Kala U-Bass String Anomaly...

[fivebass52]

I'll say this; I keep an in-line tuner in constant use, as the strings are continually stretching and going flat - especially the G and D strings. The E string seems to have stabilized, and the A string has settled down quite a bit. But I re-tune between every song. What I DO like about the Aquila strings is the intonation is much better up in the 12th fret-and-beyond area. the old black strings sound horrible in that region. There just ain't no way to intonate these thangs!

Matt, is it just my bass, or do you have the impression the bass quality could have been better for the price? Seems like the bridge holes could have been smoothed after drilling, the nut-channels could be smoother and slightly flared for easier movement of the string during tuning (my A-string channel was especially bad, and would bind a bit, although rubbing a graphite pencil in the grooves helped), and there was residual glue here-and-there that had not been cleaned up after assembly. I don't mind tweaking my instruments, but again, for the price, this isn't a cheap Ukulele bought in tourist store in Waikiki, and I shouldn't have to be the one that details the bass. Oh well, I definitely have an intimate relationship with it now!

Still, I love this little beast - it's a keeper! It sounds great, and attracts major attention whenever I pull it out and play it. In fact, here's an admiring fan now! Taken at Mooses in Waikiki....

[Matt R.]

As for the quality, I would have agreed with you on the first UBass I had (the one with the bad bridge). Aside from the righty compensated bridge, the finish was a little uneven, the bridge access door on the back was a tad warped- things like that. But the one I got this past summer is a very nice specimen all around. I think it's safer to say that at this price point, consistency will be the issue, not overall quality. But I'm glad you like yours too. Give the Aquilas some time, they will settle.

[Matt R.]

Oh, and nice admirer. Play that thang as much as possible.

[fivebass52]

Oh, and nice admirer. Play that thang as much as possible.

My door access door has warped a tad, but I attribute that to the humidity here in Hawaii. Yes, the Aquilas are slowly settling in, and don't need as much key-twisting as the did in the beginning. One more thing Matt, I play in a band where the guitar player tunes down to Eb, and the U-Bass does just fine de-tuned a half-step, with no more tuning issues than when it's in standard pitch. No noticeable difference in the intonation. If you ever get a call to de-tune on it, I would say not to worry, it will sound and play well. I guess that's the beauty of playing rubber bands!

[Matt R.]

Right on, I play detuned sometimes as well. Haven't yet on the ubass but I'm not too worried. I have done some drop D stuff on it. Works great. And aloha by the way.