Kala UBass Megathread, Part 3

[Sub41]

Off to another jam with the UBass.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

The harder, rectangular case that my mahogany came in: don't like and it broke. The softer, padded gig bags: love them. Gravity does not fold mine In half. The piping and padding keep it pretty straight.

 

[scotch]

I actually like the gig-bag a lot! It is padded really well (mine doesn't flop-over without an instrument, it's pretty stiff for a bag!), has a big accessory pocket and has held up well on tour. It fit's in an overhead well (and I've really jammed it into some overhead compartments with no bass damage).

The 'D'-ring which hold the strap broke on me though. Almost lost it on an airport shuttle! Close call. I stitched it back up with some reinforcing. Other than that, I like the bag!

Now that I have the hard-foam case,... I wonder which I'll prefer? I'm taking the foam case to Canada next month & I'll see. (Not much U-bassing this month, unless I bring it on a trip to Turkey & the U.K. Not sure if I'll need it yet.)

 

[SBassman]

Turkey and the U.K. - you're gettin around.

 

[caeman]

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.

That is a cool lookin' box.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

Another hot heads up! I just posted a ThunderGut listing in BG accessories! Get it while it's hot!

 

[Rugaar]

What gig bags do they come with? My understanding was that the spruce came with a basic bag and the 'hog got a foam 'soft' hardcase. Or is it just a padded gigbag? Any pictures of the two? It's good to know the differences for those of us that haven't pulled the trigger...yet.

 

[SBassman]

You don't want to make a choice based on the gig bag. I'm not sure what the difference is, but the gig bag I got with my spruce fretless is very good.

 

[Holdsg]

here's a pic of the gig bag the Spruce comes in. now its on its way to Minneapolis to its new owner. Its a good bag.

can't see it here, but the inside is nice and plush.

 

[scotch]

What gig bags do they come with? My understanding was that the spruce came with a basic bag and the 'hog got a foam 'soft' hardcase. Or is it just a padded gigbag? Any pictures of the two? It's good to know the differences for those of us that haven't pulled the trigger...yet.

Your wish is our command! (Seriously, Kala needs to start sending us at least a bumper sticker for all this free marketing! )

Gig Bag and Hard-Foam case side by side (gig bag on left in both pics):

 

[Rugaar]

scotch--Thanks for the pix. That's exactly how I thought. I look forward to your comparison.

I'm just gathering info on the difference between spruce and 'hog. From what I've found, the price increase gets you:

-'hog top vs spruce
-Hipshot tuners vs die cast
-hard foam case vs gigbag

As for sound, I'd love to compare them mano y mano but I've yet to even find one to try, let alone both. Not too many direct comparisons here, either. From what I've gathered they seem fairly similar, especially in a band setting. Either way I'm definitely going fretless. I love the upright sound. Uprights are fretless. Kind of a no brainer for me but different strokes...

Also, scotch, thanks for the string comparison recordings--very helpful! Do you have anything with the EQ set how you prefer?

And my 2¢ on the recordings--I prefer stock. The TGs had a weird ringing overtone that sounded like a phaser effect to me. I generally prefer less zingy tones though (pbass/flats) so that doesn't really surprise me.

 

[scotch]

scotch--Thanks for the pix. That's exactly how I thought. I look forward to your comparison.

I'm just gathering info on the difference between spruce and 'hog. From what I've found, the price increase gets you:

-'hog top vs spruce
-Hipshot tuners vs die cast
-hard foam case vs gigbag

As for sound, I'd love to compare them mano y mano but I've yet to even find one to try, let alone both. Not too many direct comparisons here, either. From what I've gathered they seem fairly similar, especially in a band setting.

Also, scotch, thanks for the string comparison recordings--very helpful! Do you have anything with the EQ set how you prefer?

And my 2¢ on the recordings--I prefer stock. The TGs had a weird ringing overtone that sounded like a phaser effect to me. I generally prefer less zingy tones though (pbass/flats) so that doesn't really surprise me.

My website has a clip of how I eq. Under gear reviews, Aquila Thundergut review... justinoscarcary.com


I should probably redo those clips I posted the other day. I've found that the TG's indeed have an odd overtone, especially on the lower strings - but it dissapates in about a week.

 

[Rugaar]

Thanks, scotch. I've been to your website before but just went back and listened again. The TGs sound much nicer to me in those clips than they do flat. I'm sure that if/when I get a ubass I'll end up with both to compare for myself.

Thanks again to everyone that's posting here. All the information and experiences are helpful.

 

[Sub41]

I'm just gathering info on the difference between spruce and 'hog. From what I've found, the price increase gets you:

-'hog top vs spruce
-Hipshot tuners vs die cast
-hard foam case vs gigbag

The mahogany is all solid wood. The spruce has a solid top and laminate back/sides.

 

[Sub41]

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Nice to see another string manufacturer on board. Although the price is high compared to the original Pahoehoe's. Hopefully they're less expensive through retailers.

 

[scotch]

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Just red in color?

 

[Timmy-Watts]

I may be mistaken but I think I saw a guy on YouTube demoing these. They look Trans orange red.

 

[Sub41]

Pahoehoe's are offered in black, red, yellow, and dread.

 

[Sub41]

That didn't take long. Sweetwater got the fretless mahogany models back in stock and I just put my order in for one. I checked one out locally this past week but it had a crack running from the binding at the bottom all the way to the bridge...not sure if it extended under the bridge as well. Looking through the trap door on the back you could see the crack went all the way through. With the Thunderguts I have coming thanks to Tim's generosity, I figured I better get another UBass to install them on (how about that for new bass justification ).

I stretched and restrung the E and D string on my spruce top today to avoid any binding. The tuning stability is much better now so I don't foresee too much more winding ahead. I think the Pahoehoe's have settled in for the most part.

The UBass was a hit again at the jam yesterday. Nobody could believe the tone that was coming out of it...plugged and unplugged. It was 2 guitars, a cajon, and the UBass. It fit in the mix nicely. This was an all bass weekend for me. In addition to the jam I got in some solid practice time, transcribed a couple of songs, and spent plenty of time playing for enjoyment. The mahogany should be here Thursday so it'll get lots of love next weekend.

I hope you all had plenty of time to enjoy your UBases this weekend as well. I know I can't put mine down.

 

[Peredur]

I may be mistaken but I think I saw a guy on YouTube demoing these. They look Trans orange red.

Tim, I would just like to thank you for the work you have put in to demoing the UBass family on youtube. Hearing them in situ is invaluable. You are doing a real service.

I already have one but fancied a 5 string. The solid ones with a B were not around when I wanted it so I commissioned a uke luthier to build me a semi-acoustic one so I am hoping to retain some of that air moving thud that the original ubass manages. It is taking a bit longer than I hoped it would. I will post pics when it appears.