Review of Aquila Thunderbrown Strings: Are they worth trying on your ukulele bass!?
Вставка
- Опубліковано 11 лип 2024
- #playubass #kalabrand #aquila strings
Dedicated blog post at playubass.com
playubass.com/2022/01/10/stri...
Video Chapters:
0:00 Intro song
0:49 Introduction
3:17 "Mwah" sound on a fretless and slides
5:30 Playing through a big PA
6:40 Compare the strings to an upright bass
8:50 Acoustic loudness in a smaller room
10:50 Comparing with my 2019 string test
Links:
aquilacorde.com/en/modern-mus...
kalabrand.com/collections/aco...
Thank you very much for this video Magnus: you have done a great work in order to share with the bass lover the quality of Thunderbrown. I would like to remember that, despite that the tension is a bit higher than those of Thundergut, all the diameters are thinner of a good amount: The E string is of only 4,0 mm instead 5.0 of the Thundergut and under tension become 3.70 only. Distribution: we are doing any effort with our distributors but we must admit that seems that there are some difficult (maybe due to the Christmas time etc etc ), mostly in USA. In EU things are faster. Thanks you again. Mimmo (Aquilastrings owner & founder)
And thank you to you too Mimmo, for bringing your string quality to this artistic level!
First your Thunderreds gave me the sustain that I really had longed for, and now the Thunderbrowns has brought also the real acoustic bass tone I've always wanted and hoped for. I've played them for a month now and also enjoy playing them tuned down half a step. I agree with Magnus on that their sound is just wonderful, and they now make the fretless ukulele playable as expressively as an upright. And I can even get the MWAH tone out of all the pitches on all the strings on the old Risa uke that I put them on. Just Wonderful, Thank You Very Much! / Hasse Örn
Tack för denna och dina andra videos Magnus! Håller med dig fullständigt om dessa Thunderbrown. De är verkligen toppen. Med dessa har ukulelebasen blivit det som jag hoppats på.
Thanks for the great review. I'm in Canada (unfortunately) but I hope U.S. string stores start stocking them soon. When they do I'll try a set.
I only came for the string review but super enjoyed the music. Awesome.
I ordered a set of Thunderbrowns from Stringsandbeyond on February 02. I'm really looking forward to trying them out. After watching the excellent review that Magnus did it looks like Mimmo made a lot of positive changes in the non-metallic strings. 🙂
I just got a set through a shop in the US (I'm in Canada) for my fretless Gold Tone 23". They sound great, different than the Thunderguts for sure but I can't say "better", they are both great with slightly different vibes. The Brown's definitely win for feel, but the Thundergut has a bit more of that "rubbery thump" that makes these instruments unique. The Brown has overtones closer to a more "normal" bass tones, esp on the higher strings. I look forward to hearing the new Blacks!
Great! I have put a set of the new Thunderblack strings on a fretted pre-preamp ubass. I have only recorded one thing with it, “Mimmo - the string magician” :) I would need to try them in the same ubass I used in this video to make a true comparison and since I really love how the Thunderbrowns sound and feel it will probably not happen in a while…:) I can however try them on another fretless ubass. Would that be interesting?
Thanks, Magnus. I am waiting for my newly ordered uke bass. (Luna, Koa.) I play with several acoustic guitar players in fairly intimate venues. I have so many basses, but I'm always curious about other ones. If they were girlfriends I'd be in deep sh--! 🙂I am stoked to try out a Uke bass. Hearing your comparison demos is EXTREMELY helpful. I can relax now, knowing how good you make it sound. I hope to do the same, bro.
Oh, thanks Charlie! I’m really glad you like what I do and that my videos can help in making decisions! Basses are kind of a drug for me too…haha. One more can’t hurt right!? 🤣
@@bassMAGicsSjöquist It's a very small bass, so I'll find room for it. He he. If it were another double bass, I would be in trouble finding room for it. I can't thank you enough for the comparison with your double bass. I am utterly amazed at the similar tone. Thanks so much.
Thank you Magnus. The playability favors my trying the ThunderBrowns. The dark and loose, upright bass sound of the ThunderGuts suggests that I might like those better. But perhaps equalization could make the ThunderBrowns more like my preferred sound. I do like slides and vibrato.
