Kala Rambles - New Solid Body Kala U Bass - Mike Upton Kala President Interview

Kala Rambles - New Solid Body Kala U Bass - Mike Upton Kala President Interview
Rachel's Rambles #17
First look at the NEW solid body Kala U Bass due for release in 2023, talking about the upgraded design of the California U-Bass and full interview with Mike Upton, president of KALA Ukulele.
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News about both the new version of the Kala California U•BASS and the brand new release of a solid body U•BASS with magnetic picks like a bass guitar and how I managed to get one. A full interview with Mike Upton discussing how Kala happened, the history of the U-Bass and much more.
Kala Rambles - New Solid Body Kala U Bass - Mike Upton Kala President Interview:
00:00 Intro to Kala Rambles - New Solid Body Kala U Bass
01:36 New Kala U Bass - meeting Mike Upton talking bass ukuleles and the Kala Revelator Ukulele
03:05 Upgrade to the California U-Bass - new pick ups
06:36 Interview with Mike Upton - president of Kala
15:44 New solid body U Bass ukulele - how I got one pre release
20:50 Quick sound demo of the NEW Kala U-Bass
22:38 Conclusion and overview of the Kala Rambles
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[@UkuleleWales]

🧡 I really hope you enjoyed this first look at the new Kala U-Bass Ukulele video. If you'd like to see more like this, leave a comment below! ➡ Breaking News - New Kala Basses - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqW6nXmAd9GDlbM 🚀 If you'd like to join my Patreon Page for exclusive goodies such as PDF downloads and behind the scenes footage - www.patreon.com/UkuleleWales

[@denjoga6612]

So glad he made official what I've been saying for years - these are mini bass guitars, NOT ukuleles!

[@UkuleleWales]

The Upton bass info was really cool to hear and I think most people are calling them mini basses rather than just bass ukulele. Mike has confirmed to me that this one is still definitely a U-Bass. 👍

[@popsfitch7938]

Hello Miss Kala, I found you !!! I just watched one of your KZbin movies and had so much fun I watched another. After seeing what a grand time you we’re having I subscribed and pushed the bell. I also started my string adventures with the cello in 1964 playing in our small town school orchestra. 2 years later when I advanced to middle school I went into the music room and had a life changing conversation with the music director. He informed me that he was cello player rich (2 young ladies he had instructed the year before) but I was more welcome to challenge for a seat. He went on to explain that needed a bass player, he had none. Being a team player not to mention the British Band Invasion happening I accepted his kind offer and our school went on to win several competitions that year including best orchestra in our division and best all around quartet for the State of California, the rest is history. After enjoying you movie I have decided to leap at what has been coming for a long time, downsizing. At 68 years of age I do believe the change is due, not to mention no more asking for assistance for the haul-in and tear-down. Haha. I will continue to watch the movies that you have made in the past and look forward to new endeavors. Stay healthy, be safe, have fun, and enjoy each moment of the day. God be with you. Most Sincerely and with the greatest respect, Pops Fitch Vermont, USA

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank You Pops Fitch, I absolutely loved reading your comment and back story. I am so glad you are going to downsize to keep playing, I am sure you are going to continue loving for many many years to come. I hope you enjoy more of my videos and if there is something you are looking for or something you need to know, just ask. I can either point you to the correct video or add it to the list for new stuff. Keep grooving. 😎

[@juderandall703]

Mike Upton...what a top guy! Enjoyed every minute of your interview with him Rach 😊 great to have first hand knowledge of how Kala began, so interesting, didn't want the interview to end! 👌 perfect! Xx

[@UkuleleWales]

Totally agree with you Jude, such a lovely guy and all very interesting stuff too.

[@Terry_1111]

Looking forward to seeing your full review of this! So glad you were in the right place at the right time to get it! Enjoyed the interview, too!

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Terry and yes, full review coming very soon.

[@cchavez248]

The first bass that I ever saw with the rubber ( polypropylene ?) Strings was the Guild Asbury Bass! I lost track of those but I'm happy to see that the idea didn't die back then!

[@UkuleleWales]

Yes, I remember those back in the day! Had no idea we would end up with the instruments we have today!

[@kathyadler6464]

Looking forward to your full review. Could you also include your feelings about how it compares to the Flight mini-bass? Would really appreciate it. Thanks and enjoy your bass!

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Kathy and yes will actually do a comparisson of the Flight and Kala.

