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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 6

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#581
Davesound said:
Hi

I called Kala.Per them the battery is draining as long as the guitar has a plug in it.So I had mine sitting for a couple weeks plugged in ,not using it all the time,just draining the battery.That should be stated in the Manuel somewhere


Also I got my Ubass thinking it would fit into any song that an upright would play.Last night I did some songs With m band,that are usually done by an electric.The Ubass sounded great.I think I can use it on all the music we do.Of course we don't do Hard Rock,or anything close to that.We do standards ,40 to 70 music.Don't know about anything other then that.

Thanks

Davesound
Click to expand...

Dave,
I've found the same thing. Where I would usually double on a gig, the U-Bass tends to split the difference very well. I have a bunch of videos up on YouTube, user WatsonTBass.
 
#582
Hi Tim

Saw you on youTube.You sound and play great.! As a said I can't use my little finger.On the Ubas ,I'm using my ring finger in place of it.Of course that makes me move around much more.Can you give me any tips on playing without using my little finger?Or something else to do.I seem to be doing alright as long as I use the Ubass.

Thanks

davesound
 
#583
Davesound said:
Hi Tim

Saw you on youTube.You sound and play great.! As a said I can't use my little finger.On the Ubas ,I'm using my ring finger in place of it.Of course that makes me move around much more.Can you give me any tips on playing without using my little finger?Or something else to do.I seem to be doing alright as long as I use the Ubass.

Thanks

davesound
Click to expand...

Thanks!

On upright, most players use a 1-2-4 style (index, middle, pinky) with the ring finger as support for the pinky. With the very short scale, I see no reason why you couldn't just use 1-2-3. Just get used to changing position more often, again, with practice should be cake.
 
#586
Hi All:

Brand new to this forum. For years I've played standup acoustic bass (as well as many other instruments). Finally came to the realization I'm getting too old and weak to haul that thing around. Being a uke player I came across the Kala ubass. Long story short found a well priced solid fretted Hog, last years model, from CrazyDavesMusic on ebay. Received it yesterday. After reading pages of these threads I must admit I was a bit concerned with all the comments on intonation problems, tuner problems, bad pickups, etc., But I'm pleased to report that so far I'm thrilled. Intonation may not be spot on, but it's certainly pretty good. The only amp I had to plug it into is my Fishman Solo amp (combo PA and general instrument amp). Sounded amazing, although I'm sure I'll spring for a real bass amp. General build quality seemed pretty good. The stretching strings will certainly be a hassle (but that's the case on any uke). Can't wait to spend more time with it.
 
#589
Magoosan said:
Hi All:

Brand new to this forum........

The only amp I had to plug it into is my Fishman Solo amp (combo PA and general instrument amp)....
Click to expand...

Welcome!

What really gave me the low range push was adding a subwoofer reproducing the low frequencies for real, not just by means of difference notes. If you have one you may feed it from the line-out of your combo amp.

Klaus
 
#591
So I have tried Silver Rumblers on my fretless solid mahogany and don't like them. Way too much finger noise and squeaking. I like the stock paehoehoes except that the floppy E string makes playing faster stuff pretty difficult. I am a bit impatient waiting for the Thunder Reds to show up, so i'm thinking of trying one of the other options, either the pyramids or Thunder guts. Are the Thunder guts similar to the silver rumblers as far as finger noise and such? Also has anyone tried the Pyramids on a fretless? I know their have been some issues with setup with them, but i'm not too concerned with that. I just don't want to spend 60.00 on a set of strings and not like the sound or feel. Any input would be appreciated. I'm starting to think the Thunder reds may not materialize as nobody seems to respond to questions about them actually coming into existence.
 
#592
Oh the Silver Rumblers. I remember when they were just a rumor, like the thunder reds are now. They came out, I spent my money on them only to find that they were just as sticky and unplayable as the thunderguts. If you didn't like the SR's, don't bother with the TG's. They're worse. I have zero hope for any improvement in the thunder reds.

Some people are lucky enough to have thundergut/silver rumbler compatible finger chemistry. I don't and it sounds like neither do you.

I dropped the $60 for the pyramids once and they made my ubass sound thin and tinny. I was willing to sacrifice the ubass tone for stability, but the tone was bad, in my opinion.
 
#593
Hi

I've had my Sub Ubass for about twenty days.Took it to a guitar shop that is listed by Kala as I dealer ,to help me change the batteries.They broke the battery holder.Had to replace the circuit board etc.They told me I should take out the knobs and board to get to the batteries, that leaving them in the guitar was going to cause me to break the battery holder again.Is that correct ?i was hoping there is some other way of changing the batteries.Kala has not yet answered me.Don't know where to look for instructions on doing this. Please help!

Davesound
 
#594
From the manual:
"Shadow Active Pickup and Equalizer
The Shadow active pickup system runs on two 3 volt, coin-style batteries. They are
accessible through the magnetic cavity cover on the back of the bass. To change
batteries, carefully remove the old ones using a small, flathead screwdriver. Replace by
gently holding up the small metal tab and sliding the batteries into place, one at a time.
Be sure to not bend or pinch the pickup lead as it is quite fragile"
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#595
Hi

I watched the tech raise the tab that holds the batteries in.It seemed to me it broke before it was high enough to slide the battery out.Have you done this replacement before ?.I was wondering if the tab would go high enough to slide them out.If my ubass was just defective?

Thanks

Davesound
 
#596
Davesound said:
Hi

I watched the tech raise the tab that holds the batteries in.It seemed to me it broke before it was high enough to slide the battery out.Have you done this replacement before ?.I was wondering if the tab would go high enough to slide them out.If my ubass was just defective?

Thanks

Davesound
Click to expand...

I've never had the sub. Just looked at the manual.
Did the tech seem to know what he was doing? Had he seen one of these before? I've never spoken to anyone outside of talkbass that had any ubass knowledge. [DEL]From everything I've read and seen about these, battery replacement should be a quick, painless operation.[/DEL]
Edit: I forgot it's meant to be charged and not changed often. I have no idea how it's supposed to come out. I'd call Kala if I were you. There's a tech named Ryan that's knowledgeable and gets back to people quick.

Especially if you went to an apparently official Kala dealer.
 
#597
1stnamebassist said:
Also has anyone tried the Pyramids on a fretless? ..... I just don't want to spend 60.00 on a set of strings and not like the sound or feel. Any input would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

I have Pyramids on my fretted U-Bass, so I can't comment on the fretless. I disagree, however, that they make the bass sound thin and tinny. I still get a good fat tone out of my bass. The negatives are acoustic guitar type finger noise as you slide from note to note. I think they move the sound in the direction of an acoustic/electric, but mine still has plenty of fat, beefy, U-Bass low end. Yeah, $60 is a lot if you end up not liking the strings, but I think it's worth a try. I dig the Pyramids on my bass.
 
#600
Hi

I have a Kala solid body S.U.B Ubass.The local Kala dealer told me I must take out the circuit board inside the instrument to get to the batteries to change them.This sounds very complicated to just change the batteries..Does anyone have this model Ubass and could tell me an easier way to change the two batteries.The dealer has already broken the battery holder forcing the tab open holding the two batteries in.I've asked Kala and so far have gotten no response!

Thanks

Davesound
 
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