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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 2

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#222
I've never heard that rule for a guitar strap before. :) It's just a string of leather, but, since the rule has been invoked, I will snap a pick when I get home.

My strings appear to be nearing stability. I tuned up last night and had to make only small corrections.
 
#223
#224
Hi TBer's and Kala UBass owners!

I'm considering purchasing a Kala UBass and just wanted to get your opinions on the difference in the tonewoods used on these unique and awesome ukulele-basses. Is there any significant difference in terms of tone between the spruce, mahogany, and acacia tops? I'm basing my decision of which Kala UBass to get depending on the pros and cons.

Thanks in advance!

- BassfulOne
 
#226
Hm, good question. I can tell the difference in acoustic guitars, but I personally haven't been able to A/B the different UBasses, since I'm a lefty. We only get the spruce top. I can't see there being a big difference but of course I could be wrong. You'll probably be happy with whichever one you get. And to my ears, on ABGs with piezos, the woodiness gets masked a bit.
 
#227
The unique sound of this instrument derives mostly from the pickups, the strings, and the string tension. I purchased the mahogany based mainly on looks, and I think that appearance and price should probably enter into your consideration more than subtle tone wood differences.
 
#228
kevwalker said:
The unique sound of this instrument derives mostly from the pickups, the strings, and the string tension. I purchased the mahogany based mainly on looks, and I think that appearance and price should probably enter into your consideration more than subtle tone wood differences.
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I'd also understood that the differences between the spruce models and the others go beyond the merely tonal; for example the spruce models ship with a different case with less padding and don't have the Hipshot brand tuners, which might also factor into one's choices (it did with me, I opted for a mahogany one).
 
#229
kerryg said:
I'd also understood that the differences between the spruce models and the others go beyond the merely tonal; for example the spruce models ship with a different case with less padding and don't have the Hipshot brand tuners, which might also factor into one's choices (it did with me, I opted for a mahogany one).
Click to expand...

Hmmm, that's something else I'd need to take into consideration (the gigbag/case). I didn't know the mahogany version will have a better case. As for tuners, I'm sure I can make do with whatever is on either -- I have a ukulele with just straight-up peghead geared tuners and they've worked fine for me. Perhaps the mahogany one...:D
 
#230
kerryg, that is a good point about the case and tuners. For anyone planning to shell out for the new hard case anyway, the stock case is not a consideration, but for others it would be. The case that came with my 'hog is pretty nice, but the cover on the storage compartment is warped and flimsy. In my experience, Hipshot makes really fine products. I replaced the bridge and tuners on my vintage Ric 3000 with Hipshot hardware to make it more useable and playable (while keeping the originals, of course!). So, now that I think about it, the better tuners did enter into my decision, especially when I heard stories about tuners breaking.
 
#231
Matt R. said:
Yep, looks like you have a truss rod. The response from Kala:

"from what I understand is, the very newest U-basses have them. We never had any problems w/ the necks, but they decided recently to add one on."
Click to expand...

I can't help but wonder if this is a response to the Thundergut strings. Do they have that much more tension than the Pahoehoe? Anyone have the specs on this?
 
#235
caeman said:
I've never heard that rule for a guitar strap before. :) It's just a string of leather, but, since the rule has been invoked, I will snap a pick when I get home.

My strings appear to be nearing stability. I tuned up last night and had to make only small corrections.
Click to expand...

I was just thinking about what kind of strap would work, and a pic would help me make up my mind. As is, I would likely play it seated for the acoustic parts of our sets.
 
#238
kevwalker said:
I share the concern about the sudden introduction of the truss rod, especially since there is a set of Thunderguts on its way to me right now. I understand the tension with the T-guts is higher. This has the potential to be a resale issue.
Click to expand...

I have a non-truss rod (at least adjustable or visible) U-Bass that I installed Thunderguts on a week ago. The neck hasn't budged at all. It's a non-issue.
 
#240
Went to the local music store yesterday, it's 3 blocks from the office. Anyway, their mahogany fretted ubass has the same Kala date stamp, 1107, as my spruce top fretless. The mahogany has the rod, the spruce does not.

Perhaps the necks were manufactured at different locations, or it's just one more reduction for the spruce (which also comes with a padded gig bag instead of the harder case, and less expensive tuners).

Wonder if the Kala baritone ukulele necks have a truss rod?
 
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