a small battery powered amp paired with a decent U Bass is perfect for busking. i’ve taken my Kala out with a Roland Micro Cube around campus with a couple friends and i fit right in with acoustic guitars and a cajone. plus it’s super convenient to carry around.
I bought an actual Kala U-Bass back in December specifically to use during acoustic sets, and I have been very happy with it. I have received numerous positive comments from the sound people, fellow band members and people in the audience, all saying how good it sounds and they can't believe how much tone and low end is coming out of that little thing. So for me it has been a big hit and far better sounding and way more comfortable to play than my full sized Ibanez acoustic bass guitar! I think the Ibanez is going to its way to a new owner soon, as I do not think I am ever going back to it. My Kala U-Bass does have the tuning issue you pointed out and it does make it a pain to tune, but I don't have any of the uneven tone or cutting out that you described. Also, I have a fretted model and surprisingly I have no intonation issues, I can play stuff all the up the neck and it sound perfectly in tune, once I of course go thru the painful process of getting it in tune.
This is definitely its most practical application. I did a jam session with some friends and ended up buying this off one of the peeps there because it worked so well in that format. As a result I now have unofficially become the go to bassist despite never touching a bass before 😅. Just use a conventional bass if you're playing in bedroom or in a studio. Do not bother with this. But if you're going to play at a bar or other small gig with some friends and need something super small and portable this thing seems like the perfect instrument. Plus it has that novelty factor. If you want go hiking with a friend and a banjo or mandolin, then theres really no other choice to the u-bass. My biggest hangup is the strings. Tuning and playing them isn't, physically that fun. I'll probably need to trial using chalk dust or talcom powder... And maybe buy a brush or mini vacuum too.
I have the Harley Benton UkeBass OPNT, its freaking sweet, solid body, neck through. I hated the stock rubbery strings, swapped them out for Kala Ubass metal roundwounds (KA-BASS-4), and now I absolutely love this thing. I've been using it with headphones on the Line6 POD Express Bass running on batteries.
6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5
Got a Harley Benton for like 140 money units, real good, real nice, real recommend. Keep it under my pillow
My teacher is partnered with kala and they are sooooo much more up to standards compared to that u-bass, he's used them a ton and when I've tried them (both acoustic and solid body) they're really great, both feel and sound
Well, I have a Kala with metal strings and love it from day one. But Iove for its porpouse, that is travelling with it and play for myself in the park or a hotel room, study bass when touring as a bouzoukist or percusionist and just have fun on it. I even played a gig in another country where I couldn't brought a regular bass and through a good bass amp or DI it sounds really good. I also play it a lot while on the subway if I'm going to some place where I don't need an actual bass or I don't need it, like a friend's house or so. Of course it has those intonation problems, isn't good to shred on it and you can't translate everything you practice on to your regular bass. But yep, I would recomend it if you think you will use in those situations P.D. for me, rubber strings are crap
I bought a Shortbass-one 12 from Aquila. Lovely instrument. It’s really beautifully built. Bigger than a U-bass, but smaller than the regular acoustic bass. I play it at home in the couch. Wouldn’t dare to take it to a real gig, but I wish I could because it sounds lovely. I think it’s the best couch-bass anyone could ever have. So fun to play.
My local music shop has a few U basses and I think they're really fun to play with. I wouldn't use it for any serious applications (I play in a few metal bands and I use 6 string basses), but they are a BLAST and an entertaining novelty
I see most of the comments here are in line with my findings. If you're going to buy a "Uke-Bass", buy a good name brand model. Also I agree wit AMP's comment on the fretless. Even some of the good brands have had issues with fret buzz. I know one model they stopped making the fretted bass as a solution to the issue. I'm actually happy the U-bass is not loud. Since I live in an apartment I can practice late at night. I will say I actually like the solid body models, and if I didn't already own a short-scale bass for practicing, I would buy one of the solid body Uke Basses for practice. A number of the name brand models have nice necks that come close to the thickness of a short-scale bass. Downside, something like the Fender mini cost like $350. AMP, you should mix in some side-by-side audio from your Upright bass friend and the acoustic aka "horizontal 200 hz 4-string device" or whatever Dr. Bass Geek called the bass guitar. LOL
The Akolt fretless is the first U-bass I bought, and I loved it. Such fun to play! But I had to return it because one of the pickup didn't work and the tuner malfunctioned. I loved it, though, and hated to return it. I subsequently bought a Kala Nomad, fretted. It was the least-expensive U-bass by the company that invented them. Wish I could have afforded one of their fretless model, though.
