I don't *think* there are different gauges out in the wild, so those should be fine. They are also back in stock at the Kala website.
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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 4
- Thread starter smperry
- Start date
- Status
I don't *think* there are different gauges out in the wild, so those should be fine. They are also back in stock at the Kala website.
"""What Sam Ash lets happen to their ubasses"""
Cool picture! What NOT to do to an ubass
I finally defretted my ubass, and I´m really happy with it! Had to sand A LOT, but I love the sound of the thing now. It does have a nice double bass sound, but in a very small size. Now I´m learning to play in tune, and it is easier than expected.
One thing I´d like to point out: My thunderguts do have marks where the frets meeted them. I don´t know if paehoes do have the same problem, but that must affect the string stability (tuning) for sure.
Cool picture! What NOT to do to an ubass
I finally defretted my ubass, and I´m really happy with it! Had to sand A LOT, but I love the sound of the thing now. It does have a nice double bass sound, but in a very small size. Now I´m learning to play in tune, and it is easier than expected.
One thing I´d like to point out: My thunderguts do have marks where the frets meeted them. I don´t know if paehoes do have the same problem, but that must affect the string stability (tuning) for sure.
"""What Sam Ash lets happen to their ubasses"""
Cool picture! What NOT to do to an ubass
I finally defretted my ubass, and I´m really happy with it! Had to sand A LOT, but I love the sound of the thing now. It does have a nice double bass sound, but in a very small size. Now I´m learning to play in tune, and it is easier than expected.
One thing I´d like to point out: My thunderguts do have marks where the frets meeted them. I don´t know if paehoes do have the same problem, but that must affect the string stability (tuning) for sure.
I'm jealous. You now have a fretless with the side dots in the right places.
They're the correct strings, I've bought three sets from them.
Just the strings come, no washers, so re-use your originals.
You have to knot the ends, or on my solidbody I used cable ties.
I noticed that too.
Maybe things got scrambled in the translation from Italian.
Or if you're a righty playing a lefty bass upside down?
P.S. How long do you think it will take them to realize they're selling them for cost and not making a profit @ $16.50?
Thanks for the info on the Thunderguts, davewave!!! Much appreciated. Yeah, I wondered why the price is so low. I don't think they know what's in the package. The guy who responded from Elderly said the Thunderguts wouldn't work on the U-Bass. I wonder who they think they're going to sell them to.
Hello,
I received an instrument from a German dealer (no model in my neck of the woods). It seems it's a standard one: hard to tune, nice sound when plugged.
It's features:
- a bit flat at the 12th fret, nearly a quarter-tone on the D-string;
- compared to other strings the A-string is a bit quiet when plugged;
- a very unusual (unique?) bridge saddle. It's not compensated for each strings, and it's made of wood (Mahogany I guess).
With all the tuning issues I am thinking to send it back.
Jack
I received an instrument from a German dealer (no model in my neck of the woods). It seems it's a standard one: hard to tune, nice sound when plugged.
It's features:
- a bit flat at the 12th fret, nearly a quarter-tone on the D-string;
- compared to other strings the A-string is a bit quiet when plugged;
- a very unusual (unique?) bridge saddle. It's not compensated for each strings, and it's made of wood (Mahogany I guess).
With all the tuning issues I am thinking to send it back.
Jack
Attachments
Hi. it looks like you got a Spruce Top lefty model.
Regarding the D-string tuning, many times a re-stringing will help the intonation issues. Many people like the Aquila Thundeguts for their power, brighter tone, and superior tuning stability.
I have never seen a bridge like that. But newer bridges are not compensated but straight across. My instrument doesn't notice that. I have seen weak string on these before and it is likely a problem with the pickup element. It is relatively easy to change yourself. A call to Kala had me a new pickup in a few days. I bet that would help. Either way, a bad pickup is unacceptable on a brand new instrument, so I would definitely take steps to get it resolved.
I'm not sure if they make a lefty fretless, but several of us (me included) have become huge believers in going fretless when it comes to the U-Bass. If you have the opportunity to try one I would highly recommend it. Natural fears of difficult intonation with the short scale abound, but counterintuitively, it is actually EASIER to play in tune and the feel is very natural. Also you get a more consistent and even tone with string straight on wood.
Regarding the D-string tuning, many times a re-stringing will help the intonation issues. Many people like the Aquila Thundeguts for their power, brighter tone, and superior tuning stability.
