Kala UBass Megathread, Part 6

[cb56]

Has anyone found a fix for the low E string volume? Mine is slightly less volume, not a huge difference but somewhat noticable.

 

[CostyoUbass]

The low(er) E string volume may depend on the string's tension.
I have two u-basses, a fretles hog and a SUB. The hog has the new saddle (it is a kind of a black monoblock one) and the SUB has the old one (white, individual pieces). I have the lower E string volume problem with the new saddle. Recently I decided to take out the shim from under the saddle, but the result was terrible. Total unbalanced volume across the strings, the deeper the string the lower amplified volume.
It is interesting that in case of the SUB modell the E string is the loudest. It is really nice to play, very comfortable (with the bridge set to it possible lowest position).
So, I think, only Mr. Columbo might know the solution.

 

[bluebird28]

I mentioned in another post about this particular NEW instrument competing with the Aquila Short Bass One, here is a link to their sound video clip.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Comes with Aquila Thunderguts, a padded gig bag, and it sounds great. Not available until Sept ??? retail around $400.00 and it comes fretted and lined fretless.

 

[vHarmonic]

They are available on ebay. I would get one if I had the money. I like that the body is slimmer than Short bass one, but is bigger than the ubass, so it would be more comfortable to play while sitting. That along with the cutaway it seems like a well rounded ergonomic choice.

I mentioned in another post about this particular NEW instrument competing with the Aquila Short Bass One, here is a link to their sound video clip.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Comes with Aquila Thunderguts, a padded gig bag, and it sounds great. Not available until Sept ??? retail around $400.00 and it comes fretted and lined fretless.

 

[Kevmon66]

Klaus- thanks for the reply and the link. Comically dry smackdown of my inability to use the search engine, though I choose to believe that you were just trying to be helpful. Made me laugh...

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I finally got to play an import solid body Kala U last week. I loved it! The bottom that bass has is unreal! I don't need one, but it would be so cool to have functional bass I could take anywhere!

 

[davewave]

This just in, good photographic detail as usual on the Elderly site:

OHANA BKB-35E BASS UKULELE
Baritone sized, solid Mahogany, 21 fret radiused rosewood fingerboard, built-in passive pickups, Aquila strings..

I only see 16 frets in the pictures.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[imperialbari]

Dave, I tend to see a discrepancy between text and photos when it comes to number of frets.

Klaus

 

[davewave]

^^^^
Agreed, 21 sounds too good to be true, and the photos only show 16.

Looks like a fairly faithful u-bass clone.
Radiused fretboard would be a difference maker.

 

[little george]

This just in, good photographic detail as usual on the Elderly site:

OHANA BKB-35E BASS UKULELE
Baritone sized, solid Mahogany, 21 fret radiused rosewood fingerboard, built-in passive pickups, Aquila strings..

I only see 16 frets in the pictures.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I like Ohana ukes quite a lot. But this one looks like a baritone uke forced to become a ubass. I might be wrong, but strings look really close together in the nut, and very close to the edge near the body...

Also I can´t find any info about it anywhere in the Ohana web page

 

[topshelf]

Pardon me jumping in here.
I posted my used Kala UBASS in the classified section if anyone is looking for a bargain.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/kala-solid-body-u-bass-4-string-fretted-satin-red-sale-1005550/

There were no rules that I saw disallowing this post but if it does break a rule please have a mod delete it or let me know and I will delete it right away.

Thanks for a great forum, I have been lurking for a long time.

Marc

 

[Davesound]

Hi

What year is this bass? All plays and works well.?Does it come with the charger?

Thanks

Davesound

 

[josiah goldfish]

Hello u bass lovers! I have some questions regarding u basses, as I'm planning to build one from scratch. I'm friends with a classical guitar luthier, and I want to make a u bass in the classical guitar style.

Could someone tell me what the string spacing is at the bridge please?

Also, how does the hatch cover on the back attach? Could someone take some photos of the inside of the bass so I can get an idea of bracing etc?

Do you think this pickup will work? Invalid Link Removed

Is there anywhere I can buy the tuners? I think hipshot said before that they could sell me some when I start building?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Some photos of inside the bass would be awesome! I'll be sure to share my progress with you.

Joe

 

[PaulNYC]

Does anyone need a case for a four string solid body Ubass? I have an extra. PM me if interested.