I've heard u basses are a lot more enjoyable to play with the nylon core roundwound strings from Kala. I think they have flatwound strings too. Also, the new solid body u basses Kala is coming out with look like a pretty good practice tool, maybe even good for travel gigs. I just wonder how the B string sounds on the 5 string models.
Since I got my Guild Starfire it has become my go to bass for live playing and couch practice. Great sound when plugged in and loud enough so you can hear yourself and play late at night without waking your wife and kids up😅. Plus the playabilty and feel is second to none. It’s became my favourite bass and main bass for good reason.
I've had a fretless Kala Scout for a year now. I bought it because I loved the sound when I played one at Sweetwater and it was easier to take when flying for work. I have since replaced the strings with Aquila Thunder Browns and that was a huge improvement. I play it at church mostly and fits very nicely when we're playing acoustic sets. Running it through the PA system it does sound close ish to an upright but still has the rubbery twang just a little. The only thing I would like to change is for it to be a 5 string like my other basses that I play. It gets awkward when I don't think about it and go to play an Eb on the B string and realize it's an Ab.
At 1:00 the guy says the product page calls the strings Aquilla, but "it's similiar to silicone or rubber." He doesn't seem aware that Aquila is the manufacturer, not the material.
Yes the material is actually PU - polyurethane. Specifically, these strings are called "thunder gut". I've heard that the Aquila thunder reds are a little less sticky but I haven't tried them yet.
I put D'Addario nylon tape wounds on my Fender acoustic bass. It sounds much more like an upright and with that nasty string noise. When plugged in, I actually get more sound out of it than I do my Schecter Riot.
I play mine sat in my lap, with the neck pointed up just like an upright. I feel like there’s a bit more volume than you would expect, maybe thanks to me digging in more? I wouldn’t choose to play a gig with it, but have done on 2 occasions. I was probably out of tune most of the time, but did get positive comments for the double bass like tone.
you have to trim the strings until they don't double wrap and use them stuffed into the tuner void.. take a long time to get set up and a very tender touch but I love them. the Piezo might be jammed up inside.. some of them need to be refit in the slot. that E string is needing the trim a whole inch or two. run them into a Cheap Compressor and these are hard to beat. I ran mine into a MicroCube in Parallel with a cheap Kyeboard Amp setup so I will get people poking at that,, IDGAF i had the UK Dream until a few years ago and It was good for Busking
I have a Ukulele bass kind of like a Kala copy, it's really fun, fretless rubber strings, sounds good plugged in, but the rubber strings and 20 inch scale length are what makes it less practical. Thinking of trying flatwounds. I do see potential for design improvements though. Maybe a different kind of bridge that work with flatwounds, maybe increase the scale length to 22 inches?
I bought my used acoustic Kala U-Bass in June 2010 and play it in jazz and big bands where an upright bass sound is needed. Everyone loves the sound of it. Use Aquila Thunderbrown strings to get rid of the sticky feel. Don't use talc powder. I use a little plastic container with a sponge soaked with mineral oil. I dip my fingertips in it and my fingers slide smoothly off the string without the sticky feel and odd attack sound. I payed about $220 for mine and it was the best money I ever spent on bass gear. Try the mineral oil and tell me what you think.
I'm very curious about other string options - as well as a nicer model. There's a youtube video of a guy playing C Jam blues on a ubass and the sound is just so right. I've wanted one since I saw that, but not bad enough to get one yet.
A better Ubass equipped with the last generation of Aquila strings sound really much better, e en the rubbery feeling is much less thanks to a layer of microsomething coating the strings. Even the sustain pretty doubles. The new strings gonna cost you like a good set for a normal electric bass, but works really much better, you are playing on the first generation of Aquila, just saying.
