I've had a solid spruce/mahogany U-Bass (fretted) since I bought it in 2014. I use the Road Toad "Pahoehoe" strings, which took a bit of getting used to but now I like just fine. I gig with it regularly and get many compliments on the sound.
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Kala UBass Megathread, Part 7
- Thread starter olitoon
- Start date
The Journeyman is here! Intonation seems to be really good, but they put La Bella roundwounds on it instead of the Thundergut-style strings that were pictured. I really don't care for the roundwounds at all in just the short time I've played it, so I've e-mailed the seller asking for the 'Thunderguts' to be sent. We'll see what happens.
As far as I can tell without a strap, it will be comfortable to play. The body is nice and thin; the frets might be a bit further apart (I have a short reach and short fingers) but it may just be because I don't have a strap on it yet.
As far as I can tell without a strap, it will be comfortable to play. The body is nice and thin; the frets might be a bit further apart (I have a short reach and short fingers) but it may just be because I don't have a strap on it yet.
Are these the Gallis you are talking about?
Blacknylon
I'm looking for something close to an upright-bass sound - I love the Pahoehoe strings that are on my Oscar Schmidt u-bass, but the E string is very quiet, particularly at the first fret, and I'd like to try out some different strings.
I strung my fretless with the Kala flats. Massive sound, a bit brighter and cleaner than the Pahoehoe, better intonation (no stretching), and if you’re listening without seeing it, sounds just like an upright. I do run through a Markbass Compressore, so that does warm it up a touch. I plugged it in at church and people were looking for the upright. And on mine anyway, the E is massive. In fact I’m in the market for an EQ to roll it off a touch.
The bridge shim was removed when the flats were installed. Never played the Pahoehoes (flats installed on arrival) so not sure if the volume was affected or not. Sounds awesome either way.
Thank you - this is really interesting! What I like about the Pahoehoes on my OscarS is that they are a bit clearer than the original Thunderguts, but still retain a bit of the upright sound.
The roundwounds that came on the new Journeyman are *loud* - and it's awesome to hear the E string so well but man I hate playing them. The seller says they don't do anything to their instruments, just ship them on, but they are contacting Kala on my behalf. I doubt anything will come of it in that case.
Yes, those are the strings. I cannot say for sure that they would give a more upright sound. I personally thought the original Thunderguts and the black Pahoehoe strings served that sound more. I haven't heard the roundwounds but my guess is that the Galli are more between the Thundergut and the Pahoenoe. They are not bright. They are not as "thuddy" as the other two.
Thank you!
I like the Pahoehoes because they are less muddy-sounding than the Thunderguts, at least on the OS. Also my bandmate (the regular bassist, I'm the backup) uses Thunderguts and his sound is often very muddy - though that could be (also) because he's using a guitar amp.
The roundwounds - well I may be blaming the strings and maybe it's the Journeyman - but it's so much louder than the OS with Pahoehoes. But also wow the finger noise is awful. Also it takes a lot more strength to fret the roundwounds/Journeyman, to the point that I can't get a note using my little finger.
It is pointing out some techinques I need to work on though!
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Yeah I don’t think they’ll do anything for you. You can order the U•Bass strung with the Pahoehoe or the rounds. Didn’t have an option pre-strung with flats so purchased those separately and the music store I purchased from put them on for me.
I’ve played the Pahoehoe on store models, but I really love the flats. I’d highly recommend them. I’ve heard good things about other brands of flats but the Kala are solid IMHO.
Interesting - I should have ordered from Kala I guess. :-/
If I keep the Journeyman I'll try the flats.
I suspect the Pahoehoes would require a nut filing so I don't really want to do that if I can help it, in case I want to go back to metal-ish strings. I did just remember I still have the Thunderguts I had taken off the OS. I may see if I can do a quick switch to see how they are before deciding on keeping the Journeyman.
As I mentioned earlier, no matter how careful I was, I couldn't stop the string noise, rattling from any of the round wounds or the new so called Kala/Galli flat wounds, especially on my Journeyman. Never have that problem with Pahoehoe or Thundergut poly, or the Gold Tone/La Bella solid steel true flat wounds on any of my basses.
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Hmm... maybe I should just return the Journeyman I have and order from someone who can put the strings I want on it off the bat. Or return it and get the Hadean that does't ever come with rounds.....
Lots to think about - thank you!
I had been gassing recently for a U-bass and did some internet "research" on the different models and string choices. I listened to the youtube video comparing the flatwound, roundwound and rubber strings and determined I didn't want the rounds. I really liked the sound of the "rubber" strings in the video and the flatwounds came in a close second.
I primarily use flatwound strings on my electric basses and was very interested in trying a U-bass with the new Kala flatwounds by Gallistrings that are sold on the Kala website. Of course, I couldn't find one strung with flats anywhere near me, but I was able to play a Kala Exotic Mahogany with pahoehoe strings and a Kala Journeyman with round wound strings side by side at a local music store. Both played very well and were comfortable, but I liked the look and style of the Exotic Mahogany better than the Journeyman. Just personal preference. I did confirm from playing them that I really didn't want the rubber/pahoehoe strings, for many of the same reasons folks here have mentioned... stretching, rolling under the fingers, etc.
I then emailed Kala asking how or where I could get an Exotic Mahogany U-bass with flatwounds. They said if I ordered the U-bass and a set of the flat wound strings through their website, they would install the strings and set up the U-bass for me. So that's what I did! I love it!
And while my U-bass was being shipped, wouldn't you know, an Exotic Mahogany (w/pahoehoes) popped up on Craigslist at a price too good to pass up. So I now have two: one with flats and one with pahoehoes! Oh well... as we all know: One can never have too many (U) basses!
@Spinnnr PM me if you want more information on my email conversation with Kala.
Hope this helps a bit,
Kathy
Thank you for posting Stephen's video, Kathy - I had seen it before but it had been awhile and this is an excellent comparison. I definitely prefer the rubber strings to either metal, and his video reinforced my dislike of the rounds. I may try the Galli nylon rounds some day, but for now I'll probably stick with the rubber.
Lucky you for falling into the exact bass you wanted - it's a beauty!!
One may be able to have too many basses when one doesn't have spot for them.
One also is just the backup bassist in a ukulele band, with no prospects for playing bass anywhere else (also I'm at about a beginner/medium-beginner level) so two basses is probably the max for me for now.
Glad you were able to resolve the issue. Let us know how you like the Hadean when it arrives!
I think I have the same thing (solid spruce top), except fretless with Pahoehoes, love the sound and playability, get lots of compliments from my ukulele jam members.
Kala U-bass is going to release several new 2020 models (Nomad, Zebrawood, Scout, Bamboo, Burled Ash, Splated Maple...) with new active EQ / tuner available end of February / March ! : All Acoustic-Electric U•BASS® – Kala Brand Music Co.
I was about to order one a few days ago but now waiting for these new models to come out....
I was about to order one a few days ago but now waiting for these new models to come out....
Hello.
I am interested in a Kala Journeyman. I will not be able to check it out before I buy.
My question is concerning the gig bag. I cannot seem to get a decent picture of it. I'm going to be taking it with me while I am travelling. Does the bag have straps that I can put on my shoulders so I can carry it on my back? If so, are these of decent quality?
Thank you!
I am interested in a Kala Journeyman. I will not be able to check it out before I buy.
My question is concerning the gig bag. I cannot seem to get a decent picture of it. I'm going to be taking it with me while I am travelling. Does the bag have straps that I can put on my shoulders so I can carry it on my back? If so, are these of decent quality?
Thank you!