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Hey Rachael! What a great video!! Loved the interview with Mike. The Upton-Bass… blew my mind!😂 KD x

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks KD, yes meeting and talking to Mikewas very cool and like you, the upton-bass bit blew my mind too!

[@carltonyoung8103]

Hi Rachel, I was next to you at GNUF when you were buying the bass, you were rather excited to say the least ! I purchased the new and yet unreleased Contour all solid mahogany tenor, like yours, the price was really keen. Very happy with my purchase, Kala have really upped their game this year.

[@UkuleleWales]

LOVED reading this and so cool to hear you got one of the Contours, a great morning all round then. 😍

[@oldmanzen6682]

Great interview. Also, amazing customer service from Kala. I like supporting companies like that. Also, nice to know I’ve been wrong saying uke-bass when referring to mine. Wouldn’t have guessed it was a nod to his name. Congrats on the new bass. That thing is absolutely gorgeous. I may have to check one out when they show up here in Canada.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks and yes, I found it all facinating too and as you say, great customer service from Kala. Hope you get one at some point.

[@teeheelee2003]

very fun vidio!! thanks for sharing!!

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad you enjoyed it, Thanks. 😊

[@garywood7503]

Thanks Rachel. I will be looking forward to the Kala Solid Body Bass being available in the Uk. You were in the right place at the right time. I'm insanely jealous.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Gary, yes definitely lucky to get it. I'll get a proper review done very soon.

[@peterbradley4391]

"Wow" what a great video Rachel and a great coup for you getting that interview with Mike Upton, what an interesting and all round nice guy he seems very understating and down to earth. I do like the look of that bass and makes me wish i could play bass. ❤

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Peter, yes I was so hoping he would agree and he really did give his time very generously over the whole weekend.

[@ShakenBacon.]

This video was exciting! I am looking forward to checking out the review.

[@UkuleleWales]

So glad you enjoyed and yes, full review coming soon.

[@bonniedavidson936]

That revalator. Looks awesome. KD from Anarchy in the ukulele loves it. So does Paul Mansell

[@UkuleleWales]

Yes, Paul does a great review and thoroughly enjoyed KD talking about the Revalator and GNUF in gerneral, fab meeting up with him.

[@uknavynige]

Such an interesting interview and congratulations on your new bass 🎉 I've Learnt so much 👍

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Nigel, it was really fun to do and I'm still overly excited about the new bass.

[@judynpeterjones3307]

You lucky, lucky girl!!!!

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank You :-)

[@meganhall8506]

WHAT A GORGEOUS BASS

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Meg, hope you are feeling better.

[@kansasref]

Thanks so much for the early look at the new Kala solid body bass and for introducing us to Mike Upton. I'm so green with envy that you were able to score that bass. It looks terrific. Are the string gauges about the same as on the Fanner PeeWee?

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks 😍 I haven't really compared the Kala to the Fanner yet, will definitely be doing that over the Summer. Watch this space.

[@malcolmwardlaw2072]

Looks great. Seems very similar to the new Flight, a comparison would be interesting.

[@UkuleleWales]

Totally agree Malcolm, I try and borrow the Flight over the Summer to get a good comparison, it should be interesting.

[@martinebantick5160]

Great and really interesting interview with Mike thanks Rachel. I was lucky enough to grab the red bass as soon as I saw it. Still can’t believe my luck either!

[@UkuleleWales]

That is brilliant to hear Martine, congratulations. ❤ How are you finding it?

[@martinebantick5160]

@@UkuleleWales I really like it. What a bargain! Still craving a short scale bass guitar. Any recommendations please?

[@juliehall3331]

Loved this peek at the new Kala bass! I too would be interested in the comparison between the Kala and the Flight. ❤️

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Julie, and yes, hoping to do the comparison VERY soon. Hope you are keeping well. 😊

[@malcolmwardlaw7928]

A great, looks similar to the new Flight mini bass. A comparison would be interesting

[@UkuleleWales]

Totally agree Malcolm, I try and borrow the Flight over the Summer to get a good comparison, it should be interesting.

[@bonniedavidson936]

Sounds really nice.Rachel !

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Bonnie, agree, the sound is fab on it.

[@Rwjudy48]

Rachel, thank you for a tremendous ramble. Looking forward to August here in the states. Especially if the release price is around $300. Looking forward to your full review.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank You and my pleasure. Let me know when you get one.

