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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 3

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#321
I wish I could compare the different models side by side, but I'm in Northern Idaho, it's amazing I found even just one of them.I am an Electric Bassist and I really don't know anything about acoustic instrument construction and how different woods affect the sound of an instrument. If there are any advantages of one over the other etc.
So maybe for me the question should not have been which sounds best( I know that is subjective) but :
Are there tonal differences between the various acoustic models.
Is it primarily a "Looks" thing or are some of the materials that are used in the Spruce model inferior to the other models?
Are some models more resonant/louder acoustically than others?
So I know now that the Spruce model has inferior tuners, besides that is there anything else about the Spruce model that would make it less desirable?
Are some models better built than others?
 
#322
+1 subjective zone. Many here prefer the spruce's sound. It has cheaper hardware, case, and laminated back and sides vs. solid on the mahogany.

Acoustic vs. solid is a big difference.
Frets vs. no frets is a big difference.

All else is personal preference.
 
#323
gimmeagig said:
I wish I could compare the different models side by side, but I'm in Northern Idaho, it's amazing I found even just one of them.I am an Electric Bassist and I really don't know anything about acoustic instrument construction and how different woods affect the sound of an instrument. If there are any advantages of one over the other etc.
So maybe for me the question should not have been which sounds best( I know that is subjective) but :
Are there tonal differences between the various acoustic models.
Is it primarily a "Looks" thing or are some of the materials that are used in the Spruce model inferior to the other models?
Are some models more resonant/louder acoustically than others?
So I know now that the Spruce model has inferior tuners, besides that is there anything else about the Spruce model that would make it less desirable?
Are some models better built than others?
Click to expand...

Yes, the various models do sound a little different. Greater differences acoustically than plugged in - but those differences do get transferred to the plugged-in sound as well!

I put up some comparative pics a few pages back... Generally, the Spruce models seem to have a little more 'snap' and liveliness to them - the Mahogany are a little 'warmer'.

My 'generic' Spruce tuners are holding up great! Not sure there is a big quality difference between them and the Mahogany w/Hipshots that I also own.

The Spruce has laminated back & sides - might be a good thing depending on your local climate & where you travel to!

YES - there are quality differences from bass-to-bass of the same model! I encourage anyone to play it before you buy it (or make sure the retailer has a great return policy!). I've noticed significant differences in fret work, intonation and finish quality.
 
#324
I'm probably going to drag the ubass around with me, in the car, camping hiking w/my dogs, where ever I go because it's so small. Is the Spruce with the laminated sides tougher and more resitant to temp and humidity changes than the solids? can I buy the better tuners after the fact ? I probably can't do upgrades from the manufacturer, because they are made in China, right?
Anything else different? Bridge,Pickups, fretboard, workmanship?
 
#325
scotch said:
Yes, the various models do sound a little different. Greater differences acoustically than plugged in - but those differences do get transferred to the plugged-in sound as well!

I put up some comparative pics a few pages back... Generally, the Spruce models seem to have a little more 'snap' and liveliness to them - the Mahogany are a little 'warmer'.

My 'generic' Spruce tuners are holding up great! Not sure there is a big quality difference between them and the Mahogany w/Hipshots that I also own.

The Spruce has laminated back & sides - might be a good thing depending on your local climate & where you travel to!

YES - there are quality differences from bass-to-bass of the same model! I encourage anyone to play it before you buy it (or make sure the retailer has a great return policy!). I've noticed significant differences in fret work, intonation and finish quality.
Click to expand...
Hey thanks, you've answered quite a few of my questions.
So intonation can be off between different instruments? I assume there is no way to adjust that at the bridge, right?
What would be the best place for me to buy one if I wanted to make sure I get a good one?
 
#326
Sweetwater has a great return policy, great service, and they generally ship good instruments out. I got my Hog from Road Toad Music. He designed the darn thing, so I'm sure he would not ship out a bad piece. It was set up perfectly and I am very happy.