I just purchased a Kala SMHG-FL (my first U-Bass), which came with round-wound strings, making it sound more like an electric guitar. But I am looking for a sound closer to that of an upright bass.
My Kala SMHG-FL came with two nuts, one for roundwound, and one for poly. If one buzzes or sticks, I can try the other.
I’m glad you found my review helpful.
I do believe you can make the Thunderbrowns to sound darker or fuller with a touch of EQ.
I still favor the Thunderbrowns and they are still my preferred “poly”-string!
Happy UBass playing and good luck in the search of your ultimate sound!
This video really helped me understand what the Thunderbrown strings have to offer, and I think I'll be buying a set of them.
At about the 3:48 mark there is text explaining that the recording path includes a Jule Monique and a Phil Jones Double Four. The Phil Jones is a borderline affordable for me, but the Monique is way out of my price range, unfortunately. Any suggestions for more affordable options for one or both of these items? A video along these lines would be really helpful, though I suspect those aren't the kind of videos you want to make.
Thank you! 🙏
I understand that some of my equipment are expensive and it’s really not necessary to go for this price range for a good sound.
Is it mainly an amp for playing live you’re looking for or is it recording equipment you seek, or is it both?
I’ll try to put together a blog post (probably with video) about different amplification and recording options for 2023/2024 over at playubass.com. I realize most of my tips about this mess things are a bit outdated…
Please let me know what you want to know more about and also give me a hint of the kind of budget you want to/can spend.
All the best,
Magnus
How do get such a deep tone with no clacky or squeaky string noise?! Great freaking playing!!!😁👌🏽😁
Thanks for your kind words Shamar!
I try to play with a light touch and have been practicing since 2010 when i added ukulele bass to my bass toolkit! :)
I had a set of these for about 12 months and the G string snapped while it was in my gig bag. I took my Kala to our local luthier and while he was stringing a replacement G string it too broke and it was brand new and he didn't have another set in stock so I went back to the OEM strings. I liked how the Thunderbrown strings played but now their durability.
I’m glad you like them but it’s sad that your sets have had issues with the G-string.
My set has been on my bass since November 2021 with no issues. You must have had really bad luck with your strings! Contact them and see if they can help you with a replacement G!
Great video!
Do you recommend Aquila Thunderbrown strings for an Ashbory bass?
Thank you very much.
Thanks, I’m glad you liked it!
I haven’t tried them on a Ashbury bass but I do believe they would sound great on those basses too! There are two versions of the strings. The one I use is 18-21 inch so it should work on the shorter scale of the Ashbury!
Give them a try, I hope you’ll like them!
aquilacorde.com/en/shop/modern-instrument-string-sets/bass-ukulele-ashbory-bass/thunderbrown/
@@bassMAGics appreciate your recommendations!
I’m gonna try a set of that ones.
Thank you very much!
hej Magnus, snygg. Jag startar med en liten Short One och vill fråga, vilken skillnad ser du med thunder red o thunder brown? En lånade bass one basic hade de Röda strängar så jag har en åning om dem Röda. Sätte gammalmodiga UKE-strängar (gräddvita) till den o dom låter ju fint men är så himla tjocka och klistar fingrarna i sig :D
Thunderbrown är en helt ny sträng! Den har ett mer fokuserat ljud och känns ännu lättare att spela, inte alls ”sticky”. Gillar dessa väldigt mycket!
Thank you for this review! have you tried the Flatwounds, and have an opinion on the Thunderbrown vs. Flatwounds?
Thanks, I’m glad you found it useful!
I have a string review from 2019 where I compare a few strings. You can find it on playubass.com
On a fretless UBass (solid body or acoustic) I like to use either Thunderbrown or flatwounds. On a fretted bass I prefer flats or the new Aquila Flat Spirals!
@@bassMAGics It's going to be used on a new Scout fretless. I'm trying to decide between the flatwounds or thunderbrowns (or open to any other suggestion). Thanks!
