Pahoehoe is the official Kala and Road Toad brand of U bass strings. Worth is an unrelated Asian company.
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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 3
- Thread starter smperry
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Without trying to be condescending, the concept of plastics and polymer / fluor carbon string type materials is relatively new to the bass guitar industry. I'm also a uke player, and in that musical niche that product is well rated for well over 5 years that I have subscribed on three forums. I therefore disagree with you, when you say that Worth is an unrelated Asian Company. Competition is good, and keeps the prices in check, which to the end user is a good thing.
I remember the Kala brand entering the uke market not so long ago. I am not an agent or an endorsing artist, just an amateur musician, who reads up and tries to ask questions in order to avoid buying the wrong thing. I have tried Aquila, Fremont, GHS and Worth strings on my ukes, and Aquila is my choice.
As I am now also interested in the Kala Bass, there will be 3 string manufacturers that I know of at this point to read more about on this forum, to better my bass experience. Keep well and thank you to everybody for their input.
I remember the Kala brand entering the uke market not so long ago. I am not an agent or an endorsing artist, just an amateur musician, who reads up and tries to ask questions in order to avoid buying the wrong thing. I have tried Aquila, Fremont, GHS and Worth strings on my ukes, and Aquila is my choice.
As I am now also interested in the Kala Bass, there will be 3 string manufacturers that I know of at this point to read more about on this forum, to better my bass experience. Keep well and thank you to everybody for their input.
If you do take the plunge, consider giving Aquila a chance.
If you like them on your ukes, I think you are going to love
them on the bass.
If you like them on your ukes, I think you are going to love
them on the bass.
scotch
It's not rocket science!
- Nov 12, 2006
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Bryan sure dislikes those Thunderguts!
Others have had great experiences with them!
Here's my review with sound examples:
justinoscarcary.com - Gear Reviews - -Aquila 'Thundergut' Bass Ukulele Strings
No - I think when Tim sees your quote, he will not subscribe to it.
It's not his preference, but, I don't believe he would use your words.
Most people enjoying stability and tight tone who try the Thunderguts will stick with them. Not all, but most.
I do dislike them. As you can see. I actually wonder if having a background of Double bass has something to do with Tim also not preferring them?
Stability is not really a problem with a tuner and a lift here and there. On fretless the ear fine tunes them too.
Tight tone? No problem there if your touch is precise.
BTW, can the basses be ordered with T-Guts now?
Stability is not really a problem with a tuner and a lift here and there. On fretless the ear fine tunes them too.
Tight tone? No problem there if your touch is precise.
BTW, can the basses be ordered with T-Guts now?
Mike Upton has pledged to do a video on the Pyramids sometime soon.
It's gonna be hard for anyone to review them, because most of us can't afford a 50 dollar experiment.
In all likelihood, they are going to make the UBass sound like - any other ABG.
I'm interested to know what they did, if anything, to create a higher tension string to compensate for the super small scale.
It's gonna be hard for anyone to review them, because most of us can't afford a 50 dollar experiment.
In all likelihood, they are going to make the UBass sound like - any other ABG.
I'm interested to know what they did, if anything, to create a higher tension string to compensate for the super small scale.
By the way, if anyone really Does want to go the steel string route on this bass, a less expensive alternative May be - the replacement sets that are sold for the Beaver Creek Travel bass.
I have no experience with the strings, so I have no idea if they are any good or not. I Think they are made by DAddario.
I have no experience with the strings, so I have no idea if they are any good or not. I Think they are made by DAddario.
@caeman : The pre-amp discussions in this same thread have been of interest to me as well. Had a read on the Fishman website, and went to the LR Baggs site which I have not finished reading yet. The topic of Pre-amps amongst performing musicians could be whittled down to reliability, effectiveness, and not too bulky, (preference was given to have it clipped onto a belt). MixPro and Gig Pro were mentioned. When compared to the Fishman Platinum model, the Fishman has more bells and whistles. Whether the LR Baggs units can can handle Bass signals,when compared to the Fishman's purpose made unit, I have not yet been able to read about. It could maybe just be targetted at acoustic guitars, ukes, mandolins, violins etc?
