from

RAGZDADDY · #59 03-17-2013, 03:29 PM

Acoustic for me . And the spruce top to boot on that above the solid mahognay . The punch of the spruce is HIGHYL obvious and with NO loss of bottom end . To me ? The solid mahognay got muddy on the bottom .

The SUB and the Cali to me were not near the acoustic sound . That spruce top mahogany just is reall real hard to beat for duplicatiing the sound of an upright in something so small .

I've played a lot with guys who lpay uprights. The spruce top acoustic seems to be the choice of the upright players I know and have played with. Might be a thought if B/Grass is your primary genre .

But all them ROCK ! lol

1stnamebassist · #60 03-17-2013, 10:04 PM

I'm partial to the sound of the mahogany over the spruce, but either one sounds incredible! Liking fretless a lot also. Someday I would like a fretted spruce for different sound and feel, but right now content with what I have. Played a church gig this morning, first gig with the U-bass! Used the Fdeck to a direct line to PA. Everbody loved the sound! Lots of compliments even from the sound guy. The worship leader tried it and she loved it so much she wants one and she doesn't even play bass! Having way too much fun with my U-bass! Loving the Silver Rumblers after I rubbed a smidgeon of baby powder on the strings. Instantly took any stickiness away!