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Kala U-Bass?
- Thread starter Cam Buchanan
- Start date
I wouldn’t say I hate them as hate is a pretty strong word. I can say that the rubbery strings make my skin crawl though.
Not for me unless they have some type of tape wound metal string that can thump the same way.
Lots of info/discussion here Kala UBass Megathread, Part 7
Good luck on your search
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I liked mine enough to buy a Fusion Urban baritone/bass uke case for it, for when I take it out of the house. Mine is the mahogany lined fretless model, it's a fun little instrument but the rubber strings stretch and stretch and stretch... it has to stop eventually, right? >_>
I even gave it its own smol wooden A stand
I even gave it its own smol wooden A stand
I like the U-bass well enough but am more of a fan of the GoldTones. Just a tad bigger (23 & 25” scales), nice feature set - active, built-in tuner, EQ, etc., great sound. Yes, the rubbery strings do settle in. …does take a while. After 5 years mine are about as stable as steel - stays in tune most of the time.
If you are in the US, I always suggest looking at the RondoMusic Hadean bass ukes, they are very much the same as the Kala U-Bass for a better price, and they have a good return policy. Rondo Music Bass Guitars
Tried them quite a number of times...the size was a big disappointment, the strings...rubber ones, that is, were an even bigger turnoff, and the tone I get from my Dean Exotica acoustic bass is every bit as woody...not to mention, the preamp is far, far more versatile.
Plenty of love for the U basses here, but I think it's best to listen to the opposing side, too...because when you're in love, you're viewing the world through rose-colored glasses, right?
If portability is what you need, I guess they're better than these, though.
Plenty of love for the U basses here, but I think it's best to listen to the opposing side, too...because when you're in love, you're viewing the world through rose-colored glasses, right?
If portability is what you need, I guess they're better than these, though.
It's not perfect but I enjoy mine, and have successfully gigged with it. To my ears, plugged in it's as close to an upright sound as I've ever heard. That's why I bought it.
I have a Goldtone and like it, but it doesn't get as much love as it should. It sounds great though and fun to play.
I've been interested in the U-Bass for a few years now but never pulled the trigger to buy one yet. I very well might soon though because I'm also looking for something different, portable, fun and fretless. I've watched countless review videos and haven't seen too many bad opinions on them. I'm absolutely loving the upright tones they get. The fretless striped ebony model is on my radar at the moment.
I like my U-bass. I have the Journeyman model which comes with roundwound strings. They're a little slinkier than normal scale, but it doesn't bother me. It's great as a travel instrument, and couch-bass. I have it in my home office, so I can practice off the interwebs.
I just bought a Kala Nomad for myself for Christmas this year. It's their cheapest model - around $200 USD. Here are my thoughts
The size on this thing is just terrific. It's VERY playable, has a built in preamp for the piezo pickup and a built in tuner. Plugged in it sounds as expected - upright-like, big, boomy. This came with a set of Aquila Thunderblack strings. The bottom two strings are the rubbery material that you expect, the top two strings are nylon, similar to classical guitar strings. I do not like the strings - they have an inconsistent feel as the rubbery ones are slightly tacky/sticky on your fingertips, and the nylon ones feel very plasticky. But, very playable, tons of fun, an actual useable instrument.
I changed the strings to the Kala Flatwounds made by Gallistrings, and they feel and play MUCH better. The tension is noticeable higher and I had to crank the trussrod down on this thing to get the action into a playable range. The E-string is still kinda pitchy, which I need to address. Otherwise, this feels great and I'm having a blast.
Can it be your #1 instrument - this model, likely not. This one's just low-end enough that another $200 I think would make a difference. Unfortunately, this was my budget and I'm not sorry. I think these things are just brilliant if you set your expectations correctly and know what you're getting into.
If you can try one out at a store first just to feel the scale, I think then you'll know whether this is for you or not. Hope that helps!
The size on this thing is just terrific. It's VERY playable, has a built in preamp for the piezo pickup and a built in tuner. Plugged in it sounds as expected - upright-like, big, boomy. This came with a set of Aquila Thunderblack strings. The bottom two strings are the rubbery material that you expect, the top two strings are nylon, similar to classical guitar strings. I do not like the strings - they have an inconsistent feel as the rubbery ones are slightly tacky/sticky on your fingertips, and the nylon ones feel very plasticky. But, very playable, tons of fun, an actual useable instrument.
I changed the strings to the Kala Flatwounds made by Gallistrings, and they feel and play MUCH better. The tension is noticeable higher and I had to crank the trussrod down on this thing to get the action into a playable range. The E-string is still kinda pitchy, which I need to address. Otherwise, this feels great and I'm having a blast.
Can it be your #1 instrument - this model, likely not. This one's just low-end enough that another $200 I think would make a difference. Unfortunately, this was my budget and I'm not sorry. I think these things are just brilliant if you set your expectations correctly and know what you're getting into.
If you can try one out at a store first just to feel the scale, I think then you'll know whether this is for you or not. Hope that helps!
I have a Rumbler model. You can get some great sounds and I've even recorded with it. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably go with something like a Goldtone or some other with a slightly longer scale (25" instead of 20") because my band in general detunes a full step and that can be a challenge at the 20" scale level. The bass itself in normal tuning is fun, but it won't be your main player.
That's weird. My used Hadean had the original Thunderblack strings with it and all four are the same texture/consistency. The seller had put the Kala/Gallistrings flats on it but I changed it back to the Thunderblack.
I've just received some Thunderbrown strings, which have more of a textured feel to them, not smooth and slippery per se but not sticky. I didn't have problems with the feel of the Thunderblack (granted that I have dry skin and it's winter) but I like these more -- the minimal amount I've been able to try them that is. I'm dealing with a tuner issue now.
As for the scale: it's bigger than an Ashbory, or other ukes, or a mandolin or violin -- it's not like every instrument smaller than 34" is a toy
I bought mine without ever touching one, only seeing them online. Prior to that I've noodled on a tenor uke, mandolin, and a 30" SX fretless that I don't like much (without really learning to play it either). I immediately felt like the U-Bass was a comfortable, playable instrument. I'm still curious how it compares to an Ashbory, and how a fretted U-Bass plays.
Have played a couple including through an amp. Nothing to dislike.
I find the cost is a bit high for what they are.
I find the cost is a bit high for what they are.
I like these enough to pick 'em up and play when in a shop, but have never considered owning one.
I tried an Exotic Mahogany Kala with these Pahoehoe strings and it was rather pleasant, given the nightmare stories about sticky rubber strings I've read. That said, the size was too small for me to comfortably play it for too long at a time.