@@flashner I had Thunderbrowns on a fretless Scout and was happy with that combo. I’m thinking of putting flats on it now…
If I do it soon I’ll try to share some sound/video samples! :)
Hello Magnus, you are right, I put the thunderbrowns on and definitely got the mwah that the standard pahoehoe didn't have. The only problem I have encountered is with th G string, maybe the nut slot is too wide but the string sticks out tonewise compared to the other strings. It buzzes on the lower frets and sounds a bit sitar like, also really hard to play in tune(position sensitive). Finally had to put pahoehoe G string on. I'm missing the mwah on the g string now but I can play more freely without having to baby the g string which is quite distracting. Have you noticed anything similar with the G string ? on the video your G string sounds fine. I'm thinking the problem is with the nut or maybe the string is defected, Would like to solve this problem cuz ideally I want all four strings to be thunderbrowns. Definitely closest to the double bass sound! Would appreciate any thoughts or advice on this matter. THANKS
I’m glad you like the thunderbrowns too!
I now have thunderbrowns on two ubasses and will check out how I feel about the g-string on those ubasses. I didn’t think I was harder to play the g-sting in tune on the Ubass I used when I did the review. But I have a hunch there are difference’s between the top ubasses regarding the g-sting. I recently got back from the US and haven’t played my “review”-bass for a couple of weeks. I will try to do a comparison and let you know my thoughts! All the best!
Hello Magnus, I was wondering what you thought of the old (vintage) ubass vs. newer versions with onboard preamp. I have the older version and use an outboard preamp, When you play the newer Kala Ubass, do you still use outboard preamp? Or is the onboard preamp on the newer version ubass good enough on its own? I was thinking of getting a new ubass and was curious to hear what your experience has been. Thanks!
Hi, I have two old ubasses without built-in preamp (a fretless and a fretted). I have used a lot of different preamps for those. You have to as you know!
I have been very happy with the LR Baggs preamp in my (now sadly discontinued) Kala California acoustic/electric! Some of the preamps used in ukulele bases aren’t voiced for bass and have trouble doing a great job with the piezo. The new Fishman preamp introduced at NAMM 2020 (music trade show) is great. I played a lot of ubasses during that show and really liked that preamp. Kala uses that preamp in quite a few of the models except the entry level ones. If possible I would go for a model with the Fishman pre! (Stay tuned for more info about this preamp soon!)
Thank you for responding so fast! Much appreciated. Looking forward to hearing more about the fishman pre that comes with Kala ubass!!!
hi what do you think about kala ubass produced in china? do you think is a good value or is better to find a used one but usa made? thanks for the reply and for the helpful video
Hi, I glad you found the video useful!
I have tried most of the Kala ubasses made in China and they are all very nice. Kala only made the California acoustic/electric model for a couple of years so I believe that thay are not so easy to find used…
I really like the models with the Fishman Pre-amp/EQ. They were released in 2020.
I would look at those models first and see if they are a nice fit for you! Good luck in your ubass hunt! :)
Magnus, how often do you change strings?
And do you re-use an older set on the same or other instruments again or do you just throw them away and always play only with new strings??
Thanks
That’s a great question! On my ubasses it all depends on what kind of sound I’m after. Usually with any of the “rubber” strings I use the same strings for a long time. If I change stings it’s because I want to try something new. The strings you hear in this video have now been on that UBass since November 2021! I know people sometimes have trouble with some strings but so far (knock on wood) I have been able to use the different rubber strings I have been using as long as I have wanted to. I should also add that I mostly play fretless ubasses when it comes to rubber strings.
When it comes to round wound strings it’s a bit different since I usually use them on fretted ubasses and they tend to wear out after while. The sound ideal is also different with those. I need them to have a certain “zing” to them. If they sound to “dull”, or show lots of fret wire wear I need to change them! Hope this helps! Good luck with you playing!
Is it custom switchers on the bottom part of your kala u-bass? Didn't find this model on their site.
This is (sadly) a discontinued model built by Kala in Petaluma and it features a EQ/pre-amp by LR Baggs (The same as in the Kala Solid Body ubasses) I've had it since 2017.
hi what do you think about kala flat wound strings ? do you think it wears the "fretboard" or bow the neck on a fretless ubass? thanks
Hi! I have used the Galli/Kala flatwounds on one of my fretless UBasses for quite some time now and have had no problems. They still sound good and that’s even a pre-production prototype set!
