Kala EM U-BASS Exotic Mahogany Electric Bass
Made with exotic mahogany, this tiny acoustic-electric bass has a warm, full-bodied sound and stunning good looks -- and the portability of a ukulele.
Overall User Ratings (based on 4 ratings)
Submitted November 17, 2014 by Charles S in Dwight, IL
"Small size BIG Sound"
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My wife and I have been playing for more years then we care to count. My Wife is the main bass player and when her RA set in it almost ended her playing. Her hands wouldn't work for more than a few songs due to the pain. When we found at the Kala it was a god send she can play for full 3-4 hr. jam without pain (due to the light touch).
Small size Big sound tells it all. Pick one up, plug it in, and be prepared to be amazed.
The sound it low and true as any bass. If you’re not looking at it you can’t tell the difference from the sound. There is a slight learning curve do to the short scale 21". Easy to play, sounds great, light and small (making it easy to transport for jams or anything else). You can get almost any sound you want from it. One thing it doesn’t do well is string bends. The rubber feeling strings require more time to stay in tune as they keep stretching, once set they stay in tune as well as most. We have both a hollow body and a solid body and love them both. They offer both a fretted and fretless models.(Not tried the fretless)
Over all it’s a great addition too or replacement for your standard base.
Musical Background:
Guitar, Bass and about anything with strings
Musical Style:
Country, Rock, Blues, Bluegrass
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Submitted February 9, 2019 by Scott Draughn in Roaring River, NC
"Very pleased"
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I've had my U-Bass for about two weeks now. The strings are still stretching and I'm having to tune frequently as expected from everything I read prior to purchase. I'm amazed at the sound. I haven't picked up my bass guitar since I received my Ubass. It's so much more convenient and enjoyable to play. I'm still getting used to the shorter scale as I'm still a newb at bass, but I couldn't be happier. Kala makes a quality instrument and it comes set up and ready to play.
Sound
There are a number of different options for strings now with round wounds, flat wounds and the polyurethane strings it comes with. Even tape wound if memory serves, but with the strings it arrives with, the polys, it has an upright bass sound. I run it through a small Peavy Max 158 bass amp in my bedroom and I'm very pleased with the sound. With the poly strings, it really does work best through an amp. They don't create a ton of volume unplugged, but that was expected. From all I've read, you do get more volume acoustically through the round and flat wound strings. Unplugged, it works well enough to just practice a little as you sit around and watch TV, but it would easily be drowned out if playing with another instrument. With an amp through, I'm impressed at the sound for the small size.
Features
The built in tuner works and functions well. The volume and tone knobs are a little small and can be difficult to turn and my hands are relatively small. I could see it being difficult for someone with large hands. They take some getting used. I like the plug for the cable. It provides a really secure fit. I've got a Dean bass guitar and it isn't nearly as secure of a connection. The wood and finish of the guitar are about what I expected. Nicely done and no complaints.
Ease of Use
The Ubass really is easy to play. It's lightweight and easy on the fingers. It takes very little pressure to fret the stings and striking the strings requires a light touch. It was set up well out of the box. No fret buzz at any of the frets. If you strike the strings really hard you get some chatter but that was expected. Very playable and enjoyable to play.
Quality
Cosmetically, it is a beautiful instrument. It's well made. Not sloppily assembled. Keep in mind this is a $400 instrument. If your point of reference is a high dollar hand made instrument, then yes - you'll probably be disappointed. But if you judge it for what it is and the price point - it's a great value. I've very satisfied.
Value
This is a great value. The Kala's are priced a little higher than other bass uke's on the market. But as with all things in life, you pretty much get what you pay for and this is especially true of musical instruments. I feel like it was money well spent. My only regret is not getting on earlier. And eventually down the road I would like to purchase additional ones and have different string set ups.
Manufacturer Support
I've had no problems or reasons to contact Kala. The extent of my dealings have been just my impressions from the initial purchase. There was a tag with the ubass that said they are all inspected and set up in the USA by a Kala technician or a Kala approved technician. (Something to that effect.) I'm impressed with how it was set up.
The Wow Factor
It definitely has the WOW factor. To be able to create such sound out of such a small instrument. It's very unique. It wows also in how playable it is. Light, easy on the fingers . . .
Musical Background:
hobby player. Learning to play for church
Musical Style:
Christian, blues, rock
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Submitted August 25, 2015 by Joey Diablo
"tiny touch"
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only the slightest of pressure can be used on the 1st fret or buzz. Nice rich deep sound with an added delayed thump sound as if a drummer was in exact unison, neat! Right hand placement determines P or J tone, preamp tone & volume control really allows this uke to be what it needs to be for that moment.
Musical Background:
I jam at home with 3 basses, 5 ukes, 4 guitars
Musical Style:
rock pop
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Submitted August 13, 2015 by a customer from yahoo.com
"soft & smooth"
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So little effort is needed compared to my short Fender or standard Tobias Bass. Huge upright sound. The rubber strings take a bit to get used to... my favorite bass now.
Musical Background:
bass, jam at home
Musical Style:
rock
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