I also use a compressor to even out string volume. I don't notice a difference when playing acoustically but it's there when amplified.
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Mine is fretless, with the Pahoehoes you can slide your fingers on the string and compensate for any intonation problems. With the Thunderguts I was not sure fretless was the right choice, but with these strings work very well fretless.
There's a video on the Kala website on stringing up the ubass, it's very helpful. They don't put the strings into the holes in the tuners.
Pahoehoes. They’re better than the stock strings but still benefit from compression.
That's where I learned to install my Pahoehoes, but, after a few weeks it will be necessary to do it again and cut off the excess because of how much they stretch.
No, easy! And although they stretch a lot I found that if you can get most of the stretching and retrimming done in a week.
For those of you that routinely gig with the MBass, what styles of music do you typically use it for? Are there particular styles that you just can't/won't do?
backstory...I've played upright and electric primarily. I got a Kala Ubass for several years and ended up occasionally using it on gigs I'd use the upright for (swing, folk, "acoustic"). I'm 6'4" and have big hands and liked the sound of the Ubass but not the tiny scale. When I got a chance to play the Mbass, it instantly felt much more comfortable. I've also used the Mbass (and Ubass) on blues gigs (with drums) that were pretty loud and had no feedback issues.
I physically can’t handle upright any more, and the fretless 23” GT is becoming my go-to for blues & standards gigs, when that sound is desired. I’ve played EUB’s, Kalas, and every kind of fretless EB, as well as upright for 46 years, and the GT fretless is the closest I’ve come to the real deal.
Awesome thread, many thanks to everyone who has contributed this valuable info!
I have a Ubass strung with metal Kala strings. I’ve been able to work around the string noise issue and like the sound I’m getting. However, all the positive notes about pahohos has me wondering if I should try them when I get a 25” GT.
How does the gauge of pahoho compare with other rubber strings? Are they also super fat, like .180 E string?
I have a Ubass strung with metal Kala strings. I’ve been able to work around the string noise issue and like the sound I’m getting. However, all the positive notes about pahohos has me wondering if I should try them when I get a 25” GT.
How does the gauge of pahoho compare with other rubber strings? Are they also super fat, like .180 E string?
If all of my baritone ukes were 23inch scale. I would have kept my goldmine with pahahoes. If only going to have one , it would still be around. Selling my Hadean 21inch solid for the same reason. But my most played is my Luna bass with flat wounds. You can 5th up or down. Octaves etc. With cheap or expensive pedals.
?Yet to see anybody talk about the acoustic fretless micro bass with the LaBella flatwounds . Anybody tried Flats on their m-bass
I did, on my 23". Worst strings ever...or, I should use the non-plural "string" because I didn't get past the E string. It had a very dull flat sound and would never tune up to the actual note, then eventually started unraveling. Maybe I got a bad set, I dunno. While the GT site indicated those strings will work on a 23", I think maybe they're better suited for a 25" or the solid body 23" (mine is the hollow acoustic). After that, I went back to the Silverbacks but just didn't like the feel of those compared to the Thunderguts...and then could never get past the stickiness of the Thunderguts so I got a set of Pahoehoes. The Pahoehoes are my favorites so far -- while they were a pain to install, once I got them on and gave them proper time to "age" they have a terrific sound and feel.
