NBD: Went to buy a guitar but

[SongwriterFan]

Went to GuitarCenter today to order the Taylor Koa Mini-GS (which I did, using a great coupon I got via email).

But when I got there, they also had a used Kala U-Bass hanging on the well.

I've been toying with the idea of getting one of these, but have always held off. But finding a used one at a great price with an extra set of strings in the case was too hard to pass up.

It sounds great through a Fishman SoloAmp, too (tried the one at the store).

If I can find my battery-powered mini-Marshall amp, I may have to try it through that just for the fun of it.

Should have the Koa mini-GS in about two weeks.

[Kip Carter]

I'm dying with jealousy.... I either want an M-Bass or U-Bass the M-Bass is 3 inches longer by GoldTone... What did the used one go for just curious.

[joemcg]

Interesting that you could order it. When I tried the sales guy told me they weren't in the inventory system yet. Said come back around 10/7.

[Earl49]

I bought a U-bass about a year ago. Upon playing it, a friend bought the Gold Tone M-bass the same week. The M has a little bigger body, a slightly longer scale length, and comes with different (white) polyurethane strings. Both sound and play just fine when plugged in. Neither have much of an unamplified acoustic voice. You can't really lose either way.

[SongwriterFan]

The u-bass (with bag and a set of new strings) was $299.

They definitely have the Koa mini-GS in their system. I think they have 32 on order showing.

They're on the website, showing as backordered until 10/8/14.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Taylor-2...89-i3864570.gc

[WiseAxe]

Congrats on the U-Bass. They're a really unique instrument; a check at the Kala website shows they now offer improved string compounds. The original strings were so stretchy they would ball up around the tuner shaft, catch traction against the headstock (where an overlay would typically be found on guitars), and snap the tuner off. The key is to have as little extra string on the tuner shaft as possible, esp. the bass strings.

The habit I got into with the U-bass was to get the tuning close with the tuner, then stretch the string over the nut, where tension would build up. Good for when you're close to tune, rather than just yanking on the tuner some more. Works well with guitars, too.

Nice to be able to approximate the sound of an upright bass in something that can fit on the front seat of the car. Enjoy.

[The Growler]

Congratulations on the uBass. They look like lots of fun.

[ricfreak]

Congrats!!!
The uke bass sounds amazing.......just like a huge double bass.
But it would be better if played through a good bass amp. I used an AER Amp-one.