Kala UBass Megathread, Part 3

[scotch]

I'm sure this has been addressed, how do you put in the strap pin? Where might one order a pin like that from, where do you put it in? and how would you install it with what tools and such? Thanks a bunch

Any guitar store will sell you a strap button and screw.

You'll need that, a screwdriver, small piece of tape, a scribe or starter punch, a drill and a drill bit slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw. And a bar of hand soap is also recommended...

1) locate where you want your strap button. Ideally in a thick piece of wood, not touching any binding or purfling, etc... I like mine at a slightly downward angle set in the neck heel.
2) mark the exact spot of entry with the scribe
3) use the tape to mark a depth gauge on your bit. Make it just deep enough to accept the length of the screw (insert screw in button & measure the exposed threaded portion).
4) CAREFULLY drill your hole at the desired angle. To avoid slipping on entry, use a scribe or starter punch to create a 'dimple' to get you started!
5) coat threads of screw by rolling it on bar of soap. This helps the screw to go in smoothly and is recommended on new screw holes!
6) screw in your strap button! If it feels very difficult to screw, or you feel or hear any cracking - stop! You didn't use a big enough drill bit! The bit should be smaller than the cutting threads on your screw, but about the same diameter as the solid portion of the shaft within the threaded area (if that makes sense).

If any of the above sounds tricky - let a guitar store or repairman do it! It won't cost you much (less than a pack of strings).

 

[Gorn]

Any guitar store will sell you a strap button and screw.

You'll need that, a screwdriver, small piece of tape, a scribe or starter punch, a drill and a drill bit slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw. And a bar of hand soap is also recommended...

1) locate where you want your strap button. Ideally in a thick piece of wood, not touching any binding or purfling, etc... I like mine at a slightly downward angle set in the neck heel.
2) mark the exact spot of entry with the scribe
3) use the tape to mark a depth gauge on your bit. Make it just deep enough to accept the length of the screw (insert screw in button & measure the exposed threaded portion).
4) CAREFULLY drill your hole at the desired angle. To avoid slipping on entry, use a scribe or starter punch to create a 'dimple' to get you started!
5) coat threads of screw by rolling it on bar of soap. This helps the screw to go in smoothly and is recommended on new screw holes!
6) screw in your strap button! If it feels very difficult to screw, or you feel or hear any cracking - stop! You didn't use a big enough drill bit! The bit should be smaller than the cutting threads on your screw, but about the same diameter as the solid portion of the shaft within the threaded area (if that makes sense).

If any of the above sounds tricky - let a guitar store or repairman do it! It won't cost you much (less than a pack of strings).

Much appreciated.

 

[yeelaberbin]

Mark said:
"i'm working on going through all the posts from the previous megathreads"
Courage!

 

[Feral Feline]

Any guitar store will sell you a strap button and screw.

You'll need that, a screwdriver, small piece of tape, a scribe or starter punch, a drill and a drill bit slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw. And a bar of hand soap is also recommended...

1) locate where you want your strap button. Ideally in a thick piece of wood, not touching any binding or purfling, etc... I like mine at a slightly downward angle set in the neck heel.
2) mark the exact spot of entry with the scribe
3) use the tape to mark a depth gauge on your bit. Make it just deep enough to accept the length of the screw (insert screw in button & measure the exposed threaded portion).
4) CAREFULLY drill your hole at the desired angle. To avoid slipping on entry, use a scribe or starter punch to create a 'dimple' to get you started!
5) coat threads of screw by rolling it on bar of soap. This helps the screw to go in smoothly and is recommended on new screw holes!
6) screw in your strap button! If it feels very difficult to screw, or you feel or hear any cracking - stop! You didn't use a big enough drill bit! The bit should be smaller than the cutting threads on your screw, but about the same diameter as the solid portion of the shaft within the threaded area (if that makes sense).

If any of the above sounds tricky - let a guitar store or repairman do it! It won't cost you much (less than a pack of strings).

Hiya Scotch.

But for one thing, everything made sense in your post, including step 6's bit about threads/shaft diameter.

That one thing:
What I'm scratchin' my noggin about is the comment in step 1:

I like mine at a slightly downward angle set in the neck heel.

Downward angle as it relates to... what? Pic?

Sorry Single Malty, my brain isn't projecting an image on me ol' visual cortex (it's nearly 2am here, so I'm a wee bit groggy). Much obliged if you could clarify.

Cheers,
FF

 

[caeman]

I think I have finally figured out to attach a pole to the bottom strap so I play the U-Bass like an upright: PVC. I can put a wooden dowel into the pvc to stiffen it up. Using a plastic end cap, I could cut a slot for the bottom strap and leave a slot for the instrument cable.

Or a very short piece of PVC with an end cap for said slot.

 

[scotch]

Hiya Scotch.

But for one thing, everything made sense in your post, including step 6's bit about threads/shaft diameter.

