I just acquired a Kala solid body U Bass the other day after weeks of trying to find one available to buy here in Canada. I got it for $700 CDN (before taxes ) from Long and McQuade ...which was $200 cheaper than what they were selling for on Amazon.ca. I have already fallen in love with this instrument. ..it is just so intuitive and inviting. I also like the original Panahole black strings despite some critics who complain that they are too "sticky". What I like about them is they provide a deep dub bass sound.. and they are excellent for "popping". If anyone out there is on the fence about buying one I encourage them to make a leap of faith: this is a substantial and very cool bass instrument.
Thanks for the video. Can someone please tell me how to remove the nut? My Hutch Hutchinson ubass came with round wound metal strings. I've since bought Thunder Reds and flat wounds. At the moment, I have the reds fitted. Not sure if I need to deepen the grooves in the not, but I'd like to be able to also fit the flat wounds, so thought I should have multiple nuts. Is it hard to replace the nut?
Thanks, I’m glad you found the video useful! I did a search and found some great videos on how to change the nut. ”How to install in your Kala ukulele…” (from GraphTech) It’s made for ukuleles but applies for a UBass too! Good luck!
It’s so they don’t slip so easy. I find it makes them stay in tune much faster. Especially the Pahoehoe strings were so stretchy that it took quite some time to get the to stretch out enough to stay in tune. Usually you have to re-string after a while even when using this method because of how they stretch over time. You don’t want to have to many wraps around the tuning peg. If you’re unlucky it might even snap! Good luck with your stringing and UBass playing Stephen!
Hi, please I have a problem with the Pahoehoe strings, I have received the strings for my Kala U-bass 20" scale but they are very short, about 7 cm less than the distance from the bridge to the tuning machine, it does not corrispond to the Kala's tutorial where the strings are much longer and in this tutorial the aquila are longer too. Somebody had some experience on that issue?Thanks.
Hi Magnus, I just ordered a fretless spruce top "hollowbody" ubass. What is the most versatile brand of strings for this bass in your opinion? I know you have tried a lot of different sets.
Hi! I think you should go with the original Pahoehoe (the black strings) for a while. They are really warm sounding. Then when and if you want to change strings Aquila makes strings that you could try. At the moment I'm using the Aquila Thunder Reds…Will post a little video comparing those with the Aquila Thundergut…it's almost done! Aquila also makes the Silver Rumblers (comes standard on the Rumbler series). I haven't tried those yet but I think they are somewhere between the Thunderguts and Thunder Reds…
Magnus Sjöquist I'm going to check them out for a while... And if I feel that something is missing then perhaps I'll check out one of the brands that you recommend! Hope to get the bass soon!
I got a ubass sub five string year before last. My p bass was making my hands hurt and I figured the smaller bass would be better. It was! Still, it was odd and I didn't play it a lot that first year. I finally started picking it up more, and now I go to it before my other basses. My only complaint is higher frets are harder to play bc of how much the strings vibrate, making soloing difficult (for me). I'd much rather have a high C than a low B. I would definitely use it more. Regardless, it's a well made, good sounding instrument that's fun and easy to play. And the cherry burst is gorgeous!
I'm glad you play your Ubass more and more! Are you using the black polyurethane (Pahoehoe) strings on that 5-string SUB? If you haven't already please consider trying the Kala metal roundwounds. I use these on a few of my solid bodys now and they feel great on those instruments. Not quite as upright'y sound as the rubber strings but still really nice! Good luck with your bass playing and Music making!
I'm still using the factory pahoehoe strings which I love. I just want a high C instead of low B. I've talked to a Kala rep about it at one point. I'm going to keep trying. Maybe one day I'll get rounds on it. Do the rounds do better on the higher frets (12+)?
I have experimented with a special high C on a fretless solid body. The tension was not the same so it felt a little awkward to play. But here's a video where I use this custom set! ua-cam.com/video/qG4LO8yYFtQ/v-deo.html
@@bassMAGics I ordered the Blackstar Carry On Bass (should arrive tomorrow) and I got the Aquila Thundergut strings. I have a preference for Nylon/Tapewound/Rubber strings because of the sound.
@@k_levande Ok. The thing is that the Blackstar has a magnetic mic only. This means you can only use strings that have metal in them… The thundergut strings will not work I’m afraid… :( Those string will only work with a piezo bridge pickup.
Hi! How about intonation? I have a problem with A-string. Notes gets more and more out of tune the upper i go. It's almost half step flat played on 12. fret. Any ideas what to do? Thanks.
Magnus Sjöquist Thanks for fast reply. My Ubass is mahogany version and the strings are same as these in your video. Original black stock strings had same kind of issues but then also the D-string was flat too.
Ok. I have mostly played fretless ubasses and have been able to compensate for minor intonation issues…by "intonating" by ear… I believe that there can be a slight difference from string to string. It might be hard to get the "rubber" strings exactly the same and therefor some strings can be a bit flat…Maybe you should contact the string maker and see if they can send you a replacement A-string and see if that helps? Good luck with your ubass and ubass playing Toni!
