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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 2
- Thread starter smperry
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I'll raise my hand on the ignorance, too. Do we know for sure which is the better one for our bass, and why? Can someone explain?
I would have to agree. The extra tension and improved intonation and clarity of the Thunderguts is welcome but I've had to alter my playing style to get the sound I want out of the bass. Maybe I'm trying to get the 'old' sound back?
They're significantly different to the stock strings. Still getting used to 'em.
I've decided to build a ghetto version of the Taylor V-Cable. I bought a right-angle to straight cable and plan on splicing a 250k volume pot onto the end near the right-angle jack. I'll probably mount it inside an Altoids tin or something smaller. It won't be the prettiest thing ever, but I'm hoping it'll do the same job as the V-Cable, at a total cost of maybe $25.
Fedex says my next chapter in UBassing will arrive today.
What do you think I went for? A SUB? A fretless acoustic?
Place yer bets.
What do you think I went for? A SUB? A fretless acoustic?
Place yer bets.
When I added all the factors, it was - the fretless. If there was a SUB fretless in the lineup these days, that would have been it, but since there wasn't, it was an acoustic fretless.
Bad news is - there's no joy in this one. I think it might have a big problem. Picture to follow.
Bad news is - there's no joy in this one. I think it might have a big problem. Picture to follow.
Here's what I'm seeing. A line on the head that looks like a crack.
I can't feel it. When I look at it from the side, I can't see it through. But there it is. Advice?
I can't feel it. When I look at it from the side, I can't see it through. But there it is. Advice?
My headstock has the same thing. I'm pret sure that's where the scarf joint is. Lookst the side edge of the headstock. You'll see a diagonal line running from just about the E tuner to the A tuner. Nothing to fret over (pun realized and intended).
Sorry to see the honeymoon come to an abrupt end, hate it when that happens.
You might want to pull the tuners off to see if the crack is visible in either tuner hole. On the positive side there is an abrupt difference in the grain above and below the "crack" so it might not be a crack at all, it might just have the appearance of a crack because of the way the end grain is lining up in a row.
IIRC the Ubasses come with a one year warranty, so if you send Kala an email explaining the problem they may offer to replace it or maybe extend the warranty on this item if you want to keep it.
Thanks for your comment and everyone else's. I am familiar with joint lines like that on some designs.
I don't see that at all on bass #1. However, if that is what it is, I'm more than fine with it.
If that is a joint line, why wouldn't it be straight?
Can you take a picture of yours and post? Thanks much.
scotch
It's not rocket science!
- Nov 12, 2006
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That just looks like the edge of the scarf joint. Some of the filler coat is probably built up in the rather roughly cut seam.
Hard to tell for sure from pics, but I think you are a-ok.
Hard to tell for sure from pics, but I think you are a-ok.
I proceeded with the honeymoon / restringing.
Issue #2 - tuner experts out there, please weigh in:
Check out the pic. There's space between the lip of the A tuner post and the base. What's that, and can I get rid of it?
Why do I have a bad feeling a tuner post is going to go pinging across the room in the next few minutes?
Issue #2 - tuner experts out there, please weigh in:
Check out the pic. There's space between the lip of the A tuner post and the base. What's that, and can I get rid of it?
Why do I have a bad feeling a tuner post is going to go pinging across the room in the next few minutes?
So, I finally got my Christmas gifted Ubass (back ordered from Sweetwater) today! It was definitely worth the wait. However, immediately upon peeling off the plastic & opening up the case, I noticed two things:
The body has dark brown tortoise shell binding on both the top and back edges. And I must say that I'm really not sure how I feel about it. Is this an upgrade? or a cheaper production method?
Second, mine too has the same the same joint line on the back of the headstock. Again, I understand that it's due to the construction method, but I'm dubious of the the reasons why they do this now? Maybe they've switched production methods to crank out more of them? Anyone else have one from the new batch?
All gripes aside, it plays like a dream! I was a bit apprehensive about getting a fretless after reading a review that warned about possible intonation issues, but after A/B-ing them on the spruce model, the fretless didn't give me the fret farts, and seemed far better suited to my playing style. When I first plugged it in it was giving me feedback like crazy, until I realized one of the kids turned my gain knob all the way up. After setting the gain back to a reasonable level, I was getting incredible tones, and without having to adjusting anything from my Jazz bass settings.
Anyhow, I'm curious to hear if anyone else out there has one from the new batch? and what are your feelings on the body binding?
The body has dark brown tortoise shell binding on both the top and back edges. And I must say that I'm really not sure how I feel about it. Is this an upgrade? or a cheaper production method?
Second, mine too has the same the same joint line on the back of the headstock. Again, I understand that it's due to the construction method, but I'm dubious of the the reasons why they do this now? Maybe they've switched production methods to crank out more of them? Anyone else have one from the new batch?
All gripes aside, it plays like a dream! I was a bit apprehensive about getting a fretless after reading a review that warned about possible intonation issues, but after A/B-ing them on the spruce model, the fretless didn't give me the fret farts, and seemed far better suited to my playing style. When I first plugged it in it was giving me feedback like crazy, until I realized one of the kids turned my gain knob all the way up. After setting the gain back to a reasonable level, I was getting incredible tones, and without having to adjusting anything from my Jazz bass settings.
Anyhow, I'm curious to hear if anyone else out there has one from the new batch? and what are your feelings on the body binding?
I don't have a Mahogany - I wish I did 
- big bucks - but, I do definitely have the latest rev. It has the adjustable truss rod.
I'm not going to worry about the joint line anymore. It's fine.
I do need some counsel on that tuner, though, and, if the Hipshots fit this bass, I'm going to upgrade. I'm tired of worrying about these tuners.
- big bucks - but, I do definitely have the latest rev. It has the adjustable truss rod.I'm not going to worry about the joint line anymore. It's fine.
I do need some counsel on that tuner, though, and, if the Hipshots fit this bass, I'm going to upgrade. I'm tired of worrying about these tuners.
SBassman,
Mine has those things too. That joint line is so the headstock can be angled without having to cut the angle into one piece of wood. I also have gaps under the E and A tuner lips. Did you get the mahogany? Do the tuners say HIPSHOT LIC. ?
Interesting about the binding. I have a first production run (I think) from a year ago. No binding. Kala seems to make a bunch of changes to their products without notifying anyone. Not their literature, website, or retailers. We paying customers are left to guess what we are going to get when our bass gets shipped to us. It's a shame. I bet an email to Owen Holt would answer your questions. If he doesn't know, I'd bet he'd find out and get back to you promptly.
Right on, right on you all, for going fretless. I knew you would not be disappointed.
Mine has those things too. That joint line is so the headstock can be angled without having to cut the angle into one piece of wood. I also have gaps under the E and A tuner lips. Did you get the mahogany? Do the tuners say HIPSHOT LIC. ?
Interesting about the binding. I have a first production run (I think) from a year ago. No binding. Kala seems to make a bunch of changes to their products without notifying anyone. Not their literature, website, or retailers. We paying customers are left to guess what we are going to get when our bass gets shipped to us. It's a shame. I bet an email to Owen Holt would answer your questions. If he doesn't know, I'd bet he'd find out and get back to you promptly.
Right on, right on you all, for going fretless. I knew you would not be disappointed.
The fretless is Not disappointing. I Love it. Not looking back.
Your E and A have gaps under the lips, too? On which model tuners?
Your E and A have gaps under the lips, too? On which model tuners?
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