Compact, effective (nearby, less wires, simple), some sort of shockproof rating, would get me interested.
It makes for good reading. String choice, differs per user. On other forums participants would do eactly what is done here: Recommend what they are happy with.
Compact, effective (nearby, less wires, simple), some sort of shockproof rating, would get me interested.
It makes for good reading. String choice, differs per user. On other forums participants would do eactly what is done here: Recommend what they are happy with.
scotch
It's not rocket science!
- Nov 12, 2006
- 6,944
- 2,081
- 51
- Disclosures
- Please see Profile for Endorsement disclosures
bluecab said:
Oh no! I hate wasting time & money! (sarcasm)
In all seriousness, Thunderguts aren't for everyone. Virtually no product is. I like them & have been using them live since I switched. And I'm talking big arena shows with pro pa and foh engineers with a resume. I changed to Aquila's mid-tour. Yes, I cut more treble. After the 1st switched show I made it a point to ask the soundman of the change was ok. He didn't notice any change.
I like the Pahoehoes too! They sound great & are easier to eq. Im fortunate rigjt now to have 2 U-Basses: one with Pahoehoes and one with Thunderguts. I do tend to favor the Pahoehoes slightly in the stidio, but I've ended up using both. Interestingly, I think the Aquila's sound better on my mahogany thany spruce.
Waste of time & money? "Quintessence" that they are? As a full time professional who relies on my gear to pay the mortgage- I must respectfully disagree.
Are Thundergut's for everybody in all situations? No. Are they a great option for gigging players? You betcha! Plus, I think they have additional appeal to electric bassists who didnt like the looser feeling Pahoehoe strings.
Different strokes for different folks.
For the record, I am not a paid Aquila endorser. I have recieved various strings to test (Aquila continues to 'tweak' the strings), but I have no formal agreement with them or otherwise endorse the company. I just found that they solved issues I had with the stock Pahoehoes and have served me extremely well on tour with my artist clients.
Wow all the discussion all of a sudden. I guess I will chime in.
Thanks Frank, for the backup. I would never describe anything as a waste of money unless I knew I would not like it or need it before I spent it. I had a weird experience buying ThunderGuts that worked itself out extremely to my benefit when Mimmo got involved (Aquila's owner). My experience with him made me want to be an Aquila customer for life. I put them on and could immediately see why so many prefer this string. More stability, sustain, tighter, brighter tone. I am using the U-Bass generally in place of an upright or an old school thumpy P-Bass. I play a fretless one and strings that have more sustain and harmonics did not fit the tone an feel I am chasing. If stock strings have a Paul Chambers warm thump, the TG's are Jaco. Not that extreme, but in comparison that is the character difference, at least on my bass. Had I not sold my fretted solid U-Bass, I most surely would have figured out a stringing solution for the TG's and put them on there. But now I know, and now I know the strings that point me toward my tone goals all the more. It is a matter of personal preference, and well-spent money. Far from a waste. Justin mentioned that Aquila had solved all his issues with the stock strings. That is not a waste.
I'll also chime in on the preamps. In UB amps, accessories, etc. there is a platinum Pro on sale for $100. I thought about getting it, as it is raved about here, but I have been going a little too Hog wild with gear this year. I realized the other night I am perfectly happy with the tone and function of exactly what I have. I just sold my Radial PZ-Pre (an awesome piece, BTW) because it was too redundant with other stuff I have. For acoustic-specific preamps, the L. R. Baggs Para-EQ is amazing, and Yes it more than handles bass instruments. The frequency centers and features actually seem tailored to a bassist's needs. In all my YouTube U-Bass videos where I am not standing in front of Hanging bar glasses I am using it. It is listed in the descriptions. the VT Bass is also an excellent front end tone shaper. It is not acoustic specific (no high pass or phase inverters, notch filters, etc.) but naturally compresses and warms my sound up. The input is already 1MegOhm so it handles Piezos beautifully. I never leave home without that piece, with any instrument on any gig. I hope someone here picks up that platinum pro for sale.
