Tim Watson solid body U-bass on All the Things You Are

First gig on this American made Kala UBass solidbody fretted. It is nice and comfortable to play, but the frets are very unforgiving if you don't hit the note just right. I missed the fretless on tunes like these

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Tim
• Watson
• U-bass
• Gig
• Jazz
• Cincinnati
• Solidbody
• Kala
• 6/4

[WatsonTBass]

As at as music styles it fits into, I am generally of the opinion that if you play it differently, you can make it fit into any style you want. It has a lot of low end. I think the sound works better in more acoustic ensembles. Pick playing and washes of electric guitars is the only situation IMO it would not be conducive to. My Dad plays this instrument in church and loves it.

[WatsonTBass]

Tornmask1, it is definitely light. There is some natural neck dive if you let go of it so I use a suede strap to keep it in place better. The action is medium I would say, but the strings are low tension so you have to get used to them. I personally prefer fretless to fretted on all ubasses.

[WatsonTBass]

Fourfingerfunk, at this gig I use the house amp, which is an Acoustic Image Clarus on top of an Aguilar 2x10 + tweeter. But I never leave home without my Tech21 VTBass pedal. It is on all the time.

[WatsonTBass]

If I were to get only one instrument to play all my future gigs on I'd get a fretless solid body ubass.

[WatsonTBass]

The solid body has more range, but after about the D (19th fret) it is hard to play because they are so close together. The solid body has excellent electronics too, and I wish the hollow did. I have the hollow body fretless, which makes a bigger difference than the body or the electronics. The sound is warmer and more forgiving than the fretted one. They both can sound very warm, and I have gotten many nice compliments on both. The hollow body does have more "breath" in the sound. That and be

[tornmask1]

@WatsonTBass : i would like to know what is ur reason for choosing the fretless over the fretted Kala solid body Ubass so that i may have an idea of what sounds or feel i'll be expecting before purchasing one. thx in advance, cheers! x0]

[tornmask1]

@WatsonTBass : thank u so very much for ur response, I'll make a note of it & again fantastic jam on ur Kala solid body Ubass, cheers! x0]

[tornmask1]

hello "WatsonTBass" as i'm reviewing this incredible jazz jam video which i enjoy watching, how does the Kala solid body U-bass action, weight, strings, sound, feel & can a bass player use this compact bass in a church setting performing different styles of songs i.e. fast rock gospel or rockabilly music? thx in advance, cheers! x0]

[fourfingerfunk]

Also, what amp rig are you using here, just out of interest?

[fourfingerfunk]

This is a great video. I'm getting a uBass, and I'm torn between which model to buy as I can't try them before buying. I'm certainly liking the warmth of the hollow body model, but this solid body has a nice underlying bit to the tone which I'm digging. I've heard that the frets combined with strings thickness are unforgiving if you're an inexperienced player. What are your thoughts on this?

[herbertkah]

@WatsonTBass Thanks Tim!