I lightly suggested it a few weeks back, but the response was just that Mike would post a YouTube demo, which he did.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Kala UBass Megathread, Part 3
- Thread starter smperry
- Start date
- Status
If they wound up coming my way, I would have offered them up to Justin or another thread member if he declined.
It would be a fun test, but only if I had multiple UBasses.
I love my UBass with Thunderguts too much right now to mess with it at all.
She sounds and feels Perfect.
It would be a fun test, but only if I had multiple UBasses.
I love my UBass with Thunderguts too much right now to mess with it at all.
She sounds and feels Perfect.
Yeah Tim.
No offense to anyone here, but Tim has a great online presence with his YouTube channel. I've watched and listened to those recordings many times to get a feel for what can be done with the solid and acoustic Ubasses. I think he's got significant pull. Honestly, I can't imagine why they wouldn't pony up with a set or two of strings.
I'd love to hear the Pyramids on both the acoustic and solid body basses.
Tim, Tim, Tim, Tim, Tim, Tim.......
By the way, I wrote to Pyramid today and got a response.
It didn't quite answer my question, but from what I can figure out from the response, it does not sound like they did anything special in designing something that would have higher tension to compensate for the short scale.
In other words, you May find those strings floppy.
Again, I am sort of connecting the dots here based on what was said. It wasn't a direct answer to my question. The proof will be in someone actually getting them in hand.
One of the big advantages of the Thunderguts is that, with their custom synthetic material, they are able to dial a good tension even at a very short scale.
It didn't quite answer my question, but from what I can figure out from the response, it does not sound like they did anything special in designing something that would have higher tension to compensate for the short scale.
In other words, you May find those strings floppy.
Again, I am sort of connecting the dots here based on what was said. It wasn't a direct answer to my question. The proof will be in someone actually getting them in hand.
One of the big advantages of the Thunderguts is that, with their custom synthetic material, they are able to dial a good tension even at a very short scale.
dougness said:
Hey guys I'd love too...with one catch. I have a u-bass specific gig per week for the foreseeable future. And my Hog is set up exactly how I like it-with black stock strings. If I had a loaner ubass with the strings I'd play every gig on it for a month and record all of it for you all to see. Most of my gigs these days cover extremes, so I think I'd be able to adequately represent most musical situations (that an instrumental jazz trio format can provide). I would be in for a proposal of a loaner bass strung up and I'd do it.
If I knew the strings would not chew up a fretless board I'd consider trying them...are they true flatwound? Also my solid 5 is a long scale with lighter gauge strings, so the new ones would probably not fit. I sold my solid fretted 4 or I'd totally be up for trying them on that.
Someone try to hustle Mike. And see if they can send one to each me and Justin.
They don't sound or look floppy. I'd imagine that they are designed to have similar tension to Pahoehoes. If I had even decent recording gear, I'd be glad to try a set out.
Keep dreaming.
It certainly won't happen through me. I Do correspond with Mike, and they are all great people at Kala. But I have lightly suggested such things, and without a first name like Bakithi, Hutch, or Abe, they won't be sending a loaner my way.
But Tim - you should give it a crack. Can't hurt.
SBassman said:Keep dreaming.
It certainly won't happen through me. I Do correspond with Mike, and they are all great people at Kala. But I have lightly suggested such things, and without a first name like Bakithi, Hutch, or Abe, they won't be sending a loaner my way.
But Tim - you should give it a crack. Can't hurt.
Dude I am a nobody. I just like to have good tone. But like you said, can't hurt...maybe with the backup of you all... But Justin is definitely more qualified.
You're not a nobody. Many people know who you are these days because of all the great work you did posting the videos. You're a perfect candidate for a test drive.
Let's try to stay positive about this. There are a lot of people on this forum regularly. Anyone considering a Ubass will be reading these threads. That's a lot free advertising. Compared to one of those full-page spreads in Bass Player magazine, a couple of sets of strings donated to a bunch of interested players is an insignificant and worthwhile expense.
