Welcome All Kala uBass Enthusiasts

If you have an interest in the Kala brand uBass, then this is the blog for you.

The uBass Appreciation Society is the first blog on the Internet solely dedicated to those who play, or are interested in, the Kala brand uBass, a combination baritone ukulele and bass guitar. This ground-breaking 21″ short scale bass guitar produces the same pitches as a standard bass and is the closest you can come to the sound of an upright acoustic bass without an actual upright.

This blog is for all those interested in playing tips, news and information about the Kala brand uBass.

*We are not affiliated in any way, nor are we endorsed by, the Kala Brand Music Co., its employees or related companies.
– uBass Appreciation Society

2012 uBasses on Sale at Gollihur Music

Gollihur Music is Offering 10% Off Select 2012 uBass Models

If you’re looking to pick up a Kala uBass, there’s no better time than right now, because New Jersey-based retailer Gollihur Music is running a sale on the 2012 models.

Gollihur is offering 10% off the following uBass models for a limited time:

• Fretted – Gloss Black/Mahogany $465 $418.50 with basic gig bag
• Fretted – Spruce/Spalted Maple $575 $517.50 with basic gig bag
• Fretted – Hutch Hutchinson Signature $455 $409.50 with padded gig bag
• Fretted – Solid Acacia $650 $585 with semi-hard foamshell case
• Fretted – Spruce Top/Mahogany Back $450 $405 with basic gig bag
• Fretless- Solid Mahogany $550 $495 with semi-hard foamshell case
• Fretless – Spruce Top/Mahogany Back $450 $405 with basic gig bag

You can call them at 856-292-3194 or buy from their web site. Just put the uBass you want in the shopping cart and if it’s still in stock, the discount will be applied automatically. If the uBass you want is not in stock, you can substitute any of the 2012 models in stock and still get the discount.

In case you’re worried about Gollihur not being reliable, don’t be. They are an authorized Kala dealer and one of the best retailers to deal with. I bought both my Mahogany acoustic and Hutch Hutchinson models from them on Kala’s recommendation.

Stevens Uke Bass to Take on Kala?

Stevens Uke Bass Cutaway Model. Photo © Stevens Custom Guitars

Recently picking up the January issue of Bass Guitar Magazine, I found an article about what looks like it could be some serious competition to Kala for uBass dominance in the market. It’s called the Stevens Uke Bass and it’s made by German luthier Stevens Custom Guitars.

Similar to the original acoustic uBass in many ways, the Stevens Uke Bass features a Spruce top and Mahogany or Rosewood back and sides. It offers a 21″ scale length, Ebony fingerboard, bridge and headplate, set neck and an under bridge Piezo.

It’s distinguishing feature are its strings. Unlike the uBass – which comes with polyurethane Pahoehoe strings – the Stevens features custom-made acoustic metal strings, made by Pyramid.

Bass Guitar Magazine concluded that the Stevens Bass Uke is an “exceptional bass” and is “addictively playable.” But, then, couldn’t this be said for the Kala uBass also?

The one gripe the reviewer had about the Little Stevens (you Bruce Springsteen fans will get the joke here) is that it lacks a built-in pre-amp. Something Kala took care of with their Rumbler series of uBasses.

At more than three-times the price of the Kala uBasses (they retail for about $1,300.00), they’d have to sound amazing to put a serious crimp in Kala’s sales.

They sound good, but amazing? I’m not so sure.

Here’s a clip of one in action.

You be the judge.

New uBass Newsletter

Issue #1 of Magnus Sjoquist’s newsletter about the uBass is out now.

It seems that I’ve been writing about my friend Magnus Sjoquist a lot lately, but, hey, he’s been a busy guy.

In addition to being a virtuoso on the uBass, recording, writing a blog and generally living life in beautiful Sweden, Mr. Sjoquist is also now producing a newsletter about himself and his uBass. It’s an email newsletter that he says will go out either monthly or bi-monthly (time permitting).

Issue #1 features news that Magnus plans to offer lesson packs covering different topics–some will be uBass specific and some will be about bass playing in general. He’s also willing to try setting up Skype lessons if anyone is interested.

And if that weren’t enough, he’s also recording a CD of uBass music featuring himself and guest musicians.

