• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Kala UBass Megathread, Part 7

#2,221
OllieVT said:
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.
Click to expand...
When I first learned guitar in 1965 when I was 15, the teacher was very adamant that the fretting thumb should always be on the back of the neck so that the wrist is always in a natural position. It has served me well for going on 60 years. I always use a strap because trying to hold up the bass without one is very awkward for me.

I've put a thumb rest on many of my bass ukes (you meant the strum hand), makes it so much more efficient for the E string, but if I don't, it's no big deal to rest my thumb on the top just above the E string.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OllieVT and J Posega
#2,222
OllieVT said:
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.
Click to expand...


Did you mean plucking hand? If so, I think I tend to use floating technique. I might push my thumb against the top above the e string. I plan on working in a technique bluegrass 6 string fingerpickers use where they post their pinky into where a pickguard would be on an acoustic and pivot off that point. Helps them with consistency. Seems that should work nice with the rubber strings since slap isn’t an option…
 
  • Like
Reactions: OllieVT
#2,224
IMG_6023.jpeg
IMG_6025.jpeg
Question about trying Galli Flatwounds on a string through solid body:

I love the Galli Flatwounds on my Journeyman. Would like to try them on my string through solid body but there seem to be a recommendation against it.

Has an anyone tried a flatwounds on a string through solid body with success?
 
#2,226
Fretless55 said:
View attachment 5206132 View attachment 5206133 Question about trying Galli Flatwounds on a string through solid body:

I love the Galli Flatwounds on my Journeyman. Would like to try them on my string through solid body but there seem to be a recommendation against it.

Has an anyone tried a flatwounds on a string through solid body with success?
Click to expand...
TBer @Plunker has:
https://www.talkbass.com/posts/23212636/

The warning against stringing flatwounds through the body is only a La Bella thing (and, even then, only valid for their regular Deep Talkin' Bass stainless steel and Gold flats, not the Low Tension Flats nor the new Olinto Signature Flats). Other makes and models are fine, and these nylon-core flats a fortiori.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fretless55
#2,227
Fretless55 said:
View attachment 5206132 View attachment 5206133 Question about trying Galli Flatwounds on a string through solid body: I love the Galli Flatwounds on my Journeyman. Would like to try them on my string through solid body but there seem to be a recommendation against it. Has an anyone tried a flatwounds on a string through solid body with success?
Click to expand...
I have and they work fine.They are nylon core so the tension is not much more than poly strings. I've actually used the Gold Tone LaBella flats on a variety of my bass ukes with no issues.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fretless55
#2,236
I think I mentioned this before, I gave up on all poly strings because in humid conditions, they all get sticky. They also take a long time to settle in, requiring restringing to cut off overlap on the spools. I now only use Kala/Galli flatwound nylon core, which to me have a close to poly bass sound, not like the recent round wound nylon core that have the zing noise I find intrusive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrperkolator
#2,240
I checked my fretless, it has a bushing on the E string, none on the others. Gauges should be slightly different. On my Rumbler with no access port on the back, I dropped a thread and needle through the string hole, stick the needle into the end of the string and carefully pull it back through.

This video is very helpful...
 
  • Like
Reactions: fourstr00

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back