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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 7
- Thread starter olitoon
- Start date
I've been searching for this video forever and bluebird28 managed to find it. I've always loved petrochemical strings but never really bonded with tiny scale basses so this always really appealed to me:
It looks to me like the tuners aren't modded and the strings were just squeezed in there, and I know that bass normally has bridge pins, so I'm thinking they took them out, fed the strings through and tied knots. I contacted roadtoad to see if they'll make me pahoehoes that are long enough. I'll ask aquila too even though I kinda hate thunderguts. But for this I might give them a shot. I have similar ibanez acoustic lying around so I'm gonna try it, if I can get the strings.
It looks to me like the tuners aren't modded and the strings were just squeezed in there, and I know that bass normally has bridge pins, so I'm thinking they took them out, fed the strings through and tied knots. I contacted roadtoad to see if they'll make me pahoehoes that are long enough. I'll ask aquila too even though I kinda hate thunderguts. But for this I might give them a shot. I have similar ibanez acoustic lying around so I'm gonna try it, if I can get the strings.
Gorn, you may need to widen the peg holes for the E and A strings to fit thru the holes and then you will not be able to go back to wound strings.
True. I would also probably need to mod the nut. Plus the bass has been sitting there unplayed. It won't be a big loss if I mess it up.
I have my perfect bass. It's my frankenjazz with a p neck. The only bass in the world right now that I badly want is one like in the video...ultimately with pahoehoes, though I think thunderguts would probably work better for the long scale.
Gorn, I tried (still a work in process) converting a Johnson cutaway Guitar into a 5 string Pahoehoe strung Bass. I changed out the tuners for Bass tuners, I had to use wire ties on the E and A strings to hold them while tuning up. What a PITA, the wire ties broke a couple of times but I finally got the string wound. But you know what tuning is like. I gave up for a while and bought a Kala acoustic U Bass, then a Gold Tone Micro Bass and now the Rondo Bass Uke solid body, mine is a nice bass. Intonation is perfect, tuners are cheap and feel like they are stripping gears. Little thin strips of plastic are coming out of the bottom of the tuners sometimes, I guess its time for Hipshot UltraLites. $$$$$$ unless I can find them for a reasonable price.
Though I'd cross post this in case some of you guys missed this, I've not seen any mention of this bass around here but it will sure appeal to UBassers:
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/ortega-pm-shaman-new-micro-acoustic-bass.1096611/
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/ortega-pm-shaman-new-micro-acoustic-bass.1096611/
I'm looking to buy a UBass.
I've read through the megathreads, but I still have some questions. I hope someone can help me out.
1.
I went to a Long and McQuade and luckily they had fretted and fretless. I found the fretless A LOT easier to play than fretted. The problem is that I'm new to bass (1 year), and I have no experience with fretless. Would it be too hard to play a fretless at a beginner skill level?
2.
It sounds like Sweetwater is the best place to get these...yes?
3.
Kala QC. Is it better recently? I ask because I live in Canada, so if I don't want to pay the $550 asking price of Long and McQuade for the spruce top, I'm going to have to order from an American site and import it myself. This will make returns expensive and time consuming. I need to make sure I get a good one right away.
Thanks for any help you can offer me!
I've read through the megathreads, but I still have some questions. I hope someone can help me out.
1.
I went to a Long and McQuade and luckily they had fretted and fretless. I found the fretless A LOT easier to play than fretted. The problem is that I'm new to bass (1 year), and I have no experience with fretless. Would it be too hard to play a fretless at a beginner skill level?
2.
It sounds like Sweetwater is the best place to get these...yes?
3.
Kala QC. Is it better recently? I ask because I live in Canada, so if I don't want to pay the $550 asking price of Long and McQuade for the spruce top, I'm going to have to order from an American site and import it myself. This will make returns expensive and time consuming. I need to make sure I get a good one right away.
Thanks for any help you can offer me!
#1 - It's hard to help there. We all have different views of fretted v.s. fretless. Depends on the person. If You felt better with the fretless, perhaps listen to yourself.
#2 - Sweetwater is indeed a great place. Great service.
#3 - People are more likely to report a Problem than a Perfect Build. I wouldn't worry too much about QC. In all likelihood, you'll do fine.
#2 - Sweetwater is indeed a great place. Great service.
#3 - People are more likely to report a Problem than a Perfect Build. I wouldn't worry too much about QC. In all likelihood, you'll do fine.
