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Original Post By:
Portland Uke
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Date: 3/3/2010 11:33:14 PM |
| Anyone know why the spruce top model of this instrument is $90 less than the mohogany model? Is there any differnce in sound? I am thinking about getting one and can't decide. Thank you! |
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Posted By:
bassfiddlesteve
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Date: 3/4/2010 12:02:16 AM |
The main reason is that the back and sides are laminated whereas they are solid on the all mahogany model. I'm not 100% sure, but the tuners might be different too as they are not listed as Hipshot tuners in the new Kala catalog. I was told that the sound is the same since it's essentially an amplified instrument and all models have the same bridge and passive Shadow pickup. I bought the spruce top model and I don't regret it at all. I like the look better too becasue I'm not big fan of the "striped" appearance of the mahogany tops.
BTW Kala also makes a solid Acacia U-Bass and carries replacement strings. I have no idea how long these polyurathene string last.
- Steve
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Posted By:
Wiley
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Date: 3/4/2010 2:31:11 AM |
I think (no absolute proof) that the spruce model basses are part of the first generation that Kala produced. The solid mahogs followed and are now mainstream. I didn't know about the back and sides being lam'd. Thanks Steve.
For sure, the spruce does glow nicely in your hands. However, I kinda like the more ukie look of the mahogony. It might even prevent people from sizing up the bass as an itty-bitty, thick-stringed geetar.
The new U-bass and I (Got mine from MGM) are now going through our bonding period. I was trying to get a fretless Ashbory to behave, but it was a futile pursuit. I'm likin' the size and balance of the fretted UB.
Scariest moment to date... Mounting a strap button on the heel. For sure, I just knew I would have a spaz-attack and bugger the heel with the drill. Happily, the patient...and the doctor, survived.
Wish there was a better hard-case available. Virtually all of the standard baritone cases are too narrow at the headstock. Ideas?
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Posted By:
bassfiddlesteve
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Date: 3/4/2010 7:46:22 AM
(Updated: 3/4/2010 1:22:28 PM)
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I'm not sure about the case issue. Even the hardfoam case that came with mine is a bit tight around the tuners. I'm pretty sure the solid mahogany U-Bass predates the spruce top one based upon what I've seen. I also decided to add a strap button to the neck heel which worked out really well. I've noticed several other U-Bass players have done the same thing. It seems like this ought be a standard feature since you can't really play one while standing without a strap.
- Steve
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Posted By:
Portland Uke
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Date: 3/4/2010 10:21:14 AM
(Updated: 3/4/2010 10:25:11 AM)
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| Thank you both for your replies. Hopefully MGM will also chime in.
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Posted By:
Portland Uke
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Date: 3/4/2010 10:24:57 AM
(Updated: 3/4/2010 10:51:50 AM)
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Wiley, I like your pharse "I was trying to get a fretless Ashbory to behave..."
I have had the same behavioral issues with my Ashbory which I currently use the polyurathene strings (reggae colored ones) on. Behavior has improved, but we still have occasional out(of-tune)bursts.
Is the sound much affected by the frets? Do you feel like you are missing anything by going fretted?
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Posted By:
Portland Uke
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Date: 3/4/2010 10:45:55 AM |
| Oh, I also notice that the u-bass has passive pickups and no tone or volume control. What do you use to control your volume/tone (say, if you played live)? Are either of you using an L.R. Baggs D.I. or other?
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Posted By:
Portland Uke
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Date: 3/4/2010 10:47:18 AM
(Updated: 3/4/2010 10:50:25 AM)
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| Steve, how would you compare the sound to your stand up bass? Sorry for all the posts, I keep thinking of new questions after I post.
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Posted By:
mingus
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Date: 3/4/2010 1:39:26 PM
(Updated: 3/4/2010 1:44:32 PM)
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| I am pretty sure that the spruce top version has just been put out by Kala and doe NOT predate the all mahogany version. It sounds great; not directly like an upright, but similar.
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Posted By:
bassfiddlesteve
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Date: 3/4/2010 1:46:14 PM |
Obviously you can't control your volume without reaching for the amp or using an outboard preamp like a Fishman or L.R. Baggs. I have a few preamps becasue I used to use them with my upright bass, but I find they don't really improve the sound of the U-Bass and I'd rather just adjust the amp than deal with the extra cords and batteries for the premap. I don't use the preamps for my uprgiht bass either for the same reason. It probably helps that the Gallien-Krueger amps I use have a high input impedance which is more suitable for piezo pickups. I also use Planet Waves "Circuit Breaker" cables which have a built in on/off switch.
