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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 7

#301
3234718 said:
A California acoustic?
Click to expand...

No a black stained solid body. I haven't seen any California Acoustic. I had too many feedback issues with my acoustic and had to keep using the shape knob. I bought the little one in the photo about 3 weeks ago and now am a convert.

Sunday night I brought my Acoustic Image amp to a friend's regular gig. He plays an Ibanez 5 string (He claims to be a frustrated guitar and he is but he still is a fantastic musician.) using a pick through a 60 lb Behringer that he uses a wheelchair lift to get into the van. He's over 70.

So he tries my amp and it sounds better and doesn't break up when he turns the bass know all the way up (This is a Corus, the guitar version)

Then I sit in with the U-bass with the tone controls flat but bass rolled off with the tone shaper to avoid feedback (no pick for me) for a set and we do tunes like "Blue Skies" and a lot of Traditional Jazz pieces Chicago style.

Everyone dug the sound a LOT " That thing sounds like it's a dog house!" I hear later that while I was doing a solo, the Clarinet Player was mimicking my teeny movements. Afterwords I seem to have attracted another bass player from the audience for a big discussion. LOL

Then my friend went back to play and it sounded like he was playing a big guitar.

I think after he buys an AI amp I'll take the little solid body Kala to him and make a convert.
 
#302
Hey Kala afficionados -

My Hutch Hutchinson U-Bass is coming on Thursday, so I'm a total noob. Been wanting a Kala forever, and finally found an excuse to pull the trigger (a gig where my usual 35" scale fivers won't FIT... stage is too small). Yeah, I know, flimsy excuse... but at least I'm finally getting one!

So, without searching all 10,497 posts in these threads, can you guys shed some light on installing a strap button on the neck heel of these things? Is it doable, or certain destruction? I just hate having a strap attached at the nut.

Thanks!
 
#303
FromTheBassMent said:
Hey Kala afficionados -

My Hutch Hutchinson U-Bass is coming on Thursday, so I'm a total noob. Been wanting a Kala forever, and finally found an excuse to pull the trigger (a gig where my usual 35" scale fivers won't FIT... stage is too small). Yeah, I know, flimsy excuse... but at least I'm finally getting one!

So, without searching all 10,497 posts in these threads, can you guys shed some light on installing a strap button on the neck heel of these things? Is it doable, or certain destruction? I just hate having a strap attached at the nut.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

It's really easy to do, but if you are uncomfortable drilling a pilot hole- have a local guitar store help you out. It will take 5 minutes.
 
#305
FromTheBassMent said:
Hey Kala afficionados -

... can you guys shed some light on installing a strap button on the neck heel of these things? Is it doable, or certain destruction? I just hate having a strap attached at the nut.
Click to expand...
I put a strap button on my Hutchinson U-Bass. It's super easy. I'd recommend drilling a hole in a piece of wood that's not attached to the bass first, and then try the screw in that hole. That way you can make sure you've got the right size. You don't want the hole so small that forcing the screw in could crack the heel, but you want it snug enough to hold. You'll know when it's right. That's what I did and it eliminated the fear of messing up my bass. Of course, if you're not comfortable doing this, take your bass to an experienced repair person.
 
#306
Instead of drilling into the heel I drilled through the back into the big block of wood just inside the body at the end of the neck. That way I cannot crack or split the heel.

This is the standard U-bass I don't know what is inside the Hutch.

strapbutton_zpse575f75a.gif
 
#309
Thanks for all of the replies on the strap button. I have installed quite a few over the years, but never on an instrument with such a small heel... that was really what had me concerned. But it looks as though several of you have done it with great success, so my mind is at ease.
 
#310
FromTheBassMent said:
Hey Kala afficionados -

My Hutch Hutchinson U-Bass is coming on Thursday
Click to expand...

Congrats!

I played my acoustic hog tonight for the first time. Plenty loud for midnight acoustics.

Check and see if at the heel seam there is a sharp edge. I wonder if I got a blem and wasn't told.

The instrument is sweet. Sounds great acoustically and also through the iPhone&ear buds. Again, tested at midnight.

