NBD Kala U-Bass SUB Solidbody

[TolerancEJ]

Hi folks! I ordered and received a Kala U-Bass SUB Solidbody today, bought from an evilBay listing.

It was listed as a B-stock but I have looked it over from headstock to body, front & back, and I cannot see marks of any types. I plugged it in & it sounds very good.

I also own a DeArmond Ashbory. These 2 seem to compliment each other very well. My U-Bass SUB is fretted & the Ashbory is fretless. One quick comparison I noticed immediately is the Kala strings feel stronger than those used with the Ashbory. From various threads & other online suggestions, I always loosen the strings of my Ashbory when I'm finished practicing, to save the strings. I do not feel the same using the Kala strings. Unless someone here mentions that I should be down tuning as well.



Since I also own an Ashbory, here's a picture of my Ashbory and Kala U-Bass SUB Solidbody side-by-side.

[Temcat]

Congrats on your new bass! How's the intonation along the neck?

[3234718]

Ashbory strings are the worst. Roadtoad makes a low tension set of the black poly strings you can put on an ashbory. I have an acoustic ubass and never played the solid body, but I bet once you get the feel for it you're not gonna be playing the ashbory much.

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by Temcat

Congrats on your new bass! How's the intonation along the neck?

It could use some adjusting. I see the bridge is sitting on 2 adjustable posts.

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by 3234718

Ashbory strings are the worst. Roadtoad makes a low tension set of the black poly strings you can put on an ashbory. I have an acoustic ubass and never played the solid body, but I bet once you get the feel for it you're not gonna be playing the ashbory much.

Thanks for the info. I'll look into the Roadtoad strings for my Ashbory. I give equal practice time to all my basses. The Ashbory won't sit on the back shelf.

[Kryptos]

Might look into sets of Aquila Thunderguts or Silver Rumblers, I use the first on an acoustic U bass and the second on the solid body. Properly terminated strings are available at:

Kala Gear

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by Kryptos

Might look into sets of Aquila Thunderguts or Silver Rumblers, I use the first on an acoustic U bass and the second on the solid body. Properly terminated strings are available at:

Kala Gear

Thanks for the link. Plenty of interesting accessories for the U-Bass.

[CJAtheBassman]

The U-Bass looks more attractive than the Ashbory bass.

[john m]

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

It could use some adjusting. I see the bridge is sitting on 2 adjustable posts.

Looks like those posts are for action adjustment, not intonation.

UP-DOWN not IN-OUT. Sure higher action might make the bass play sharp, but that's not a good way to intonate.

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by 3234718

Ashbory strings are the worst.

That's for sure. I don't know how any of those basses were sold with those strings. Good bass. Really, really unplayable strings.

[SBassman]

1. Congratulations on the new bass. You're going to have tons of fun.

2. For maximum fun, read at least Some of the UBass megathread. It's filled with tons of useful info and real world experiences.

3. When you decide to get serious about tuning stability and cool tone, put a set of Aquila Thunderguts or Silver Rumblers on. You'll thank me later.

[hodad66]

I just received my SUB a few days ago & have some Silver Rumblers ordered.... ;-)

[TolerancEJ]

The SUB is a lot of fun, isn't it? I still enjoy mine.

[hodad66]

made any string changes?

[TolerancEJ]

Not yet. Unlike regular metal bass strings gradually losing their sound, how can I tell when it's time to change U-Bass strings?

[domdec314]

When I had my Ashbory, I changed the Fender silicone strings when they broke, which was mostly the D and G strings. When I switch to the Road Toad poly strings, I never changed them. They sounded great for the year I had them on until my bass was eventually stolen.