[@Rwjudy48]

Rachel, an update as you requested. I just ordered the Kala in Candy Red today. It should ship in 4-7 business days. I had told you, in a comment on the Kala/Flight comparison video, that I fancied the Flight based on its appearance. But I changed my mind when I saw the candy red, plus your review comments about the Kala comfort and the Kala gig bag being slightly better - and having a shoulder strap. I don’t have a free hand when carrying my gear to/from the car (backpack with my iPad, stand, page turner, and bass cable; the bass and the 16 lb. Fender amp. As you and I agreed, tonally both basses sound very much alike. My Kala Journeyman has been excellent in the 3+ years that I’ve played it. I doubt that I’ll be disappointed with the Solid Body. Thanks again for your reviews. I will be joining your Patreons as I appreciate all the bass content.

[@Rwjudy48]

My candy red Kala Solid Body arrived this afternoon. Tremendous bass. It took 10 days from order to arrival here in the US. Completely set up and ready to play. No regrets thanks to your review videos. Thank you once again. ❤

[@UkuleleWales]

@@Rwjudy48 Woo hoo, that is awesome to hear. Not too long a wait at all and so glad you like it. 🥰

[@MariUSukulele]

Super interesting - especially the interview w/ Mike Upton! Bit of a shame there’s so much background noise! I am just not quite sure why you would prefer this kind of bass guitar over any other 'regular’ (shortscale) electric bass 🤷🏼

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad you enjoyed it and sorry about the background noise, I didn’t realise until I went to edit the footage. I’ve got so used to playing electro acoustic u-basses and bass ukuleles that I now find this super short scale great to play and it is even smaller and easier to carry around. Hope that explains. 👍

[@judih.8754]

Great interview Rachel!!

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Judi, I really enjoyed doing it and shall try to do more if given the opportunity. 👍

[@keithcosentino994]

Thanks, very informative. Hope they come out with 5 string version.

[@UkuleleWales]

My pleasure Keith. They didn't mention 5 string, fretless or LH so I suppose we will ahve to wait and see.

[@keithcosentino994]

@@UkuleleWales They do love to keep us guessing

[@deniseshaw3871]

I sooo need one of those t-shirts !!!!

[@UkuleleWales]

Cool isn't it Denise. I think you can get them direct from Kala but I'm guessing the shipping might make it expensive. If I see one around, I'll let you know.

[@deniseshaw3871]

@@UkuleleWales love the colours

[@frankkiethebassplayer]

Awe congratulations. I'm so interested how you feel about the Kala vs. the flight.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Shannon. Will definitely do a comparison between the 2.

[@williamsburgprod]

I too would like to see a comparison of the Kala and Flight mini basses.

[@UkuleleWales]

Coming VERY soon, I’m looking forward to doing it. 😎

[@slipperysamwest]

My own Precision never sounded right to me when playing with acoustic instruments and I always hated the "unplugged" series because the bass players weren't. So I bought a double bass and an Acoustic Contra bass amp. Now you're talking! But I couldn't play the slighty more rocky numbers on the upright so I looked around and finally came on the Kala U-Bass with polyurethane strings. Perfect. In fact, so perfect that I left the DB at home. But you can't restring a polyurethane bass in a few minutes so I bought a spare Kala which came with steel wound strings. Great - a spare but a slightly more aggressive sound which suited some songs better thasn the polyurethane strings. Now a new guitar player is taking us to into even heavier territory so I want the new Kala mini bass. Where can I place my order?

[@UkuleleWales]

Loved reading your bass story, the thought of lugging a double bass around these days fills me with dread! The new Kala solid bodies should be available in the US in August and then other parts of the world later in the year. 👍

[@alanm8431]

Looks like my Denver fretless bass is gonna be for sale soon. Any takers on Vancouver Island? Sonic Blue sounds good to me..... A longer scale too.... Good on 'ya, Rachel; you're a star.

[@UkuleleWales]

sounds like you have a plan Alan, I like it! LOL

[@elainerose1334]

It looks and sounds great. How much does it weigh please.

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi Elaine, it weighs 2.85kg or 6 lbs 4 oz. I’ve mentioned weights in the recent comparison with the Flight Mini. 👍

[@billmumbo2697]

You jammy moo it looks fab most of my instruments are sunburst that includes basses acoustic guitars a telecaster a Kala tenor uke a fender electric mandolin and others ! ( Also are you aware of the Guild Ashbory bass ? That's where the piezoelectric/rubber string basses originated must be thirty years ago I saw them at a trade show they didn't catch on at the time but some were used in studios I'm so glad they're about now.the strings were impregnated with talcum powder I seem to remember great video madam as usual oh and the great Joe Brown does a cracking version of U2's I still haven't found what I'm looking for ( I can't stand U2 but this interpretation is as you would say Lush! Welsh great ,great Granny lol!)..🤘🥸👍

[@UkuleleWales]

LOL, Thanks Bill. Yes, I know of the Ashbory bass, have almost bought one a few times, such an interesting looking bass! Shall have to check out Joe Brown's version. 👍

[@emericklamontagne3652]

Mahalo and Aloha from Hawaii!

