Kala UBass Megathread, Part 7

[MasterMonkeyMan]

Hello all!

I’m curious to know whether the Kala Journeyman feeds back live, on a loud stage?

Thank you!

I haven't played it on a loud stage but have played it in a medium loud rehearsal room. Yes it does feedback. Mostly controllable. It feeds back immediately when I face the amp withing about 3 feet. This is with the Jman's volume setting at about 1/2.
Turning away and pulling back stops it pretty well.
With my back to the amp and 3-4 feet away, it does not.

Hope this helps.....

 

[jfh2424]

I haven't played it on a loud stage but have played it in a medium loud rehearsal room. Yes it does feedback. Mostly controllable. It feeds back immediately when I face the amp withing about 3 feet. This is with the Jman's volume setting at about 1/2.
Turning away and pulling back stops it pretty well.
With my back to the amp and 3-4 feet away, it does not.

Hope this helps.....

Thanks for your input, MasterMonkeyMan. I appreciate it. I brought mine to practice and yup, sure enough, it also feeds back.

It's really too bad. I like it! But I'm pretty worried about actually taking it out on a gig now.

John

 

[JES]

This solves the problem, mostly. I have gigged with it no problem.

U•Bass Feedback Freezer - Kala Brand Music Co.

 

[MasterMonkeyMan]

This solves the problem, mostly. I have gigged with it no problem.

U•Bass Feedback Freezer - Kala Brand Music Co.

Great idea but....the Journeyman has f-holes. Like this:

 

[MasterMonkeyMan]

Thanks for your input, MasterMonkeyMan. I appreciate it. I brought mine to practice and yup, sure enough, it also feeds back.

It's really too bad. I like it! But I'm pretty worried about actually taking it out on a gig now.

John

I found the feedback to be pretty controllable. I hear your concern though.

 

[JES]

Bummer.

 

[KohanMike]

I use a Phil Jones Bass Double Four that sits right in front of me in an old lady shopping cart, no feedback problem, but pretty much any acoustic will feed back when you're facing the amp and close distance.

 

[G Aichele]

I found the feedback to be pretty controllable. I hear your concern though.

Have you tried plugging the holes (with cloth, etc.)?

My U-bass has never had feedback issues, and I often sit right next to the speaker cab, or sometimes behind it. But my instrument has a round sound hole

 

[jfh2424]

Shame about the feedback in the Journeyman. Besides that, it’s just about perfect.

I hope Kala will address this in upcoming versions...

 

[MasterMonkeyMan]

I don't feel that the feedback is unusual for an amplified acoustic instrument. Par for the course. For me, the fact that it is controllable based on position and proximity to the amp, it is useful at times musically. Especially on louder harder tunes.

 

[jfh2424]

I understand your point of view, MasterMonkeyMan.

For my part, I do some sight reading sometimes on some gigs. Last thing that I want is for something that could possibly make that challenging experience even more challenging...maybe I need to improve my sight reading! That way I will be able to do both...

 

[MasterMonkeyMan]

I didn't experience any feedback when facing away from the amp. You?
Only when facing it and within a foot or two. Solid State 250 Watt amp at a pretty good volume.

 

[jfh2424]

I got some when I wasn't facing the amp, I was turned the other way. Mainly on the G of the E string.

Using the Journeyman with a Rumble 100. In a Latin trio practice. Not super loud.

You are right, though, it was controllable. As soon as I got off the G, it went away.

 

[jfh2424]

The seller of the Journeyman says they've confirmed with Kala that even the mahogany is shipped with roundwounds now, so it is going back and I'll be ordering the Hadean.

Yup. Mine came with rounds. I’m very curious about the flats...they are really expensive though.

Have most of you put in a second strap button? I’m curious to know if you feel that the balance is better...is this a worthy mod?

 

[UbassDanno]

Thanks for your input, MasterMonkeyMan. I appreciate it. I brought mine to practice and yup, sure enough, it also feeds back.

It's really too bad. I like it! But I'm pretty worried about actually taking it out on a gig now.

John

There's a "plug" you can put in the sound hole, I think it's meant to avoid feedback? Not sure what it's called...

 

[jfh2424]

Hi UbassDanno.

Thanks for your suggestion. Yes, such a thing exists, I saw it on the Kala website. But it doesn't exist for the Journeyman, that has f holes.

I've taken the Journeyman out for a few more practices. So far, the feedback hasn't been a major issue. It's been controllable, as stated in this thread. I've yet to try it on a loud stage though.

You know, now that I've dialed it in with my amp, it sounds really good! To me, it sounds like a cross between an upright and a regular electric bass, with the round wound strings. It doesn't really sound like either 100%, it's got it's own vibe. And I like that.

I'm happy I bought it. I'm not sure that this will ever take the place of my regular basses, but it is not meant to, either. It is a nice addition though. Very nice addition.

John

 

[UbassDanno]

Hi UbassDanno.

Thanks for your suggestion. Yes, such a thing exists, I saw it on the Kala website. But it doesn't exist for the Journeyman, that has f holes.

I've taken the Journeyman out for a few more practices. So far, the feedback hasn't been a major issue. It's been controllable, as stated in this thread. I've yet to try it on a loud stage though.

You know, now that I've dialed it in with my amp, it sounds really good! To me, it sounds like a cross between an upright and a regular electric bass, with the round wound strings. It doesn't really sound like either 100%, it's got it's own vibe. And I like that.

I'm happy I bought it. I'm not sure that this will ever take the place of my regular basses, but it is not meant to, either. It is a nice addition though. Very nice addition.

John

Duct tape? ;-D

 

[chupacerveza]

Hi UbassDanno.

Thanks for your suggestion. Yes, such a thing exists, I saw it on the Kala website. But it doesn't exist for the Journeyman, that has f holes.

I've taken the Journeyman out for a few more practices. So far, the feedback hasn't been a major issue. It's been controllable, as stated in this thread. I've yet to try it on a loud stage though.

You know, now that I've dialed it in with my amp, it sounds really good! To me, it sounds like a cross between an upright and a regular electric bass, with the round wound strings. It doesn't really sound like either 100%, it's got it's own vibe. And I like that.

I'm happy I bought it. I'm not sure that this will ever take the place of my regular basses, but it is not meant to, either. It is a nice addition though. Very nice addition.

John

I’ve seen performers using clear (packing?) tape over their f-hole guitars... not sure I’d do it, and hopefully they didn’t use packing tape, but it’s an idea. Is there a clear gaffers tape?

 

[G Aichele]

Just a thought: I don't know what you're plugging the Journeyman into, but you might try something like a Fishman preamp. Designed for compatibility with piezo pickups, and with an HPF. Since I've been using one nearly all unwanted amplification noises have disappeared. Kala used to recommend them for use with the U-bass. (Note that my U-bass is not a Journeyman.)

 

[chupacerveza]

Just a thought: I don't know what you're plugging the Journeyman into, but you might try something like a Fishman preamp. Designed for compatibility with piezo pickups, and with an HPF. Since I've been using one nearly all unwanted amplification noises have disappeared. Kala used to recommend them for use with the U-bass. (Note that my U-bass is not a Journeyman.)

Or one of these perhaps