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Kala Ubass Megathread, Part 1

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#362
OK, here's mine. Hutch Hutchinson model, next to its big brother Boulder Creek ( which is for sale on this forum).
 

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#370
Tahoe_Ed said:
Just an FYI. I just canceled my order for a Mahogany Fretted Ubass from Sweetwater. Sam Ash has them for $441 with free shipping and Sweetwater would not price match. They also have the Spruce top for $350. SA said 2-4 weeks for delivery, Sweetwater said the end of March which I had heard before.
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I just orderded one there too. Did u get the free guitar pack? It says it was added to my order but i read that it doesnt apply to out of stock items. We'll see.

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#371
Tahoe_Ed said:
Just an FYI. I just canceled my order for a Mahogany Fretted Ubass from Sweetwater. Sam Ash has them for $441 with free shipping and Sweetwater would not price match. They also have the Spruce top for $350. SA said 2-4 weeks for delivery, Sweetwater said the end of March which I had heard before.
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Thanks for the tip. I'd been sitting on my hands for awhile on this, but couldn't pass that up. Now hopefully in month or so I'll get to experience firsthand what the fuss is all about. Already looking forward to springing this on my unsuspecting bandmates.
 
#372
Played the ubass out last night for the first time , as soon as plugged in and started playing, several people just stopped in their tracks and couldn't believe the sound that was coming out of that bass.I ran it through a Sans amp and Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 10''. To quote one "that Ubass is a grand slam".
 
#377
Darko74 said:
Apart from building them fast enough! :bawl:
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You have that right. I don't think that Kala was ready for the response that has been building for the Ubass. If you look now, there are independent dealers across the country and now the big box stores are getting involved in the sales and marketing. Sometimes, success breeds its own problems. I love playing this bass, helps the arthritis in my wrists and prevents me from using some of the bad habits that I have developed playing long scale basses with my stubby fingers. It travels with me where ever I go. I pulled it out in the Vegas airport the other night for some impromptu practice when my plane was delayed. I could not have done that with my other basses.
 
#378
I had been considering buying an Ashbory, but I was put off by the look of the thing and the sticky-breaky strings. Since a friend suggested the U-Bass, I have been doing research here and elsewhere and, long story short...my lovely wife is now buying me a U-Bass (mahogany, probably) for my 50th birthday in April. My problem is that I'm paralyzed by the fretted vs. fretless question. My three existing basses are fretted, and I do not play upright. My original idea was to go with fretless for the sake of variety, to get the closest sound to an upright, allow me to slide into notes, etc. But I have a fear that I will have trouble with the intonation and end up hating it and wishing I had gotten the fretted version. Any thoughts or opinions that could help me make my choice would be greatly appreciated! I play in a trio that does rock, blues, and country.
 
#379
kevwalker: The intonation on the fretted ubass is not that great on the higher frets. I bought the fretted version for the same reasons/reservations you mention, I have large hands and thickish fingers and thought I wouldn't be able to get the notes right- I tried a fretless in a store-and am not a fretless or upright player either. The fretless was cool and I liked it but....

But the fretted model, you're really stuck with the factory intonation for better of worse. A little bending can fix some of it, but this thing wasn't really made for note bending...at least in my hands...
PS I'm strictly a living room player....with friends and family, not a working bassist.
 
#380
kevwalker: When I was researching the Ubass I read several accounts that recommended against getting the fretless. The statements that I remember, were that you did not get one of the reasons for going fretless, the maw wah. If you have played or noodled a standard fretless, you will know what I am talking about. I love the sound, but I don't have the time or the patience to get the intonation right and one of the reasons I no longer own a fretless. If you absolutely want to go fretless, find a used fretless Squire Modified Jazz. They have fret lines and will help you get started. You can find them for less than $200. That will give you a feel for fretless and you will know if you want to take the time to really learn how to play one. I like my fretted Spruce top. I wish I could adjust the intonation, but I love playing it even though it is about a quarter the price of my other basses. It sure gets a lot of attention when ever I take it out.
 
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