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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 2

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#681
I have used a ubass on75% of my gigs since I bought it. Videos to prove it. That's my whole point in putting up the vids. This is a viable instrument if you play it right and use a good rig for it. I agree the rig matters a lot more than with most instruments.
 
#682
TimWatson said:
I have used a ubass on75% of my gigs since I bought it. Videos to prove it. That's my whole point in putting up the vids. This is a viable instrument if you play it right and use a good rig for it. I agree the rig matters a lot more than with most instruments.
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I plug mine into the ADI21,which then goes to the PA. We have a subwoofer,so I am easily heard.
 
#683
bryanspkr said:
this is a hell of an instrument. I really believe that it can be played on a high level.
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He's mentioned it a few times but here's a link to Tim Watson's YouTube channel:

WatsonTBass's Channel - YouTube

Some good examples of a sound approach to playing the Kala U-Bass. Tim sez:

I see some U-bass demos on youtube but not many clear performances. This is one of the coolest instruments out there and I don't see too many people playing it as if they are bassists (as opposed to ukulele players), and most have that clicky toy sound.

I understand what he's getting at but it's possible for anyone to get "clicky, toy sounds" from the U-Bass, not just ukulele players who, for the most part, are not bass players.

I hate the term 'ukulele bass' or 'bass ukulele'. Makes my bottom go all funny.
 
#684
I build my own speakers. For me, the most important thing is the correct (or incorrect) impedence match depending on which speaker I use. Although I have found that most house amps work well, a few have not. My own head is an older acoustic image with the impedance button. Works best with a speaker without a lot of bottom. If I am playing really loud, I might switch to the lower impedaqnce. Not the best amp for bass guitar though. I prefer my series 3 AI with the "compromise" input impedance. With a speaker with really big bottom, such as an Acme low b. the lower impedance input usually works best then. And there is also the useful high pass filter on the AI.
 
#685
bassuker said:
He's mentioned it a few times but here's a link to Tim Watson's YouTube channel:

WatsonTBass's Channel - YouTube

Some good examples of a sound approach to playing the Kala U-Bass. Tim sez:

I see some U-bass demos on youtube but not many clear performances. This is one of the coolest instruments out there and I don't see too many people playing it as if they are bassists (as opposed to ukulele players), and most have that clicky toy sound.

I understand what he's getting at but it's possible for anyone to get "clicky, toy sounds" from the U-Bass, not just ukulele players who, for the most part, are not bass players.

I hate the term 'ukulele bass' or 'bass ukulele'. Makes my bottom go all funny.
Click to expand...

As long as it doesn't make your Jiney all tingly (south park)
 
#688
bryanspkr said:
... long post ...
Click to expand...

I don't want to take the time to list the cons you mentioned, but, suffice to say I am personally having a different experience than you. And that's across multiple sets of Thunderguts. I didn't hear or experience anything you cited.

No doubt, the two types of strings are very different, and we'll all hear and desire different attributes.

I personally think the Thunderguts can be EQ'd into Any tone desired, and I don't think the same is true about the stock strings. I also found the stock strings totally unsatisfactory as far as stability. If strings take multiple weeks to break in, it's not a viable design in my book.

Great post. Thanks for sharing that.
 
#693
Joe Nerve said:
I read bryandspkr's review and it inspired me to write my own.

Aquila strings are white and look ugly on a ubass, thunderguts look great. And caeman agrees. I choose thunderguts.

Pretty good, huh? :)

Anyone have an updated info on the steel strings? I searched last night but didn't find anything. I really want to give them a go on my electric. Slightly concerned that they may cause some serious action related problems. The action on ubass's work fine with rubber strings, but if my action were that high on any metal stringed bass it would not fly.

So, any news on them there strings?
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If you are referring to the Pyramid strings:

- On a NAMM video, it sounded like they were ready for prime time and could be ordered

- When you talk directly to Kala, you find out - they are Not ready for prime time. Looks like it's at the proof of concept stage only.

- As I think someone already said, when those strings Do ship, what they will yield is: a small, underwhelming ABG that sounds like all the other ABGs.
 
#694
Tim, you might want to give the Barber Linden EQ a try with your U-Bass. I was was running it through various knob settings tonight in prep for tomorrow morning and it sounds really nice.

This is the FX board for this week's Shabbat service:
PTNano-1.jpg
 
#695
Thanks, caeman. I have had great luck with my L.R. Baggs para EQ and the VTBass. Either one of those or both together. The other day testing a new speaker (Eden EX210N) with either of those 2 boxes I was getting better sound going straight into the power amp of the woods than into the inputs. Hmmmm...
 
#698
SBassman said:
Not sure how we define small, but - Aquila makes strings for several other instrument manufacturers. I believe they make All the stock strings for Kala Ukes. They even make some designs for - of all companies - D'Addario.
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Have you seen the video of his shop? Amazing! there is a hand wind of an open wound string that is so quick and accurate. The impression for me was small but when you think about it, it must be possible to handwind a lot of feet of string. The uke string business must be booming. I'll bet his biz is growing more than ever before.
 
#699
I regret to say that I've returned my UBass back to Sweetwater. Although short-lived, it was one of those basses that I needed to play before buying in order to really decide whether I wanted it or not. In this case, it's just not my "sound."

The strings felt awkward/different than "normal" steel strings and I needed a bass that's short-scale but not "too" short scale. Also, the fingernoise that you often get with these unique instruments just didn't grow on me very much. I don't mean to burst anyone's bubble or to discourage anyone from getting a UBass, but that's just my experience with them.

In any case, continue the thumpin' and enjoy your UBasses! These are pretty darn awesome uke-basses, they're just not my cup of tea.
 
#700
SBassman said:
I don't want to take the time to list the cons you mentioned, but, suffice to say I am personally having a different experience than you. And that's across multiple sets of Thunderguts. I didn't hear or experience anything you cited.

No doubt, the two types of strings are very different, and we'll all hear and desire different attributes.

I personally think the Thunderguts can be EQ'd into Any tone desired, and I don't think the same is true about the stock strings. I also found the stock strings totally unsatisfactory as far as stability. If strings take multiple weeks to break in, it's not a viable design in my book.

Great post. Thanks for sharing that.
Click to expand...

Hi SB, do the Thundergut change in tone after being on the bass awhile?
 
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