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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 2

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#502
Onboard pre is another option I thought of, although I'm generally a passive only guy. If I could get something that could help tame the Fret Fart Frequencies, and maybe offered a tuner or onboard compression, that'd be nice.

I'm normally a passive P bass player, so my mind instantly went to passive volume and tone.
 
#503
Active preamps are quite common on acoustic instruments. One of the benefits is that you don't have to worry about matching the impedance of a piezo pickup. Some onboard preamps have a tuner.
 
#504
caeman said:
Active preamps are quite common on acoustic instruments. One of the benefits is that you don't have to worry about matching the impedance of a piezo pickup. Some onboard preamps have a tuner.
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That is a great reason to get a solid body! Plus you get 8 more frets (not that they're usable). The volume has a center detent. But the level seems more than half volume at that point. I usually set it there and I have some room to boost for solos. I usually have the treble all the way down. It's those mids that need to be under control. Once I set my amp/preamp EQ, I don't touch it. My other sounds come from on board controls and the VTBass pedal.

This may sound weird, but I actually like limiting myself to one instrument per gig (unless I'm being paid to double). Even with limited options I'm forced to be more creative and let my hands do the adjusting (like on the hollow body with no on board controls). So I actually like the (hollow body) instrument itself being limited like my upright. It forces me to stay on my toes. You can see in my YouTube videos that I play a lot of different music during the same gig with only one instrument. That challenge makes me grow more as a musician and as a bassist. This weekend with a contemporary jazz trio the guy wants me to double on the ubass and the fretless BG (Modulus Q5). Yikes!
 
#510
I heard (but didn't play) the steel strings at NAMM. To my ears, they made the U-Bass sound like a traditional electric bass guitar - which kind of defeats the purpose, IMO. But if you want that traditional electric bass tone out of the U-Bass, they might be right for you.

By the way, does anyone know if Acquila makes a five-string set of the Thunderguts?
 
#511
The solid body would seem to defeat the sound only a hollow body could give.

Steel strings on a hollow body is natural, as most every upright I have ever played, and fiddle, had steel strings.
 
#512
SBassman said:
If you like the satin SUB solid bodies, get one now - that finish is getting discontinued, in favor of gloss finishes.
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You just flipped a match into my tank full of ubass solid body gas. The pocket that held my wallet and visa cad hath exploded. Black satin ubass expected within the next few days.

:hyper:

I think. :)

I really gotta start selling some basses.
 
#517
Ok, apparently the Pyramid strings are nowhere near ready for prime time. I'll have to go check the video again. I thought this was done. Anyway, they are still engineering how they might keep standard ball ends from sliding through their bridges. Ok then.

Nothing to see here. Move along.
 
#519
SBassman said:
Glad to have been of service. :) Where did you buy from? Maybe I'll join you.
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Got it from americanmusical.com. I had them price match a non existent 15% off valentines day coupon. :) Musicians friend was offering 14% but ams went the extra 1. I like buying from them cuz I usually get it the next day, plus the 3 easy payments make it so I don't even feel it.

Bass is due tomorrow. Which happens to also be my birthday. Yay!

Anyone know anything about the availability of them there steel strings? I definitely want them. Anywhere I can order them?
 
#520
Joe Nerve said:
Got it from americanmusical.com. I had them price match a non existent 15% off valentines day coupon. :) Musicians friend was offering 14% but ams went the extra 1. I like buying from them cuz I usually get it the next day, plus the 3 easy payments make it so I don't even feel it.

Bass is due tomorrow. Which happens to also be my birthday. Yay!

Anyone know anything about the availability of them there steel strings? I definitely want them. Anywhere I can order them?
Click to expand...

Forget the steels for now. Not ready for prime time. Put some Thunderguts on that new baby.
 
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