No one commented on the tortoise piping. Classy touch.

Did they use laminates for the Hutchison or solid pieces? I know they did for the maple top. That's why I fell for the hog.

Does this uke really need a humidor gadget? How about a damp sponge in a perforated pint bottle inside the case?

I think we need a lesson in acoustic humidors.
 
#311
Hey everyone - I recently got my 1st Ubass (a sexy fretless hog) and in the last few weeks read thru ALL SEVEN MEGATHREADS on here to gather as much info as I could - it was really quite a journey getting caught up on the last few years of activity - and thank you all for your videos and sharing the knowledge you've learned along the way

Now my question is, I currently have the "dread pahoehoes" on and they are great besides staying in tune - I play in a funky reggae band called Bushwood (hence my username) and I want to use my Ubass especially when we do acoustic shows so I'm super interested in the new black flat pyramid strings - if anyone knows where they can be ordered, I'd be a very happy Ubasser

:bassist:

Also, with the Pyramids in general (for now I ordered a set of these but they haven't arrived yet - how long did they take to stretch/stay in tune ? Just wondering how quickly I can get them on and get to a gig!

Thanks again,
Adam
Bassist in BUSHWOOD
Funky Reggae band from South Florida http://BushwoodBand.com

*Edit: I just emailed Pyramid as well, so will share what I learn directly from them.
 
#313
caeman said:
I am sticking with my pahoehoes. After they've aged for a while, mine are quite stable.
Click to expand...

I saw earlier that you use them regularly in a temple setting. How long would you say it took to go from "fresh strings in package" to "fully stable tuning"?

I ask specifically because I found my strings (only about a week and a half old) to be getting BETTER stability (I've restrung it 2-3 times so far per string) but still very wonky, especially if there are any temperature changes like having it in my car on the way to play it somewhere - any tips or guidance would be much appreciated.

I love the sound & thump of the polyurethane - wish I would've discovered this very cool instrument sooner (so the strings would stay in tune by now!)
 
#314
The biggest adjustment period was the first month. I was re-stringing it once a way to cut off the excessive length. It was a couple months later when I trimmed the strings once more,but it was an inch or so hanging off the tuners. Now more than a year on, I leave the u-bass sitting out for 15 minute before I tune and I may have to correct for 25 to 30 cents plus or minus off. As the room gets warmer I keep an eye on the tuning to make sure it stays close.
 
#316
caeman said:
Now more than a year on, I leave the u-bass sitting out for 15 minute before I tune and I may have to correct for 25 to 30 cents plus or minus off. As the room gets warmer I keep an eye on the tuning to make sure it stays close.
Click to expand...

^This is what I was looking for - when I first took the Ubass out of it's case at last night's gig, the strings had slacked a full step flat - but I let it sit out for about 20-30 mins and then the tuning was more stable/reliable

By the way, I know if I don't post pics, it doesn't exist, so here she is.. (I play some reggae if you couldn't tell :bassist: )

Also I haven't cut the strings yet so you can see exactly how much they've stretched so far, and I've only had it for 2 weeks

DSC_4424--Ubass_zpsa5f5a3ce.jpg


DSC_4419--Ubass_zps48ebe86b.jpg


I think Bob Marley's bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett would be proud
 
#318
FunkyReggae said:
^This is what I was looking for - when I first took the Ubass out of it's case at last night's gig, the strings had slacked a full step flat - but I let it sit out for about 20-30 mins and then the tuning was more stable/reliable

By the way, I know if I don't post pics, it doesn't exist, so here she is.. (I play some reggae if you couldn't tell :bassist: )

Also I haven't cut the strings yet so you can see exactly how much they've stretched so far, and I've only had it for 2 weeks

DSC_4424--Ubass_zpsa5f5a3ce.jpg


DSC_4419--Ubass_zps48ebe86b.jpg


I think Bob Marley's bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett would be proud
Click to expand...

IRIE!!!!
 