@@bassMAGics actually I couldnt put the strings the way you shown. I try many times but the knot couldnt hold the strings in place when it was already in tune. I had to do it like in a regular bass. Another thing that I noticed, in my ubass (from kalani) the space in tune machine wasant tiny as in yours, I notice that you put some preasure to put the string.
@@bjamminsincebirth3494 Nope, I don't believe there are trusrods on any solid body ubasses… Would be nice if there was. I hope future models will have one!
Hi there Tyler! No, I still use the original nut. Maybe not ideal but in my case it works really nice! See pic in this link: app.box.com/s/rzosnresnsfyepx6jazoqk53x1uvfwl6
Hi Esteban, On this page I have some links to some places that should carry the Aquila Thunder Reds. hope this helps! playubass.com/links-and-other-stuff/
![Дон ДОН, Алаудинов и СБЕЖАВШИЕ из под Курска ахматовцы 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dEfCf5IK26Q/mqdefault.jpg)
I just acquired a Kala solid body U Bass the other day after weeks of trying to find one available to buy here in Canada. I got it for $700 CDN (before taxes ) from Long and McQuade ...which was $200 cheaper than what they were selling for on Amazon.ca. I have already fallen in love with this instrument. ..it is just so intuitive and inviting. I also like the original Panahole black strings despite some critics who complain that they are too "sticky". What I like about them is they provide a deep dub bass sound..
and they are excellent for "popping". If anyone out there is on the fence about buying one I encourage them to make a leap of faith: this is a substantial and very cool bass instrument.
+JOHN THE BAPTIST Yay! They sure a quite remarkable! Please feel free to check out the stuff at playubass.com if you want! Al the best!
Long and Mcquade is nothing but a rip off as well.
Thank you for the comment! I will potentially buy one soon from Canada aswell.
best video of stringing the U-bass!
Thanks Michael! I'm glad you found it useful!
Thank You for this video. I've been trying to get the strings attached without using a tied knot. I WILL in the future. Thanks again!
tim flynn Great! Im glad you found the video useful Tim. Happy ubass playing to you!
a tip : you can watch movies at Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching a lot of movies lately.
@Liam Anthony Yea, I have been using flixzone for years myself :D
@Liam Anthony yup, been watching on flixzone for since november myself :)
@Liam Anthony Yea, been using flixzone for since november myself :)
Excellent Video Thanks a Bunch. I like my new U Bass but I think they need the Thunder Reds. These wide rubber strings feel sticky.
Thanks! Please check out Aquila Thunderbrown too. Review on playubass.com
Thanks for the video. Can someone please tell me how to remove the nut? My Hutch Hutchinson ubass came with round wound metal strings. I've since bought Thunder Reds and flat wounds. At the moment, I have the reds fitted. Not sure if I need to deepen the grooves in the not, but I'd like to be able to also fit the flat wounds, so thought I should have multiple nuts. Is it hard to replace the nut?
Thanks, I’m glad you found the video useful!
I did a search and found some great videos on how to change the nut. ”How to install in your Kala ukulele…” (from GraphTech) It’s made for ukuleles but applies for a UBass too! Good luck!
Can anyone tell me the advantage of tying the string to the pegs , rather than simply winding them on.
It’s so they don’t slip so easy. I find it makes them stay in tune much faster. Especially the Pahoehoe strings were so stretchy that it took quite some time to get the to stretch out enough to stay in tune.
Usually you have to re-string after a while even when using this method because of how they stretch over time. You don’t want to have to many wraps around the tuning peg. If you’re unlucky it might even snap! Good luck with your stringing and UBass playing Stephen!
Hi, please I have a problem with the Pahoehoe strings, I have received the strings for my Kala U-bass 20" scale but they are very short, about 7 cm less than the distance from the bridge to the tuning machine, it does not corrispond to the Kala's tutorial where the strings are much longer and in this tutorial the aquila are longer too. Somebody had some experience on that issue?Thanks.
Hi Magnus, I just ordered a fretless spruce top "hollowbody" ubass. What is the most versatile brand of strings for this bass in your opinion? I know you have tried a lot of different sets.
Hi!
I think you should go with the original Pahoehoe (the black strings) for a while.
They are really warm sounding. Then when and if you want to change strings Aquila makes strings that you could try. At the moment I'm using the Aquila Thunder Reds…Will post a little video comparing those with the Aquila Thundergut…it's almost done!
Aquila also makes the Silver Rumblers (comes standard on the Rumbler series).
I haven't tried those yet but I think they are somewhere between the Thunderguts and Thunder Reds…
Magnus Sjöquist I'm going to check them out for a while... And if I feel that something is missing then perhaps I'll check out one of the brands that you recommend! Hope to get the bass soon!
Great! Just out of curiosity, when did you order your Ubass from?