Thanks Frank, for the backup. I would never describe anything as a waste of money unless I knew I would not like it or need it before I spent it. I had a weird experience buying ThunderGuts that worked itself out extremely to my benefit when Mimmo got involved (Aquila's owner). My experience with him made me want to be an Aquila customer for life. I put them on and could immediately see why so many prefer this string. More stability, sustain, tighter, brighter tone. I am using the U-Bass generally in place of an upright or an old school thumpy P-Bass. I play a fretless one and strings that have more sustain and harmonics did not fit the tone an feel I am chasing. If stock strings have a Paul Chambers warm thump, the TG's are Jaco. Not that extreme, but in comparison that is the character difference, at least on my bass. Had I not sold my fretted solid U-Bass, I most surely would have figured out a stringing solution for the TG's and put them on there. But now I know, and now I know the strings that point me toward my tone goals all the more. It is a matter of personal preference, and well-spent money. Far from a waste. Justin mentioned that Aquila had solved all his issues with the stock strings. That is not a waste.
I'll also chime in on the preamps. In UB amps, accessories, etc. there is a platinum Pro on sale for $100. I thought about getting it, as it is raved about here, but I have been going a little too Hog wild with gear this year. I realized the other night I am perfectly happy with the tone and function of exactly what I have. I just sold my Radial PZ-Pre (an awesome piece, BTW) because it was too redundant with other stuff I have. For acoustic-specific preamps, the L. R. Baggs Para-EQ is amazing, and Yes it more than handles bass instruments. The frequency centers and features actually seem tailored to a bassist's needs. In all my YouTube U-Bass videos where I am not standing in front of Hanging bar glasses I am using it. It is listed in the descriptions. the VT Bass is also an excellent front end tone shaper. It is not acoustic specific (no high pass or phase inverters, notch filters, etc.) but naturally compresses and warms my sound up. The input is already 1MegOhm so it handles Piezos beautifully. I never leave home without that piece, with any instrument on any gig. I hope someone here picks up that platinum pro for sale.
So here are my questions for you experts:
I’ve owned a beautiful red solid body California fretted 4-string for the better part of a year now. It’s a great instrument, but I’ve still got GAS for a fretless ‘hog.
The solid body is a great instrument, but I want the look and sound of an acoustic instrument. Some questions:
1. Will I miss the tone controls of the solid body?
2. Will an acoustic u-bass actually sound noticeably more acoustic than the solid body?
3. I’ve owned a couple cheap fretlesses before and always sounded pretty horrible on them. Is the adjustment easier with the smaller scale?
What do you think is a fair price for the used US solid body in mint condition with the gigbag and charger? I’ll list in the classifieds in a few days.
I’ve owned a beautiful red solid body California fretted 4-string for the better part of a year now. It’s a great instrument, but I’ve still got GAS for a fretless ‘hog.
The solid body is a great instrument, but I want the look and sound of an acoustic instrument. Some questions:
1. Will I miss the tone controls of the solid body?
2. Will an acoustic u-bass actually sound noticeably more acoustic than the solid body?
3. I’ve owned a couple cheap fretlesses before and always sounded pretty horrible on them. Is the adjustment easier with the smaller scale?
What do you think is a fair price for the used US solid body in mint condition with the gigbag and charger? I’ll list in the classifieds in a few days.
Here is a very short demo just posted by Kala - of
the Pyramid strings:
Pyramid Copper Wound Strings on a Kala U-Bass - YouTube
the Pyramid strings:
Pyramid Copper Wound Strings on a Kala U-Bass - YouTube
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