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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 7

#761
Gorn said:
How much did they want for it?
Click to expand...

Well, out the door with taxes and everything, it was about $540 brand new, with the Pyramids on it instead of the original strings. Plus a strap and quick release thingy. I went back today, and the original bass did have intonation issues, but after trying some different stuff out, he swapped the strings onto another fretted bass that had fewer issues. They're getting acclimated to the new body but I think this is going to work really well. And the intonation was better with the original strings too so I know it's not the strings, it's the bass. Big props to Lahaina Music for going the extra mile.

Thanks again for your help, Gorm Captain. I got a better instrument as a result.

--JES
 
#762
I've never heard of a brand new Ubass coming with pyramid strings. They come stock with the Paehoehoes.
I couldn't get the Pyramids to work on my fretless hog.They sounded really bad! Maybe they work better on the fretted version. Good luck and enjoy! They are incredible! Mine is the older model without the preamp, but its great nonetheless!
 
#763
The other bass player in my ukulele group uses a Kala spruce top acoustic with Pyramid strings and PigNose Hog amp. At first I thought it sounded too metallic and buzzy, but lately it seems to have improved, deep full sound. I have a Gold Tone MicroBasss with black Road Toad Pahoehoe strings with a Crate USA Limo 50 watt USA made amp, which at first I thought sounded pretty good, but now our leader is saying my bass is sounding muddy. I have a set of Pyramids and waiting for a solid body Rondo to come back from modifying, and will try them on it. I'm also wondering if my combo amp is the problem, that I should get a true bass amp, like a Phil Jones Double Four with a battery (have to have a battery).
 
#765
Hi Folks,

That's part of why I think I got a great deal, given what Pyramids are selling for online, and given that I just can't learn to love the Panahoes (though I appreciate the engineering brilliance). Everyone's got their own hands and ears, but I felt like I got the twang and meow of an amplified upright (think jazz rather than bluegrass tone) when plugged into an amp. Played with a thumb, there's tons of thump. And I appreciate the extra tension--feels like I can really dig in. I keep the tone down. Acoustically they sound better too.

Now I just have to convince Pyramid to make a proper flatwound version....
 
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#766
JES said:
Hi Folks,

That's part of why I think I got a great deal, given what Pyramids are selling for online, and given that I just can't learn to love the Panahoes (though I appreciate the engineering brilliance). Everyone's got their own hands and ears, but I felt like I got the twang and meow of an amplified upright (think jazz rather than bluegrass tone) when plugged into an amp. Played with a thumb, there's tons of thump. And I appreciate the extra tension--feels like I can really dig in. I keep the tone down. Acoustically they sound better too.

Now I just have to convince Pyramid to make a proper flatwound version....
Click to expand...

PLEASE, PLEASE convince them to do a 5 string set for the SUB Kala, Also. PLEASE. drool
 
#767
So I confess that I have not yet read all 7 megathreads, but I'd be grateful for any links to good posts on ubass technique, etc. I've been spending time with it every day since I got it. It's like a tiny upright. I've been experimenting with palm muting, etc, but I'm guessing with the number of them out there people have already figured out some clever tricks.

Thanks!
 
#769
Timmy-Watts said:
Just find the sweet spot, and play with the right touch. I find palm muting and stuff doesn't really work. It's all about the touch.

And get the right preamp/rig/settings to make it amplify the best. That's the tricky learning curve.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I've been playing a Martin BC-15e through an Orange TB500 head and a custom 15" cab with good success. I have been using the Fdeck preamp for the piezo, so I just figured that could work for the Ubass too. I also have an Eden I could run it through for a cleaner sound.
 
#770
Update: since I got home, I found palm muting works GREAT with the Pyramids. Counterintuitively, I also find playing near the bridge is more "upright-y" and near the neck is more "electric" sounding. Again with the Pyramids. YMMV, etc. I'd love to try the Pyramid tape wounds but I've gotten no reply from their US distributor. If anyone on this side of the pond knows how to get them, please tell us!

I'm now looking for a stand. Kala's stand is my most likely option -- FOLD UP UKULELE STAND : Stands

But if there are others that people recommend, I'd love to know. My ideal would be one of those 2-3 instrument stands with the angled hangers so you can stuff a uke, acoustic guitar, or bass in there. But my google juju isn't working to find one that looks right.
 
#774
Timmy-Watts said:
The whole point of the U-bass, at least for me, is portability. If I was going to bring 3 axes, it would be paying me a lot, and I'd bring bigger ones.

That said, I find standard hanger style guitar stands work great for the U-bass. Like Ultimate.
Click to expand...
Are you still on the same pahoehoes? You've probably been playing the ubass longer than most. I think I asked a few years ago and you said yes.
 
#775
Yep Same original set. That makes it going on 4.5 years now. I don't play it as much as used to anymore though. The gig(s) I was mostly using it for in the past have changed somewhat. So have my tastes.

Edit: I guess for anyone who is interested... I'm basically a professional sub, like for EVERYONE around here. There was and still is this nice house gig that really should be a doubling gig, with jazz standards and Latin tunes all the way to pop and classic rock. I used the U-bass for that because it split the difference pretty well without having to schlep and switch a lot. Many of my YouTube videos were shot at this place. Anyway, the stage is like a foot higher than the floor, and there is a small space right by the bassist to squeeze through in between a ledge and the piano and step down to the dining floor from the bar/lounge area. Normally only servers cut through that way. One night when I wasn't there, a 90-something year old guy went through there and didn't realize there was a step down, fell, and broke a bunch of stuff. From that moment on, the owner decreed that all bassists only play upright. It's easy to take a step forward and block the cut-through. So, way less U-bass for me. It's not big enough to keep people from walking through.
 
#776
It's up to the owner to rework that area to prevent someone from having access, he could really get busted by the building and safety department with a situation like that. Telling the bass player to only use an upright obviously does not satisfy safety codes. I'm a property manager and I'm always very careful to be in compliance with all safety codes, it's not worth it at all to take a chance on getting busted, and with an accident like that, he should know better than to half-ass a remedy. That old man could still sue him and that would bring on inspections and most likely shut down the place.
 
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#777
JES said:
Update: since I got home, I found palm muting works GREAT with the Pyramids. Counterintuitively, I also find playing near the bridge is more "upright-y" and near the neck is more "electric" sounding. Again with the Pyramids. YMMV, etc. I'd love to try the Pyramid tape wounds but I've gotten no reply from their US distributor. If anyone on this side of the pond knows how to get them, please tell us!

I'm now looking for a stand. Kala's stand is my most likely option -- FOLD UP UKULELE STAND : Stands

But if there are others that people recommend, I'd love to know. My ideal would be one of those 2-3 instrument stands with the angled hangers so you can stuff a uke, acoustic guitar, or bass in there. But my google juju isn't working to find one that looks right.
Click to expand...
This is the stand I use...
HercUkeStand.jpg

Small enough it sits on top of the GK combo amp I use for the Kala (keeps the ukebass off the floor where someone might trip over it).
 

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