You're talking about the cello with the bass neck on it, yeah? I played that at NAMM and I think it's in my NAMM 22 video. I remember it having a lot of feedback issues.
I bought a Kala U Bass (fretless!!) a few years ago. I even used it on my solo covers of "Bitches Brew" and "Minuano" (yep… they're on here), but… meh. It was not well made - some of the wood filler in one of the fret lines was broken and falling out, and I absolutely could not STAND the strings. Luckily I got it for cheap on a special deal, so I just chucked it out when I was cleaning out our basement last summer.
Final boss of acoustic bass haters - god i love that
I love mine unplugged for practice - Haven't managed to get a decent recording sound yet. Yours sounded pretty good to me!
hi danny
a small battery powered amp paired with a decent U Bass is perfect for busking. i’ve taken my Kala out with a Roland Micro Cube around campus with a couple friends and i fit right in with acoustic guitars and a cajone. plus it’s super convenient to carry around.
I bought an actual Kala U-Bass back in December specifically to use during acoustic sets, and I have been very happy with it. I have received numerous positive comments from the sound people, fellow band members and people in the audience, all saying how good it sounds and they can't believe how much tone and low end is coming out of that little thing. So for me it has been a big hit and far better sounding and way more comfortable to play than my full sized Ibanez acoustic bass guitar! I think the Ibanez is going to its way to a new owner soon, as I do not think I am ever going back to it.
My Kala U-Bass does have the tuning issue you pointed out and it does make it a pain to tune, but I don't have any of the uneven tone or cutting out that you described. Also, I have a fretted model and surprisingly I have no intonation issues, I can play stuff all the up the neck and it sound perfectly in tune, once I of course go thru the painful process of getting it in tune.
Right on! Thanks for sharing your experience!
This is definitely its most practical application. I did a jam session with some friends and ended up buying this off one of the peeps there because it worked so well in that format. As a result I now have unofficially become the go to bassist despite never touching a bass before 😅.
Just use a conventional bass if you're playing in bedroom or in a studio. Do not bother with this. But if you're going to play at a bar or other small gig with some friends and need something super small and portable this thing seems like the perfect instrument. Plus it has that novelty factor.
If you want go hiking with a friend and a banjo or mandolin, then theres really no other choice to the u-bass.
My biggest hangup is the strings. Tuning and playing them isn't, physically that fun. I'll probably need to trial using chalk dust or talcom powder... And maybe buy a brush or mini vacuum too.
Natural acoustic bass = The upright. Period.
I for one CANNOT STAND THE RUBBERY STRINGS ON UKE BASSES
true haha
Yeah, Slapping and Tapping are difficult.
DEATH TO SPAGHETTI STRINGS
Definitely not my preference either!
Just picked up a Kala with Labella rounds.
I have the Harley Benton UkeBass OPNT, its freaking sweet, solid body, neck through. I hated the stock rubbery strings, swapped them out for Kala Ubass metal roundwounds (KA-BASS-4), and now I absolutely love this thing. I've been using it with headphones on the Line6 POD Express Bass running on batteries.
Got a Harley Benton for like 140 money units, real good, real nice, real recommend. Keep it under my pillow
It's nice to know Harley Benton ships to a Galaxy far, far away. Shipping costs must still be a pain tho.
My teacher is partnered with kala and they are sooooo much more up to standards compared to that u-bass, he's used them a ton and when I've tried them (both acoustic and solid body) they're really great, both feel and sound
Well, I have a Kala with metal strings and love it from day one. But Iove for its porpouse, that is travelling with it and play for myself in the park or a hotel room, study bass when touring as a bouzoukist or percusionist and just have fun on it. I even played a gig in another country where I couldn't brought a regular bass and through a good bass amp or DI it sounds really good. I also play it a lot while on the subway if I'm going to some place where I don't need an actual bass or I don't need it, like a friend's house or so. Of course it has those intonation problems, isn't good to shred on it and you can't translate everything you practice on to your regular bass. But yep, I would recomend it if you think you will use in those situations
P.D. for me, rubber strings are crap
Sounds like it’s a great fit for you!