I got a ubass sub five string year before last. My p bass was making my hands hurt and I figured the smaller bass would be better. It was! Still, it was odd and I didn't play it a lot that first year. I finally started picking it up more, and now I go to it before my other basses. My only complaint is higher frets are harder to play bc of how much the strings vibrate, making soloing difficult (for me). I'd much rather have a high C than a low B. I would definitely use it more. Regardless, it's a well made, good sounding instrument that's fun and easy to play. And the cherry burst is gorgeous!
I'm glad you play your Ubass more and more! Are you using the black polyurethane (Pahoehoe) strings on that 5-string SUB? If you haven't already please consider trying the Kala metal roundwounds. I use these on a few of my solid bodys now and they feel great on those instruments. Not quite as upright'y sound as the rubber strings but still really nice! Good luck with your bass playing and Music making!
I'm still using the factory pahoehoe strings which I love. I just want a high C instead of low B. I've talked to a Kala rep about it at one point. I'm going to keep trying. Maybe one day I'll get rounds on it. Do the rounds do better on the higher frets (12+)?
I have experimented with a special high C on a fretless solid body.
The tension was not the same so it felt a little awkward to play. But here's a video where I use this custom set! ua-cam.com/video/qG4LO8yYFtQ/v-deo.html
Hola amigo necesito tu ayuda soy de chile y tengo un ukelele bajo( Ubass) y se me salieron las cuerdas
Hi, Did all the string(s) came loose? Was this at the bridge or at the tuning pegs?
I think I bought 18”-21” strings for my 23” U-bass. 😬
Are they going to snap?
What kind of UBass? Acoustic or Solid body?
@@bassMAGics Solid body
@@k_levande Is this the new solid body released 2023? In that case you can’t use ”rubber” strings…
What kind of strings have you bought?
@@bassMAGics
I ordered the Blackstar Carry On Bass (should arrive tomorrow) and
I got the Aquila Thundergut strings.
I have a preference for Nylon/Tapewound/Rubber strings because of the sound.
@@k_levande Ok. The thing is that the Blackstar has a magnetic mic only. This means you can only use strings that have metal in them…
The thundergut strings will not work I’m afraid… :( Those string will only work with a piezo bridge pickup.
Hi! How about intonation? I have a problem with A-string. Notes gets more and more out of tune the upper i go. It's almost half step flat played on 12. fret. Any ideas what to do? Thanks.
Toni Hintikka Hi Toni, What strings do you use? The same as in the video or others? What kind of ukulele bass do you play?
Magnus Sjöquist Thanks for fast reply. My Ubass is mahogany version and the strings are same as these in your video. Original black stock strings had same kind of issues but then also the D-string was flat too.
Ok. I have mostly played fretless ubasses and have been able to compensate for minor intonation issues…by "intonating" by ear…
I believe that there can be a slight difference from string to string. It might be hard to get the "rubber" strings exactly the same and therefor some strings can be a bit flat…Maybe you should contact the string maker and see if they can send you a replacement A-string and see if that helps?
Good luck with your ubass and ubass playing Toni!
get a fretless.
Hello Tony, I have your exact same problem, could you solve it? Thanks if you can reply
Hi Magnus. Can I cut the string excess after the knot?
Bernard Martoni Yes, but wait a bit until the strings has settled!
@@bassMAGics actually I couldnt put the strings the way you shown. I try many times but the knot couldnt hold the strings in place when it was already in tune. I had to do it like in a regular bass. Another thing that I noticed, in my ubass (from kalani) the space in tune machine wasant tiny as in yours, I notice that you put some preasure to put the string.
Can you put Flat Wound on the Kala Bakithi UBass?
Yes! It's not officially supported but I have successfully used it on both my Bakithi and SUB solid body ubasses!
@@bassMAGics Is there a trust rod on the Bakithi?
@@bassMAGics Do you still use the flat wound currently?
@@bjamminsincebirth3494 Nope, I don't believe there are trusrods on any solid body ubasses… Would be nice if there was. I hope future models will have one!
@@bassMAGics According to your videos you use Round Wound on your 5 string fretted bass. Is that correct?
How should I put in the strings if my ubass doesnt have a back plate? I have a kala rumbler
uɐʇɥɐu ɯɐɓuns Hi! You have to do it through the sound hole! It’s a bit difficult. Try to get help from someone with small hands! Good luck!
Did you have to replace your nut with the Red gut strings?
Hi there Tyler! No, I still use the original nut. Maybe not ideal but in my case it works really nice!
See pic in this link: app.box.com/s/rzosnresnsfyepx6jazoqk53x1uvfwl6
What app are you using as a tuner? Thanks.
BT0629 I use the iStroboSoft by Peterson!
@@bassMAGics Thank you for the quick reply. Just found your channel yesterday. Will be checking out your videos. Thanks again!
where can I buy this strings
Hi Esteban,
On this page I have some links to some places that should carry the Aquila Thunder Reds. hope this helps!
playubass.com/links-and-other-stuff/
@@bassMAGics Thanks!
Which tuner app is that?
Hi Nikosi9,
It's the iStroboSoft app available here: www.petersontuners.com/products/istrobosoft/