Cheapest U-Bass: Kala Wanderer Review and Demo

[@stephencoxbass]

The electric demo starts 5:00 in for those who want to skip the talking! :)

[@malikgordon9212]

I dont mean to be offtopic but does anybody know a way to log back into an Instagram account? I stupidly lost my account password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me

[@kashtonnathanael2825]

@Malik Gordon Instablaster ;)

[@malikgordon9212]

@Kashton Nathanael I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and Im trying it out atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@malikgordon9212]

@Kashton Nathanael It did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thank you so much you really help me out :D

[@kashtonnathanael2825]

@Malik Gordon glad I could help =)

[@SuperHorrorShow]

I just bought a Kala Journeyman from UkeRepublic yesterday because of your videos! Sweetwater advertised hard (you know how we are spied on). Between your endorsement, them setting the ubass before shipping and the free shipping they offer (sweetwater offers free shipping too so it was important) they were the best choice. I'm enjoying the vids! many thanks.

[@stephencoxbass]

I'm glad I could help. Uke Republic is awesome! I hope you enjoy your Journeyman!

[@BrazosP]

Great vid youshow how important it is to move those fingers the right way, and how impressive it can be.

[@stephencoxbass]

BrazosP Thank you!

[@CosmicPowerCP]

Great video, looking forward in getting myself a u-bass. they are so convenient to carry around.

[@stephencoxbass]

Thanks, they are super convenient! Have fun with your new u-bass, and let me know what model you get.

[@boidoh]

I had just purchased the Journeyman yesterday. I always love to see/hear more of the U-Bass.

[@stephencoxbass]

boidoh If they make a fretless journeyman, I would love that! How is yours treating you so far?

[@boidoh]

I ordered it online so it will be a while before it reaches. I really wanted a fretless one as well, but I loved the design so I went ahead and got it anyways. By the way, do these U-Basses have strap buttons at the front?

[@stephencoxbass]

I think they just have the one past the bridge...

[@stephencoxbass]

boidoh I have the red Journeyman now! I'm digging it! How's yours so far?

[@kumarplocher3706]

@@stephencoxbass That is my current dream instrument: the mahogany journeyman converted to fretless! The local luthier can do it for me, so hopefully I can make it happen soon.

[@kijekuyo9494]

I've been enjoying your videos. I have considered buying a U-bass, but I need a stage amp for my Squier Jaguar SS even more. And I have a wife... I appreciate that you explain things very well and answer all the comments below your videos, so I subscribed.

[@stephencoxbass]

I'm glad you enjoy the videos! An amp is important, for sure! Cheers, and thanks for subscribing!

[@davebirch2543]

I couldn't get used to the grippiness of the strings and opted for the metal wound, nylon core replacements. They take way less time to settle, stay reasonably in tune and I personally prefer the sound.

[@stephencoxbass]

Have you tried the flat wounds yet? They're a lot of fun as well!

[@connorlee8983]

Great video!!

[@stephencoxbass]

Thank you!

[@ledapocchi2589]

Hi Stephen, question: does the ubass have to be played like an electric bass, or like a double bass where you have to use open strings as much as possible?

[@stephencoxbass]

Either way is fine. You don't have to avoid open strings or overuse them.

[@stevecompton9644]

Stephen - Were you able to fix the fret buzz problem you noted in the video? I really like the way you demoed by played the same three, very different styled pieces with each setting. Drives me crazy when other reviews play different songs when demoing various settings. I just started learning the bass and grabbing one of these for travel and camping would be a good way to go I think.

[@stephencoxbass]

Steve Compton I made a video of me trying to fix it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKa2pJmAmdStZ6M I was able to get the fret buzz out of the low register, but it caused a buzz at the 14th fret. I'm ok with this, as there are easier ways to play the notes it affected (9th fret on one string thinner), and I'm rarely that high up on the neck. I hope that helps.

[@Abigail-qu4sk]

hey stephen, can you please list the songs you used? thank you! :)

[@stephencoxbass]

Hey Abigail, these are mostly made up lines or common bass lines that get used in many different songs. The woo hoo song by the 5 6 7 8's uses a very similar blues line to the one in the video, but there are many other songs that use an almost identical line, too. Thanks for watching.

