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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 7

#461
J Posega said:
Hmm, I haven't heard anything good about the Thunder Reds. I reallllly didn't get along with the Pahoehoes. I really want to make a 5 string happen... I've got a nice big chunk of pine to carve a body from, and I think I could really use anything for the neck. Fretless, 5 or 6 string, piezo, perhaps DIY my own buffer and a fixed HPF?
Click to expand...

Did you mean "LPF"?

I had to go to a 25.5" scale before I got a low B that worked for me, no matter what strings I used. At that scale, the standard EADG gauges work when tuned down a fourth, so no special string is required for the low B (other than to make sure it's long enough!). I've had good luck doing this with the usual choices of urethane/nylon strings and the wound Savarez 640R.

I realize that makes the instrument much bigger than a uke, so it might not be an option for you. On the other hand, there are plenty of necks already available, which saves much effort.

Since you are interested in "rolling your own", you may find some useful ideas here:

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/sub-short-scale-talk.644956/
 
#462
I really want to keep it uke-sized. I might just go with the full Thunder Red set for 5 string.

Has anyone put a high C on their Ubass? I could imagine that any number of nylon strings could be used as a C.

I believe that if the circuit is meant to cut sub-low frequencies, then it's a high pass filter, no?
 
#464
It seems like there was lots of talk about HPFs earlier in the Ubass threads. And there's lots of guys using them before their amps (especially upright players) since piezos can produce a lot of sub lows that rob an amp of headroom.

I'll definitely update the group once I've got a design solidified... And time to build it!
 
#466
Just got my 1st u-bass!

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D098DA40-200C-4ABC-9453-3C69FAB6D9E0.jpg
 
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#472
I was really excited about getting my Cali fretless 5 last year, but I just didn't bond with it. It's been sitting in its gig bag ever since, I was even thinking about selling it off.

Tonight on a whim I pulled it out, charged it up and plugged it in. For some reason this time it's starting to click for me. I was having a blast! So, it looks like I might be back in the fold.

Question: I could have sworn that I've seen acoustic fives. Am I on drugs? I can't find any hollow fivers on the Kala website.
 
#473
HeavyDuty said:
I was really excited about getting my Cali fretless 5 last year, but I just didn't bond with it. It's been sitting in its gig bag ever since, I was even thinking about selling it off.

Tonight on a whim I pulled it out, charged it up and plugged it in. For some reason this time it's starting to click for me. I was having a blast! So, it looks like I might be back in the fold.

Question: I could have sworn that I've seen acoustic fives. Am I on drugs? I can't find any hollow fivers on the Kala website.
Click to expand...
No acosutic fivers. I'll take some of whatever you got.
 
#476
As a Ubass newbie I see some mentions of talc for sticky strings. How much? Put it on fingers, strings, or both? I've also noticed my Kala Rumbler is a bit weak output from the E string in my amps. Can the pickup be moved or adjusted? BTW, it got a lot of curious attention when I played it on a couple of gigs last weekend!
 
#477
heynorm said:
As a Ubass newbie I see some mentions of talc for sticky strings. How much? Put it on fingers, strings, or both? I've also noticed my Kala Rumbler is a bit weak output from the E string in my amps. Can the pickup be moved or adjusted? BTW, it got a lot of curious attention when I played it on a couple of gigs last weekend!
Click to expand...
I don't know about the best way to use powder, but the low output E string is very common. I'm fairly sure Kala will send you a replacement pickup if you ask for one.
 
#478
I played the "exotic mahogany" model last night at Sam Ash. It was unholy and unnatural, and yet sorta awesome. Pretty quiet fingerstyle and acoustically, though, which makes me a sad panda. The frets seemed sort of superfluous they were so tiny.

Kind of wanting a fretless spruce model. Just wish it was a little louder. Can't seem to find out if the Aquila Shortbass One is available in the states, or at all.
 
#480
The makers of Pahoho's does make a red 5 string set with a B string, all you have to do is call and ask. He made mine for a 26 in. scale acoustic guitar I converted. The B string is around 6.5 mm in diameter about .5 mm larger than the E string.
 

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