 

[topshelf]

Hi

What year is this bass? All plays and works well.?Does it come with the charger?

Thanks

Davesound

The bass is about a year and a half old. And yes it has the charger with it.

 

[davewave]

I like Ohana ukes quite a lot. But this one looks like a baritone uke forced to become a ubass. I might be wrong, but strings look really close together in the nut, and very close to the edge near the body...

Also I can´t find any info about it anywhere in the Ohana web page

Sorry little george, but in this case you are wrong.

I was able to stop by and play one over lunch today and take some measurements.
The nut width and string spacing are essentially identical to a u-bass.

The feel is similar, but the biggest difference is how much lower the string action is from factory set-up, 2.5-3 mm at the 12th fret.
That, along with the slightly radiused fingerboard, made for an improved feel in my opinion.

Plugged in, the passive pickup sound was about the same as a u-bass to my ears.
One huge caveat is that the E string seemed to have less volume than the other strings, much like folks have observed here on certain Kalas.
I mentioned this to the owner, who is a luthier, so he will check it when he gets a chance.

It wasn't so bad that it would be unplayable with some compensation in technique.
I have no idea if this is a characteristic of the instrument or an anomaly on this particular one.

Chinese made, solid mahogany, no access plate, strings must thread through the sound hole.

$370 street. Worth a look.

PS- little george, the store ordered this bass after seeing them at the Nashville NAMM show with a bunch of other new Ohana ukes, so new it's not yet on the web site.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Got my brand new exotic Hog bass in the mail today, and it is schaweet!

I haven't been this excited to play bass in awhile! I'm actually having trouble putting it down. It's so much fun, and I love that I can play it while laying down with zero trouble.

I have two questions though:

1. What straps are you guys using with it? I need an acoustic strap (I assume) and I'm not sure where to start. Maybe Martin?

2. Is the on board tuner not supposed to turn on unless it's plugged into something? The batteries are in the body but nothing happens when I push the button. If it came with dead batteries I may ask the place to either send me a replacement set or to reimburse me some.

 

[imperialbari]

I use the strap that came with a Martin Backpacker guitar. A padded strap won't sit well at the end button. For the head end I use one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Martin-Guitar-Leather-Strap-Button/dp/B0002E37G8

Klaus

 

[little george]

Sorry little george, but in this case you are wrong.

I was able to stop by and play one over lunch today and take some measurements.
The nut width and string spacing are essentially identical to a u-bass.

The feel is similar, but the biggest difference is how much lower the string action is from factory set-up, 2.5-3 mm at the 12th fret.
That, along with the slightly radiused fingerboard, made for an improved feel in my opinion.

Plugged in, the passive pickup sound was about the same as a u-bass to my ears.
One huge caveat is that the E string seemed to have less volume than the other strings, much like folks have observed here on certain Kalas.
I mentioned this to the owner, who is a luthier, so he will check it when he gets a chance.

It wasn't so bad that it would be unplayable with some compensation in technique.
I have no idea if this is a characteristic of the instrument or an anomaly on this particular one.

Chinese made, solid mahogany, no access plate, strings must thread through the sound hole.

$370 street. Worth a look.

PS- little george, the store ordered this bass after seeing them at the Nashville NAMM show with a bunch of other new Ohana ukes, so new it's not yet on the web site.

Thanks for your review davewave, it is very nice to get opinions from somebody who actually has played the thing, instead of that from somebody who just has looked to the pictures...

Maybe I was fooled by the white strings?

According to what you said, seems to be a really interesting option.

 

[CostyoUbass]

1. What straps are you guys using with it? I need an acoustic strap (I assume) and I'm not sure where to start. Maybe Martin?

2. Is the on board tuner not supposed to turn on unless it's plugged into something? The batteries are in the body but nothing happens when I push the button. If it came with dead batteries I may ask the place to either send me a replacement set or to reimburse me some.

First of all, congratulations on the newborn ubass!

1. I use Planet Waves Quick Release system. It's perfect (at least for me) if you don't want to install a strap button.
http://www.planetwaves.com/pwProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=4115&productid=190&productname=Acoustic_Quick_Release_System

2. To my mind, the onboard tuner should work as you switch it on with its dedicated push button, no matter if the cable is plugged in or not.