U-Bass String Changing Tutorial: Flatwound Strings
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- Опубліковано 14 вер 2019
- In this video, I'll walk you through how to change your strings to the new Kala Flatwounds! This video just gives one simple way to do this...there are slight alternatives mentioned in this video. This topic was recommended by my Patrons.
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Thanks Stephen, love your channel, and loving the U Bass world!
Thank you Steven! Changed out my rubber strings for flatwounds using this video. Checking out your other videos now.
I'm glad it helped! Cheers!
Thanks for the video! I had to replace a string on my (Hadean) u-bass today for the first time. This video was helpful.
I'm glad I could help! Thanks for watching!
This was super helpful, even though i was going to roundwounds and was replacing the nut.. I went from the Kala Nomad stock strings (black polyurethane) to roundwounds (the kala brand ones). I also bought the nut (the old nut seems like it probably would've been fine since the plastic strings are bigger, but i went with a tighter fitting nut). For those who want to try it themselves, I spent some time xacto knifing a score around the nut, then was able to actually hammer it out cleanly. Then I put a dab of super glue and installed the other nut. Finally, strung the roundwounds. This method of stringing worked for me, though sometimes I had to unwind to cut more off (obviously cutting less is better than cutting too much). Finally, strings did need to be stretched a couple times before they settled. I had a rattle on A and D, but A is gone over time, and I feel like D is diminishing. Hoping its the same thing that happened with stephen, where it will naturally go away with time. Oh and make sure when you get to D and G strings, you pay attention to the direction you string it (inward like normal, but when you go from E and A obviously the direction changes). Anyways, good luck for anyone else who wants to do this, I literally had very little experience beforehand, so you can do it too!
Great! Thank you for including the description of changing the nut, I've been curious to hear about how easy/difficult it is. Is the rattle on the open strings, or when you play certain fretted notes? Thanks for watching!
Super helpful, thank you!
You're welcome!
Hey Stephen… thanks for the video. Really helpful. I have read all the comments so I don’t know if anyone has suggested the following. If you’re going from the poly strings to flats, you may need to tighten the truss rod to bring the action down. And, I do this when I change my double bass strings and think it will help here… rub a pencil in the nut string groove. The graphite helps the string move easier when tuning.
Great suggestions! I'm sure those things both help for sure. Thanks for watching!
Great video! My flat-wound E string shredded on my new UBass after less than a month and I was nervous about replacing it myself. No problem thanks to your guidance! Thanks much.
I'm glad this helped you. Sorry to hear about the string shredding!
Did you or have you lowered the action for the flat wound stings?
@@mwsteelworks4596 No, I did not. But I had custom-ordered my UBass from Kala and had them set it up for me with the flat-wounds and the correct nut, so they may have done it.
Your videos are great
Thank you, J.R.!
Thank you! 😃
You're welcome!
Thank you
Thanks for watching!
You convinced me to buy them.. How did you know I needed this video? ;-)
A lucky guess? Haha. Thanks for watching!
@@stephencoxbass For some reason I jumped into changing them. Then noticed the strings were way too long.. Then you mentioned washers I didn't see that were in there. Woops! Thanks for the video. Thank god I didn't have to file anything.
@@jokkemartens8065 I hope everything worked ok. Cheers!
@@stephencoxbass They did, thanks. Also got some rattling, but hoping it will disappear in a few days. I've got the feeling it's around the neck.. So maybe the strings just need to settle a bit.
Very nice
Thank you!
Interesting comment about the nut for the rubber strings. I currently have Thunderblacks and I just ordered Gallistrings flat wounds and a nut from Kala. I'm going to check the fit with the original nut first, then switch it out for the new nut if there is any slop.
That's what I would do. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Thanks for watching!
Hey Stephen,
Thanks for the video. How is your action on the bass? Trying to see how low I can get the strings. What is your E string height on the 12th fret?
Many thanks!
Very useful video! I would like to know if you think it is possible to mount these strings on my Kala Rumbler Fretless Ubass. I have the first edition of this bass, which does not have the hole on the back of the body to insert the strings: they must be inserted directly from the bridge at the front I presume. I would be interested in metal strings because I don't like the "feel" of its original silicone strings, which over time have become very sticky, and make it difficult and uncomfortable to play the instrument.
