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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 7

#2,201
UbassDanno said:
The long scale 5-string set from Sweetwater is only $2 more than the regular 4-string set from Kala. Free shipping...
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Except, according to Kala, there’s no such thing as long scale, or they are all long scale. They did have a longer scale set in the past, so perhaps the Sweetwater set is new / old stock. I know for sure the set I bought some years ago was for 19-20 inch scale instruments. I got them on my bass, but the D & G did t last long due to the extra stretch to get them up to pitch on a 23” scale.

I’d really like to go with nylon / perlon core flatwounds, but last time I pursued that, there were none recommended for my 23” scale fretted due to intonation problems. That might have changed since I last looked…..

From Kala; Thanks for reaching out! We only offer one size of road toad strings.
 
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#2,202
Tim Skaggs said:
I’d be interested in the flat ribbon winding over a nylon core, but I’ve been under the impression my intonation would be way off. Is there some change to that issue?
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Tim Skaggs said:
last time I pursued that, there were none recommended for my 23” scale fretted due to intonation problems.
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1) The chrome steel over nylon Kala KA-BASS-4FW (aka Galli UXB910C) set is what you're thinking of.
TBer @Plunker indeed had to move the bridge his solid-body uke back a fraction of an inch:
Sub-Short Scale Talk
2) I would expect the Pyramid 235 set (chrome nickel over nylon) to not require as much compensation, what with its thinner gauges.
3) Lastly, look into the new Aquila 210U Flat Spirals (copper over "Sugar" bioplastic).

These are the only three nylon-core, metal flatwounds I'm aware of. (First and third ones are available in both ~21" and ~23" lengths, second one only for the latter length.)
 
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#2,203
HaphAsSard said:
1) The chrome steel over nylon Kala KA-BASS-4FW (aka Galli UXB910C) set is what you're thinking of.
TBer @Plunker indeed had to move the bridge his solid-body uke back a fraction of an inch:
Sub-Short Scale Talk
2) I would expect the Pyramid 235 set (chrome nickel over nylon) to not require as much compensation, what with its thinner gauges.
3) Lastly, look into the new Aquila 210U Flat Spirals (copper over "Sugar" bioplastic).

These are the only three nylon-core, metal flatwounds I'm aware of. (First and third ones are available in both ~21" and ~23" lengths, second one only for the latter length.)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I’ve been looking at all three. The new flat spirals sound good except for the copper winding. I’ve had long scale electric bass copper wound strings (D’Adderio XL Reds), and copper tarnishes so fast, I would be concerned with the surface feel after periods of not playing the bass. I wouldn’t expect it to affect the tone much, since it’s unlikely they would be bright when new. The Pyramids are high $$, but will probably last forever. I just looked at the Galli UBX910C this evening, but I didn’t find the were available in the 23” scale length. I’ll have to look again.

I also found a black nylon filament wound Galli on a nylon core, UBX810-23 I would have ordered tonight if the winding was nylon tape wound, but the description says “Black nylon round wound on synthetic core”.
 
#2,204
Tim Skaggs said:
Thanks for the info. I’ve been looking at all three. The new flat spirals sound good except for the copper winding. I’ve had long scale electric bass copper wound strings (D’Adderio XL Reds), and copper tarnishes so fast, I would be concerned with the surface feel after periods of not playing the bass. I wouldn’t expect it to affect the tone much, since it’s unlikely they would be bright when new.
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Same concern as I have. I can turn copper/bronze green just by looking at it funny.
I just looked at the Galli UBX910C this evening, but I didn’t find the were available in the 23” scale length. I’ll have to look again.
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The following are one and the same, TTBOMK:
Invalid Link Removed
I also found a black nylon filament wound Galli on a nylon core, UBX810-23 I would have ordered tonight if the winding was nylon tape wound, but the description says “Black nylon round wound on synthetic core”.
Click to expand...
I remember forum-inteviewing owners and seeing a closeup of them and yes, they're finely knurled.
 
#2,205
Bighouse said:
Looking at buying a used Kala Ebony with roundwounds. Going to test play it this afternoon. Any suggestions on what I should look for? (Can't help but wonder why someone would sell it.)
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Well, I passed on the Ubass. It looked really promising when I first held it, played well, good tone, no obvious wear, sounded great through the Fender Rumble 40 (same amp I’ll use for it). Then I started looking more closely. Sighting down the fretboard from the head to the tail revealed a weird warp where the neck meets the body.from the nut to the 12th fret the net had a slight concave bow, expected, but from the 12th fret to the end of the fretboard it was a bit convex. I kb]now these have some kind of truss rod adjustability, but I’d rather find one with a neck that has a consistent shape to it. Shame, it was a good price at $325.
 
