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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 5
- Thread starter smperry
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The fretless solidbody arrived Saturday. I've been sick, so I really didn't get to do much more than plug it in for a quick test before now.
The fretless aspect is proving to be no problem - the learning curve should be fairly gentle, unlike when I built an unlined fretless Jazz about 15 years ago. I still have a restraining order out against me for that little venture.
So far, so good - and I love the thump! I've already had to stretch and restring once.
No pic, no bass - so here's a bad iPhone pic:
The fretless aspect is proving to be no problem - the learning curve should be fairly gentle, unlike when I built an unlined fretless Jazz about 15 years ago. I still have a restraining order out against me for that little venture.
So far, so good - and I love the thump! I've already had to stretch and restring once.
No pic, no bass - so here's a bad iPhone pic:
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Beautiful. Too many strings, but gorgeous. Is that lighter area by the upper frets of the g string just the lighting? If not that's pretty cool.
The fretless solidbody arrived Saturday. I've been sick, so I really didn't get to do much more than plug it in for a quick test before now.
The fretless aspect is proving to be no problem - the learning curve should be fairly gentle, unlike when I built an unlined fretless Jazz about 15 years ago. I still have a restraining order out against me for that little venture.
So far, so good - and I love the thump! I've already had to stretch and restring once.
No pic, no bass - so here's a bad iPhone pic:
Really beautiful.
I actually wish it had more typical straight ash grain, but I'll live with it. And yes, that's a light spot on the fretboard - it'll be easy to identify if it is ever stolen. 
Now I just have to figure out how to work the tone into the stuff we play. I may need to take up the blues.
Now I just have to figure out how to work the tone into the stuff we play. I may need to take up the blues.
scotch
It's not rocket science!
- Nov 12, 2006
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Never a bad idea. We played "I can't quit you baby" by Willie Dixon the other night and the ubass was awesome.
I actually wish it had more typical straight ash grain, but I'll live with it. And yes, that's a light spot on the fretboard - it'll be easy to identify if it is ever stolen.
Now I just have to figure out how to work the tone into the stuff we play. I may need to take up the blues.
I had the same one. It works wherever a P-Bass works, Ampeg Baby bass, and lots of places where an upright would work. Any time where you don't need a Grindy or poppy round wound type of sound it will work. Congrats!
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I´m not sure, but I think this one is new. I like the dreadnought look of the thing...
I´m not sure, but I think this one is new. I like the dreadnought look of the thing...
I think it's brand new. It looks lovely and I found only good reviews of tanglewood guitars. [DEL]Now I have to find a dealer that sells it...
[/DEL]Bassdirect UK sells it for £206 (shipping £10 UK, £30 EU mainland)
gears4music for 275 / £241 (shipping to Germany / UK included, the price for other EU countries is slightly different depending on VAT and shipping costs)
Hi everybody, I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on a spruce top fretless. I tried to resist its tiny, gadgety charm, but everyday in the shop there he is, tempting me. And each time I play it I can't help giggling like a little girl, it's just so much fun to play.
I just have a few concerns, namely:
1) how good is it quality wise? Money is not a problem, but it's really difficult to get your hands on an higher end model
2) do you use it with a strap?
3) would you recommend changing the stock strings? I live in Italy, so buying the Aquilas would be pretty easy
I just have a few concerns, namely:
1) how good is it quality wise? Money is not a problem, but it's really difficult to get your hands on an higher end model
2) do you use it with a strap?
3) would you recommend changing the stock strings? I live in Italy, so buying the Aquilas would be pretty easy
The design obviously has convinced lots of people. Some have reported on quality issues (I had to return a SUB due to wrong placement of the bridge).
The quality of the sample you are playing in the shop is best determined by yourself and by those with direct access to it.
Matters I would check:
Intonation, especially the octaves at the 12th fret and the tenths at the 16th fret. More important on a fretted than on a fretless of course (I have both).
Do all 4 strings give a reasonably even output when amplified? The need for some equalization is normal.
And then all the lutherie matters: exactness of joint, finish, etc.
I use the Thundergut's on both as the sound is better defined, which makes it easier to hear your intonation of the fretless.
Klaus
The quality of the sample you are playing in the shop is best determined by yourself and by those with direct access to it.
Matters I would check:
Intonation, especially the octaves at the 12th fret and the tenths at the 16th fret. More important on a fretted than on a fretless of course (I have both).
Do all 4 strings give a reasonably even output when amplified? The need for some equalization is normal.
And then all the lutherie matters: exactness of joint, finish, etc.
I use the Thundergut's on both as the sound is better defined, which makes it easier to hear your intonation of the fretless.
Klaus
Luckily this one has got no problems. But we had to return the previous one we had in the shop, since the G tuner wasn't working and there was an horrible crack in the top (right in the middle of it).
Frankly I'm concerned about the acoustic volume: I'd like to also play it unplugged e.g. while slacking on the couch and hear something coming out of it, and from what I've heard the all-solid models have a lot more volume. Can anybody confirm this?
Frankly I'm concerned about the acoustic volume: I'd like to also play it unplugged e.g. while slacking on the couch and hear something coming out of it, and from what I've heard the all-solid models have a lot more volume. Can anybody confirm this?
The SUB has even less volume unplugged.
These instruments were not designed for unplugged playing. The resonance body is way too small for that low frequency range projecting when unplugged. However their ability to mimic upright basses when amplified is impressive.
Klaus
These instruments were not designed for unplugged playing. The resonance body is way too small for that low frequency range projecting when unplugged. However their ability to mimic upright basses when amplified is impressive.
Klaus
I was talking about the acoustic ones with non laminated bodies, I know the solid bodied ones have close to no volume unplugged. My bad, my description wasn't very accurate
I doubt that the non-laminated models have a lot more volume, but the Aquila strings are definitely louder than the Pahoehoes. Loud enough for playing alone, but a guitar is still louder.
scotch
It's not rocket science!
- Nov 12, 2006
- 6,944
- 2,081
- 51
- Disclosures
- Please see Profile for Endorsement disclosures
I owned a solid mahogany and a spruce top w/ laminated sides for a while. They were virtually identical in volume. I ended up keeping the spruce as I liked the tone better.
Thunderguts are noticeably louder than the Pahoehoe's. Still, you won't get appreciably LOUD acoustic volume with a U-Bass. They really are best plugged in! I do use mine sitting outside on the porch or on the couch watching tv, works fine for that.
Thunderguts are noticeably louder than the Pahoehoe's. Still, you won't get appreciably LOUD acoustic volume with a U-Bass. They really are best plugged in! I do use mine sitting outside on the porch or on the couch watching tv, works fine for that.
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