I have never seen a bridge like that. But newer bridges are not compensated but straight across. My instrument doesn't notice that. I have seen weak string on these before and it is likely a problem with the pickup element. It is relatively easy to change yourself. A call to Kala had me a new pickup in a few days. I bet that would help. Either way, a bad pickup is unacceptable on a brand new instrument, so I would definitely take steps to get it resolved.
I'm not sure if they make a lefty fretless, but several of us (me included) have become huge believers in going fretless when it comes to the U-Bass. If you have the opportunity to try one I would highly recommend it. Natural fears of difficult intonation with the short scale abound, but counterintuitively, it is actually EASIER to play in tune and the feel is very natural. Also you get a more consistent and even tone with string straight on wood.
After posting this last week, contacted Will in the service dept and arranged to bring my bass in. Also reached out Mark Milazzo, the Kala Brand Manager who has been been posting here. Mark was gracious enough to take some time out of his busy day to spend some time with me and my wife when went to Kala HQ. We got a nice little tour of their facility which includes a giant warehouse, office space and the smaller than you would think shop where all the basses are checked out before shipping out to dealers. The tech was able to fix my fret problem while we had lunch so go Ubass back same day.
Mark also set up a little mini demo room as most of their gear was still at or in transit from summer NAMM. Got a chance to check out a fretless spruce top and bass strung with Thunderguts and the Pyramid steel strings. My initial impression with the Thunderguts was that they felt great but not so different from the stock strings or at least not enough to buy a set yet. That may change after I've had more time with the Ubass. One aspect of the Pyramids that were very cool is the acoustic volume. They are quite a bit louder than the other 2 types and felt like they would be perfect for acoustic jams.
Special thanks to Mark for hosting us and the service team for taking care of the fix so quickly. Can't wait to start gigging with my Ubass!
Thanks for the answers. I've read your past messages Tim, about the fact of playing the UBass fretless. I've seen your videos too. It make sense. But it's not yet possible for left-handers!
I like the Babybass type of sound, but it's difficult to play hard on these strings (if you like that). Playing bass is also a matter of physical commitment (for me at least).
We need more data on this intonation thing. I think most of the statements made to date on fretted intonation have been about the acoustics. Anyone with a solidbody - Cali or SUB - want to comment on the intonation of their bass?
I have been waiting for a lower cost fretless solidbody option, but, I must admit I miss my fretted. I love the fun of the fretless, but I want a fretted, too. Especially if the intonation on the fretted solidbodies are better than the acoustics.
Experiences from the solidbody owners?
I have been waiting for a lower cost fretless solidbody option, but, I must admit I miss my fretted. I love the fun of the fretless, but I want a fretted, too. Especially if the intonation on the fretted solidbodies are better than the acoustics.
Experiences from the solidbody owners?
My dream design:
- Semi hollow body design, with a block underneath the bridge area, so that a steel/adjustable bridge could be used.
- Adjustable steel bridge, with piezo's in the saddles.
- 23 inch scale. Just a Little more than what is used today.
- Onboard volume and tone.
- F-holes that are shaped like the shape they use on Rickenbacker guitars.
- Thunderguts, of course.
My Perfect Bass.
- Semi hollow body design, with a block underneath the bridge area, so that a steel/adjustable bridge could be used.
- Adjustable steel bridge, with piezo's in the saddles.
- 23 inch scale. Just a Little more than what is used today.
- Onboard volume and tone.
- F-holes that are shaped like the shape they use on Rickenbacker guitars.
- Thunderguts, of course.
My Perfect Bass.
Frank, this pretty much nails it for me too. (Can't wait to see what Tim has going.)
I commented on this post, saying that I didn't think that bridge and saddle came from Kala. I was Wrong.
I gave Kala a heads up on this, and I got a response telling me it Is indeed a Kala bridge. It has a new pickup that Kala is starting to use. Sometimes foreign distributors have slightly different models/specs.
Also Jack - Kala says that a D string intonation problem out of the box can happen because the string can get over stretched at the factory. They would be happy to send you a replacement string if you contact them.
You're very welcome. I'm glad we could help you out. Hopefully in the not too far future we will have our dedicated room available and stocked up for such visits. We're still getting the new place all set up. Mark
Cmon folks.
SUB owners - weigh in. How are you liking the SUB?
What do you think about the intonation?
SUB owners - weigh in. How are you liking the SUB?
What do you think about the intonation?
Yes, please! Plus, I'd like to know if there's any reason to pay twice as much for a California version in terms of quality and playability.
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