Yes, they said they'd price match an American price, but they'd include shipping and duty, so it'd just be cheaper to get it online.
The most common issue I've noticed with ubasses is low output from the E string. Of the six or so ubasses I've owned, all but two had low output e strings and one had a nearly inaudible e string. If you're dealing with sweetwater, I'd ask them to check that for you before you buy one.
Yes Sweetwater is really good at customer service. Ask and they will generally take good care of you especially if your outside of the USA.
I've been using my fretted Kala Exotic Mahogany UBass for quite a few gigs and I've collected more than a few comments about it from audience members and other musicians.
Every musician I've talked to about it is very curious and say they love the sound though they may be a bit skeptical at first and they all want to try it no matter what their regular instrument is...So far, two bassists that have tried it told me they're going to buy one ASAP.
The most frequent question from audience members is along the lines of "What is that thing?", "Is that a ukulele?" We often rehearse in a store front and myself and other band members have noticed several passers-by actually looking away from their phones and looking at my Ubass then pointing and some would give a thumbs up or maybe laugh. Once group of teens stopped and several played air kala for a bit.
But my favorite audience response was from a guy at a street festival who came up to me and listened a while then said to me between songs, "Oh, you're really playing that. I thought it was a recording."
Anybody else get comments?
Every musician I've talked to about it is very curious and say they love the sound though they may be a bit skeptical at first and they all want to try it no matter what their regular instrument is...So far, two bassists that have tried it told me they're going to buy one ASAP.
The most frequent question from audience members is along the lines of "What is that thing?", "Is that a ukulele?" We often rehearse in a store front and myself and other band members have noticed several passers-by actually looking away from their phones and looking at my Ubass then pointing and some would give a thumbs up or maybe laugh. Once group of teens stopped and several played air kala for a bit.
But my favorite audience response was from a guy at a street festival who came up to me and listened a while then said to me between songs, "Oh, you're really playing that. I thought it was a recording."
Anybody else get comments?
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I've only played my Kala mahogany fretless U-Bass at one gig but I got a lot of similar comments. People at the gig couldn't believe that little thing put out that good of low end. I usually play an upright bass for a lot of my band's more country songs so it was definitely a change playing the U-Bass for those songs. But I like the look of me playing it onstage because I'm 6"4 and people just stare and wonder why I'm playing such a small instrument. But nobody in the crowd can deny the low end and tone of that thing.
Thinking of getting a Kala Sub to go with the hollowbody.
Does anybody know the difference between the pickup on the 2013 model and the 2014 model? The difference in sound, the difference in how well they intonate if any.
Looking at one of each year. Both new/demo models with warranties.
Like the looks of the 2014 better as it's the cherry burst rather than the regular burst.
Like the 2013 better as it's $75 cheaper, but not a fan of sunburst finishes, ever.
Thanks in advance for any help here.
Does anybody know the difference between the pickup on the 2013 model and the 2014 model? The difference in sound, the difference in how well they intonate if any.
Looking at one of each year. Both new/demo models with warranties.
Like the looks of the 2014 better as it's the cherry burst rather than the regular burst.
Like the 2013 better as it's $75 cheaper, but not a fan of sunburst finishes, ever.
Thanks in advance for any help here.
These little basses have been giving me GAS for awhile.
Just picked up a USA Bakithi Kumalo Sig. Model. ( I dug the pickguard )
Very well make, the pickup is sweet, an upgrade from a $600.00 Hollowbody Kala I played at a Music store.
Easy to play, BIG Tone.
Will test drive at a Blues Gig this weekend.
Just picked up a USA Bakithi Kumalo Sig. Model. ( I dug the pickguard )
Very well make, the pickup is sweet, an upgrade from a $600.00 Hollowbody Kala I played at a Music store.
Easy to play, BIG Tone.
Will test drive at a Blues Gig this weekend.
I am purchasing a Harley benton Clu bass (as seen on the thomann website) as I cannot afford to spend £300 or more on a uke bass, and I cannot decide between a fretted or a fretless. I am aware of the sound differences, and i like both, but can anyone tell me of the pros and cons of each one, specifically regarding intonation and buzz or rattle. And btw, I am comfortable playing both a fretted and fretless so that is not an issue.
Fretless US solidbody with pyramids...unfortunately played with horrific intonation, but the tone is pretty good.
