Kala Ubass Megathread, Part 1

[thebasskid]

i saw this bass in bass player magazines latest issue and fell in love. im saving up my money but i had a few questions first: 1st: Should i have a strap button installed? i konw it usually voids the waranty but id love a strap, and 2nd:there are already off-brand strings available in rasta colors but idk wat there called or whether they are reliable? they look kick-ass though thanks

 

[cb56]

you can get the strings here. Including the multi colored ones
http://www.roadtoadmusic.com/accessories.html
Or here for just the black ones.
http://www.kalaukulele.com/search_r...earch=&subcat=29-bottom&iLevel=3&txtCatName=3

I installed a strap pin but decided I likes the tie on strap better.
http://www.kalaukulele.com/search_r...earch=&subcat=34-bottom&iLevel=2&txtCatName=2

 

[RS]

I tried a couple more times to re-string mine with no luck. Watched the video 3-4 times, I stretched the strings to the point the seemed almost ready to snap and after 1-2 winds around the post I am not anywhere close to pitch. Right now it is in tune but I have 4-6 windings around each post and a least 3 inches of extra string through the posts. I am about at the point of giving up.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I tried a couple more times to re-string mine with no luck. Watched the video 3-4 times, I stretched the strings to the point the seemed almost ready to snap and after 1-2 winds around the post I am not anywhere close to pitch. Right now it is in tune but I have 4-6 windings around each post and a least 3 inches of extra string through the posts. I am about at the point of giving up.

I didn't have a problem with mine, but I've had my U-bass for several months before re-installing the strings. I hope it works out for you.

- Steve

 

[bad_andy]

For what it's worth, you may just have a bum set of strings. Have you tried changing them to rule out the set your bass came with?

 

[LOST]

How do the string attach inside the body?Do the strings have rings at one end?Does anyone have a pic inside the back of there ubass?

 

[cb56]

here's a pic of the string ends.

There is a little access panel on the back of the uke that you have to open to install the strings

 

[LOST]

So only E A D have rings what about the G string?

 

[cb56]

Ok, I opened the back of mine (sorry no camera available right now) and all 4 strings have the red ring. The only difference is the G doesn't have that black cap on the end, there is just a knot behind the red ring. And also it's a smaller ring and a smaller hole than the other three. Hope this helps.

 

[MX21]

I just put one of these on order, so I'll be needing a number. Can I have number 21?

And a question: somewhere I saw that the pickups on this bass may require a high-impedance (>1M&#937 input or preamp. Has anyone run into this issue? My Shuttle 6 says 500kΩ, so will that work?

MX21

 

[cb56]

Mine works fine with all my amps.
#1 cb56
#2 Tijuana bass
#3 Showdown
#4 Tommy Hagen
#5 MingusBass
#6 CaballoViejo
#7 bassfiddlerman
#8 fourstringbliss
#9 Neon Scribe
#10 Baird6869
#11 mrspiffy
#12 AJ Brown
#13 ducati08
#14 adhus
#15 bad_andy
#21 MX21

 

[DeanT]

I ordered a solid Mahogany uBass. Should be here Wednesday. Can't wait to get my hands on it.

Can I get a number? #22 possibly?

By the way, I emailed Mike Upton at Kala Music about the difference in woods and their tones. He said (what most of us already knew) that the Mahogany is solid and has a deeper tone. The Spruce uses Mahogany laminates on the back and sides and has a brighter tone. He didn't mention the Acacia version.

 

[cb56]

can I put you in at #16?
That's why I don't like giving numbers out of order.

 

[DeanT]

can I put you in at #16?
That's why I don't like giving numbers out of order.

I'll take 16. Whatever number you want to give me is fine.

 

[bad_andy]

I just put one of these on order, so I'll be needing a number. Can I have number 21?

And a question: somewhere I saw that the pickups on this bass may require a high-impedance (>1M&#937 input or preamp. Has anyone run into this issue? My Shuttle 6 says 500kΩ, so will that work?

MX21

I've been using mine with the regular high impedance input on my Ampeg and with a D.I. at an open mic show like I would any with any of my bass guitars and no issues.

 

[Honk'n_down-low]

I want one, best place to buy and fretless or fretted, how do you adjust intonation or do you?

 

[cb56]

#1 cb56
#2 Tijuana bass
#3 Showdown
#4 Tommy Hagen
#5 MingusBass
#6 CaballoViejo
#7 bassfiddlerman
#8 fourstringbliss
#9 Neon Scribe
#10 Baird6869
#11 mrspiffy
#12 AJ Brown
#13 ducati08
#14 adhus
#15 bad_andy
#16 DeanT
#17
#18
#19
#20
#21 MX21

 

[cb56]

I want one, best place to buy and fretless or fretted, how do you adjust intonation or do you?

The strings have separate saddle that are pre compensated. I'd have to say that intonation up the neck isn't all that great due to the rubber strings but it's useable.

 

[MX21]

I've been using mine with the regular high impedance input on my Ampeg and with a D.I. at an open mic show like I would any with any of my bass guitars and no issues.

Hopefully that will work with my Shuttle 6 then. Or my Eden NS8 for lighter applications.

Thanks

 

[bad_andy]

So I slammed my left hand index finger in a door two days ago and I have a gig tonight.

Diagram 1:

Normally, I'd get a sub, but there's no time to bring someone up to speed. Fortunately, after babying my finger for a couple of days, I tried running some of the tunes on my U-Bass 2 this morning.

While it's not exactly comfortable to play any instrument with a crushed fingertip, the soft rubber strings and the close fret spacing means I can actually play my parts. There's no way I'd be able to gig on my electric basses like this and I doubt I'll be playing my uprights for a couple of weeks or more, but at least I have an option to get us through the show tonight.

What I bought as a novelty instrument turned into an essential tool in both of my bands and has now actually saved the day! Thanks, Kala.