Kala UBass Megathread, Part 6

[Temcat]

The recordings between the red strings (D+B) and the other strings is noticeable. Thank you for sharing.

Yep, and the bass starts to actually sound interesting to me

 

[HeavyDuty]

Waiting for the reds is the only thing keeping me from selling my California Series 5. I don't want to give up yet...

 

[Gorn]

Waiting for the reds is the only thing keeping me from selling my California Series 5. I don't want to give up yet...

If that B string is actually a thunder red, it makes me think that the whole thunder red concept didn't work for any gauge smaller than the B. Maybe that's why they're not around.

 

[vHarmonic]

Im considering a fretted Micro bass because I already play a fretless U-bass, but my concern is the thunder guts. I tried Silver Rumblers on my u-bass but didn't like how they felt and also the horrible squeaking they produced for me when amplified. I haven't tried Thunderguts, but I have read that their is little difference between them and the SR's. I'm wondering how well the paehoehoes will work on the micro bass. Goldtones website said something about using different strings other than thunderguts would void their warranty if I remember right.

I think I can pretty much guarantee that paehoehoes will work on the Micro. Road Toad Music even sells a 24" set. The set of thunderguts I have on my Micro are for the Ubass set and they are exactly the same as the the stock set that was on the bass. I personally would have no qualms putting paehoehoes on mine, I just don't want to deal with the tuning stability issues. That stuff about it voiding the warranty is ridiculous. I think they are just covering their buts against lawsuits Incase someone cuts down heavy gauge flats, instals them and the bas explodes or something. And how would they ever know you used paehoehoes? If you have a problem you can just take them off and put the stock strings back on. Thats my two cents.

 

[vHarmonic]

If that B string is actually a thunder red, it makes me think that the whole thunder red concept didn't work for any gauge smaller than the B. Maybe that's why they're not around.

I don't know. It seems like the reds are on Short bass one, and they are moving forward with Short Bass one, very very slowly. But the fact that they made a facebook page for it seems like a small bit of progress. Very small but it gives me a bit of hope.

 

[SBassman]

The intention for bring the Reds to market is there.
Timing, I can't say, but the intention is there.

They're going to be well worth the wait.

 

[1stnamebassist]

I think I can pretty much guarantee that paehoehoes will work on the Micro. Road Toad Music even sells a 24" set. The set of thunderguts I have on my Micro are for the Ubass set and they are exactly the same as the stock set that was on the bass. And how would they ever know you used paehoehoes? If you have a problem you can just take them off and put the stock strings back on. Thats my two cents.

Point well taken!

 

[soong]

Any ideas for improving sustain on these? They have like nothing...

 

[scotch]

Any ideas for improving sustain on these? They have like nothing...

Sustain isn't really what the U-bass is about.

The Pyramid metal strings will get you a little more, but then you lose the unique big, thumpy tone of the instrument.

 

[dougness]

I have Pyramid strings on my U-Bass and love them. It does make it sound a little more like an acoustic bass guitar, but there's still plenty of low-end thump IMO. It all depends on what sound you want.

A major plus with the Pyramids is spot on intonation. You also get much more sustain. Since I'm playing a fretted U-Bass, intonation is important. My only problem with the Pyramids is that the action is too high and the strings are stiffer than Pahoehoes or Thunderguts, so it takes a little more effort to fret the notes. My U-Bass has no shims under the saddle, so I can't easily lower the bridge, and Kala says you can't mod the bridge for lower action. Very frustrating because I think the action could be nice and low with Pyramids.

The Pyramids would be my preferred strings if the action could be brought down. As it is, I just bought a new set of Thunderguts. Like so many others here, I'm anxiously waiting for the Thunder Reds, but since their arrival is uncertain, I'm going back to Thunderguts for now. BUT, if I find a way to mod the bridge, I'll be blissfully happy to be able to play the Pyramids again.

 

[vHarmonic]

I have Pyramid strings on my U-Bass and love them. It does make it sound a little more like an acoustic bass guitar, but there's still plenty of low-end thump IMO. It all depends on what sound you want.

A major plus with the Pyramids is spot on intonation. You also get much more sustain. Since I'm playing a fretted U-Bass, intonation is important. My only problem with the Pyramids is that the action is too high and the strings are stiffer than Pahoehoes or Thunderguts, so it takes a little more effort to fret the notes. My U-Bass has no shims under the saddle, so I can't easily lower the bridge, and Kala says you can't mod the bridge for lower action. Very frustrating because I think the action could be nice and low with Pyramids.

The Pyramids would be my preferred strings if the action could be brought down. As it is, I just bought a new set of Thunderguts. Like so many others here, I'm anxiously waiting for the Thunder Reds, but since their arrival is uncertain, I'm going back to Thunderguts for now. BUT, if I find a way to mod the bridge, I'll be blissfully happy to be able to play the Pyramids again.

It has been done! Ubass megathread part 5 of the page 34. A user named davewave has photos of a ubass he modded for pyramids. You can see it here http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/kala-ubass-megathread-part-5-a-933305/index34.html

 

[dougness]

Yes, but he had "two 1mm shims" that he could remove. My U-Bass has no shims. The only solution for me is to route out the bridge groove or mod the actual bridge, which I don't think is possible.

 

[vHarmonic]

Oh, I guess you're right, I thought he had ground the saddle down.

 

[bluebird28]

He Guys, if you did not see this other post you might want to check it out as this is a killer deal on a Digital Wireless System from Sony. It is only $149.97 read the whole post.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f203/sony-dwz-b30gb-review-1005761/index2.html

 

[BassBron]

The intention for bringing the Reds to market is there.

I understand that, and the reference I think one should use is the code Aquila uses when querying about it, or referring to it. my 5 cents worth.

-4 STRINGS THUNDER-REDS SET GDAE; code 91U;

 

[soong]

Sustain isn't really what the U-bass is about.

The Pyramid metal strings will get you a little more, but then you lose the unique big, thumpy tone of the instrument.

True. Attempted to use it in our local Wind Ensemble but the conductor didnt like how it couldnt sustain tied whole notes over 2+ measures.

 

[Gorn]

I understand that, and the reference I think one should use is the code Aquila uses when querying about it, or referring to it. my 5 cents worth.

-4 STRINGS THUNDER-REDS SET GDAE; code 91U;

Yup. Coming soon in May of 2013.

 

[jburtonca]

Yup. Coming soon in May of 2013.

More like May 2014. Printing those envelopes is a bitch.

Jeff

 

[SBassman]

Play nice, people.

Stuff happens, things change. Be grateful that these strings are on the horizon. They're going to be another very significant improvement in this new micro bass world.

 

[Tele295]

The endpin jack on my uBass keeps working itself loose (using a strap). I can barely get my hand inside the soundhole to tighten the nut. Anyone know a trick for tightening the endpin so it stays put?