I bought a Shortbass-one 12 from Aquila. Lovely instrument. It’s really beautifully built. Bigger than a U-bass, but smaller than the regular acoustic bass. I play it at home in the couch. Wouldn’t dare to take it to a real gig, but I wish I could because it sounds lovely. I think it’s the best couch-bass anyone could ever have. So fun to play.
My local music shop has a few U basses and I think they're really fun to play with. I wouldn't use it for any serious applications (I play in a few metal bands and I use 6 string basses), but they are a BLAST and an entertaining novelty
Wouldn't go so far as to say they're a novelty, as that implies they have no uses at all. Still amazing little basses
I see most of the comments here are in line with my findings. If you're going to buy a "Uke-Bass", buy a good name brand model. Also I agree wit AMP's comment on the fretless. Even some of the good brands have had issues with fret buzz. I know one model they stopped making the fretted bass as a solution to the issue.
I'm actually happy the U-bass is not loud. Since I live in an apartment I can practice late at night.
I will say I actually like the solid body models, and if I didn't already own a short-scale bass for practicing, I would buy one of the solid body Uke Basses for practice. A number of the name brand models have nice necks that come close to the thickness of a short-scale bass. Downside, something like the Fender mini cost like $350.
AMP, you should mix in some side-by-side audio from your Upright bass friend and the acoustic aka "horizontal 200 hz 4-string device" or whatever Dr. Bass Geek called the bass guitar. LOL
The Akolt fretless is the first U-bass I bought, and I loved it. Such fun to play! But I had to return it because one of the pickup didn't work and the tuner malfunctioned. I loved it, though, and hated to return it. I subsequently bought a Kala Nomad, fretted. It was the least-expensive U-bass by the company that invented them. Wish I could have afforded one of their fretless model, though.
I've heard u basses are a lot more enjoyable to play with the nylon core roundwound strings from Kala. I think they have flatwound strings too. Also, the new solid body u basses Kala is coming out with look like a pretty good practice tool, maybe even good for travel gigs. I just wonder how the B string sounds on the 5 string models.
Kala seems like they are the ones to beat on these for sure.
A 5 string with a high C instead of B would be amazing and make more sense to me.
Since I got my Guild Starfire it has become my go to bass for live playing and couch practice. Great sound when plugged in and loud enough so you can hear yourself and play late at night without waking your wife and kids up😅. Plus the playabilty and feel is second to none. It’s became my favourite bass and main bass for good reason.
Apart from some annoying pickup issues I've loved having my little U-bass around, great little practice instrument
I've had a fretless Kala Scout for a year now. I bought it because I loved the sound when I played one at Sweetwater and it was easier to take when flying for work. I have since replaced the strings with Aquila Thunder Browns and that was a huge improvement. I play it at church mostly and fits very nicely when we're playing acoustic sets. Running it through the PA system it does sound close ish to an upright but still has the rubbery twang just a little. The only thing I would like to change is for it to be a 5 string like my other basses that I play. It gets awkward when I don't think about it and go to play an Eb on the B string and realize it's an Ab.
yes a part 2 please
I have a U-Bass but I put metal strings on it, sounds FAR better 🤩 - loud enough for small jam sessions with friends at the lake beach ;-)
At 1:00 the guy says the product page calls the strings Aquilla, but "it's similiar to silicone or rubber." He doesn't seem aware that Aquila is the manufacturer, not the material.
Yes the material is actually PU - polyurethane. Specifically, these strings are called "thunder gut". I've heard that the Aquila thunder reds are a little less sticky but I haven't tried them yet.
I have the Fender Fullerton P Uke Bass. I got it as I wanted basically a mini Fender bass. I love mine and you should try that!
I put D'Addario nylon tape wounds on my Fender acoustic bass. It sounds much more like an upright and with that nasty string noise. When plugged in, I actually get more sound out of it than I do my Schecter Riot.
