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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 7

#81
jburtonca said:
I don't think anyone has posted about this yet. The long-awaited Aquila Thunder Red strings for U-Bass are finally here. The price is $24.99, a lot less than I expected. Here is the link:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

According to the link, a new nut will be required. This is probably due to the thinner gauge of the new strings. Maybe Kala will sell a Graph Tech nut specifically for the Thunder Reds. I'll check into that.

Jeff:hyper:
Click to expand...

Jeff for the win spotting the Aquila Reds!

Unfortunately, when I clicked to order them, they put the original white TGs in my shopping cart.
The catalog number for the red strings has an R added to it.

Very good news.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Aquila Thunder Reds U-BASS Strings
The Thunder Reds sets: a unique look and a strong, consistent sound. Until now, it was necessary to increase a string’s gauge to reach lower frequencies. But increasing the string’s diameter also increases internal dampening. That makes the string less bright, less responsive and more muffled: the thicker the string, the duller the sound.

Aquila's revolutionary new approach changes the specific weight of the material, increasing it progressively to leave the gauge unchanged.

NOTE: E and A strings are smaller gauge by design -
WILL REQUIRE NEW NUT!
---------------------------------------------------------------------

AQ-R-TG-4 - Beware, if this is not the catalog number in your shopping cart, you are buying the white strings.

.
.
.
.

Everybody feel free to post how the "dull, muffled" sound of the fat strings is what you love about these basses. :hmm:
Different strokes for different folks. :bassist:
 
#82
davewave said:
Jeff for the win spotting the Aquila Reds!

Unfortunately, when I clicked to order them, they put the original white TGs in my shopping cart.
The catalog number for the red strings has an R added to it.

So, not quite ready, but soon, hopefully.
Very good news.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Aquila Thunder Reds U-BASS Strings
The Thunder Reds sets: a unique look and a strong, consistent sound. Until now, it was necessary to increase a string’s gauge to reach lower frequencies. But increasing the string’s diameter also increases internal dampening. That makes the string less bright, less responsive and more muffled: the thicker the string, the duller the sound.

Aquila's revolutionary new approach changes the specific weight of the material, increasing it progressively to leave the gauge unchanged.

NOTE: E and A strings are smaller gauge by design -
WILL REQUIRE NEW NUT!
---------------------------------------------------------------------

AQ-R-TG-4 - Beware, if this is not the catalog number in your shopping cart, you are buying the white strings.

.
.
.
.

Everybody feel free to post how the "dull, muffled" sound of the fat strings is what you love about these basses. :hmm:
Different strokes for different folks. :bassist:
Click to expand...


Dave,

Click the link in my post, then click on the "AQ-R-TG-4" to the left of the "Buy Now" button. That should do it.

Jeff
 
#83
Just to clarify. Click my link, scroll down until you see the red Thunder Red envelope with the words Aquila Thunder Reds U-BASS Strings and click the "AQ-R-TG-4" letters. I just tried it again. You will see that the Thunder Red info. is right there. It may be that Kala has made an error, but when I followed through it was clear that I was purchasing the Aquila Thunder Red strings.

Invalid Link Removed also has them, but they are $37.95. Here is the link to their site.

Invalid Link Removed

This also confirms that, at long last, the much-anticipated Thunder Reds are here! I'm gonna be the first kid on my block to get them! Well, actually, someone in the US will get them before me. Mine will be screwed over by Canadian customs first.

Jeff
 
#86
davewave said:
^^^
Woohoo!
Thanks for the clarification, Jeff, I was clicking on the "buy now" button and they kept putting the whites in my cart.

Worked like a charm with your directions. :hyper:
Click to expand...

Dave,

You'll almost certainly get your Thunder Reds before I will or probably anyone else on this thread. If you could post a detailed review on Youtube that would be great. I'm interested in how they sound, of course, but also how they feel and respond and whether they are sticky. The stickiness of the Thunderguts was always a problem for me.

Jeff
 
#87
3234718 said:
I look forward to reviews from people that hate thunderguts.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say I hate the Thunderguts,exactly, but I had a lot of the same problems with them as you and others had with them. I used them because they were, overall, the least problematic of the non-metalic strings. It was always my intention to dump them when something better came along. Hopefully, the Thunder Reds will live up to my expectations. I'll post my assessment after I've tried them for myself.

Jeff
 
#88
davewave said:
I'm losing track, has anybody posted about this u-bass knockoff yet?

From Thomman, apparently a big retailer in Europe.
The price in euros is less than $200.

