Recent content by bassuker

After a few weeks of playing the Aquila Thunderguts, I can say that I like them a lot but prefer the sound and, particularly, the feel of the stock Pahoehoe strings. They fit with the 'zen' of the whole thing, I guess. Thunderguts seem to solve a problem which, for me, doesn't really exist...

Give the Thunderguts a shot and see. Or, rather; hear.

No matter how many times I hear that, I never get tired of it.

I have an HH and have been toying with that idea, along with a tobacco sunburst makeover, for a while now. Or maybe I'll just leave it as it is and get a fretless hog.

Slightly obscure...but fun! Invalid Link Removed Just the basic bass part; the 'A' and 'B' sections, plus the coda.

And very handy it is, too. I like the slits. Kala make an archtop tenor uke with f-holes: Invalid Link Removed

He's mentioned it a few times but here's a link to Tim Watson's YouTube channel: WatsonTBass's Channel - YouTube Some good examples of a sound approach to playing the Kala U-Bass. Tim sez: I see some U-bass demos on youtube but not many clear performances. This is one of the coolest...

String klack. Yes; as light a touch with left and right hands as possible. Meat only, if at all possible. I've found that playing with the thumb only produces the sound I prefer, although it is severely limiting. Most suitable for simple stuff - country, etc. Standard nail trimming, here.

Strongly disagree. I had to use a kind of fingerstyle for the polys; a combination of thumb, index and, sometimes, middle fingers to avoid the awful, thin 'clack-clack' whenever a nail came into play. I should note that I speak primarily from a recording perspective, rather than live with a...

Some interesting observations, there. As a fretted U-Bass owner, I'd add that intonation is markedly better with the Aquila strings. Anything above the eighth fret was a no-go zone with the stocks but, after some settling in, playing at 12 and even 14 is not a problem. Of course, your...

All of the tuners on my U Bass are like that. I figure it's supposed to be that way. Here's a pic that show the gaps and another of the back of the headstock. Not really sure why that line runs across but it doesn't bother me at all. Invalid Link Removed After some playing in, I made...

I say fretless.

I would have to agree. The extra tension and improved intonation and clarity of the Thunderguts is welcome but I've had to alter my playing style to get the sound I want out of the bass. Maybe I'm trying to get the 'old' sound back? They're significantly different to the stock strings...

Strung the Aquilas tonight. Invalid Link Removed First impressions: TENSION! I was really worried that the G string would break the tuner post but it didn't. Nice sound, feel and look. HUGE improvement for intonation; more thickness, punch and definition all-round. I'll break 'em in...

Happy Bassday!