Kala UBass Megathread, Part 2

[bigchiz]

With the acoustic uBass I'm fairly certain the pickup sensor (piezo) is mounted under the bridge on the inside. This is designed to sense all vibrations on the top and later to amplify them. You might be able to use a filter inline to reduce the noise created in the range of moving your hand around? A person could have a similar problem with a coat sleeve when playing a double bass with a piezo mounted on the bridge.

For what it's worth, there's a few seconds showing my right hand style at 0:58 in the video below.
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And, as if it matters, I was not playing the bass on the song recorded in the video but those are my fingers in the video. This was the first time I played a bass for more than a few minutes, bought one two days later.

 

[Hothersale]

With the acoustic uBass I'm fairly certain the pickup sensor (piezo) is mounted under the bridge on the inside.

The pickups are in the saddles themselves. I know, 'cause I took mine apart. 8^)

 

[SBassman]

Thanks for the confirmation, Chad. I thought the piezo was hot, too.

Good dialog. I don't have much to add, except - have you rolled off some high end?

 

[scotch]

With the acoustic uBass I'm fairly certain the pickup sensor (piezo) is mounted under the bridge on the inside. ...

Nope. It's built into the saddle.

 

[SBassman]

Nope. It's built into the saddle.

Whatchyu guys talkin about, Willis? Those saddles don't separate, do they? How do you *see* them in the saddles?

 

[caeman]

It's like the wind, you just know it is there.

 

[caeman]

In amplification news, my U-Bass sounds just fine through my Barber Linden EQ pedal and my FEA Growler. Though, it is a bit gainy, so I have to dial back some of that.

 

[Matt R.]

Whatchyu guys talkin about, Willis? Those saddles don't separate, do they? How do you *see* them in the saddles?

They are glued inside the plastic saddle assembly. You can pull the entire bridge/saddle assembly out in one unit.

 

[scotch]

They are glued inside the plastic saddle assembly. You can pull the entire bridge/saddle assembly out in one unit.

Yeah, it's an integrated unit. A black plastic "base" with the piezo mounted somewhere inside the white plastic saddle (appears to be one piece). Most likely it's a piezo strip sandwiched between the black and white portions.

 

[SBassman]

Ok, here's another advantage to the Thunderguts:

When they become stable - in days, not weeks - when you then re-tune, the experience is much closer to what you do with your electric bass. Meaning, bringing it back into tune means little turns of the tuner, not the Mega turns of the tuner you need to get anything done with the stock strings.

Over and out.

 

[scotch]

Ok, here's another advantage to the Thunderguts:

When they become stable - in days, not weeks - when you then re-tune, the experience is much closer to what you do with your electric bass. Meaning, bringing it back into tune means little turns of the tuner, not the Mega turns of the tuner you need to get anything done with the stock strings.

Over and out.

Totally! Much easier tuning experience from the Thundergut's! I'm officially a convert, btw.

 

[SBassman]

Cmon folks. A bunch of people mentioned they'd try Thunderguts.
Do your part, get in here, and tell us how it's going.

 

[Matt R.]

Yeah, it's an integrated unit. A black plastic "base" with the piezo mounted somewhere inside the white plastic saddle (appears to be one piece). Most likely it's a piezo strip sandwiched between the black and white portions.

They are individual piezos within the saddle assembly which is a single molded plastic unit.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

In amplification news, my U-Bass sounds just fine through my Barber Linden EQ pedal and my FEA Growler. Though, it is a bit gainy, so I have to dial back some of that.

Only just fine

That's gotta' sound MIGHTY fine

 

[caeman]

I tend to understate things. I love my FEA Growler pedal.

 

[kevwalker]

Good dialog. I don't have much to add, except - have you rolled off some high end?

I have. I plugged the UBass into a Sansamp Bass DI box and then into my Carvin practice amp. Boosted the lows and mids and it seemed to take care of the problem. Looking forward to band practice on Saturday: "Say hello to my leetle fren'".

 

[SBassman]

"Say hello to my leetle fren'".

Excellent.

 

[caeman]

I need to rig up a strap for this weekend. I have been holding back from buying a strap until payday, but anything I buy now won't arrive in time for Saturday and Sunday church services. I was thinking of taking one of my other random straps, and using an old shoe string to attach it to the head stock.

 

[edmidlifecrisis]

I need to rig up a strap for this weekend. I have been holding back from buying a strap until payday, but anything I buy now won't arrive in time for Saturday and Sunday church services. I was thinking of taking one of my other random straps, and using an old shoe string to attach it to the head stock.

Guitar straps are too big. I am trying out an old camera strap right now. It is not ideal but getting closer. I like the mando strap someone else posted, may look into that.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Real close to taking the plunge on a SUB. I've only scanned through the threads, but I've gathered that I need to:
watch the stringing video; order some thunderguts; and source a strap to get up and running. I see the tuning/stringing vid on the kala site. Can you all give me the link for the Thunderguts? Any other essentials I've missed?

Thanks in advance!

found this:
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