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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 3

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#124
I just tried out a fretless U-Bass at a store in Lahaina. It was truly fretless, but it had fret markings. I can't think of a good reason why NOT to get it that way, can you? Maybe all of the fretless UBases have fret markings now anyway, I dunno.

Also, the store owner told me that they've redesigned the tuners to eliminate that snapping-off problem they originally had—true?

Plugged the thing directly into a Hartke 410 combo. Barely gave it any Master at all. Boy, it sounded loud and great. ESPECIALLY, the E and A strings.
 
#125
Jack Clark said:
I just tried out a fretless U-Bass at a store in Lahaina. It was truly fretless, but it had fret markings. I can't think of a good reason why NOT to get it that way, can you? Maybe all of the fretless UBases have fret markings now anyway, I dunno.

Also, the store owner told me that they've redesigned the tuners to eliminate that snapping-off problem they originally had—true?

Plugged the thing directly into a Hartke 410 combo. Barely gave it any Master at all. Boy, it sounded loud and great. ESPECIALLY, the E and A strings.
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- I believe they do all have fret markings.

- They have not redesigned the tuners. They seem to be using the die cast ones on the spruce and the better ones on the mahogany. Look at the details on the website for each particular model.
 
#128
I want a fretless mahogany acoustic too...was actually my first choice. I ordered the electric though because I know I'll get good use out of it, and I couldn't pass up the pattern on the one Sweetwater had in stock. The acoustic will be next if the electric doesn't irritate my RSI.
 
#129
I am curious to try a U-Bass through a Source Audio Bass MWD Pro. With its EQ, noise gate, 6 presets and many forms of overdrive/distortion available, surely there is something in there that would give the U-Bass an interesting tone.
 
#132
sorry tim...it might sound good, but it looks weird. couldn't get used to two different sets of strings on this instrument. on an upright? sure. besides, and i have to say up front that i've never tried the thunderguts, they just sound like they would rob the bass of a few of its key features...but i'll eventually get around to trying them out out of curiosity alone. my ubass is finally reached a level of string stability, so i'm going with that for a while.

btw: just scored another two gigs on the ubass. this bass has now already paid for itself several times over. i love this bass.
 
#134
bassist4dalord said:
3-27Unload099.jpg


Here's a cool pic of NEEDTOBREATHE bassist Seth Bolt playing a Kala U-Bass for their acoustic set last night, after the electric set. The U-Bass sounded really, really cool. Sorry for the crappy pic!
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Awesome! I need to call Seth. We were both on last years Taylor Swift tour (playing with different acts, obviously). He seemed surprised at my instrument selection, but dug what it was doing. Another sale! ;)

Great bunch of guys, btw. They kill it live, too!
 
#136
My solid body UBass arrived today. Very cool little bass...spent all evening playing it. I understand the earlier recommendations; the fretless is easy to play and doesn't require too much to land the notes where I want them.

Now I'll wait for Sweetwater to get the fretless acoustic version in stock.
 
#137
Hey Tim...was watching one of your videos and noticed your acoustic ubass was better positioned than mine when standing...you have attached a strap button right? Also, what kind of strap are you using? I have a regular strap...I cut the hole so that it would fit over the button jack, and tie the top to the headstock acoustic guitar style. I hate it that way. Please enlighten me. Also, I gotta say I'm a fan of your bass playing. Smooth stuff.
 
#138
I've had a couple days with the solid body UBass and I'm a bit torn. I dig the size, the feel, and the tone, but I'm having a hard time finding a match between the bass and the price. The sum total of the materials falls well short of the $1k price tag so I would expect the balance to be made up in workmanship. The very basic satin finish with some flaws, chipped holes for the screws and strings, and a misaligned tuner aren't helping to sell the workmanship aspect.

I really wish the fretless mahogany acoustic had been in stock...I could handle a few flaws at that price point. Considering what else is available for $1000, this just isn't getting me excited. :rollno:
 
#139
hopturn said:
Hey Tim...was watching one of your videos and noticed your acoustic ubass was better positioned than mine when standing...you have attached a strap button right? Also, what kind of strap are you using? I have a regular strap...I cut the hole so that it would fit over the button jack, and tie the top to the headstock acoustic guitar style. I hate it that way. Please enlighten me. Also, I gotta say I'm a fan of your bass playing. Smooth stuff.
Click to expand...

Thanks for watching. And thanks for the compliments. Yes, I put a strap button on the neck heel. I use a cheap nylon strap with the jack hole cut a little bigger. That puts it exactly where I need the instrument. I need the high angle as much for my right hand as for my left.
 
#140
Thank you VERY much for that photo. I think that little modification needs to be standard. Playing in your living room or studio is one thing, but i like the headstock raised...makes a big difference.

One last question...what strap buttons did you use? I'm going to do this little operation at home, and I want to get it right.
 
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