I'm not sure, as I have no access of one of those to check. Try reaching out to Kala and see if they have a better idea. You can also ask people on the ubass freaks FaceBook page to see if anyone there has tried this before you. Thanks for watching!
Hi, Stephen. Thanks for another great video. I'm going in the opposite direction: I'll be replacing my flatwounds (set up and put on at the Kala factory) with Aquila rubber strings. I'm wondering: With the Aquila's, would you know if I have to go through that whole obnoxious knot tying procedure like we have to do with the black strings, perform a simple "over/under" procedure, or place the Aquila's directly into the hole like one does with the flatwounds and the way it is done with the Aquila's on the Gold Tone MBass?
I'm not sure, but it looks like mine doesn't seem to have the knot.Try the way you would change them on the Gold Tone, or ask some members of the Ubass Freaks group on Facebook which way they did it. Thanks for watching!
I always wondered how to change the strings on the Kala Journeyman without the usual soundhole in the middle.
On most U-basses the answer is the back plate. I have heard of a few that might rely on the soundhole, but all Kala acoustic models have a removable back plate.
@@stephencoxbass I didn't know that until seeing the video, so I assumed you had to change the strings like you would for an acoustic guitar.
Do you have a video that shows how to install the roundwound steel strings on a KALA UBASS? Thank You!
Hi Arthur, at the moment I have one where I show how to switch to the flatwounds, which is fairly similar. The only part it doesn't address is if you decided to replace the nut. Kala reccommends that you do replace it, but I'm not sure that it's essential. Thanks for watching!
Hi Stephen,
Very helpful, thank you. You mention in the vid that you had a rattle that you thought was coming from the washers used to secure the strings under the bridge - was it that was causing the noise? I've got the same problem but mine still has the roundwound strings on. The E string is particularly bad.
Thanks again.
I'm not sure what was causing it for sure...I removed one of the washers, but there was still a rattle for a bit, but it seemed to go away.
I had a similar rattle. New ubass instrument, not Kala.
Seemed to be near the bridge E string, and some other weird rattle near the E tuning peg.
Mysteriously it went away after I pulling the E string a few times and bringing it up to tune
What do you think about the Solid Body UBass? Do you have a video demo of a solid body UBass?
I think the solid body U-Basses are very cool! I don't have one yet, but I plan to do a review of one at some point. Thanks for watching!
Great video for this new U-bass player (been playing my Jazz bass for years). Question for you: My Kala Journeyman came with roundwounds, and I like them (I've been using only roundwounds, anyway). If I wanted to go from roundwounds to flatwounds, I understand from you that I would need to file down the nut to fit the flats since flats are a little thicker. This is good to know, since I may go that route at some point. But what if I did that, but then later on wanted to switch back at to the rounds again? Would I need to do anything with the nut? Thanx!
That's a good question...you might have to replace the nut, but it may not be the case. It would probably be fine without having to do anything if it's not filed too wide.
@@stephencoxbass Thanx!
Hey steve, do you know if it’s possible to use standard electric bass flatwound strings for the u bass?
I would say not to, as standard sized flatwounds are a different gauge and have a metal core. The core might damage the tuners (they aren't designed for so much stress like bass guitar tuners), and the difference in gauge would change the string tension a great amount. My guess is they would be very loose and floppy. Thanks for watching!
I am trying to install a new set of D'Addario Nyltech U bass strings. The G continues to break at the anchor knot under the bridge plate even before it tuned to pitch. Any suggestions?
I'm not sure why that would happen. Is the string breaking or is it a knot coming undone? What bass ukulele are you putting them on? Maybe the scale length of the instrument is too long for the string gauge. Otherwise I'm clueless as to why that would be the case.
I have the same bass, the round wounds are ridiculously expensive so I am wondering if you think it's worth switching from round wounds to flat wounds, knowing that you can't go back to round wounds if you adjust the nut as you did. Thx
I like the flat wounds a lot, although I've found myself playing the other U-Bass with round wounds more often lately. I'm not sure that altering the nut makes it impossible for the round wounds to work, but Kala sells replacement nuts as well.
