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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
 Posted - 03/17/2010 : 6:13:03 PM
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There are also at least one or two Bass Ukulele's out there. I don't know who makes 'em, or how low they are tuned, but that may be worth looking into. We saw a couple in a uke shop in Waikiki, and I think there are pix of Quinn Abrigo with one at a couple of kani's.
Unko Paul. |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2153 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2010 : 12:21:58 AM
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| A guitaron would be the answer. Those things are impressive. No need plug in. |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 03/22/2010 : 08:17:09 AM
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quote:
A guitaron would be the answer. Those things are impressive. No need plug in.
Yeah, but have you ever tried to play one? Huge strings with impossibly high action. The technique is to pull two strings strings "fretted" an octave apart straight up and let go, all the while keeping a death grip with your fretting hand. (On a short scale fretless instrument....)
Oh, and they are tuned funny, too. A-D-G-C-E -A. And yes, the 1st string is an octave lower than you'd expect.
But, as you say, they are impressive. |
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ArtSap
Lokahi
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - 03/22/2010 : 12:08:26 PM
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| One of my basses is a 5-string Breedlove acoustic-electric. It has a built-in eq/tuner and I love the sound. The action on the neck makes it feel like I'm playing an electric... |
Art
SF Bay Area, CA / Mililani, HI
"The real music comes from within you - not from the instrument" |
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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2010 : 07:46:56 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Konabob
I just finished 12 new Kona Walkingbasses... should anyone be interested in such things...
Aloha,
-Konabob
Eh, Bob! just sent you an e-mail offline with a request or two. |
keaka |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2010 : 11:54:52 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by rendesvous1840
There are also at least one or two Bass Ukulele's out there. I don't know who makes 'em, or how low they are tuned, but that may be worth looking into. We saw a couple in a uke shop in Waikiki, and I think there are pix of Quinn Abrigo with one at a couple of kani's.
Unko Paul.
I had a chance to play one of the Kala U-Bass bass `ukulele at a gig last night. I like the sound, I like the portability, I'm not so sure about the feel of the strings. I'm very tempted to get one, though I'd really like to try out the fretless version before I plunk down $500. |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 05/24/2010 : 08:05:41 AM
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Hey Gregg (or is that Mister Retro?)
quote:
I had a chance to play one of the Kala U-Bass bass `ukulele at a gig last night. I like the sound, I like the portability, I'm not so sure about the feel of the strings. I'm very tempted to get one, though I'd really like to try out the fretless version before I plunk down $500.
Couple of thoughts on the ukulele basses I've played.
The fretless versions have one obvious advantage, which is that you can compensate for the (usually) funky intonation of many of the fretted ones. Not all are bad, but enough are to make me wary.
Not sure what the repeated fret wear might do to those strings, either.
However, playing a fretless instrument with such a short scale means you really have to pay attention. Trust me on that.
Second, if you do get one, check out the Road Toad strings. Much mo' bettah that the silicon variety.
And, lastly---you can pick up a Fender/DeArmond Asbury bass on ebay for quite a bit less. Same size -- or, actually -- smaller than a uke bass. Great active pickups, fretless, improved tuners over my 1st generation Guild. HUGE tone.
Cute buggers, too. |
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GUke
Lokahi
188 Posts |
Posted - 05/25/2010 : 2:20:42 PM
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When I was surfing "You Tube" I ran across a bass ukulele made by Beaver Creek in Canada. This bass like the Kala U-Bass uses a baritone ukulele body with 22 inch scale. Also under saddle pick up and electric controls on side. This bass is fretted and uses steel strings (as oppose to silicon strings on the Asbury or polyurethane strings on the Kala U-bass). Cut-away body also appears thinner than the Kala U-Bass. The claim made in advertising is that the Kala U-bass has a sound between a stand up bass and an electric bass. Not sure what sound the steel strings in the Beaver Creek uke bass would be compared to.
I picked up a to a Kala U-bass. I bought a fretted model and because of my small hands and short arm length appreciate its size when compared to a standard electric bass -- less bulk. Since I never really played a regular electric bass, the large diameter of the strings doesn't bother me. Am enjoying learning to play this.
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Genaro
Should I? Itʻs only $, and where Iʻm going itʻll burn or melt. |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 05/25/2010 : 5:26:39 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Mark
And, lastly---you can pick up a Fender/DeArmond Asbury bass on ebay for quite a bit less. Same size -- or, actually -- smaller than a uke bass. Great active pickups, fretless, improved tuners over my 1st generation Guild. HUGE tone.
Cute buggers, too.
Didn't you (or someone we were hanging out with) have one of these at Folklife two years ago? I recall getting to play with it very briefly.
(Speaking of Folklife ... we may still be in town after all; no granddaughter yet...) |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2010 : 08:30:24 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Retro
quote:
Originally posted by Mark
And, lastly---you can pick up a Fender/DeArmond Asbury bass on ebay for quite a bit less. Same size -- or, actually -- smaller than a uke bass. Great active pickups, fretless, improved tuners over my 1st generation Guild. HUGE tone.
Cute buggers, too.
Didn't you (or someone we were hanging out with) have one of these at Folklife two years ago? I recall getting to play with it very briefly.
(Speaking of Folklife ... we may still be in town after all; no granddaughter yet...)
Eh, Retro, if you and Momi have to go back to Ioway, I could fill in on bass for you with Gloria and dem, yeah? |
keaka |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2010 : 08:36:01 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by slipry1
quote:
Originally posted by Retro
(Speaking of Folklife ... we may still be in town after all; no granddaughter yet...)
Eh, Retro, if you and Momi have to go back to Ioway, I could fill in on bass for you with Gloria and dem, yeah?
Sweet; I'll drop you an e-mail with the show lineup, and I'll let her know you're available, just in case. At this point, if no mo`opuna appearance before, the doctor plans to induce Friday morning, and we'll take off Monday. |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2010 : 09:01:38 AM
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quote:
Didn't you (or someone we were hanging out with) have one of these at Folklife two years ago? I recall getting to play with it very briefly.
Yep, that was my little blue Guild. Last year I brought the Fender... and then got busted for busking with an electric instrument.
Which was funny, considering you could not hear it above the noise of the bagpipes and two drummers.
See ya at Folklife maybe. But I won't have a bass with me this time.... |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2010 : 09:33:30 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Mark
See ya at Folklife maybe.
If we are still here (which looks more likely with each passing day), no "maybe" about it. We'll be at your ki ho`alu set (Sunday at 5, Folklife Cafe, for those eavesdropping). |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2010 : 4:32:39 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by guitarded
Unbeknownst to either of you guys, somebody else who shall remain nameless, and who thought for sure that you'd be away in Iowa during Folklife, asked me to fill in on bass with Bill and Gloria. Good thing I politely declined on making the long drive up there or else you or slipry1 and myself would've ended up in a diaper-wearing sumo wrestling match on stage for the right to play bass. Hold on to that visual.
Akshally --- I sorta did know, because he was tasked with trying to find someone else to play bass, since we all thought for sure I'd be away. I know of a couple other folks who couldn't do it, but I didn't know you were on that list as well.
Good thing he knew the right people to ask - if you had been there, I would have played `ukulele and been singing harmony instead, and you would have done a great job on bass (but I would have been wondering why you were on stage in a giant diaper...) |
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Hawaiian Kine Bass
