I have this exact UBass. I agree with all of your comments. It sounds great and brings the smiles. It's also much kinder on my tendonitis than my larger basses.
I’ve had the candy apple red model since September, 2023. I also own a Kala Journeyman with flat wound strings. The solid body is my favorite. I’m an older player, with only a few years of playing experience, playing with a ukulele group. The lighter weight and shorter scale suit me well. I tried out a Fender Mini, but the additional 5” scale length would require more fretting hand shifting than I wanted. Your review was an excellent overview based on my experience.
See...I have a problem with people talking smack about the silicone strings. I have an acoustic Kala Ubass and out of all my guitars and bass guitars it stays in tune the best. I've only had to make slight tuning adjustments a handful of times. I've owned it for about 5 years. Same strings. Still sounds warm and silky.
Thank you Travis for your clear and honest review of this Kala U Bass. I want to purchase a mini bass to start my enjoyment of playing a bass. I have considered the options such as the Squier Fender mini bass & the Jackson Minion bass, however, now I have seen your review it’s the Kala mini bass for me. Thanks again. Paul (Stoke-on-Trent, UK)
Just bought one, love it! Well made, with actually usable tones. Great tone control, turn it up for modern bite and twang, turn it down for classic rock fatness. I like having this little thing handy by my desk and just grab it when I need it and it doesn't get in the way when I don't. I previously had a Kala Rumbler, which has its charms but it's got a few annoying problems that can take the fun out of it. The Solid body is all fun!
I'm a guitarist and I have small hands - I just needed a bass in my studio for arrangements and not being used to bass even short scale basses are too big and my hands hurts. This solved the problem
Hi Travis, this really looks like a good alternative for travelers who would like to keep practicing during vacation, but can’t take their bass into a car, bus or plane.
Thanks for a good review. Had an original Kala Ubass, all wood, silicone strings, $600. Played it in our local ukulele group for a while before shifting over to real bass and selling the old Kala. But this looks like it might be a big improvement over the original. I'd love to see a comparison of this UBass and the Squier mini Pbass. Seems like the same thing for lots less money.
thanks for the review...but, one test i never ever ever see of an instrument's sound...and i always do before i even pick up an instrument to play it...i run my fingers across the strings and get them ringing while it is still on the rack, and compare every instrument's (unamplified) sound to see what is the most resonant...you could have done that on this video and compare it to some other quality basses.
I'd love to have one of these for daughter. 🤔 It'd be perfect for her small hands. You made that sucker sound like pro level instrument. I'd have no problem laying that down on recordings. If my family wasn't boarding a plane to move to Kenya, East Africa next week, I'd buy one.
Thanks for the rundown on this bass, Travis. I’ve got a nine year old grandson that has been messing around with my short scale basses ( (danelectro longhorn, ibanez tmb30). I think this little Kala would be a better fit. How much do they weigh?
I have this bass. The string tension is extremely tight. The upper register fret size is almost unusable but up to 12 is fine. Mine has a grounding problem so when I turn treble up full it hisses like crazy. I have a Kala silicone strings. Love it. I wouldn’t buy this thing again. Just me.
I picked up the fretless version last Saturday and love it, hoping that Kala comes out with a flatwound string for my fretless in the near future. But I'm likely going to want to add a fretted version of this bass sometime next year.
Travis, Thank you for the review. I have a few bass parts lying around. Quarter pound pickups & kickass bridge. Can this be modded with typical bass upgrades? Flat wound strings available? Thanks Tom
I always thought that you have to be tall to be a bass player... not with this bass . And it is so easy now to travel with something like this and giging with something like Sansamp or Darkglass preamp .
If you put kala flatwound strings on this, can you get a decent James Jamerson tone? I’m looking to buy a cheap p bass to get that sound and wondering if this would get the job done
I have a Glarry 5-string right now, and was planning on upgrading soon. However, this wouldn’t be the option for me for the sole fact that the fret board is so short. It would just feel so weird to play.
Hello! Does the tuning hold well or does it cause problems? I bought this Ubass Kala Fretted Solid Body but the strings sound very “metallic” and the tuning is wrong, it is difficult to find the tuning with a clip tuner and it also sounds out of tune, no matter how many times I play a note it doesn't give the correct note? what will it be???
