Kala-U

[mrufino1]

I have one and bought it from Sweetwater last August for $899. They have quit making the production ones for now. They may still make them as custom jobs, which may explain that price. They do make a SUBass version in a five string, but the scale is the 21" scale instead of the Cali's 23 " scale in fretted only.

It's very strange that all of the California solid bodies were suddenly discontinued, including the signature model. They sell the parts still and the price is lower than it used to be, you can build one for around $400. The thing that mystifies me is why they didn't use a truss rod, which would open up a lot of string options. But the necks on the 5 string do feel great. I just need to remember to get someone to file the fret ends one of these days.

I haven't played any of the subs but I hate painted necks and that makes me not really want to find one. I would like the hutch Hutchinson model at some point though.

 

[Mr_O'B]

I have to admit, I viewed the Kala and basses like it as gimmick basses.

Sorry Fellas, I can't get with that bass.

 

[swarfrat]

Its not going to replace 34", but they have some compelling points for the right folks.

 

[Mr_O'B]

Its not going to replace 34", but they have some compelling points for the right folks.

I understand, but I can't see myself buying one unless it is dirt cheap.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

Tim, is that a fretless Ubass you're playing in the "Tim Watts original on Kala U Bass" video Dr. Cheese posted? Also, what kind of strings?

Yep, from the first production run. I recently sold it. I tried white strings, the silver rumblers... I always went back to the original paehoehoes. Once settled in, they worked best for me.

 

[1stnamebassist]

I understand, but I can't see myself buying one unless it is dirt cheap.

You can get a rhondo for about 150.00. Sounds the same and probably plays the same as the Kala.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I have to admit, I viewed the Kala and basses like it as gimmick basses.

Sorry Fellas, I can't get with that bass.

There is nothing to be sorry about. Nobody likes everything.

 

[1stnamebassist]

Yep, from the first production run. I recently sold it. I tried white strings, the silver rumblers... I always went back to the original paehoehoes. Once settled in, they worked best for me.

Do you have another ubass Tim? You were the one that inspired me to get my fretless hog. I still have mine that has no preamp and run it through an fdeck high pass filter. And yes I still think the stock paehoehoes are the best string.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

Do you have another ubass Tim? You were the one that inspired me to get my fretless hog. I still have mine that has no preamp and run it through an fdeck high pass filter. And yes I still think the stock paehoehoes are the best string.

I sold the 2 solid bodies I had a while back. And the acoustic kind of outlived its usefulness for me. I don't like to keep a lot of extra basses around not being played. I'd rather it be in a good home being played.

Thanks! I was an early advocate of the Ubass. In my experience, the early, non-preamp versions were the best, and of all the dozens of preamp and processors I've tried, the F-Deck is the best, and absolutely necessary.

 

[KohanMike]

The Rondo Hadean solid body bass ukes have a truss rod, the neck is natural maple and the build quality is very good. For around $150-$190 to me they are a clear choice over the Kala. I actually have four that I modified one way or another.

 

[Cuzzie]

I haven't read all replies, but I have one with the round wounds, not the 'sticky' strings and it is just lovely, all holidays including camping it goes on, sit watching telly with family you can noodle at the same time.
I really like the sound also amped up, it will never feel like my g&l's but that's cool, I think it almost has a place in every bassists Arsenal

 

[yeelaberbin]

Yep, from the first production run. I recently sold it. I tried white strings, the silver rumblers... I always went back to the original paehoehoes. Once settled in, they worked best for me.

I've tried Pahoehoes, Thunderguts and Thundereds.
The Pahoehoes have a good sound but they're too soft.
The Thundereds are cool to play but the sound is too medium.

So, i always went back to the TG's even if they're a little bit sticky.
I really would like Aquila consider anther scale sets, longer... And shorter.

 

[swarfrat]

The Rondo materials are good, but the nut looked like it was carved with rocks. Just think of it as a kit that comes preassembled for shipping purposes.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

The Rondo materials are good, but the nut looked like it was carved with rocks. Just think of it as a kit that comes preassembled for shipping purposes.

This is what scares me about Rondo. I have had two I bought used that I played first, and I liked them. I don't have enough to simply order one blind.

