Definitely no metal whatsoever. I snipped the small excess on the strings and not only did it cut easily I looked closely to see if there was metal because I was curious myself. The strings themselves can crimp easily too, definitely need to be careful since the winding would probably separate from the core by accident.
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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 7
- Thread starter olitoon
- Start date
I've been interested in the California solid-body U-Basses lately, but they've been sold out/non-existent for quite a long time. Does anyone have any info on if they're coming back at some point?
[CYTAT="n!k, post: 26320951, członek: 143074"] Ostatnio zainteresowałem się kalifornijskimi basami typu U-Bass z korpusem stałym, ale zostały one wyprzedane/nie istnieją od dłuższego czasu. Czy ktoś ma jakieś informacje na temat tego, czy w którymś momencie wróci?[/QUOTE]
Not Kala solid but very good? Instrument with rounded pyramid-shaped strings
https://www.thomann.de/pl/harley_benton_solid_u_bass_sunburst.htm
Not Kala solid but very good? Instrument with rounded pyramid-shaped strings
https://www.thomann.de/pl/harley_benton_solid_u_bass_sunburst.htm
Took my Ubass out for a couple songs and it didn't disappoint. Since putting the nylon wounds on I've found a new bond with it and it sounded incredible live. Got some great feedback from the crowd after the first set.
Yes. I have found those strings to be very satisfying on the Ubass. Best strings yet.
Joined the club... Kala Journeyman in red just arrived today!
Bit surprised by the mini size, but immediately played and enjoyed. Coming from e-bass the round wounds are familiar, and playing acoustic guitar with nylons, too, adapted quickly to the size...
When checking intonation found issues mainly on the E string, but thanks to the posts and threads on "witness points" fixed to a minimum
Setup is quite ok, some buzzing on the high frets of the E string especially when hitting harder...
Plugged in in active PA monitor surprisingly good sound, of course EQ-ed on the u bass cutting highs and pushing lows...
Will for sure surprise the band in the practice room, can't wait to see their faces ...
Looks like a keeper, although I m still concerned about the fret buzzing on E a little bit...
Bit surprised by the mini size, but immediately played and enjoyed. Coming from e-bass the round wounds are familiar, and playing acoustic guitar with nylons, too, adapted quickly to the size...
When checking intonation found issues mainly on the E string, but thanks to the posts and threads on "witness points" fixed to a minimum
Setup is quite ok, some buzzing on the high frets of the E string especially when hitting harder...
Plugged in in active PA monitor surprisingly good sound, of course EQ-ed on the u bass cutting highs and pushing lows...
Will for sure surprise the band in the practice room, can't wait to see their faces ...
Looks like a keeper, although I m still concerned about the fret buzzing on E a little bit...
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PS for sure gonna try the black nylon wounds at some time ...
Thanks, sure, the Journeyman has a truss rod. Situation: the fretboard on the E spring is a little concave -correctly - up to the 12 fret/join to the main body... the issue starts there... hitting the E strings some harder the swing touches the frets around the 12th... Sure, if I relief the truss rod it will higher the action, but I m not sure it will fix the difference from the 12th fret up...? And "destroy" the low action in the other strings? (Overall the action is ok, maybe it has to do with the different setup for the round wound strings, while it is still manufactured with specs for rubber strings, a lot higher action... Condition is better then I was afraid of, having read some reviews before ordering...)
PS I had read in one review of a "bump" on the fretboard high after the 12th fret... exactly what I have, although technically I translate it in manufacturing for rubber strings and then lowering the action by truss rod, which unfortunately does not work that high, since fretboard is fixed on the main body...?!
Since it arrived yesterday, not sure if I already want to play with the truss rod... and not sure, if I sent it back, if I ll get a better one or a worse one...!?
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To repeat my post way earlier, I bought one of those a few years ago, out of the box the A string buzzed like crazy. I brought it to Sam Ash near me (an authorized dealer) for repair, but when I came back to get it, the repair tech said he couldn't fix it. He then brought out the one they had in stock and it did the exact same thing. The next week I went to the Los Angeles NAMM show and talked to a manager at the Kala booth. He said to send it to them in Petaluma, CA. I did and a week later it arrived fixed, but I sold it shortly after (with nerve damage to my neck forcing to sit slouched when I play, found that it was too deep to play comfortably. I actually sold all my standard depth acoustic bass ukes and had shallow ones made to replace them).... and not sure, if I sent it back, if I ll get a better one or a worse one...!?
Thanks Mike. I was prepared for some issues having read quite a few reviews and posts, yours too... Fact is I m in Greece, no official trader here, so I bought it online from Germany... In the US I could eventually send it to Kala, in Europe with Warwick distributing I m not so sure... I found one of the last of the "older" batch, now the new ones are even expencier... But overall I like that red Journeyman, and mine looks like a better one...: no sharp frets, still will check the setting with the truss rod, good playable as long as finger picking is done not too strong and near to the bridge...
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Hello to you all, one more question regarding my new Kala Journeyman... In the bag I found a plastic bar, see attached photo, which I can only assume could be used to lift up the bridge... I bought it "opened box", so it could be that someone took it off the bridge...
Anyone else got this bar with a new Journeyman?
Anyone else got this bar with a new Journeyman?
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Yep, exactly what it is for. If you need to raise the bridge.
Interesting, so it's possible this could be under my Journeyman bridge? I picked up a Journeyman that the action is a bit high and I need to shave the nut down a bit but it could also use some work at the bridge.
If In may ask, in your Journeyman ist the neck perfectly straight? Which strings and whats the action? i. e. 12th fret?
Update: after allowing the Journeyman to get used to the new climate, over the weekend I relieved the truss rod, about 3/4 of one circle. Neck got straighter, better, almost perfect on G, D, the "bump" from the 12th fret on, join with the body, is of course still there... :-( .PS I had read in one review of a "bump" on the fretboard high after the 12th fret... exactly what I have, although technically I translate it in manufacturing for rubber strings and then lowering the action by truss rod, which unfortunately does not work that high, since fretboard is fixed on the main body...?!
Since it arrived yesterday, not sure if I already want to play with the truss rod... and not sure, if I sent it back, if I ll get a better one or a worse one...!?
(Neck could maybe get straight only by trimming the frets, and maybe even "remove" some fretboard wood and re-fret the highest 4-5 frets, luthier's job... Lowering the nut is still an option for better action... or finding a way to lower the bridge, but I doubt that...).
Could loose truss rod a little bit more, but action is now up, with round wound strings, about 3-3,5 mm's on the 12th fret E string, almost 4mm on D, I think better then @SBassman had (the made in China sticker is still on...
), would not like it to get more...It's about finding a good compromise...
Will take it to the band practice in the evening...
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No, I bought this on the cheap on ebay. The previous owner attempted to convert the bass from rounds to pahoehoe's but it was missing the A string when I got it. They also changed the nut which is why I think it didn't work for them.
I put the nylon wounds on. The neck had way too much relief and I think I unfortunately have the trussrod near maxed out right now. It plays well but the action is too high compared to my exotic mahogany which is darn near perfect. I'm hoping when I get around to it that lowering the nut will allow me to put a little relief back into the neck.
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