#319
Got my Hutch yesterday, just in time for a LONG band rehearsal for an "unplugged" gig we have coming up on Saturday (where I plan to use the U-Bass exclusively). First impressions:

1. Gawd, I love playing this thing! I've had to invent a totally new right-hand technique that I've never used on any instrument, but it was pretty easy to do so. It's just very relaxing and fun to play... so effortless physically that I feel I could play it for six hours straight with no fatigue at all. Eight thumbs WAAAAAAY up from the rest of the band!

2. Tuning problems? None so far. It stayed pretty much spot on in tune for the entire four hour rehearsal.

3. Folks who have complained about the weak volume on the E string are so right. Can't imagine playing this thing without a compressor to even things out. Fortunately when I was rummaging in the basement the other day I found a Boss CS-2 that I've had since 1982. Yes, I tried my Keeley and my Retro-Sonic, but damb, that old beat-up Boss sounded the best. Nice to have a use for it.

4. I like the stock strings. I have an Ashbory, so the feel of the strings was not a complete shock to me (although I find the Pehoehoes to be a lot less gummy than the Ashbory strings).

5. Okay, seriously folks... can ANYONE play one of these things in tune above the 7th fret? Any higher on the neck than that the intonation is a complete joke. The reason I rarely gigged the Ashbory is because the intonation is so fussy due to the short scale (gotta be hunched over watching your fingers all the time). The Kala's frets should solve that problem, but alas, they don't. Above the 7th fret the notes are too sharp to be usable.

6. Quality issues: So, I am holding in my hands a FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR UKULELE. The output jack does not grip the plug on the cable properly... it keeps jumping out. This is going to have to be remedied. The Hipshot tuners are so NOT Hipshot. Please, I've been playing bass for 35 years... don't take me for a rube. These are cheap Chinese tuners, and aren't even good counterfeits (no phony Hipshot logo). I expect these will have to be replaced shortly. The heel of the neck is not symmetrical, there are spots where the top meets the binding where the wood is chipped... really bush-league stuff. If I weren't so completely in love with playing the thing, I'd be a little cheesed off by the lack of quality control.

I'll tell you honestly, when I first pulled it out of the box I was really disappointed (cheap tuners, rough construction). But I am overall happy with my purchase because this instrument is an absolute joy to play. I had to throw all of my regular bass technique out of the window and start over, and I thought at first this would take me some days or weeks to master. But in the context of a band rehearsal, I found I could just slide into it, my right hand using more of a nylon string guitar technique than a bass technique. It's fun, and it sounds wicked cool... looking forward to making it a part of my regular arsenal.
 
#320
Hey everyone - I posted yesterday looking for the black Pyramid flat strings for Ubass - got an answer directly from them, so thought I'd share the correspondence with you all

ME: Hello! I'm writing to find out if Pyramid has available the black flatwound strings specially designed for the short scale acoustic Ukelele Bass? I can't seem to locate them on your website. I would be willing to order them custom as well, if that is the only option. Please let me know. Thank you very much.

PYRAMID: WE make silver plated copper round wounds for Ubass. We make black nylon tape flat wounds for long and short scale standard electric bass.

ME: Ok thank you for the information. Wouldn't the Ubass be considered a "short scale" bass? I've seen a YouTube video with the black nylon tape flat wounds on an acoustic Ubass, which is why I inquired. Thank you ahead of time for any additional information.

PYRAMID: Not really a short scale bass those are 30 inch scale,—Medium scale is 32, long scale is 34”

Kala Ubass is beyond a novelty perhaps but not in the class of a real bass in that no standard bass string will work on it --- the tension is too high and all bass strings too stiff.

That is why we made a nylon silk core silver plated copper set for it –like a very heavy classic guitar string that is made very flexible—a set is $60

It might be possible to experiment and produce a black nylon flat wound for it—the problem is cost and time with no or very very little demand. and high cost to do.

They need a very flexible string which is why they use monofilament polyurethane –essentially an advanced rubber band

Call Kala customer support and ask

KALA BRAND MUSIC CO.
P.O. BOX 751149
PETALUMA, CA 94975 U.S.A.
1 877-853-3853
1 707-775-4073
 

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