Kala UBass Megathread, Part 5

[davewave]

I'll assume we're talking about the UBass with the Pyramids.

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout, Willis.
The video I posted was a u-bass.

I'm not the guy who took this thread off-topic. (Not this time, anyway)

 

[jburtonca]

A 30 second video of a Christmas carol unplugged on my fretted spruce with Pyramid roundwounds.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbtQlrlJZN4


If you've been good little boys maybe Santa with put Pyramids in your stocking.
They're the only stable tuning u-bass strings available. Full stop.

Plugged in, it's easy to tweak the eq to dial out string noise and bomb all the bass you could ever want.

I really like the Pyramid strings and I use them on my Kala SUB for a more "electric" tone. There's no question that they stabilize and stay in tune far better than any other string to date. On my mahogany acoustic I still prefer the Thunderguts (or Pahoehoe). The Thunderguts have a more "acoustic" vibe. The TGs and black strings have a softer attack more girth than the pyramids, in my experience, and that's what gives them their unique tone. Until something better comes along I'll just have to live with the quirkiness of the non-metallic strings.

Speaking of strings for the Kala, what about the Silver Rumblers? I haven't seen or heard any demos of them. Do they have any significant advantages over the other strings or are they duds?

Jeff

 

[SBassman]

I really like the Pyramid strings and I use them on my Kala SUB for a more "electric" tone. There's no question that they stabilize and stay in tune far better than any other string to date. On my mahogany acoustic I still prefer the Thunderguts (or Pahoehoe). The Thunderguts have a more "acoustic" vibe. The TGs and black strings have a softer attack more girth than the pyramids, in my experience, and that's what gives them their unique tone. Until something better comes along I'll just have to live with the quirkiness of the non-metallic strings.

Speaking of strings for the Kala, what about the Silver Rumblers? I haven't seen or heard any demos of them. Do they have any significant advantages over the other strings or are they duds?

Jeff

The Silver Rumblers are similar to the Thunderguts. I think they're great.

 

[jburtonca]

The Silver Rumblers are similar to the Thunderguts. I think they're great.

Is the difference enough to make the switch from Thunderguts worthwhile?

Jeff

 

[SBassman]

Is the difference enough to make the switch from Thunderguts worthwhile?

Jeff

I'd say - not if your current set is in good shape, but, the next time you change strings.

 

[jburtonca]

I'd say - not if your current set is in good shape, but, the next time you change strings.

Maybe I'll try a set on my Ashbory bass.

Jeff

 

[olitoon]

Since when has the U-Bass Mahogany (fretless) an active pickup?

 

[davewave]

I really like the Pyramid strings and I use them on my Kala SUB for a more "electric" tone.

You're the fishing line guy!

Get some 1.8mm Spectra/Dyneema spear-fishing line and you're all set.

Genius!

 

[Gorn]

I don't particularly like the tone of the pyramids (not based on the video, Ive played them before) but tuning stability is a big plus. I really just want a set of strings I can leave on there forever. My pahoehoehoe's are good for now. They're all stable with about one wrap around the post each. I don't think I"ll have to restring for a long time, but knowing I'll eventually have to do it is annoying.

I talked to a guy at Kamoa Ukes in Hawaii today about the flatwounds strings they use on their uke basses.
He said they don't fit u-basses, but I may buy a set to investigate if a guy could make them work.

Flats would be awesome but the E3E is an octive higher

 

[davewave]

Flats would be awesome but the E3E is an octive higher

Ah, yeah.
I had forgotten that.
Piccolo bass, then.

 

[olitoon]

Since when has the U-Bass Mahogany (fretless) an active pickup?

I've got one from Thomann and it has a Shadow preamp and slightly different look.

 

[webspeare]

Hey davewave I like your idea. See jpg attached for how I addressed my desire to use DR Black Beauties for a more electric bass sound. Notice I added little metalic eyelets to protect the wood where the strings come up from the back. The string tension alone holds them in place, though I'm sure I can glue them in.

 

[davewave]

Hey davewave I like your idea. See jpg attached for how I addressed my desire to use DR Black Beauties for a more electric bass sound. Notice I added little metalic eyelets to protect the wood where the strings come up from the back. The string tension alone holds them in place, though I'm sure I can glue them in.

Looks intriguing.
How's the tension? Got to be pretty low.

Cutting them off short and wrapping the wound portion around the tuners work out ok? Like to see a photo of that.

 

[webspeare]

Here's a picture of the strings wrapped around the tuners. I allowed several winds to ensure they would grip, and they hold fine. Overall string tension is quite nice - DR BLack Beauties are fairly low-tension to begin with, and yet considerably more so than the stock strings that came with the bass. I am very happy I tried it. Of course, I'm still refining the intonation - haven't quite got it where it should be, but I began by lowering the bridge as low as I could. I also had to add some super glue to fill the nut slots, then file down to allow the strings to set in tightly. Now that I know I'm on the right path, I'll likely try some other strings, too, since the Black Beauties I put on we old already, taken off another bass. Next I'll put new ones on, then experiment with other strings. But I tihnk the Black Beauties are probably the right choice for tension and color.

 

[webspeare]

Here's the attached photo, sorry.

 

[davewave]

^^^^
Intriguing, thanks for the photo.

 

[webspeare]

To clarify my previous post...putting on the DR strings give me higher tension than the stock strings did. I'd say just the right amount so there's no strsss on the neck. Very playable, and now I can even hit harmonics and ghost notes..

 

[SBassman]

Yikes.

My family bought me a fretted Hog. It has binding on the body, and it is incredibly beautiful.

Yikes.

 

[imperialbari]

My family bought me a fretted Hog. It has binding on the body, and it is incredibly beautiful.

Congratulations!

My hog certainly is thawing up my bias against mahogany.

Klaus

 

[davewave]

I have to confess that - I have been very UBass-sad for some time.
When we cruised into the Christmas season, I sold my one and only UBass to free up some funds for Christmas. I have a very large family - don't ask - and I felt I had to do it to free up some funds for gifts. My wife thought I was crazy, but, it's done.

I'll have one again - I just have to wait it out until we get through Christmas and things improve financially. Sometime next year, or, whenever, I'll have another.

My family bought me a fretted Hog. It has binding on the body, and it is incredibly beautiful.

Geez, Frank, that's a beautiful Christmas story, you and your family are very lucky folks.

Like real-life O. Henry. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gift_of_the_magi

All the best. Also, need pictures.