Fender and other manufacturers are finally throwing their hat in the ring, but from my experience Kala has been doing it for a while. I was cheap and got a no name one that doesn't sound all that bad after tweaking for half the price of the Kala.
@@sterlinart yeah there’s a couple. I actually saw one in a guitar center a while back. It was pretty much what I thought it was. A u bass with steel strings.
Travis i really really want that bass so please give to me my mom just die I stopped playing bass but now I want to play that bass again to come back alive in side my soul
I have this exact UBass. I agree with all of your comments. It sounds great and brings the smiles. It's also much kinder on my tendonitis than my larger basses.
Thanks to this video, I just ordered one! Cant wait to try it and thanks so much for the awesome review Travis!!
I’ve had the candy apple red model since September, 2023. I also own a Kala Journeyman with flat wound strings. The solid body is my favorite. I’m an older player, with only a few years of playing experience, playing with a ukulele group. The lighter weight and shorter scale suit me well. I tried out a Fender Mini, but the additional 5” scale length would require more fretting hand shifting than I wanted. Your review was an excellent overview based on my experience.
See...I have a problem with people talking smack about the silicone strings. I have an acoustic Kala Ubass and out of all my guitars and bass guitars it stays in tune the best. I've only had to make slight tuning adjustments a handful of times. I've owned it for about 5 years. Same strings. Still sounds warm and silky.
it's cool that you like yours. but you are one of the very few who can stand those rubber strings. they do have a sound, though.
3 years with Golt Tone mBass, acrylic strings sound like an upright bass, no tuning problems, I love my bass! One the very few? Really?
It’s just the feel of them 😕
Thank you Travis for your clear and honest review of this Kala U Bass. I want to purchase a mini bass to start my enjoyment of playing a bass. I have considered the options such as the Squier Fender mini bass & the Jackson Minion bass, however, now I have seen your review it’s the Kala mini bass for me. Thanks again.
Paul (Stoke-on-Trent, UK)
Just bought one, love it! Well made, with actually usable tones. Great tone control, turn it up for modern bite and twang, turn it down for classic rock fatness. I like having this little thing handy by my desk and just grab it when I need it and it doesn't get in the way when I don't. I previously had a Kala Rumbler, which has its charms but it's got a few annoying problems that can take the fun out of it. The Solid body is all fun!
I'm a guitarist and I have small hands - I just needed a bass in my studio for arrangements and not being used to bass even short scale basses are too big and my hands hurts. This solved the problem
videos are getting better! keep them up!
Hi Travis, this really looks like a good alternative for travelers who would like to keep practicing during vacation, but can’t take their bass into a car, bus or plane.
Just bought one and this thing rips! Mahalo nui braddah Travis, aloha! 🤙🏽
Hey. Im from Brazil. Id like to thank you so much for all lessons, you are being my inspiration to play Bass in my church. See ya
Thanks for a good review. Had an original Kala Ubass, all wood, silicone strings, $600. Played it in our local ukulele group for a while before shifting over to real bass and selling the old Kala. But this looks like it might be a big improvement over the original. I'd love to see a comparison of this UBass and the Squier mini Pbass. Seems like the same thing for lots less money.
That U-bass should make it to national tv for live performances, both the 4 & future 5 string versions.
great vid! thanks for the review!
Great demo, Travis. I just pulled the trigger on one to go with my Fender Rumble 40.
3 years with a Rumble 40, 18 lbs, Jackery power supply, carry it everywhere, great amp!
I own an acoustic U bass that I 3d printed and recently modified to use metal strings
Thats such a dope bass. Would really like a small bass like that to carry around to gigs.😅
thanks for the review...but, one test i never ever ever see of an instrument's sound...and i always do before i even pick up an instrument to play it...i run my fingers across the strings and get them ringing while it is still on the rack, and compare every instrument's (unamplified) sound to see what is the most resonant...you could have done that on this video and compare it to some other quality basses.
I'd love to have one of these for daughter. 🤔
It'd be perfect for her small hands.
You made that sucker sound like pro level instrument. I'd have no problem laying that down on recordings.