Invalid Link Removed


Harley Benton Kahuna CLU-Bass Custom Line Kahuna Series Uke-Bass

Traveller-sized, spruce top, mahogany body, mahogany neck, C-shape, rosewood thomann fingerboard, DOT-inlays, 20 frets, scale 534 mm, nut width 42,0 mm, rosewood bridge, black open gear tuners, B-Band u1. 5T pickup system with built-in tuner, finish: natural satin
Click to expand...

Very cool. I don't believe I have seen that one yet. Looks very nice. Looks like a longer scale than what the specs are saying, doesn't it?
 
#89
jburtonca said:
I don't think anyone has posted about this yet. The long-awaited Aquila Thunder Red strings for U-Bass are finally here. The price is $24.99, a lot less than I expected. Here is the link:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

According to the link, a new nut will be required. This is probably due to the thinner gauge of the new strings. Maybe Kala will sell a Graph Tech nut specifically for the Thunder Reds. I'll check into that.

Jeff:hyper:
Click to expand...

Kudos. You da man. Reds ordered.
 
#90
My original satin black S-U-B got a makeover to the body while I waited for the parts to build a California fretted solidbody.

I wanted an offset waist contour, rather than the flat slab.
Sprayed it Inca Gold metallic, to go with the 60s surf vibe.




11888655773_e093a0af4a_b.jpg

Untitled by ~dave~~wave~, on Flickr


11888785354_3676af57b0_z.jpg

Untitled by ~dave~~wave~, on Flickr

11888761204_6fa354d16f_c.jpg

Invalid Link Removed by ~dave~~wave~, on Flickr
 
#91
davewave said:
My original satin black S-U-B got a makeover to the body while I waited for the parts to build a California fretted solidbody.

I wanted an offset waist contour, rather than the flat slab.
Sprayed it Inca Gold metallic, to go with the 60s surf vibe.




11888655773_e093a0af4a_b.jpg

Untitled by ~dave~~wave~, on Flickr


11888785354_3676af57b0_z.jpg

Untitled by ~dave~~wave~, on Flickr

11888761204_6fa354d16f_c.jpg

Invalid Link Removed by ~dave~~wave~, on Flickr
Click to expand...

That looks - Awesome. Wow.

Now that you did such a drastic - beautiful - change, maybe you should go the full monty and alter the head.
 
#95
davewave said:
I think the point has been made here that plugged in, there's no appreciable difference between woods, solids or laminates.
Preferences are simply a matter of aesthetics.

For a travel bass with temperature and humidity fluctuations, a laminate might be more hardy than solid wood, as well as less expensive.

Great little basses for the road, years ago an Ashbory was often along for the ride with me.
Click to expand...



That is an excellent point. The exotic or rumbler may be the way to go. Thanks for the input!
 
#96
How to build a California U-Bass for half price:

  • 1) Omit: gig bag, knobs, strap buttons
  • 2) Wait for 20% holiday discount on all accessories and parts (excluding full U-Bass kits)
  • 3) Order:

1 USA U-BASS Body (4 String Body)
$185.00​
1 USA U-BASS Neck (4 String Fretted)
$185.00​
1 Active MiSi Align PreAmp for USA U-BASS
$120.00​
2 RIGHT: Hipshot Tuner for USA U-BASS
$40.00​
2 LEFT: Hipshot Tuner for USA U-BASS
$40.00​
1 30-00017-01: Bridge for 4 String U-BASS (current spec)
$20.00​
1 30-00026-01: 4 String Wood saddle for U-BASS (current spec)
$20.00​
1 15-00014-01: Stud and post for thumbwheel includes 2 thumbwheels and 2 bushings (current spec)
$15.00​
3 10-00058-01: Wood screw - flat top - black (attaches back plate to body - each)
$0.45​
4 10-00057-01: Black Oxide Neck Screw (attaches body to neck - each)
$1.40​
1 10-00053-01: Back plate for USA Solid Body U-BASS
$12.00​
110-00055-01: Nut for 4 string U-BASS
$6.00​
________________
_________________​
Total
$644.85​
Less 20% Holiday Promotional Discount
-128.97​
Final price (not including strings of your choice)
$515.88​
 
#98
Hey all: I got a new rubber-stringed bass (my 5th) for the holidays and so I'm willing to part with my defretted SUB. I won't defile this thread with a link, but it's in the classifieds. Yanking the frets was a good move, I highly recommend it to the players that have posted thinking about it.
 
#99
First look at my California fretted 4, home built from Kala parts.

I contoured the swamp ash body to an offset waist, added a figured myrtle pickguard and headstock.
Modified bridge for lower action, discarded the fixed bridge pins to make it relocatable for string length and angle for improved intonation.
California neck with super-jumbo 6105 .055" frets.

Patiently waiting for Aquila Red strings.



11958584684_bdf346484d_b.jpg

Untitled by ~dave~~wave~, on Flickr
 
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