Just my opinion, I would strongly advise going for a fretless model. The self-intonation is really natural and it is easier to play consistently.
 
#327
No adjustment at the bridge.

Most intonate ok, but, yeah, I guess there have been some cases of otherwise.

Just buy with a return policy, and you should be ok.

The other solution to intonation concerns is to take matters into your own hands and ears and get a fretless. :)
 
#329
TimWatson said:
Sweetwater has a great return policy, great service, and they generally ship good instruments out. I got my Hog from Road Toad Music. He designed the darn thing, so I'm sure he would not ship out a bad piece. It was set up perfectly and I am very happy.

Just my opinion, I would strongly advise going for a fretless model. The self-intonation is really natural and it is easier to play consistently.
Click to expand...
I know, the fretless probably sounds better I wish I could try one out. Maybe I'll wait until July, I'll have to go to Seattle and I could stop by Bass Northwest. I'm just such a stickler for intonation, It always really bugs me when someone plays out of tune, Eddie Gomez Ray Brown, a lot of really good guys don't always play in tune and I just don't want to think about it. I have a really nice sounding fretless electric, I don't suck on it but my worry about intonation affects what I go for. It's hard enough as it is just to play the right notes:) I would be doing more with the ubass than roots and five. Some of the harder tunes we play are the Michel Camilo version of Armando's Rhumba for example and A Long Story by Eliane Elias...stuff like that and I don't think I could get those right on a fretless. So I'm chickening out:D
 
#331
gimmeagig said:
I know, the fretless probably sounds better I wish I could try one out. Maybe I'll wait until July, I'll have to go to Seattle and I could stop by Bass Northwest. I'm just such a stickler for intonation, It always really bugs me when someone plays out of tune, Eddie Gomez Ray Brown, a lot of really good guys don't always play in tune and I just don't want to think about it. I have a really nice sounding fretless electric, I don't suck on it but my worry about intonation affects what I go for. It's hard enough as it is just to play the right notes:) I would be doing more with the ubass than roots and five. Some of the harder tunes we play are the Michel Camilo version of Armando's Rhumba for example and A Long Story by Eliane Elias...stuff like that and I don't think I could get those right on a fretless. So I'm chickening out:D
Click to expand...

Have you checked out any of my YouTube videos? A decent amount of Latin tunes. Some are faster. I'm not a monster player or anything but I don't hate hearing myself play. I think the intonation on these things are very natural to achieve.
 
#334
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#336
Considering the number of shows I've done with my U-Bass, I've found very few clips online. Kinda relying on fans of the artists I work for.

I did get sent a link to this performance from December. It's a Canadian CBC live broadcast that they did of one of our shows. You'll have to select the song 'Start With Love' in the player, it's the only song they aired from the 'acoustic set'.
CBC Music

Signal chain was: U-Bass > Empress ParaEQ > DHA Custom DI (set flat). I don't know how much post-processing they did in the broadcast truck. No punches, no fixes, just naked performance. I think the tone is pretty rad! :smug:
 
#337
MiniMoose234 said:
I was looking to order a set of Aquilas for my SUB, but from what I can tell they're only available for the acoustics at the moment. Is this correct, or am I missing something?
Click to expand...

The gauges are the same. The issue is the ends.

These days, Thunderguts don't actually ship with ends. People often use a combination of a knot with the red grommets of the stock strings. That works fine. Right now, I'm using just knots on my acoustic. No issues.

On the SUBs, I guess there is less space at the end. I can't describe it any better because I don't have one.

I *think* someone here did put Thunderguts on a SUB, but I can't remember for sure.

At some point, there Will be a more definitive solution for this.
 
#338
scotch said:
I did get sent a link to this performance from December. It's a Canadian CBC live broadcast that they did of one of our shows. You'll have to select the song 'Start With Love' in the player, it's the only song they aired from the 'acoustic set'.
CBC Music
Click to expand...

Wow! Amazing sound, and it really blends perfect with the other instruments! Thanks for the link, and also thanks everybody for your answers to my previous thread...
 
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