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Kala Ubass Megathread, Part 1

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#981
SBassman said:
Ok, there's a down side. I have to say I was disappointed by - tuning stability. I guess I was digging in a bit more than I do in the house, and I had to tune a few different times Inside the set.
Which, for me, is - N.G.
Click to expand...

Hey Frank... Glad to hear that you were able to get through the full gig without swapping... On the tuning stability, one question... Was there a significant temp/humidity change in where you normally play your Kala versus the gig? I find that mine can be a bit tempermental with these things (after all, it is basically a marginally sealed, fully acoustic little guy)... The strings also feel a bit stiffer when cold... I try to let it sit in the room for as long as I can before going on to get acclimated...

Now, it's not nearly as finnicky as my gut-strung upright, but then again, those strings are a bit more organic :D

-robert
 
#982
rllefebv said:
Hey Frank... Glad to hear that you were able to get through the full gig without swapping... On the tuning stability, one question... Was there a significant temp/humidity change in where you normally play your Kala versus the gig? I find that mine can be a bit tempermental with these things (after all, it is basically a marginally sealed, fully acoustic little guy)... The strings also feel a bit stiffer when cold... I try to let it sit in the room for as long as I can before going on to get acclimated...

Now, it's not nearly as finnicky as my gut-strung upright, but then again, those strings are a bit more organic :D

-robert
Click to expand...

Thanks, Robert. I wish temps were the case. It was a mild day, and the room was at a normal temp and humidity.

I think it may have had more to do with my approach. At home, I use a very light touch. At that gig, I was probably digging in much more. Not sure though.

Maybe Thundergut will save the day.
 
#984
I just found these in a junk drawer. What about tying to these?
What do you think?
 

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#986
I don't know - I just can't do it.

I took the Thunderguts out to try to work with them.
Trying to knot the end of the E, and, it's just not possible for me.

I don't know how you guys are working with these things.
I think I give up.

I can't see swapping working strings with both caps and grommets - with strings that have nothing on the end. I think I surrender.
 
#987
I played just the U-bass this morning at church. It has much better lows than my electric. I got around some of the sustain issues by inserting more arpeggios. My arm, hand and body were so comfortable holding and playing the u-bass. AND everyone liked how it sounded.

Winner!
 
#988
caeman said:
I played just the U-bass this morning at church. It has much better lows than my electric. I got around some of the sustain issues by inserting more arpeggios. My arm, hand and body were so comfortable holding and playing the u-bass. AND everyone liked how it sounded.

Winner!
Click to expand...

Excellent. And doubly excellent that you are using it in a worship setting.
 
#989
The tuning on the tiny beast was quite stable today. The D string needed a few turns, but for the most part, that was it over a 2 hours period. I think the strings are calming down.
 
#991
I used it this morning, yes. I used the ADI21 Saturday through a PA system system with good success. The blend knob and "tube emulation" are useless to me. Even with the -20db PAD on, it distorts too easily. I just want an upright sound without the distortion and the ability to control the EQ.

I may look into a higher-quality unit, maybe a custom job from Max at [sfx] that might integrate a thumpinator.
 
#992
SBassman said:
I don't know - I just can't do it.

I took the Thunderguts out to try to work with them.
Trying to knot the end of the E, and, it's just not possible for me.

I don't know how you guys are working with these things.
I think I give up.

I can't see swapping working strings with both caps and grommets - with strings that have nothing on the end. I think I surrender.
Click to expand...

Hmmm,... I just got done swapping Thunderguts on mine - no problem! I used the red grommets from the RoadToad black strings, they just slide right off! Tied a knot & good to go.
 
#993
... speaking of which...

I was sent a set of Thunderguts to try - I'll likely be doing a comprehensive review on my website later this month. I've already done some a/b recording of the Thunderguts vs. the stock strings, interesting differences, stay tuned!

Honestly, I wasn't interested in the Thunderguts based on the youtube video. But, after trying them a few minutes, I'm glad I gave them a shot! Quick & dirty, been playing them for an hour observations:
- They are about 100 times easier to install! Took me about 15 minutes. (Compared to the 45 it took me with the stock strings the first time!)
- They feel much different. Stiffer, less 'sticky' and less rubber-band 'esque.
- They are a little bit louder acoustically,... and through the pickup.

Again, I need time to really test them at shows, recording, etc... so stay tuned for updates!

IMAG0290.jpg
 
#995
SBassman said:
You just tied a regular knot in the fat E string?

I did, and it came apart.
Click to expand...

Yup! I tied a regular old knot pulling it tight (make sure you have enough to grab the 'short' end). No problem!

Inside view:

IMAG0291.jpg


You can only see the red grommet on the thin g-string (looks pinkish wit the flash), but they are all there.
 
#996
Well, once again inspired by scotch, I had to go for it.

The strings are on.

I won't make any tone or stability comments for a while.
It will take me time to get these strings stable.

I will make one initial comment: these strings feel Way better.
 

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#997
scotch said:
Yup! I tied a regular old knot pulling it tight (make sure you have enough to grab the 'short' end). No problem!

Inside view:

IMAG0291.jpg


You can only see the red grommet on the thin g-string (looks pinkish wit the flash), but they are all there.
Click to expand...

Interesting pic. You had a similar experience to me. I can see one of the ends where you can see where you were grabbing and pulling the knot. The material warped.

Aren't you concerned about not leaving more of an end on those knots? Don't you think that can come undone, or do you think the pressure of the string will naturally keep that knot together?
 
#998
SBassman said:
Interesting pic. You had a similar experience to me. I can see one of the ends where you can see where you were grabbing and pulling the knot. The material warped.

Aren't you concerned about not leaving more of an end on those knots? Don't you think that can come undone, or do you think the pressure of the string will naturally keep that knot together?
Click to expand...

Good observation! The Thunderguts are more susceptible to nicks, scratches and other 'warpage'. They don't bounce-back like the polyurethane strings. Pro's & Cons for sure!

I was a little concerned about the short knot on the 'E', yes. I'm leaving it that way, however, for sake of my testing. I want to see if it will stay put, or if more care is necessary! The Thunder's seem to have a bit of 'memory' when bent - I suspect it will stay put!
 
#1,000
Ok, the string have been on overnight, and I spent some time this morning.

Initial observations:

- Tone: for me, I prefer this tone way, way more. Superior to the stock strings. Tone is *tighter*.

- Tuning stability: More time is needed, but these Appear to be entering the Stable Zone Far Faster than the stock strings. I'll comment more on this over the next couple of days.

Durability - any comments on that have to wait for weeks.

Loving the way these sound and feel right now.
 
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