Hi everyboy. I need some advice. I have a Maui Ubass that I want to change its rubber strings (for a new rubber strings set). My problem is that this bass hasn't got a back plate to remove, so I don't see how to to this. I don't know how to acces inside the body of the instrument. I appreciate any advice!
You may have to get creative to go through the sound hole to thread the strings through...a child might have a small enough hand/wrist to help, or maybe a tool of some sort?
If I get a ubass that came with the rubber strings is it okay to switch to the round wound or flat wound?
Yes, from rubber flat wounds will be fine, but rounds might require changing the nut.
Would you have to do anything to the truss rod??
Are those the Galli strings? I put some Pyramid wound round on one of my ubasses, and they are very noisy when they touch the frets (plugged as well). I wonder if the flat wounds are more silent? I have Thunder Reds on my other Kala. Thanks!
Dear Stephen. Thanks so much for your video. I just started changing the strings from my red journey man to flatwounds. I filed the nut as you suggested and installed the E string but I'm very confused because the intonation of that installed string is really weird. Having tuned in E then the second fret is a high F# and the 4 fret a high G and so on so the 12th fret is a high D#! Basically it's like if the scale of the bass is now all wrong. The octave harmonic I can only reach out very close to the 13th fret instead of the 12th. Do you have any idea of what could be the problem? I'm using Kala flatwounds G=0.060 D=0.080 A=.100 E=.130.
That's very strange that they would be that far flat...I would expect them to go sharp instead. It could need a truss rod adjustment possibly, but I would contact Kala...that's bizzarre!
@@stephencoxbass thanks so much Stephen. I'll make sure to contact Kala. Thanks for your day reply and your advise.
@@JuanDavidGarzon Thanks for watching! I hope you find an easy answer to that issue!
Hey question for my ignorance and education... are these metal strings? I just bought a solid body with the rubber strings. It's very well made, strong, struss rod and I want to put on metal strings... thoughts?
These are metal with a nylon core, I believe. It should work as long as you get ones intended for a bass ukulele. Cheers!
If I file down to fit the flat wound do you know of any issues if I go back to round wound?
The wider grooves might cause a buzz/vibration when you go back to round wounds. They might not, but it's possible. Thanks for watching!
Stephan need your help getting a Ubass that I can jam with others and be in the same octives as the rest of the players because I have heard that some ukulele basses are an active higher and I want to be able to play along with them. The genre will be metal and just regular music off all types
Edited. Just let you know I decided on the Kala Journeyman because all your inf and actually hearing it. Now its time for your lessons,thanls for all the info
I think Luna makes the only one that's an octave higher that I know of. All of the Kala U-Basses are tuned like a full size electric bass.
@@stephencoxbass Thanks so fast for that answer. Which in your opinion would be a good one that would be able to be used with a group of traditional guitar users and just for practicing by playing along with regular size basses. Thanks so much
@@stephencoxbass Okay I bought the Journeyman now my next question is do you offer lessons or do I just follow regular bass lessons?
@@garyc7446 I have lessons on here, and I'm also doing Skype lessons: www.stephencoxmusic.com/skype
I've noticed the quality of strings very set to set, and that you absolutely should not cut the E string if you have the first two models of the U-bass. (rumbler an spruce models)
I haven't had enough sets to notice much inconsistency. I'll keep that in mind.
Very helpful video. I have one question--I changed the stock rounds for Kala branded flats. ("for UBass" by gallistrings.) The cloth bit at the end of the string doesn't quite fit. That is, on the E string the cloth runs out before the string is up to pitch. And on the G string the cloth is going past the nut. Should that be trimmed? The packaging doesn't specify state scale but I'm assuming it is right since it says "for U Bass" Thanks.
Hi Brett, I think they changed the scale length of the strings at some point. You may have to trim/unravel the cloth unfortunately. Is your bass ukulele a Kala? Maybe it has a slightly longer scale? Thanks for watching.
@@stephencoxbass Thanks for the reply. I think the scale is right. I'll have to double check. It is a Kala UBass. The strings were nothing compared to the headache I had trying to set the thing up. The nut didn't fit as you point out. I had an old rubber string version, so I swapped that in. But I could not get the E string to sit at an acceptable action at the nut. I filed it almost to the fretboard and it was still too high. I ordered Kala's flatwound nut. Maybe that will work. I don't know if these Basses are designed for rigorous setup to pro specs. More like toys IMO.
