Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Kala U-bass action


JapanAxe
 Share

Recommended Posts

None, none and no to be frank. There's no standard action or intonation adjustment, although if you're sticking with stock strings the action is pretty irrelevant really. The build quality of some U-basses leaves a lot to be desired. There are reports that quite a few have the bridges set slightly off from where they should be so your intonation is never going to be right. Mine is off just enough to be annoying. On my particular model the bridge saddle has the pickup bonded to it so you couldn't do the old sand down the bottom of the saddle trick to lower the action even if you wanted to. Also rules out changing the saddle without major surgery. Also there's a known issue with the pickup bonding in that the bonding material doesn't leave a flat surface to make contact with the bottom of the saddle channel so you can get dead strings (usually the G or E). The UK distributors fix is to loosen the strings and roll the saddle back, away from the neck just a little so the pickup makes better contact. It works, but again has made my intonation worse. There may be good examples of them out there somewhere but mine isn't one of them!

To be honest I bought a Deko Harley Benton Uke bass for £40 and it's every bit as good as my Kala so I'd advise you to save your cash and do the same or look at one of the alternatives like the Short Bass One or the like... I'd sell my Kala except it was bought to me as a birthday present...

If you're set on a Kala, try before you buy and be super critical - keep all these things in mind while you're doing it. Initially I was really taken with the whole Uke bass idea, but the longer time has gone on the more annoyed I get by the stupid problems on an instrument of that price.

Edited by Bigwan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Kala was out of tune above the 7th fret. If I was to buy one again it would be a fretless so I can make adjustments myself by ear! You can adjust the action by shaving down the bridge saddle piece, but it's not that necessary since a high action is still very playable as the strings are so flexible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the heads-up chaps. I would really want to try before buying, which would necessitate a trip to either Bass Direct or the Gallery. Anyone know of other bass uke stockists in the South?

EDIT: Just found that Hobgoblin Music in Bristol have a couple of Ashbury (budget brand - not Ashbory) bass ukes in stock.

Edited by JapanAxe
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Get the Harley Benton version. I bought a fair few as dekos and fixed them up was mainly bad contact of the pu.
There not bad built and sound very similar to the more expensive ones. The inbuilt eq is ok not great but useable, surprisingly powerful tho.

As far as setup well its debatable you want a nice bit of relief not too much but the strings move a lot and string height is too preference but I found I needed at least 3mm again the strings move a lot. Very easy to fret so even a high action is playable.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1461845209' post='3038108']
EDIT: Just found that Hobgoblin Music in Bristol have a couple of Ashbury (budget brand - not Ashbory) bass ukes in stock.
[/quote]

They're worth checking out. I tried one and really liked it. They have flatwounds on them rather than the big fat rubber strings but still sound good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='pineweasel' timestamp='1461845823' post='3038120']
Looks like this place in Bournemouth have them: [url="http://www.southernukulelestore.co.uk"]http://www.southernukulelestore.co.uk[/url]

I tried a Kala U-Bass at Duke of Uke in London and it put me off buying one. Too expensive for what it was.
[/quote]

Not sure I want to be seen going into a ukulele shop!

Looks like Ms Axe and I are off to Bristol today...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...