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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 6

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#202
topo morto said:
A bit delayed but following on from my posts in the last megathread, here's a clip of the hum I got from my KA-UBASS-2-FS:

http://youtu.be/3Ru6SF3CDg4

hopefully it was a one-off problem, just maybe something to check out if you're trying one out in a shop. (I took it back, so I don't need any help.)
Click to expand...

I dunno... I visited a friend who just got one of those and his had a constant buzz as well. Didnt seem as loud & we didn't try that hand-approximity trick.
 
#205
imperialbari said:
You mention these piezos on the ozbass forum:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/220718737968

They look interesting in my eyes. My ignorance of course, but I don't get whether they are drilled, screwed, glued, or whatever to sit firmly. As I get it, they don't necessarily have to sit right under the bridge.

Interesting project. I have a not too prestigious, all plywood, classical style guitar with a 23" scale and a fixed truss rod that may be a candidate for some experiments.

Klaus
Click to expand...

From the manufacturer website...

Installation instructions.

Tools you will need;
A drill
A 3/8 drill bit
A small amount of super glue

Please note; The piezo’s must be handled with care during installation.
Installation;

1. Mark the desired location for the jack using a pencil.
2. Remove the strings to provide easier access inside the soundhole.
3. Carefully drill the hole using the 3/8 bit.
4. Remove the nut and washer from the jack.
5. Install the jack by pushing it through the hole from the inside.
6. You may want to experiment with the placement of the piezo’s before fixing them into place.
You can do this using a piece of masking tape to temporarily hold them in place. You will get a
different tone in different places on the guitar top.
7. Once you determine where you would like to mount the piezo's, attach them to the inside of the guitar top
by placing a drop of super-glue on each piezo (one at a time) and hold it in place for about 45 seconds.
The installation point that will result in the most amount of gain is directly under the saddle on the
bridgeplate.

8. That’s it! Replace strings, tune up, and plug it in!


We cannot accept any responsibility for guitar damage caused by installation.

So I need to spend another 2.86 on superglue. The price just keeps on rising. I re-tuned it this morning. No string slippage, but like getting a new set of strings for the kala its going through its stretching phase - all strings were a tone to a tone and a half flat. Slipped the strings through the plastic ties not much more difficult to the u-bass. Just re-checked a few hours later and the tune was pretty good. Excellent playability, low action. Slightly tighter string tension compared to the kala but not unsimilar.
 
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#206
Thank you very much for the information found!

Drilling the hole for the jack had to happen anyway, and it is done from the outside where there hopefully is some structural reinforcement on the inside.

What I had feared was about drilling holes from the inside of the bridge reinforcement to mount the piezos. Glueing will do!

Klaus
 
#207
We have discussed the need to slacken the bottom screw of the tuner, if there is a slack in the movement of the tuning posts.

My original problem was caused by me routinely check screws on new instruments, so that are not loose. That is the nicer way to say that I introduced the problem myself. But then it was easily solved.

I had long had the same problem with a mandolin that I play more rarely. Last night I took the chance to see whether loosening the equivalent screw had any effect. It had! That problem solved also.

I don't think this is voodoo. As far as I can see, the gear wheel has to be aligned with the axis of the worm screw, if the worm shall be in constant contact with the gear wheel.

Klaus
 
#210
The Kala web store is the only outlet for Silver Rumblers. Certainly a clumsy detour for me as a European, who buys other strings directly from Aquila.

But then I like the Silver Rumblers on my fretless hog. Their distinct sound makes pitch perception easier than from even the Thunderguts that I use on my fretted UBass.

I would like to hear about experiences with using Silver Rumblers on fretted UBasses. Are they indented by the frets like the Thunderguts are?

Klaus
 
#211
I love the feel and sound of the stock strings, but the rediculous break in period amd eventual need to restring is very annoying. I had the rumblers on my fretless but the stickyness was intolerable. I apparently have thundergutrumblerphobic finger chemistry. Maybe it won't be as bad on fretted since I'm not gonna be sliding and glissando-ing as much. I like dead strings and the idea of having strings on a bass pretty much forever, but unfortunately I don't think that's possible with the ubass.
 
#212
imperialbari said:
The Kala web store is the only outlet for Silver Rumblers. Certainly a clumsy detour for me as a European, who buys other strings directly from Aquila.

But then I like the Silver Rumblers on my fretless hog. Their distinct sound makes pitch perception easier than from even the Thunderguts that I use on my fretted UBass.

I would like to hear about experiences with using Silver Rumblers on fretted UBasses. Are they indented by the frets like the Thunderguts are?

Klaus
Click to expand...

You can get Silver Rumblers from Elderlyfor $22.49 + S&H

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Jeff
 
#213
Elderly carrying the Silver Rumblers is new to me. When I first tried getting them, Kala had a limit of two sets per order. So there apparently was a shortage of supply. My order was canceled due the SR's being out of stock.

As red tape costs related to imports are the same for small and large orders, I prefer buying in larger quantities, which happened when I ordered a month later.

Just asked the UK dealer where I bought 3 UBasses about the left hand model, that I might use as a gift for a talented youngster. He won't get any until August.

Looks like Kala tries to handle a market not yet saturated with UBasses. I very much hope they will manage the situation when demand goes down.

Klaus
 
#214
imperialbari said:
The Kala web store is the only outlet for Silver Rumblers. Certainly a clumsy detour for me as a European, who buys other strings directly from Aquila.

But then I like the Silver Rumblers on my fretless hog. Their distinct sound makes pitch perception easier than from even the Thunderguts that I use on my fretted UBass.

I would like to hear about experiences with using Silver Rumblers on fretted UBasses. Are they indented by the frets like the Thunderguts are?

Klaus
Click to expand...

Hey, european ubassers, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] has Silver Rumbles, Thunderguts and Pahoehoes. The web is in spanish language, but I think you can email to Choan in english. He is actually a serious and good seller, I got my ubass from him, and he gave me a superb service (I had some of the common ubass QC issuess). He sends items to any European Union country...
 
#219
imperialbari said:
I would like to hear about experiences with using Silver Rumblers on fretted UBasses. Are they indented by the frets like the Thunderguts are?

Klaus
Click to expand...

Much the same, in my experience.

I've also observed that during the past winter months, my SRs have seemed less sticky than when I first got them in the summer.
This could be because:
  • The skin on my fingertips is drier in winter, and / or
  • The temperature in my basement practice room is lower
 
#220
slaerts said:
While I've been waiting for my 5er from Grove Guitars here's what I've came up with. I started this yesterday. I bought an old classical guitar and a 5 string set of poehoehoe's from roadtoad.

Got rid of the classical strings cut an extra few millimetres in the sound hole to give me better access. Drilled some holes in the bridge to string the kala strings from inside. Used some cable ties to help attach the strings on the tuners. They have turned out to be great they hold tight enough to keep the strings there but with enough pressure you can pull the strings through to tighten.

I ordered a pre-wired piezo pickup yesterday, so hopefully in a week or so I'll amplify it. Sounds much deeper and richer than my fretted hog, as you would expect from a larger, deeper body.

She' a bit rough but she works just fine.
strung_zpsbc9874bb.jpg


More pics here on ozbassforum, (hope its ok to link to another bass site).
Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

Sound clip on youtube

I think I'll be keeping my u-bass as a practice instrument for at work.
 
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