@@brettsparks2591 My E string sits a bit higher than the others, but it still seems ok for me. The only note that's a bit difficult to play is the F - 1st fret on the E string. It takes more effort to hold that down, but other than that, my action is fine.
Maybe the wrap is part of the issue? Are the strings pulled all the way through the holes at the bridge? If not, that could explain the cloth wrap issue.
I hope you can find solutions to those issues.
@@stephencoxbass Exactly--the E sits high no matter how low the nut slot. So F1 is tough. How the heck is that possible--weird geometry. I'm setting this up for my wife and she has a hard time fretting it. (btw this is the 3rd Kala she has gone through. The road eats them).
In any event it should be possible to set the instrument up.
I don't think the wrap is part of the nut action issue. Who knows.
Yes, I did screw up and failed to pull the strings through at first--so that problem is solved.
We'll see how the "bespoke" Kala/Tusq nut works.
I appreciate your advice, Brett
@@brettsparks2591 I'm glad I could help with the one issue. I had the same thing happen when I tried to restring the off-brand fretless. I hope you can find a way to fix the height issue. Otherwise it may be "avoid playing songs with a lot of low F!" Cheers!
Does a flatwound fretless combination sound more like an upright and a polyurethane fretless?
The flatwounds make it sound more like a fretless electric bass to me, while the polyurethane strings sound closer to an upright to me.
Could you just buy the one for the rubber strings and add the Flat Wound?
Yes, as far as I know.
How do you change the battery in the tuner/pre amp on the second version?
The batteries are next to the cord input jack on the bass. You take out the battery holder and replace the batteries. They are CR 2032 batteries if that helps. The hardest part is getting the tab to push in to get the battery holder out. I use a screwdriver instead of my finger nails. I hope that helps. Cheers!
@@stephencoxbass just found it. I Overlooked it. Thanks
@@XXXSuperBass It's easy to overlook. Cheers!
Where did you get these strings. I'm having issues finding strings. They are too short.
What model bass ukulele do you have, and do you know its scale length? These are the Galli/Kala flat wounds. I purchased these through Uke Republic. Thanks for watching!
For a u bass with rubber strings would I just untie the knot on them?
Kala has made videos on changing the rubber strings. I believe if they have knots on one end, that's to keep them from going through the body, so leave the knots at the end that stays in the body. But definitely watch Kala's video. There are certain tricks that help since the strings are so stretchy.
stephencoxbass I watched some Kala videos but they never explain anything about the knots.
Will electric bass flatwound strings work? Or are there special ubass strings?
The U-Bass flats have a nylon core, so they don't put as much tension on the instrument as metal core strings. Also, the thickness of the string is different from electric bass strings to U-Bass. I highly recommend NOT using full sized flat wounds on a U-Bass. Galli/Kala makes flatwounds designed for U-Bass specifically.
@@stephencoxbass Thanks. Is there an inexpensive set to be found? I've been searching and cant find U-bass flats except I think Kala which are close to 100 bucks. Are there some under 40 or 50 somewhere.
@@alananderson9730 I looked on Kala's site, and they are $50 on there, but they are out of stock at the moment. It's possible that they are priced a little bit higher elsewhere due to them not being readily available. I'm sure they are working to make more soon.
I just bought the Kala flatwound strings for my new Journeyman, which came with roundwound strings. After installing just the E string I am stuck. I hope someone can help me. I did carefully file the nut wide enough for the string to seat into the slot. However, the 1st fret is unreachable without also fretting the 2nd fret. It seems that the action is waaaay high, measuring at 7 mm at the 12th fret. So I don't know what to do next. I think I need to lower the action at both the nut because I can't fret the string at the 1st fret without also fretting the 2nd fret. But the action at the 12th fret will not be affected much by this so I think I also need to sand down the saddle as well. Then there is the question of the truss rod. I've never owned an instrument with a truss rod before and I am afraid to mess with it but it seems I probably must at some point. I'm thinking my order of operations will be to lower the nut first, but since that surely will not affect the action all that much, next I would have to lower the saddle. Then, after I have installed the other three strings, I might have to adjust the truss rod too. Stephen or anybody who has made the change from rounds to flats please help! I don't see anything on the internet that alludes to the issue I discovered just by changing one string. Everybody says it's a no-brainer so that means I must have no brain.