 

[oldrookie]

My Hadean is actually quite good. Very pleased with it, but I understand your reluctance. I've had three from Rondo and all were very nice basses. Only the Hadean remains--sold the others to help pay basses I wanted more (one of them was a TBC I think you owned at one point, Dr. Cheese.)

 

[Plutonium244]

Yep, from the first production run. I recently sold it. I tried white strings, the silver rumblers... I always went back to the original paehoehoes. Once settled in, they worked best for me.

I have a fretless Kala, mahogany body, not sure how old/new/, quite similar to yours it would appear. I haven't gotten that much playing time on it though I have had it a while (perhaps a year).

I am not a fretless player in EB's so it's a little adjustment, and in addition that, everything is so close with the short scale, such that a very small difference in positioning can mean a big difference in pitch/tonal accuracy, as you know. Hands-on time w/ the Kala would do much to cure that issue with practice. It is strung with the white strings which were on it when I bought it used, but I think they look not-so-good with the dark mahogany body. Still, looks is the secondary consideration to sound.

I liked your clip, nice tone and accurate intonation, both things I am not getting (yet?) with my Kala. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[1stnamebassist]

I have a fretless Kala, mahogany body, not sure how old/new/, quite similar to yours it would appear. I haven't gotten that much playing time on it though I have had it a while (perhaps a year).

I am not a fretless player in EB's so it's a little adjustment, and in addition that, everything is so close with the short scale, such that a very small difference in positioning can mean a big difference in pitch/tonal accuracy, as you know. Hands-on time w/ the Kala would do much to cure that issue with practice. It is strung with the white strings which were on it when I bought it used, but I think they look not-so-good with the dark mahogany body. Still, looks is the secondary consideration to sound.

I liked your clip, nice tone and accurate intonation, both things I am not getting (yet?) with my Kala. Thanks for sharing it.

You should at some point consider trying the stock Paehoehoe strings. You may or may not like them, but they have advantages over the white Thunderguts. They do take a long time to break in however but once thats done they should last practically forever. I have the same ubass as you! After you spend a little time with it the fretless part will become second nature. I didn't play fretless EB, but I adapted to the ubass in a very short amount of time. I used a clip on tuner to check my intonation where I fretted my notes, then I got the feel for where I needed my fingers to be. If it feels too cramped for you however maybe you could take a look at the Goldtone Microbass. It has a slightly longer scale, right around 3 or 4 inches. If your fretless hog has a preamp then it is fairly new, the older ones like mine or Tim's didn't have one.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I spent some more time on the U-bass I want to buy. I am confident that I can use it in a meaningful way musically. I took my time and really played basslines and scales on it, and I see me using it in church or some place else. The sound is good and it is genuinely playable. It's not for everybody, but nothing is.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

I have to admit, I viewed the Kala and basses like it as gimmick basses.

Sorry Fellas, I can't get with that bass.

What does gimmick even mean, and what makes something a gimmick? or is it the same meaning as unique, or innovative?

I enjoy bass and the community because there are so many unique options for everyone. 4-string, 5-string, 6-string, solid body, hollowbody, short scale, medium scale, long scale, ukulele bass, roundwounds, flatwounds, tapewounds, tapeRwounds, polyurethane strings, drop-tuning and other alternate tunings, violin basses, p-bass, j-bass, active bass, passive bass, lefty bass, fingerstyle, picking, slapping and popping, fanned fret, fretless, acoustic, electric, acoustic-electric, upright bass, bass VI, headless travel bass, budget basses, boutique basses...etc etc. And within each of these options there are lots of choices!

I like some of these things, and I'm not a fan of others, but I respect everyone's unique style and choices.

 

[1stnamebassist]

I spent some more time on the U-bass I want to buy. I am confident that I can use it in a meaningful way musically. I took my time and really played basslines and scales on it, and I see me using it in church or some place else. The sound is good and it is genuinely playable. It's not for everybody, but nothing is.

I've used mine in the past playing Contemprary Christian music at church. Think Hillsong, Matt Redmond, Parachute band etc... It worked great with all that stuff. I've used it with friends playing classic rock and southern rock with no issues! It's really quite fun!