I play mine sat in my lap, with the neck pointed up just like an upright. I feel like there’s a bit more volume than you would expect, maybe thanks to me digging in more? I wouldn’t choose to play a gig with it, but have done on 2 occasions. I was probably out of tune most of the time, but did get positive comments for the double bass like tone.
you have to trim the strings until they don't double wrap and use them stuffed into the tuner void.. take a long time to get set up and a very tender touch but I love them.
the Piezo might be jammed up inside.. some of them need to be refit in the slot.
that E string is needing the trim a whole inch or two.
run them into a Cheap Compressor and these are hard to beat. I ran mine into a MicroCube in Parallel with a cheap Kyeboard Amp setup so I will get people poking at that,, IDGAF
i had the UK Dream until a few years ago and It was good for Busking
as a beginner I am looking for this ubass to learn the fretboard without having to hold my very long scale
If the algorithm ends up treating this video nicely you should try and get your mitts on a Resonator bass for a vid.
Like my Ortega and a mahalo solid body with time etc… it’s perfect for most jobs I do
I kind of enjoy the gimmick now and then but I don’t like I’d ever substitute it for electric bass in recording or for practice
Have you ever tried an EB-3? Would love to hear your thoughts on them one day
Haven’t played one in a long time. Only thing I remember was it being really woofy and had neck dive.
I have a Ukulele bass kind of like a Kala copy, it's really fun, fretless rubber strings, sounds good plugged in, but the rubber strings and 20 inch scale length are what makes it less practical. Thinking of trying flatwounds.
I do see potential for design improvements though. Maybe a different kind of bridge that work with flatwounds, maybe increase the scale length to 22 inches?
I bought my used acoustic Kala U-Bass in June 2010 and play it in jazz and big bands where an upright bass sound is needed. Everyone loves the sound of it. Use Aquila Thunderbrown strings to get rid of the sticky feel. Don't use talc powder. I use a little plastic container with a sponge soaked with mineral oil. I dip my fingertips in it and my fingers slide smoothly off the string without the sticky feel and odd attack sound. I payed about $220 for mine and it was the best money I ever spent on bass gear. Try the mineral oil and tell me what you think.
I'm very curious about other string options - as well as a nicer model.
There's a youtube video of a guy playing C Jam blues on a ubass and the sound is just so right. I've wanted one since I saw that, but not bad enough to get one yet.
in the beginning it sounds like ai-isolated basslines from old songs
A better Ubass equipped with the last generation of Aquila strings sound really much better, e en the rubbery feeling is much less thanks to a layer of microsomething coating the strings. Even the sustain pretty doubles.
The new strings gonna cost you like a good set for a normal electric bass, but works really much better, you are playing on the first generation of Aquila, just saying.
Not in a million years. It's just a few hundred bucks subtracted from the fund of something I actually want.
Finally a bass that looks small to Andrew lol
I have one of these and I can't get the top string to stop buzzing/ Any advice?
What’s buzzing on it exactly? It could be a number of things, but if you’re not sure, it’s not a bad idea to take it to a luthier.
I admit I'm curious, have the final boss of acoustic bass haters shared his view about The Bace by that Dutch instrument maker yet?
You're talking about the cello with the bass neck on it, yeah? I played that at NAMM and I think it's in my NAMM 22 video. I remember it having a lot of feedback issues.
I bought a Kala U Bass (fretless!!) a few years ago. I even used it on my solo covers of "Bitches Brew" and "Minuano" (yep… they're on here), but… meh. It was not well made - some of the wood filler in one of the fret lines was broken and falling out, and I absolutely could not STAND the strings. Luckily I got it for cheap on a special deal, so I just chucked it out when I was cleaning out our basement last summer.
TRY A RESONATOR BASS
Damn it must be hard playing fretless. Sounds horribly out of tune
It would help if you were good at bass
The amount of inadvertent string bending guarantees that you're out of tune 100% of the time. Garbage in, garbage out.
It's not even just string bending… string "squishing" is an issue with these.
A friend has one that I've played around with. Belongs in a toy store.@@room34
This thing sounded like a toy with rubber bands on it. I'm still firmly in the acoustic and U bass are crap camp.
This one is decidedly not professional quality for sure.
Bass guitar of all sorts sounds terrible without drums so you are doing this little uke a disservice!
Im not gonna buy the cheap one but I'm glad you like it. XD The one from Kala is only a couple hundo.