That one thing:
What I'm scratchin' my noggin about is the comment in step 1:

Downward angle as it relates to... what? Pic?

Sorry Single Malty, my brain isn't projecting an image on me ol' visual cortex (it's nearly 2am here, so I'm a wee bit groggy). Much obliged if you could clarify.

Cheers,
FF

Downward as in:
If you think of the neck as a 'horizontal' plane in playing position, I like the strap to be slightly off parallel with it pointed slightly toward the floor. If you point it towards the sky, it's more likely the strap could slide off. Of course, you dont want to point it too low either, but methinks erring towards pointing down is better!

 

[dougness]

I'm sure this has been addressed, how do you put in the strap pin? Where might one order a pin like that from, where do you put it in? and how would you install it with what tools and such? Thanks a bunch

Go to page 7 of this megathread (part 3). Tim Watson's post is the second post from the bottom and has a photo of a strap button installed in what appears to be the ideal location.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

Here: this is ideal for me. Because I tend to play U-bass at about a 45 degree angle. This puts it in the perfect position:




My YouTube channel is watsontbass. That angle is very natural for me.

 

[scotch]

+1 to Tims placement! I think that's the goal!

 

[SBassman]

Toying with getting my Hog ubass defretted.

How would it differ from one sold as fretless by Kala?

Is there anyone here who went from fretted to fretless and regretted it?

I went from fretted to fretless - via exchanging the bass, not defretting a fretted one - and it has been much love for me.
Never looking back.

 

[SBassman]

Fretless is the way, the truth and life.

| I'm thinking T-shirts are in order.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

I bought a fretless hog. Then a solid Cali fretted. Then another solid Cali 5 fretless. Sold the fretted. Fretless is so sweet! Even when replacing a fretted (playing fretless hog on Motown tunes instead of a P, etc.). It is still better than frets in this case ---IMO---

 

[fingerbun]

Thanks for the replies. Looking at defretting because it would probably be cheaper than trading.

 

[SBassman]

Thanks for the replies. Looking at defretting because it would probably be cheaper than trading.

I don't know in Australia, but in the U.S. I don't think I'd recommend that.

Yes, it always costs a bit to flip an instrument, but resale value seems to be holding on these. When I migrated from fretted to fretless, it didn't cost me that much to achieve it.

 

[SBassman]

My UBass once again has a backplate, thanks to our friends at Kala.

 

[slaerts]

Thanks for the replies. Looking at defretting because it would probably be cheaper than trading.

PM

 

[KalaBrand]

Mark and Kala,

Please continue to post updates to this thread. This is THE home for ubass owners on the Internet.

A big +1 to giving Scotch and Tim Watson new gear for review. Their sound samples and videos are the reason I've bought two ubasses already.

I've really enjoyed Tim's stuff on YouTube. I haven't seen Scotch's. Please post a couple of links for me.

BTW I did search YouTube for Scotch, but just ended up finding videos on how to enjoy my favorite beverage

 

[scotch]

I've really enjoyed Tim's stuff on YouTube. I haven't seen Scotch's. Please post a couple of links for me.

BTW I did search YouTube for Scotch, but just ended up finding videos on how to enjoy my favorite beverage

Ha! Yeah, Scotch is my dogs name. ;-)

Youtube clips are tricky for me as I'm dealing with artists with record deals, etc.. I think folks are referring to my Aquila/Pahoehoe review with a variety of clips (including my favorite sounds that I use live and in the studio. There are some live CBC shows of me using it with Paul Brandt on tour in Canada this past winter... I'll try to find them.

Im not looking for any endorement deals, but Ive definitely sold a bunch of U-Basses! Made some impact opening for Taylor Swift in the fall, not so much with the 13 year old fans, but some of the other musicians dug the bass & made purchases. Need To Breathe's bass player ran out & got one pretty fast! The U-Bass sounded pretty sick in arenas! No feedback issues either.

Thanks for a GREAT sounding, looking and usable instrument! I've made a lot of scratch thanks to it. Cheers, Kala!

 

[KalaBrand]

Yes, we at aquila are italiane. However i assure that we do not spent our time just to play mandolins and eating macaoni all the time. Ok?
I hope that it is just a jockey .
Regards
Mimmo Peruffo

Mimmo, it was only a joke. I know you guys are VERY busy making all kinds of great stuff.

If I knew of anywhere in the world where all they did was play mandolin and eat macaroni I myself would immediately go live there.

----------

Mimmo, era solo uno scherzo. So che voi siete molto impegnati a fare ogni genere di cose grandi.

Se avessi saputo di qualsiasi parte del mondo dove tutto ciò che ha fatto è stato suonare il mandolino e mangiano maccheroni mi sarebbe immediatamente andare a vivere lì.

 

[Mimmo]

Thanks,
My english is not the best , Thanks for the explanation
I will meet mike here at the caldogno ukulele meeting next july...
I have some nice things to show him (strings of course, not spaghetti )
We will have a very good time
Ciao
Mimmo