[@yuteckfoo2159]

What is a brand you would recommend for beginners? What do you think about plywood compare with mahogany

[@stephencoxbass]

Kala has a new one out that is now cheaper than this one called the Nomad. I also recently played their bamboo model. As far as U-Basses for beginners, I would recommend those unless you like the aesthetic of the Journeyman. I'm not positive, but I imagine plywood might sound a tiny bit muddier and require boosting the treble on the eq depending on the pickup. The reason I mentioned the bamboo model is that it had more clarity than even the Wanderer, especially when playing harmonics.

[@stephencoxbass]

As far as a brand other than Kala, maybe Hadean. Kala are still my favorite, though.

[@KaptenKanel]

Is it true that you need to retune it very often?

[@stephencoxbass]

More than most bass guitars, but once the strings set (after a week or so) they stay pretty well over all.

[@sideparting6845]

I found this very informative. Thanks very much. I'll be getting a Passenger (which is like this but with white binding).

[@stephencoxbass]

Side Parting That's the only one I haven't played yet of the new 3. I'm glad this helped. Thanks!

[@sideparting6845]

stephencoxbass Do you find them to be similar, of the 2 that you've played? They seem identical (the 3) other than the way they look.

[@stephencoxbass]

I feel like the Journeyman didn't have the fret/neck issues I mentioned on this review. At Uke Republic they had 2 Wanderers and 1 Journeyman. Both Wanderers had a similar issue.

[@floydthebarber9956]

Hey Stephen... I've been watching your videos and took the plunge on this model to get in the game. I'm playing with a pick and finding the E and A strings to be very sticky. The other two play fine. I was wondering if you had any suggestions to de-sticky them? Or have you ever tried mixing the strings - using the black rubber, red rubber or metal on the E and A? Would that work? I've read where others have had the same problem and thought about mixing strings. I'd love to hear your thoughts or see a video where you mixed strings.

[@stephencoxbass]

Floyd The Barber hmm...have you tried different pick materials? I have not tried alternate strings, but the metal ones would provide too much contrast from the rubber. I've thought about trying gloves to keep sweat from causing my fingers to stick, but still have yet to try it.

[@floydthebarber9956]

Yes. I've used felt and celluloid picks and found the best solution thus far is to use a rounded side rather than the pointed side. The real problem is when you're trying to play a little faster on the E and A, then the stickiness becomes an issue. I've tried playing with my fingers but prefer the precision of a pick. Maybe you can give it a shot one day mixing rubber strings. It might give players the best of two worlds. Thank you.

[@SpringfieldGuy]

Finger-Ease (spray string lubricant) will take care of it, $5. That's what I use on my U-Bass.

[@Romans--bo7br]

You Do Not want to mix round or flat steel strings with Kala (nor Any other brand) Polyurethane blend strings. The reason is that the steel Round and / or, flats will put considerably more tension on the neck & headstock, than the "rubbery" (regardless of brand, color or type) strings will... which will cause "off sided" stress on the headstock, and "could" cause the neck to twist, or.. "torque" to one side, due to the unbalanced pressure of the steel stings in relation to the "Polyurethane/rubber" strings. Do Not Mix them!

[@lawrencetagliareni4893]

My rubber A string broke on my nomad so the roundwound wanderer is on its way THANKS

[@stephencoxbass]

How do you like the new Wanderer?

[@lawrencetagliareni4893]

Yay non-rubber strings

[@bobelsholz5894]

Can this be fitted with flat wound strings?

[@stephencoxbass]

Hi Bob, yes it can. I think the strings will have a slightly higher action without modifying the nut, but it should work either way. Thank you!

[@willie31133]

I just bought one that’s getting delivered today and only paid $180 for it because it was a BLEM model of the Wanderer. Haven’t had a bass in 25 years and can’t wait to mess around again.

[@stephencoxbass]

Awesome, and great price!

[@_chickenhead]

Should I get this over the donner ubass?

[@stephencoxbass]

Hmm...I haven't played the Donner, but a review I saw of it made me question if it has issues...have you watched any reviews of the Donner?

[@_chickenhead]

There are only a handful out there... it seems like a good instrument though.

[@stephencoxbass]

The other option is the Hadean...the cheapest one doesn't come with a case, but I did a comparison video with the Wanderer and the Hadean: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2q3gax8rphog9E

[@陈西羽]

Hi, Stephen, may i ask what is the amp you use? How did i connect the amp with the ubass, with blue tooth? Thank you

[@stephencoxbass]

I used an amp cable to connect it to a focusrite scarlett solo interface. It's only plugged in when I'm doing the plugged in tests, that's why you don't see the cable when I'm just talking. Great question.