I'm just now reading this! Did you figure this out now? There should be a plastic insert under the saddle and pick up assembly you can shave down or possibly just remove. As far as the nut, Kala now makes ones specifically for flat wounds. So sorry for the super late reply. I hope you were able to sort it all out!
@@stephencoxbass I don't know what happened. I wrote a comment and it disappeared only showing the tag to your name. Let me try again. I did figure that out and it did the trick. Thank you! I love your videos and always learn something from them. You rock!
@@skiziskin I'm glad you were able to figure that out! Thanks for watching! Cheers!
will these work on my cordoba mini bass ii?
I'm not sure, but I imagine they should if the Cordoba is the same scale length and has a truss rod.
@@stephencoxbass thanks
How do you change the strings if the ubass does not have a back plate?
The ones I have all have back plates. If they don't have a back plate, the strings probably go through the bridge a different way.
@Petr Lunga Jr. Are you suggesting child labor? (Just kidding)
@Petr Lunga Jr. Thank you for the reply...that does sound like the best answer.
Add an inch on the A❤
Hey Man! I have e Harley Benton Ukulele Bass. I watched your vídeo and I feel the same as you about my A string. It is much more quiter then the other strings. It seems to have less gain. How do I fix that? Can u help me?
Try loosening the strings a bit and tightening them in different orders, but it may be best to boost certain parts of the eq to balance it out.
Couldn't I just buy a washer & use whatever flatwound strings I wanted or would that not work?
Due to the difference in the gauge of the shorter scale strings and the nylon core vs. the steel core, I would not recommend using normal flat wound strings for the U-Bass.
@@stephencoxbass I figured I was missing something. Thanks!
The back plate on mine has a magnet and I wouldn't call that a luxury when you loose it in a gig or recording session.
Lately it's been bugging me as it rattles at times, too. It's convenient for changing strings, which is not something I do often enough for the need of that level of convenience. I agree, it's not much of a luxury.
@@stephencoxbass thankfully ive always found it but one time I left it at the studio and had to wait a week to get it back. Also my hands are too big to fit through the space to effectively restring it, think I might find a friend to do it for me.
Thanks for the tutorial. I contacted Kala about changing to the flatwounds from the OEM silicone strings for my U Bass and they said this: There may be a chance the nut you currently have will be too wide for the strings (and it was). if you're getting buzz, you can fill the current nut with epoxy and refile it... or you should replace the nut with our roundwound one: kalabrand.com/collections/u-bass-parts/products/u-bassa-tusq-nut-4-string-solid-body?variant=12883315752983 (and in purchase notes, please request: file for flats).
The nut came off fairly easily w/a sharp blade and I'm now got the new nut on and waiting for the wood glue drops to set up. The new channels are considerably narrower than those on the OEM nut w/the silicone strings.
They also said this about the height of the strings and adjusting the truss rod: As far as the adjustment--you will turn the truss rod counter clockwise 1/8 to 1/4 turn at a time to add relief to the neck...the standard action of a ubass at the 5th fret is 4mm or so--which is higher than a standard electric bass
Thank you for the info! You may still have to widen the groove under the E string to fit the flat wounds on with the new nut, but I'm glad everything is working for you. Cheers, and thanks for watching!
@@stephencoxbass Actually Kala is sending me a new UBass because, following their instructions on adjusting the truss rod, the end broke off. It'll have the flatwound strings on it.
@@reidhester I'm glad to hear they covered that for you. I hope all goes well with the new one. Cheers!
@@stephencoxbass Thanks. So far so good.
OH SIHIT
my ubass dosent have a backplate?!
Did you buy it without one?
YOU CAN MOVE?!
I'm not sure if I understand what you're asking. Thanks for watching!
And yet you had a washer off??
I'm not sure what you're asking with this this question.
50 dollars? I am so sorry pocket money...
Sometimes a barely used set comes up on the Ubass Freaks Facebook page for a bit cheaper.
@@stephencoxbass I actually saw that Kala has them on sale for around $30 right now. I love the feel and sound of flat wounds. Do you recommend them? Are you still using your original set on your Journeyman?