Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Marmelade on December 9, 2012 at 7:13am

I have never played on a Kala bass but I imagine it would work.

Permalink Reply by the cigarbox table guy on December 9, 2012 at 10:27am

Hi Marmelade,

I haven't played one either but I saw one in concert with a gypsy jazz band and was pretty impressed. On  previous threads people are concerned about neck strength, truss rods and how many strings. I think the poly strings and the scale are the key to a lower tension.

cheers Bill

Permalink Reply by Marmelade on December 9, 2012 at 10:37am

I'm myself looking for building a bass and you gave me this idea about the poly strings.

The thing is that we won't be amplified so I would need to have a huge resonance box with this little neck. I'm not sure the strings will vibrate enough to get some volume, in fact, I'm almost sure it won't do. But if anyone here has played with these strings....

What I like about those strings is the doublebass (upright bass ?) sound to it.

Permalink Reply by Yellowbelly Flatt on December 9, 2012 at 10:47am

I've been playing a fretless version of the Kala  U bass for some time now and it is an incredible instrument. Acoustically it doesn't work at all. About the same volume as a solid bodied electric bass. As for strings, Marmalade,h have you thought of weed whackers or strimmer lines. They are available in several thicknesses and I used them successfully on a 20 inch under saddle piezo equipped bass.

Permalink Reply by Kenny Hay on December 9, 2012 at 10:48am

What a great Idea, i'll be around at a friends place tomorrow.

He's an exponent of the Double Bass build, I'm sure he will know what to do.

Got a few spare Boxes so it's one more for the drawing board

Kenny

Permalink Reply by the cigarbox table guy on December 9, 2012 at 2:55pm

These used to be Barefoot Larry's Weed Wackers. Low tension and low price compared to regular double bass strings. They're now called Hillbilly Slaps, don't know if they are still weed wacker line.

 

http://www.traditionmusic.com/main.html

Permalink Reply by Marmelade on December 9, 2012 at 5:52pm

I did a bit of research, they sound great but will need amplification.

Permalink Reply by eK on December 12, 2012 at 7:35pm

I've tried the U-Bass.

It was an impressive instrument. But I like the Ashbory Bass (see below) even more. The bass sound it produces is quite impressive - and it's significantly cheaper than a Kala Bass.

The Ashbory is (AFAIK) the grandaddy of all these short-scale very thick stringed mini-basses. You can still get them today. And they're amazingly affordable. They go for between $200 and $250 new depending on who you buy them from. Sometimes you can find them on EBay for under $100 if you're patient and not fussy about the color (red,blue,black) you want.

My favorite site for Ashbory info, sound clips, instruments, parts, and accessories is here. (Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with nor do I get anything from these folks for mentioning their site.)

Parts are also available from the above link if, in the spirit of Cigar Box Nation, you want to take a stab at building your own.

If you want to hear it in action, there's a cute song (The Pidgin English Hula) that features some fine uke playing accompanied by an Ashbory bass up on YouTube. Find it here. Wear headphones or play it through decent speakers to get the full bass effect. This little axe may look like a toy. But it pumps out some serious lows.

Permalink Reply by Thorsten Hinrichsen on December 18, 2012 at 11:19am

Hi boys, I've made two cigar box bass ukuleles using ashbory tuning machines and nuts, UBass strings and scale. They sound both very good, IMO. Just passive piezo disc tuners, no preamp. You can see videos and pics on my page. http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/ThorstenHinrichsen

Permalink Reply by the cigarbox table guy on December 18, 2012 at 3:46pm

outta' sight !!  Looks and sounds sensational ! Now I have to make one.

Permalink Reply by Marmelade on December 18, 2012 at 9:21pm

I ordered the strings but still don't know what kind of box I will use. I would like to use it acoustic, not always plugged.

I was wondering if we would be able to undo the strings easily in oder to put them on an other bass.

So that I  could try with a resonance box and if it not correct, use an other box. What do you think ?

Permalink Reply by the cigarbox table guy on December 18, 2012 at 9:38pm

You can shift the strings around a bit but it will be very quiet unpluged. Even acoustic bass guitars are quiet.

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