Magnus also wants your photos! Send him pictures of you playing your uBass in your favorite location. He wants to put together a poster of uBass players and their instrument.

If interested in getting the newsletter–or in anything else he’s doing–send him an email.

 

California and S.U.B. Series uBasses Reviewed

My friend Magnus Sjoquist–Swedish bass player extraordinaire–has written a pretty

Magnus Sjoquist and his Kala Spruce Acoustic uBass

comprehensive review of the Kala California and S.U.B. Series solidbody uBasses on his blog. He even included soundclips with the review.

He compares the Kala California Custom Flame Maple Top (5-string) with the Kala S.U.B. Sunburst (4-string).

He says:

Since the California 5-string has a 3 inches longer scale length the spacing of the frets will be greater. Stretch out these 3 inches and you will of course get a fretboard that is 10.5″ shorter than a regular 34″ [scale] electric bass. This makes the transition from the regular electric bass a lot easier.

I have just done some recordings and I do feel the extra length gives you a slightly more defined tone and the string also feels a bit more ‘solid’ under my fingers.

Magnus has been playing uBasses for nearly three years in concerts and in jam sessions–including with cover bands and choirs. He says they are both great instruments to play. They may take a little getting used to because of the short scale, but putting in the time is well worth it, he notes.

The Toad vs. The Lizard: Which One Wins?

Ortega RLIZARD-BS Ukulele Bass

As you probably know, there are a number of competitors out there to Kala’s uBass. I guess it was inevitable. If you have a winning product, someone is bound to copy it. Some  of these competitors are true competition for the uBass and some are not.

One of the higher quality competitors of the uBass is the Ortega RLIZARD-BS uBass. Ortega, a musical instrument manufacturer based in Germany, is probably better know for its Spanish-style acoustic guitars.

Apparently the RLIZARD uBass is becoming more and more popular.

According to Ortega, the RLIZARD features the following:

• Wood, top: Dao
• Finish, top: Satin
• Wood, back: Dao
• Finish, back: Satin
• Wood, neck: Mahogany
• Wood, fretboard: Rosewood
• Tuner: Custom Designed, Gloss Black
• Electronic: Shadow SH-UK-T/NFX Nanoflex With Integrated Tuner
• Fret: 15
• Scale Length: 510 mm (20″)
• Size, body: Bass
• Depth, body: 80 mm (3.1″)
• Rosette: Laser Cut Lizard Design

The RLIZARD also features Aquila strings and comes with a “croco-style” luxury hard case. While it’s hard to find a retailer in the U.S. that carries it, the Ortega is widely available in the U.K. and Europe and can be bought on the Amazon U.K. site. It sells for about $680.00.

So who wins the showdown–The Toad or The Lizard? It’s hard to say.

Check out these videos and judge for yourself:

Here’s Andrew “The Bullet” Lauer playing an RLIZARD.

And Here’s Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” on an RLIZARD.

Kala Posts 2013 uBass Catalog

Kala’s 2013 uBass Catalog Front Page

Kala has posted its 2013 uBass catalog in PDF form on its web site.

The company also posted its new Ukulele catalog.

You can get the Ukulele catalog here.

Need a Thumb Rest for Your uBass?

Then Kala recommends the Bass Buddy Thumb Rest System.

Available through Kala’s web store for $15.98 or through the Bass Buddy company themselves, the system consists of three small thumb rests that you can place anywhere on your electric bass or uBass. And the best part is that you don;t have to put any holes in your beloved instrument. The rests attach with a special adhesive supplied with the system. The company says they can easily be removed if necessary without damage to your instrument.

According to Bass Buddy:

The system uses three Bass Buddy thumb rests that you can place exactly where you need them to provide fixed reference points for you thumb. You get greater playing accuracy and speed, and more versatility in the sounds you get from your bass! Use a Bass Buddy close to the bridge for an extra “twangy” sound, the center Bass Buddy for your normal playing, and a Bass Buddy close to the neck for an extra full sound.

If you were looking for a way to put a thumb rest on your uBass, then the Bass Buddy is worth a shot. It’s cheap enough to try and if you don’t like it, they can easily be removed.

What’s not to like?