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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 6

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Tim Watson () is the TBer you want to answer these questions. I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure most of us have the acoustics. Have you tried the acoustic? They have them in most Sam Ash's. You might like it.
 
The f-deck high pass filter is mentioned again and again. Sadly it only is sold in the US. I recognize the hazards of international distribution for a 1-man company run on the side of a day job plus extensive musical activities.
So my question is:
What is the internationally marketed alternative?
My problem is low frequency attack noise.
Ideally I would want a linear (non roll-off) cut-off moveable from 30Hz through 250Hz.
Any ideas within a reasonable price frame?

Klaus

Maybe this:
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or contact the man with the hat...
 
You can download the Technical Manual for 1st and 2nd sereis HPF from f-deck site, and build it by yourself or ask somebody to put it together for you (so did I, having no soldering skills, etc.).

I never soldered anything myself, and my friends with soldering abilities are busy people, so I don't dare taking up such project. Yet a very good idea for people young and smart enough.

Klaus
 
Maybe this:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
or contact the man with the hat...

Read the sfx site and concluded that the microTumpinator was what they found best for my needs. So I have ordered and paid one. They are a small outfit, so they don't promise speedy delivery of items not in stock.

I won't get a moveable high pass as I would have liked, but then the clunky attack sounds are at very low frequencies on all of my plucked strings.

Klaus
 
Klaus, did you get my PM? We have a secret international hookup for the F-Deck. The thumpinator is awesome for sure, just like everything else Max builds, but the F-Deck's magic is in the overall feature set, with the moveable filter, the high impedance input, and the phase switch. For the low $$ especially it makes instruments shine.
 
Sorry guys, I just now found out how to fix a problem coming from a bad habit combined with some limitations in my eyesight.

This board has so many similarities with TubeNet, where I have been a member for ages, that I thought it had the same defaults, including getting email notifications about incoming personal messages. I think I have gotten my settings right now.

Nominally I have very close to 20/20 sight on both eyes since surgery 3 years ago. But before that my right eye was so bad that my brain partially discarded it. The result is that I don't see static elements unless I know where to look. So I hadn't seen the upper right corner indication of incoming messages.

I had followed their advice on how to get the F deck, had I seen them in time. I have ordered the microThumpinator, and I am not going to cancel that order. I will get it and see how it works, and then work from there.

One of the personal messages was in German. Did I ever tell here that I read and write German?

Thanks!

Klaus
 
Read the sfx site and concluded that the microTumpinator was what they found best for my needs. So I have ordered and paid one. They are a small outfit, so they don't promise speedy delivery of items not in stock.

I won't get a moveable high pass as I would have liked, but then the clunky attack sounds are at very low frequencies on all of my plucked strings.

Klaus

Ask Max to increase the input impedance to 10M, should be no problem for this skilled guy, who is very open for specific needs. My fdeck stays with the roll off at 35 Hz, for higher frequency adjustments use amp EQ without killing too much bottom.
 
No. I'm still waiting also. Can't wait for an alternative. Not so sure I want to put pyramids on my fretless. Maybe if they offered a flat wound I would consider it though.

Without serious mods to the bass the pyramids just don't work. I forget who did it, but someone on here modded their fretted spruce top for the pyramids and they sounded great, but the action is unplayably high without major work. Flats or tapes would be great, wouldn't they? Unfortunately our options are limited.
 
Without serious mods to the bass the pyramids just don't work. I forget who did it, but someone on here modded their fretted spruce top for the pyramids and they sounded great, but the action is unplayably high without major work. Flats or tapes would be great, wouldn't they? Unfortunately our options are limited.

I put Pyramids on my fretted Hutchinson U-Bass, but I didn't modify it. As you say, the action is a little high. It's not unplayable though and I think the Pyramids sound great. To my ears, it still sounds like a U-Bass; it's just a more articulate sound with less thud that's noticeably louder acoustically. You do get some finger squeak from the windings similar to what you hear from acoustic guitar strings. If I decide to stay with the Pyramids, I'll want to route out the bridge to bring the action down.

I'm really hoping the Thunder Reds are going to be the answer so I don't have to mod the bass and limit myself to one string option.

I have to agree with the sentiment from others here that flats or tapewounds for the U-Bass seem like the ultimate string.
 
This is a great thread but I don't have eternity to read all the post, lol. I just got the U-Bass Mahogny and also bought the white Thundergut strings. I have an order in for the new Silver Rumblers coming but maybe I'm missing something. In your opinion what is the best string, feel and tuning is important, to get for this bass. The thing is amazing, love it! I had been looking for an acoustic bass and everything I tried had flaws. I just need to find the best string to use on this U-Bass! Thanks in advance!
 
It depends on your finger chemistry. I can't play thunderguts or silver rumblers. For me, they're sticky and make a squeaky noise when my finger rolls off the string. For others, it's not a problem.

The stock strings take forever to stabilize and will continue to stretch until they go dead, but they feel and sound the best. If you try thunderguts/rumblers and don't find them sticky, I envy your skin chemistry. Stick with those.

Apparently Aquila is making "thunder red" strings for the ubass. Aquila's website says they're available in May of 2013, which doesn't seem to have worked out.

" Coming soon! (may 2013)


6) Thunder-Red 4 string U-bass set

-4 STRINGS THUNDER-REDS SET GDAE; code 91U; 38 EUROS (all the strings are RED SERIES)

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euke



The Thunder - Reds sets: a unique look and a strong, consistent sound.

Until now, it was necessary to increase a string’s gauge to reach lower frequencies. But increasing the string’s diameter also increases internal dampening. That makes the string less bright, less responsive and more muffled:

the thicker the string, the duller the sound.

Our revolutionary new approach —never introduced before us— changes the specific weight of the material, increasing it progressively to leave the gauge unchanged."
 
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