As far as the fretless option, I chose the fretted U-Bass for two reasons. First, I used to have an Ashbory bass and I found it hard to play in tune even though I have lots of experience playing upright bass and fretless bass guitar. I attribute this to the short scale length. Second, I have a beautiful fretless Godin bass that sits in a stand and collects dust. Fretless bass guitars and very cool and have their place, but unless you are in a situation that calls for that unique sound, a fretted bass is more useful and practical IMHO.
As far as the sound, the U-Bass is remarkably similar to an amplified upright bass. In fact, due the unusual polyurathene strings I approach it in a similar way in terms of note choices. Playing fast runs, using a pick or slapping & popping the strings just won't work well on the U-Bass. It sort of forces you to play effective, supportive bass parts. Right after I got the U-Bass I brought it to a friend TJ's gig and let him play it though his Hartke bass rig before sitting in with them. TJ remarked that the U-Bass sounded more like an upright than his Azola eletric upright bass. To me, it's also similar to "vintage" electric bass tone like you might hear on early Motown or British Inavsion records. A deep, thumpy, muted sound with a big fundamental note, short sustain and few overtones. Walking bass lines and old school R&B parts sound really nice on this bass.
I hope this answers your questions and helps you reach a decision.
- Steve
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Posted By:
Noel-lele
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Date: 3/4/2010 2:27:05 PM |
| The spruce top is the newest generation not an older one. It comes with a gig bag instead of a case and as mentioned the top is solid and body is laminate. We carry them at www.UkeLadyMusic.com I'll be glad to ship one to you!
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Posted By:
Wiley
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Date: 3/4/2010 2:43:12 PM |
Also... Some Tone Finger-ease or just plain old silicone spray (any brand will do) REALLY improves the playability of the polyurethane strings. I put a couple cotton balls in a baggie and give them a quick dose of the spray. The cotton balls are very portable and not messy. A quick wipe-down of the strings, the neck and your fingertips before a practice or gig prevents any stickiness or string noise for the duration of the activity. I've never had any build-up issues.
I second Steve's observations.
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Posted By:
bassfiddlesteve
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Date: 3/4/2010 11:11:09 PM |
In don't find the polyurethane U-Bass strings sticky or hard to play. The silocone Ashbory strings are another story.
- Steve
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Posted By:
Portland Uke
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Date: 3/5/2010 2:45:46 PM |
| Thank you everyone for your replies! Very helpful and informative. I think I am sold.
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Posted By:
bassfiddlesteve
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Date: 3/6/2010 7:21:30 PM |
Be sure to tell us what you get.
BTW Sam Ash Music here in Clearwater, FL just got two of the spruce top models this week and already sold one of them.
- Steve
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Posted By:
Portland Uke
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Date: 3/7/2010 12:59:35 PM |
Hi Steve, I ordered a mahogany version from MGM.
I expect it will be featured in my next video, whenever/whatever that will be.
Thanks again for your thoughts on this instrument. I think my next purchase will need to be one of those cords with the on/off button!
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Posted By:
Portland Uke
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Date: 3/10/2010 10:35:45 AM |
The bass uke arrived. Very fast shipping and good packaging from MGM.
The mahogany version is very nice looking.
I noticed a few things as soon as I plugged it in:
o One of my strings (the G) seems louder than the others.
o Any movement on the body is picked up loudly.
o The strings make an unwanted squeaky sound that I do not hear on the Ashbory.
Do you guys have any of the same issues?
Wiley, did you have string noise issues? You mentioned Tone Finger-ease. Does this take care of the squeaky string issue? I have a hard time not making the squeaky sound no matter how I touch the strings.
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Posted By:
Wiley
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Date: 3/10/2010 12:01:44 PM
(Updated: 3/10/2010 12:10:12 PM)
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Yep, the NEW strings are a tad noisy when they are brand new. As I did on my 'bory with Pahoehoe strings, and the U-Bass now - I took a piece of chamois (it was there so I gave it a try) and gave each string a bit of buffing. Once the surface slickness was dulled, the noise went down. With the addition of a little silicone (Tone Finger-ease or 3-In-One Silicone Spray from Home Depot) and some practice, the noise pretty much went away. As I mentioned above, I apply the spray to a cotton ball and wipe down the strings and my finger tips before a practice or gig. Not having to mess with talc on the Ashbory's stock silicone strings was a major quality-of-life improvement! Additionally, I never broke another "G" or "D" string after the new polyurethanes went on. ;o)
I'm in Albany, OR (97321). Send me an email with your address and I'll send a can of Finger-ease. We gotta get you fixed up so the videos can start flowing...Right?
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