Kala U-Bass - first thoughts - and the weird slidey tuning thing?!

So, a Kala-U bass… I’ve been wanting to get my hands on one of these for SO long.

After watching so many fantastic players over the last few years get such a great tone out of them, when my wife asked me for some Christmas present hints of what i’d like Santa Claus to bring me - I had one thing in mind…

… a Kala U-Bass!

Luckily, my wife and Santa came up with the goods this year and on Christmas morning I had a beautiful little Kala U-Bass waiting for me under the Christmas tree.

Now, I should say at this point - after about 4 hours of me playing the thing constantly since the unwrapping took place (through everyone else opening their presents - oops) and essentially forgetting that Christmas was actually taking place… I think my wife was regretting the idea, lol… but, that’s a whole different story!

Anyway, what were we talking about?… oh yeah, the U-Bass.

Ok, so I thought i’d film a short review type of vid… not that it’s really a review, but more of my first thoughts, and a little issue I discovered that happens when you slide into a note that might help you out f you buy one of these basses in the future.

Hope you enjoy it.

If you do, check out some of my other lessons - you might like those too! ;)

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[rodezno]

How do we know he's not a giant and that's a normal sized bass

[ethanlewis]

I was torn between getting a guitar, a u-bass, and model of a 1600s flintlock pistol. I then realized I am a bassist who lives in the 21st century, I don’t need two of those things.
I settled for the pistol.

[adamflanaganmusic]

They're absolutely superb basses to use for live shows. I borrowed one for a theatre show back in July last year and have wanted one since. I believe they'd would be great as an additional studio bass tone. On my channel, I did put some footage from the show (as a rough rig rundown) which features me playing a U-bass. So if anyone fancies a butchers of one in a mix (well a camera audio quality mix) then go for it!

[Spazzsticks]

It would be cool if you put that ubass inside of your normal gig bag. people will get a laugh out of you bringing a huge gig bag with a tiny bass inside. Ya know for comedic effect xD

[HenrikHanssonMusic]

At some points in the video it kind of sounds like a hybrid of an upright and some punchy / short decay Moog bass. Very unusual sound, and very cool.

[maxaronow]

4:58 he finally starts to play the instrument

[niveks_]

The sound it make makes me think of the Blue Man Group, with the kind of plastic-like vibrations the rubber string have. It's definitely got it's own flavor in the sound.

[yousifa]

I've had a Ubass for two years now, and I love it so much, i highly recommend it!

[kevinmoores]

I bought a U-Bass after watching this video about 18 months ago. Best thing I ever did. It's brilliant. Thanks Scott!

[JS-uesi]

Congrats Scott! I have a mahogany fretless Ubass myself. Love it. A couple tips and notes for you as you explore yours. One thing I didn't like about it is that it doesn't have a thumb rest so my speed, efficiency, and accuracy was really tried. But you can get these little plastic tabs with adhesive, and that really helps. They're called Bass Buddies. About the strings, I actually prefer keeping the polyurethane strings for the tone. With round wounds it sounds like any other bass so what's the point? But they definitely can feel weird and even a bit sticky so that it slows down your playing. But again, the Bass Buddy should help. Enjoy the Ubass and thanks for all the great videos!

[pschase]

I'm obsessed with these, rubber strings and all

[stephencoxbass]

I love the U-Bass! Do you still play yours these days, Scott? Have you tried the flat wound strings on it yet?

[madbuzz]

Congrats on getting Gary Willis onboard with SBLs, he is an electric bass leviathan, a demi-god of the low-freq underworld, his abilities are terrifying, his calm demeanour even more right hand has laid waste to civilisations...clandestine military operatives have tried to back-engineer his solos at Area 51....and failed...just pray that your students can hear him play and not go insane!!

[santarockswithtso]

I have that same model. Wouldn't trade it for anything! Can take it on the plane as carry-on. Great sound on the more acoustic type songs my band does. Fun to practice with on the couch, too.

[eswarjuri]

For me as a non-giant the ukulele-bass is finally an opportunity of playing anything on bass, without having to stretch my fingers to an extent where it hurts! Lol

[jackpasquale]

I love my U-bass! The model I have is mahogany, with an active 2 band EQ, and built in tuner. It uses the same batteries as a Snark style tuner. CR2032, I believe. It takes 2 of them, actually.

[johnnyonbass]

Thanks for all your videos!! I’m a lefty bassist in California and been playing for decades. Thanks for sharing!

[imebroj]

For anyone who replaced rubber strings - won't that bend the neck? Tnx

[junktwomail]

I picked one up about a year ago. Mine is an active model with a volume control, a tone control and a tuner built in just below the neck on the side. Runs on two 2032 flat batteries. Although it's hard to tell in the video, it does sound a lot like a double bass. The strings are a bit sticky (I'll have to try it with a glove) but the closer fret spacing makes it easier to span a greater number of frets. And the size makes it easier to transport than a full size bass. Although I've played it through a sound board and large sub woofers I usually use a Peavy Micro Bass amp. Although not a replacement for my Ibanez 5-string, it pairs well with acoustic guitars, especially unplugged. Last fall I was out of town and attended a weekly Uke Jam as a guest. Normally only attended by 12 uke players of various types, it had been awhile since someone with a bass showed up. We opened with "Ripple" by the Dead then spent the next two hours working through their playlist. Most fun I've had with the Kala to date.

[Leorstef]

I have had a Kala U-Bass Rumbler for a few couple years now, that has a pre-amp with an active EQ and tuner, and love it. IMHO, it's nice to be able to adjust the tone, and get rid of the 'puncyness' sometimes. I like to sit on the couch while watching something, and just plink around with it.

One important thing if someone gets one, is to play with it quite a bit at the start. There is a break in period with the strings. They get less 'sticky' feeling after a while, and it will stay in tune much better.