I think you will like the flats! It’s a totally different feel compared to the Pahoehoe or other rubber strings. I do love them too but the flats may bring out some different playing! Good luck with your Ubass playing!
@@bassMAGics thanks a lot for your Reply, do you Think Is possibile ti have a Low action? Does It Need nut replacement ?
@@iperTONYco I have a pretty low action and have not replaced the nut. It is preferred to change the nut since the slots are a bit to big for the flatwound strings. I play with a pretty light touch so for me it has worked nicely without changing the nut.
Good luck!
Hi Magnus, I'm also a big fan of these strings and wish they lasts longer, but the G began to crack after 2 months. Am I so unlucky or it's common with this type of rubber? Thanks.
Hi,
The set I have on my Kala California is the same set I put on the bass in November 2022. No problem so far…
@@bassMAGics Thanks for reply. Will try to figure out what wrong with my set...
How is the climate where you live? Is it very humid?
@@bassMAGics at home 30-40%. The bass never been taken out.
@@azonphoto4197 🤨 Then the strings should be ok. Contact the company and see what they say!
Hi, have you tried them on a solid body uke?
Not yet, but I should!
I’ll try make some solid tests!
What is that wrapped around the nut ?? Some kind of string muffler?
Hi William, It’s a Fretwrap (by @gruvgear ) I use it to get rid of open string noises when I play certain techniques like tapping or melody playing. Sometimes it takes away some nice resonance so I use it sparingly!
what song is that at 9:56? that bass part affected me in some kind of way.
That’s actually part of an original song of mine! :)
It’s not yet released…Maybe I should finish it!? :)
@@bassMAGics absolutely! Just from that short bit I liked it instantly...please finish.
@@ramsoncole4605 Thanks! I will try to finish it then! :)
Är den U bass fretless. Har leta runt på olika säljsajter, men kan inte hitta denna varken hos Kala eller hos tysken.
Japp. En bandlös. Just denna model görs inte längre…Hittade just nu två ”striped ebony” hos tysken…
Inte många att välja på just nu alltså…För tillfället verkar bara just denna model finnas som bandlös…
All I need to know is if they are sticky like the original Thunderguts. I don’t need them to be LESS sticky, I need them to be NOT sticky.
I’d say they are not sticky. The surface is more rough than smooth but not sticky. I hope you get to try them and that you will like them too!
OK, I am trying to wrap my mind around which strings sound like...what? Black, brown, red, all same Aquilia. Which sounds like what?
In my opinion it’s a bit like this:
From warm sounding to colder sounding: Thunderbrown > Thunder red > Thunderblack > Thundergut
I hope this makes sense!
⭐️ DANKE for this in-depth introduction to these strings.
I do play them myself and find that one can clearly hear that besides the synthetic material there also is some metal (copper) in the mix! ua-cam.com/users/shorts-QnCPdD1Qvk?si=srtc7x6ynTTGLl0m
btw, i would be very interested in finding out which exact modifications were done to your U•Bass.
Tack så mycket! I’m glad you found this useful!
The Kala UBass I’m playing here is the (sadly) discontinued California model that was built in Petaluma, CA between 2014-2017. It has the same LR Baggs preamp found in the Kala California Solid Body Ubasses (also made in Petaluma, CA)
@@bassMAGics danke ✌🏻
Got the Thunderbrowns for my Shortbass One 60. Great strings! Much fatter, "double bassier" sound, especially on the lower strings. Also clearer and better feel. Interestingly the sound is also more even and easier to handle when amplified. So, 100% upgrade!
Great to hear that you love these strings too Christoph!
Anyone else have problems with feedback on the bass I am about to get a feedback buster
I’m usually playing my acoustic/electric UBasses in quite quiet settings so most of the time it’s not a problem.
I usually play through my EBS Stanley Clarke Signature Acousitc Preamp and it has a notch filter where I can cut out a specific frequency. That can help me if o need to play louder and hear to stand close to my amp/speaker!
A feedback freezer is probably a great solution but, as I said, I haven’t felt the need to get one…yet!
What kind of music and what kind of venues do you play?
@@bassMAGics I don’t play with a band but I am a punk/metal fan and I have a line6 amp that I use as a monitor and my treble is maxed out I have bought a feedback buster and I will review it on my channel when it arrives