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks and sending warm wishes to Hawaii! :-)

[@Hyperplaterine]

What is the dividing line between a tiny precision bass and a solid body ukulele?

[@UkuleleWales]

Really an unanswered question as there doesn't seem to be a definative answer regarding size. For me, I rend to refer to the instruments with magnetic pickups as mini basses including the Fanner Pee Wee bass as they really are more like bass guitars to play and tend to have a slightly longer scale - approx. 23". The electro acoustics I tend to always refer to as bass ukuleles and these have the shorter scale of 20 - 21". Then you have the solid body, rubber strings, piezo pick up instruments eg. California U-Bass shorter scale of 20 - 21", personally I refer to these as solid body bass ukes but the jury is generally out.

[@kevinmcgill3445]

Hi, Rachel: I am from Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. I have really been enjoying your presentations. I have been trying to get information on the new Kala UBasses and their website is not saying much. And now, I am hearing that there is a difference between this new solid-body and their California series solid-bodies. Again, their website isn’t presenting any information. Do you know what the difference, other than price, is between the two products? The California series starts at over $1000 dollars (US).

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi Kevin, the California U-Basses are being updated to have individual piezo pick ups under each string rather than the 1 piece saddle pick up they have used previously but they are still piezo pick ups. The completely new Solid Body U-Basses are far more a like a bass guiter but smaller. They use magnetic pick ups, have a bigger scale and use metal strings more like a bass guitar. It is also much heavier. The California U-Basses have always been very pricey, the new ones are much more competitively priced.

[@kevinmcgill3445]

@@UkuleleWalesThank you. I suppose they are holding off giving details on their website until an official launch in August. I live in a border city and have American relatives. So I may be able to get ahold of one in August. They won’t start distributing beyond the lower 48 states until later in the fall. And maybe at American prices! Love your work.

[@UkuleleWales]

@@kevinmcgill3445 Awesome, fingers crossed for you.

[@bentp4891]

Are these usually tuned EADG?

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi, yes EADG same as a bass guitar or double bass and the same pitch.

[@ludwigvanzappa9548]

I'm in Canada and finding the solid body u-bass is impossible...Sold out everywhere :(

[@UkuleleWales]

What would the shipping be like direct from Kala. If you haven’t already done so, try adding one to the cart and it will detrimental shipping costs for you. Also, worth seeing what the shipping from the UK would be like as Southern Uke Store ships internationally. 👍

[@ludwigvanzappa9548]

@@UkuleleWalesThank you, I will look into it! Meanwhile, I defretted my cheap Acoustic/electric uke-bass. It sounds amazing now and it got rid of a persistant buzz on the A string and with the Thunderblacks, I can get that Muah vibrato sound! I still want a solid body fretless so I can have one with the rubber strings and one with the flatwound kala strings. I bet the fretless version of that ubass sounds great with flatwounds. Thanks again, love your videos!

[@emericklamontagne3652]

Sadly, Amazon does not ship this to Hawaii.

[@UkuleleWales]

These are available direct from Kala who do ship to Hawaii. Much better to buy from the makers rather than Amazon IMHO. Hope you get one. 👍

[@user-xb5kq1yw5e]

does the kala do some neck-dive with a strap?

[@Kianquenseda]

I hope it’s not too heavy for my 8 year old granddaughter ?

[@UkuleleWales]

It is certainly much lighter than the normal size or even short scale basses. Let me know if she ends up with one please, would love to know what she thinks of it. 👍

[@derickrichards1105]

Who is Carla?

[@UkuleleWales]

KALA the make 👍

[@derickrichards1105]

@@UkuleleWales I'm sorry I was a few sheets to the wind when I wrote that I apologize..

[@anorak211]

The white pickguard is to big, I cant see enough of the sunburst finish

[@UkuleleWales]

I do like it but know what you mean, it's a shame not to see more body but I suppose the electrics have to fit it. 👍

[@judynpeterjones3307]

You lucky, lucky girl!!!