If my family wasn't boarding a plane to move to Kenya, East Africa next week, I'd buy one.
Thanks for the rundown on this bass, Travis. I’ve got a nine year old grandson that has been messing around with my short scale basses ( (danelectro longhorn, ibanez tmb30). I think this little Kala would be a better fit. How much do they weigh?
Sounds pretty good on the video with your playing it of course!
I have this bass. The string tension is extremely tight. The upper register fret size is almost unusable but up to 12 is fine. Mine has a grounding problem so when I turn treble up full it hisses like crazy. I have a Kala silicone strings. Love it. I wouldn’t buy this thing again. Just me.
I picked up the fretless version last Saturday and love it, hoping that Kala comes out with a flatwound string for my fretless in the near future. But I'm likely going to want to add a fretted version of this bass sometime next year.
Goldtone makes flatwounds for super short scales.
Kala said flats are probably coming spring next year. I have flats on my Ubass and I like them
I am learning how to play bass and I am in a small apartment so it work for me I would love to have that bass.
Was just telling my wife I need a travel bass. Good review.
Great review! I'm very close to getting one! Did you need to adjust it in any way, or was it pretty good outta the box?
They should also make a 5 string version of that ubass. Nice 4 string ubass though.
Looking for strings, sugestions please? Really appreciate
Excellent Travis thanks
The tones are plenty useable, but it's not replacing anyone's main full scale bass.
Why not? Sounds fine
I have the fretless. It's awesome.
My Man Travis !!
Travis, Thank you for the review. I have a few bass parts lying around. Quarter pound pickups & kickass bridge. Can this be modded with typical bass upgrades? Flat wound strings available?
Thanks Tom
Great instrument and great review! ❤✊🏻
What gauge are these strings usually?
Hey Travis have you tested the 5-string version?
Hey Travis! This is so cool haha it’s all tiny!
I always thought that you have to be tall to be a bass player... not with this bass . And it is so easy now to travel with something like this and giging with something like Sansamp or Darkglass preamp .
Hi, , thanks for the review, would love to win this bass.
If you put kala flatwound strings on this, can you get a decent James Jamerson tone? I’m looking to buy a cheap p bass to get that sound and wondering if this would get the job done
I have a Glarry 5-string right now, and was planning on upgrading soon. However, this wouldn’t be the option for me for the sole fact that the fret board is so short. It would just feel so weird to play.
ok... I NEED THIS!!
Hello! Does the tuning hold well or does it cause problems? I bought this Ubass Kala Fretted Solid Body but the strings sound very “metallic” and the tuning is wrong, it is difficult to find the tuning with a clip tuner and it also sounds out of tune, no matter how many times I play a note it doesn't give the correct note? what will it be???
Has this been given away yet?
So Fender dropped a u bass and not a single video online.. suspicious?
There are a few videos... but the fender ubass is pretty bad. Skip
Fender and other manufacturers are finally throwing their hat in the ring, but from my experience Kala has been doing it for a while.
I was cheap and got a no name one that doesn't sound all that bad after tweaking for half the price of the Kala.
Oh are you referring to the Fender Fullerton P bass?
@@catvoncrimson666 Yeah, first couple weeks back when they first came out there was no videos.. There's surely some videos now.
@@sterlinart yeah there’s a couple. I actually saw one in a guitar center a while back. It was pretty much what I thought it was. A u bass with steel strings.
Yoooo they have a 5 now!
Can you slap this bass?
I’m going to buy one
How much does it weigh?
what is the synth on the table behind you ?
nice bass my man
maybe I'll finally have a chance of playing Portrait of Tracy on this thing lol
Travis i really really want that bass so please give to me my mom just die I stopped playing bass but now I want to play that bass again to come back alive in side my soul
nice
nice
First to watch ❤
Nice, but got the GLARRY, (A No-Brainer!!) Just as GOOD, Half the PRICE!!
Main issue? How it looks on stage. 😂
Not worth the price, but would be good for kids to learn bass on
I wouldn't hand over a $350 bass to a kid.
Play before you judge
I have this exact bass and absolutely LOVE it. It does ROCK!!
🤣
Um did I miss you playing it. Too much talking my dude!
3:40 is groove city.