Kala Ubass Megathread, Part 1

[scotch]

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.

I'm having a similar experience (and we basically strung up at the same exact time)...

-Tighter feel, for sure. I'm on the fence whether I prefer it to the rubbery feel of the stock strings - but I certainly 'like' it! The Aquila's are more slippery as well - easier to glissando, but also requires a slightly different 'touch' than the stock strings.

-Definitely quicker tuning stability! Where the Pahohoe (stock) strings would be a whole step or even lower overnight initially, the Aquila's were only about a half step. We'll see how this progresses.

-They sound pretty much the same plugged in (but a little louder). Unplugged they are definitely louder with only a bit more treble.

-Additional note: I may end up widening the nut slots just a tiny bit. The Aquilas aren't 'thinning' as much as the stretched-to-pitch Pahohoe's.


To me, the biggest difference is feel & not tone. Also, the tuning stability may prove to be a big selling point- we shall see! Would I prefer black color? Yup, but ultimately it's not a deal breaker to me.

 

[bullT]

This looks like a really fun group... Kudos to a drummer who 'kits-down' to play! The Kala looks like a natural fit for the music and doesn't look too oddly proportioned on you... I have a somewhat, uh, 'different' bone structure than you and sometimes playing the Kala makes me look like a T-Rex playing a guitar!! A really fat T-Rex!!

Got any soundclips?

-robert

thanks Robert ¡ But I am also a little T-Rex, about 205 lbs ¡¡
the drummer it´s a pleasure to play with, but don´t underestimate him... he plays lika a beast, also the cajón ¡¡

some images of the band: GUACAMOLA - Los Guacamola - YouTube

not with the kala, but playing a pure nylon spanish bass with graptech piezos, Los Guacamola-La Tequilera y Se me olvido otra vez- Directo Garufa 1/15. - YouTube (look my face, suffering a lot with the second tune, 3:00 and beyond )

join us in both facebook pages ¡
http://www.facebook.com/groups/149554898403348/
http://www.facebook.com/LosGuacamola

 

[SBassman]

We Made The Big Time:

All uBass. All the Time. | uBass Appreciation Society

 

[caeman]

And looky thar, we've lept over the 1000 post mark. Time for an admin to come in and boot us to a part 2 thread.

 

[bad_andy]

And looky thar, we've lept over the 1000 post mark. Time for an admin to come in and boot us to a part 2 thread.

I've been lurking while I wrapped up my second degree and got through the holiday rush with my band. Last time I took time off from a thread, I came back, posted looking for some feedback... and the moderator locked the thread and started a new one.

 

[Matt R.]

We Made The Big Time:

All uBass. All the Time. | uBass Appreciation Society

That is a great (and accurate) characterization of this site. Haha

 

[Hothersale]

FINALLY got my solid body. Here's a pic with the Thunderguts on it:

...and I took them off about 30 minutes later. The E and A strings were fine, but the D string was absolute rubbish -- it was a whole step flat at the 12th fret -- and the G string stretched unevenly despite all forewarnings and my best efforts. I purchased these a couple months back from an eBay seller, and clearly I got some of the early defective strings. 8^(

Despite these problems, I really liked them a lot and will try them again. They feel very nice, the tone is good, they are easier to install, and they do seem to stabilize more quickly.

The solid body itself is totally badass. It is SO comfortable to hold and play. Absolutely loving it. The intonation is WAY better than the acoustic version I had. Interestingly, the bridge pickups are all in a straight line and aren't adjusted for intonation like the acoustic.

 

[smperry]

Closed, and new thread opened here: Kala UBass Club, Part 2 - TalkBass Forums