chickenjames Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 Hey all I’m out hunting for a U Bass tomorrow. I’m expecting to use it for folk (amplified) as well as my P Bass, and maybe as a novelty thing on some pop/R&B/funk/disco... I’m likely to try out Kala Rumbler (fretted) and a couple of fretless Kalas (spruce & mahogany). What would you be looking for when trying them out and comparing these? I also have to make a fretted vs fretless decision. Pro fretless I have a little experience of playing lined fretless (normal scale length). I’ve tried fretless Kalas briefly before, and found the tuning manageable with a bit of concentration. I think I’ll get more of a different sound from my Fender and it would sound more like a double bass It has lines Pro fretted I’m a bit worried that I may struggle to keep it in tune Mahogany is more expensive but comes with a better case and tuners - is this significant? The Rumbler is cheaper but laminated How do the strings compare between Rumbler and the others? Do they all have the same electronics/tuner? Obviously it’s going to be affected by how they play, but I’m thinking that the Hog Fretless is the nicest idea. And finally straps - there’s a button at the big end, and I was going to just use a shoelace at the nut like an acoustic guitar - what does anyone else do? Comments welcome.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Can’t comment on everything, but I have a mahogany Kala bass and I exchanged the rubber strings for the roundwounds. Means I still get that thump, but also I can e decent noise with a pick. Action is quite high on them, but it’s a whole heap of fun. No matter which you get you will like it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 For me the fret less seemed a little pointless with a U Bass. The silicone strings mean that the frets don’t alter the sound much at all, and slides/ bends are hard to manage with them anyway. Also look at the Countryman bass ukes. Mine was £149 I think, and is fantastic. All ply construction (which isn’t a problem on this type of instrument),nifty little preamp and Aguilar strings as standard. Tried the U bass along side it, and honestly didn’t see the £200+ difference in quality or tone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Oh yeah, regarding the strap buttons - I play mine seated so not a problem, but should be easy enough to fit a button to the heel of the neck I reckon, if you can’t get on with tying that end at the nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 I played a Laka fretless one at the bash and really liked it. I see what you mean abiut the frets not impacting the sound so much but for me the fretless model has more ‘freedom’ and has a smoother sound. Where are you going to try them? I’ve been looking for a fretless one in darker coloured wood and this one seems the best value so far https://www.musiccentre.co.uk/product/eko-duo-ukubass-fretless-electro-ukulele-bass Here’s the Laka - I’ll probably get one of these as it played really nicely and Gear4Music are local https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Laka-VUB60EA-Electro-Acoustic-Bass-Ukulele-Mahogany/1LLY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 There's a fretless Aquila Shortbass One in the classifieds for £200. Larger than a U-Bass but also therefore louder and easier to play! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenjames Posted January 27, 2018 Author Share Posted January 27, 2018 Going to Bassdirect, that’s the nearest place to me with a decent amount of stuff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 I’ve just posted a “NBD” thread about a little Harley Benton fretless bass Ukulele I’ve bought. Amazing little thing for the price. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Me And My Bass Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Try one then pop me a message on here to buy my mint Kala for much cheapness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visog Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Fad. Will be an un-played curio in the music room in the click of the next Internet gear search. ** Cries - surprisingly good double-bass/fretless sound... yes and you'll look and feel like a Richard playing it** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenjames Posted January 27, 2018 Author Share Posted January 27, 2018 I did it - picked up lovely ‘hog fretless, I’m happy :-) LOL at visog. I have no shame, that won’t be a problem :-) Me and My Bass cheers man, maybe next time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linear Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 I much preferred fretless, it just made more sense to me. The only downside is that I can't venture much beyond the 7th, as the short scale and rubbery strings make intonation too tough up there for me, but the intonation on the fretted ones I tried wasn't that hot either, so it's a bit of a moot point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jposega Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 20 hours ago, visog said: Fad. Will be an un-played curio in the music room in the click of the next Internet gear search. ** Cries - surprisingly good double-bass/fretless sound... yes and you'll look and feel like a Richard playing it** Show us on the doll where the bad U-bass touched you... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenjames Posted January 29, 2018 Author Share Posted January 29, 2018 17 hours ago, jposega said: Show us on the doll where the bad U-bass touched you... Wrong but funny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenjames Posted February 11, 2018 Author Share Posted February 11, 2018 Here’s me messing around with it A51D838E-181F-4D65-9F7F-201D7A35667D.MOV 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretlessguy Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 I prefer the fretless version and even sold my fretted one. The fretless is not a problem for me to play but I kept getting too close to the frets and it would buzz like a bee. I also found the Aquila Thunder Gut and Rumbler strings quicker to break in and better with the tuning, although they are rough feeling. I wish you well with whatever decision you come to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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