[@deeschaffer2520]

Hi, would you consider doing a review of the Maui Pro-bass 200E? I bought one at my local music store for 200€ and would like to see what you think the comparison to the Kala is. I had nothing to compare my Maui to, so I would be interested in what you have to say.

[@stephencoxbass]

I haven't seen that one...it's possible that I'll do one at some point, but it may be a long way out. Thank you for the suggestion! :)

[@michaelbrohl1625]

I realize this video is 5 years old but do you know if Kala has corrected the buzzing issue on the A string ? I'm interested in this uke but I expect a brand new uke not to have buzzing issues. It's just how I am.

[@stephencoxbass]

This model comes with metal strings now, but the Nomad is very similar and had none of the buzz issues that this one did when I reviewed it. I totally understand not wanting that issue.

[@daddyrich2982]

Hey Stephen, I liked all your vids, they helped me finally decide to buy one. I bought a Oscar Schmidt, it was great looking, came with a very nice case, but...the damn thing buzzed, mostly the A string. Good thing I bought it through Amazon, I was able to return it and get my bucks back. Do Kala's have any buzzing issues? The U-Basses you play on sound so tight, nice sound. The one I had the did not sound like yours. Thanks!

[@stephencoxbass]

Hmm...sometimes you just have to play super lightly to not get a buzz. I had to mess with the truss rod with my Wanderer, though.

[@daddyrich2982]

@@stephencoxbass I was able to return the Oscar Schmidt and ordered the Kala UBASS-PSGR-FS Passenger Acoustic-Electric U-Bass. Hope it sounds better, I'll let you know. Thanks for your reply!

[@daddyrich2982]

Hey Stephen, I received my Kala Passenger U-Bass last week Friday and wow! What a difference, for about the same price the Kala had a better finish, played great from the get go. The frets did have some bite, so I had to smooth those out, other than that I've been having a blast with it.

[@stephencoxbass]

@@daddyrich2982 Awesome! I'm glad it's been good to you! The Passenger is the only one of the newer line I have yet to try!

[@nathanmagnus5008]

Buddy Rich If you buy a ukulele bass off places like amazon where the item is shipped directly from the warehouse, the instrument isn’t inspected or set up like local places and some retailers do. It’s really easy to get a ubass set up and it likely would fix your buzzing issues

[@BT0629]

Were there any volume issues with the "E" string as so many others have experienced? Thanks

[@stephencoxbass]

Not on this one...I might have had a tiny issue on the G string, though. I lightly adjusted the strings on the saddle and it's been fine since.

[@marionraditia3674]

please give me one...i am play a bass not from a real bass but from guitar(cuz i'm don't have enough money to buy the cheapest one)...i'm fell in love with this u bass...

[@stephencoxbass]

I'm sorry, I can't give you one, but I hope you get one one day. Thanks for watching!

[@marionraditia3674]

@@stephencoxbass don't worry i'm just joking thanks for your info...

[@celticband9987]

This instrument sounds very quiet when played acoustically, which is good because you can play it late at night without waking anyone up.

[@stephencoxbass]

Very true!

[@BananaBug]

wait is that australian or american dolloars???

[@stephencoxbass]

American

[@cchavez248]

But, can it Barney Miller?

[@stephencoxbass]

Oh yes it can! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKLUnmNqrKZ6qrs Thanks for the idea...this one was overdue.

[@tomblaze2]

Vrey low for small body

[@stephencoxbass]

Impressive, aren't they?

[@walter-ti2oe]

I got mine for 150

[@stephencoxbass]

Way to go! That's a great price!

[@sub5ound1]

But why

[@stephencoxbass]

Why not?

[@alaskaboytheoriginal]

Dude! Use two fingers! Lazy!

[@stephencoxbass]

Honestly, it's easier to get a consistent tone, less string noise, and keep the timing consistent on the rubber strings with one. However, there are many videos where I alternate due to the speed. Also, was James Jamerson lazy?

[@kijekuyo9494]

@@stephencoxbass I'm a bassist, and I also regularly play with one finger. I was self-conscious about it until I read that Jamerson did the same. David Brown of Santana did the same on "Soul Sacrifice" at Woodstock.

[@ChinChest]

what is the name of the first song you played?

[@stephencoxbass]

+ChinChest It's a super common bass line, one song that used it was the woo hoo song by the 5 6 7 8's. But there are many others.