#2,208
Yes, all true. there is also Strings and beyond that has in charge these new flat spirals sets.

I would like to add more explanations:
1) I modified just a little the way of the 1st G and 2nd D are made: they are now even more robust, they stretch less so no risk that the metal wire become loose (it is uncommon but with the fist prototypes it sometime happened)

2) I have found a solutions about the final portion of the string addressed to the head concerning the grey silk upon the string. With this solution and with 3 different sets we cover not not only the traditional Kala bass ukulele with scale 18 to 21 inches but also the wide range of the so called 'medium size basses' such as those of Tyler; our Shortbassone; the Goldtone models etc etc. of 23 to 25 inches.
Then the traditional acoustic bass guitars in the range 30 up to 34 inches. In short: we cover all thew ranges now.

3) I have for all these models of the point 2) even the high C and the low B strings. So one can employ them on a 5 strings (with high C or low B) or also a 6 strings low B E ADG and high c.

It was a really hard job guys, but I was never alone: I need always thanks Sbassman and Karl Kaminski for their kind and free support
Mimmo (from this warm Italy)
 
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#2,209
So, I just wanted to put this out there - as a public service. ;)

I am picking up my bass again this morning. You see - I am really just a weekend warrior player. I work a full schedule, and I often don't get much of a chance to pick up the bass during the week. This means I sometimes feel like I get to rediscover fun stuff with my gear.

This Aquila flat spirals are the greatest acoustic bass strings I have ever felt, heard, played.
It's going to take quite a big innovation for someone to knock me off these strings now.
And if it happens, it will probably be from Mimmo at Aquila. :)

Seriously, these strings are so good. So, so much better than the stock strings from DAddario for these basses.
And so, so much better than any other phosphor bronze acoustic bass string out there.

I currently have two acoustic basses - Cordoba Minis - and I will absolutely keep Aquila coppers on both of them for the long haul. The strings are now stocked at multiple online string shops for uke, mini/guitar scale, and 34" scales.
 
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#2,212
I am nearly one of you!

I'm picking up a black kala journeyman u-bass on Saturday from my localest-but-not-that-local music store. I'm a new player overall, but fell in love with it last time I was there. Anything I should be looking out for once I'm there and before I pull the trigger on the purchase?

The portability was the big draw and why I was initially looking, but I think it's going to be pushing my existing standard-scale bass as favourite instrument rather than being the second-choice I was expecting.
 
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#2,214
U-bass acquired and I'm very happy with it so far, both in feel and sound. I'll make a NBD post once I get around to taking a picture.

In the meantime, if anyone has tips for a starting-out player with no particular end-goal in mind for how to get the most from having a u-bass and a standard-scale 4 string, whether u-bass-specific tips or what works better on one or the other, then I'm all ears. Or all eyes, I suppose, in our online world.
 
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#2,215
OllieVT said:
U-bass acquired and I'm very happy with it so far, both in feel and sound. I'll make a NBD post once I get around to taking a picture. In the meantime, if anyone has tips for a starting-out player with no particular end-goal in mind for how to get the most from having a u-bass and a standard-scale 4 string, whether u-bass-specific tips or what works better on one or the other, then I'm all ears. Or all eyes, I suppose, in our online world.
Click to expand...
I find that I don't need to press too hard.
 
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#2,216
Looking at picking up a Kala as a backup for acoustic gigs, kind of ignorant of some stuff.

-what’s the longevity of the strings? I’m looking at a used one where the strings are a little worn.
- the piezo passive models with no controls: how’s the sound vs the active versions?
 
#2,218
Beginner question(s) after a few days with my Journeyman.

How should I be holding my fretting hand?

More specifically, it feels natural to hold the u-bass in place with my wrist, but this makes my fretting hand fairly flat. This was the angle I went with initially on my full-size bass, but in the one lesson I've had I was encouraged to have my fretting fingers coming away from the strings at a much steeper angle. That's working fine on the big bass, but how do I make that work here (or should I?).

Relatedly, what do I do with the thumb on my fretting hand? I've been resting it on the string above for all but the E string on both basses. On the big one I rest it on a pick-up when playing the E string. What do I do on a u-bass? Is a thumb-rest a good/sensible/possible addition (if so, recs appreciated)? But if not, or just anyway assuming that most people don't add one, where should my thumb be when playing the E string?

Thanks for any help, and apologies for these being questions about basic technique as much as being kala-related.
 
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