Best bet is to write directly to kala about them. I wouldn't be surprised if they are not in stock yet but I could be wrong. Would be interesting for somebody to review them but that's an expensive experiment.
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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 3
- Thread starter smperry
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Heads up! For those contemplating a solid body I'm about to offer a major price reduction in my classified in the near future.
I may do that - wound strings would be a completely different ballgame. Maybe I'll see if they want to front me a set to get a review (LOL)
Completely different animals.
- Mikro - very similar to 30 inch scale basses. The Mikro is 27 or 28 I guess, but, very similar experience to most steel string short scales.
- Samick - interesting, high quality very-short scale - 25. Still, not unlike the above.
- UBass - whole other world - in feel, weight, and tone.
Oh, I knew that I guess. I just meant, considering the fact that those are about half the price, is the U-Bass worth it for those looking for a small instrument in the bass register?
I guess what I'm asking is, what is it that makes it worth the price when you could get an instrument like the Samick Corsair for hundreds less? I know the tone is different, but each instrument sounds pretty good from what I've heard.
I guess what I'm asking is, what is it that makes it worth the price when you could get an instrument like the Samick Corsair for hundreds less? I know the tone is different, but each instrument sounds pretty good from what I've heard.
I suppose the thing that would make it worth the price is if you dig it more than the alternatives you've mentioned or not. It's a bass, not a commodity. There's nothing intrinsic about it that makes it worth more than the others. It's a matter of taste, competition in the market (or lack of), and availability.
I love my UBass. That doesn't mean I might not like the others to some degree, but I liked the UBass enough to pay the difference in price.
I'm just saying it's a matter of taste. A thing is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, and they've been selling lots of these at the current prices. That means that many people have found it to be worth the price compared to other smaller basses. I'm sure there are plenty of folks that have opted for alternatives instead.
I hope I'm not coming off as rude, I'm not trying to. But there is nothing besides your preference in the tone, feel, and vibe of this that is going to justify the price difference. It's a personal decision, there's really nothing to point to to say "this gizmo on the UBass makes it worth the price difference".
As of tomorrow I'll have had my acoustic UBass for a week. I like it much better than the solid body I bought first. Tomorrow will also be my 3rd jam session with the UBass. This thing kicks butt. It got some weird looks when I pulled it out but as soon as I started playing it had new fans. I really can't get over the tone of this thing. It's the only bass in the house getting any love now.
And when I first came into the thread wondering about how it would work out with my RSI issues, it's a miracle. I get no numbness in my hands whatsoever. So not only does it sound great and transport easily, it has allowed me to once again play without pain. And I can't see ever wanting anything with frets on it again either...fretless is my new friend.
And when I first came into the thread wondering about how it would work out with my RSI issues, it's a miracle. I get no numbness in my hands whatsoever. So not only does it sound great and transport easily, it has allowed me to once again play without pain. And I can't see ever wanting anything with frets on it again either...fretless is my new friend.
That's a major price drop and well worth it if you ask me. If Kala dropped the price on these to that I'd be willing to keep mine.
Anyone seen one of these Kala UBass Hard Cases yet? It looks pretty good but I'd like to know what the build quality is like.
I like the convenience of slinging the gig bag over the shoulder, but the added protection would be nice. When I picked up the guitar player last night and he was slinging his equipment into the back of my Vibe all I could picture was a painful blow to the UBass through that thin bag.
I like the convenience of slinging the gig bag over the shoulder, but the added protection would be nice. When I picked up the guitar player last night and he was slinging his equipment into the back of my Vibe all I could picture was a painful blow to the UBass through that thin bag.
Wow. Folks - that's like hitting Lotto. If you have any thoughts about a solid body, get over there quick.
6string said:
I have both, the gig bag rules. My hard case got hit by a swinging screen door and the strap end broke and the small velcro neck holder broke. It is basically un-repairable. Now if I use the hard case the bass is not secure inside and I have to carry it by hand. The gig bags are way better made IMO. Good snug padding and good comfy straps.
Another heads up: I just reduced the price on my Radial PZ-Pre DI. It's in the BG effects classifieds. It is an awesome floor preamp unit. I'd love to sell it to a U-Bass player.
Just to clarify, you had trouble with the black, rectangular hard case in the link, and prefer the foam reinforced soft sided case that comes with the mahogany body acoustic? My spruce top came with a flimsy soft case...as in it folds in half by gravity if there's nothing in it. Not much padding at all and no velcro straps to hold the bass in place.
I have a Kala 'uke that came in the reinforced soft-sided bag and I agree those are much more protective and are still light. Although after less than a year of practice and gigging, the velcro strap that holds the neck in place pulled out of the cavity and is no longer much of a restraint.
To me, it all depends on how you travel to gigs.
Hard shell cases are for planes or for gig situations where everybody is throwing their stuff in one truck. If you travel to the gig yourself, I don't see why a hard case is needed.
If I had a bandmate who I had to worry might crush my bass with his guitar in my car, I think that would be a - hey, don't do that - situation.
At this point in my life, it's all about light and easy. I think the gig bag is just fine. Actually, excellent for a bag that shipped with the bass.
Hard shell cases are for planes or for gig situations where everybody is throwing their stuff in one truck. If you travel to the gig yourself, I don't see why a hard case is needed.
If I had a bandmate who I had to worry might crush my bass with his guitar in my car, I think that would be a - hey, don't do that - situation.
At this point in my life, it's all about light and easy. I think the gig bag is just fine. Actually, excellent for a bag that shipped with the bass.
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