Clearly, everyone here is hesitant to spend $60 on a set of strings they may not like. If only a couple of us bought a set of Pyramids from them, their cost would be covered.
I'll send an e-mail and make a call. I think we can make this happen.
Clearly, everyone here is hesitant to spend $60 on a set of strings they may not like. If only a couple of us bought a set of Pyramids from them, their cost would be covered.
I'll send an e-mail and make a call. I think we can make this happen.
These Pyramids. Is there enough metal in the windings to drive a magnetic pick up? They seem to be similar to TI Acousticores. Do they drive mag pickups? I love the size of the ubass and the Pyramid demo sounded really nice in a different way and a very small bass sounds exciting.
scotch
It's not rocket science!
- Nov 12, 2006
- 6,944
- 2,081
- 51
- Disclosures
- Please see Profile for Endorsement disclosures
dougness said:
Agreed. This thread is DEFINITELY selling U-Basses & strings as well! Many here are contributing multimedia as well as thoughtful reviews. Seems a no-brainer from a marketing perspective.
FWIW I've bought two U-basses because of this thread (and one was solely because of Tim's videos)
cultrvultr said:
Then please send an email to Kala too. The more people influenced the better. And if the strings aren't for me, I'll give them away to you all
Do you know for sure that he's still building?
That website looks like it hasn't been touched in a long time.
I know he still sells parts and stuff, but I'm wondering if he's actually still building Uke basses. I agree - if you Could get that custom build for < 700, that would be very reasonable.
I still need the 4 - 500 dollar version.
While I Love the UBass, I'm also of the belief that we're paying a premium for them at this point in history. There are not tons of complex additional steps to build uke basses. They Should be in the price range of a baritone uke.
Someday, other manufacturers will wake up and see how easy this is, and there will be models on the market for 2 - 300 dollars. Just a matter of time.
The Beaver Creek could be an instant entry and winner in the U.S. market - if that company would only wake up. Very entertaining to see Kala selling a ton of these in the U.S., while Beaver Creek has a design with on board volume and tone controls at a much lower price point - yet, they don't market in the U.S. Money left on the table.
Those who cry 'cheap, cheaper, cheapest' should not complain about chinese 'quality' or the loss of jobs in western countries.
Had my first rehearsal with the new 'hog fretless on Saturday night with a bluegrass/hokum blues band that I'm going to be playing bass with. They were blown away by the UBass.
The tone really lent itself to bluegrass. If it wasn't for the intonation issues with my damaged D string, I would have played it all night (if you remember Kala is sending me a new one). Instead I switched to my other upright substitute, by Godin A4 with LaBella nylon flats.
Based on recommendations here I picked up a Fishman Platinum Pro, and I gotta say my Godin has never sounded more like an upright. And it really did everything I wanted it to do for the Kala.
I'm LOVING this little baby. I figure if I'm playing this out enough, I may be willing to spring for a custom job by RoadToad eventually (if he's still building - that'll be a while down the road).
I'm also wondering about a fretless Cali with Pyramid strings on it... might be a fun alternative to my other electrics.
Question is... are the Pyramid strings flat- or round-wound?
The tone really lent itself to bluegrass. If it wasn't for the intonation issues with my damaged D string, I would have played it all night (if you remember Kala is sending me a new one). Instead I switched to my other upright substitute, by Godin A4 with LaBella nylon flats.
Based on recommendations here I picked up a Fishman Platinum Pro, and I gotta say my Godin has never sounded more like an upright. And it really did everything I wanted it to do for the Kala.
I'm LOVING this little baby. I figure if I'm playing this out enough, I may be willing to spring for a custom job by RoadToad eventually (if he's still building - that'll be a while down the road).
I'm also wondering about a fretless Cali with Pyramid strings on it... might be a fun alternative to my other electrics.
Question is... are the Pyramid strings flat- or round-wound?
- Status
