After about 8 months of trying to get my custom fretless bass ukulele functional with a pickup, preamp and strings, I was finally able to play it for the first time with my ukulele group today.
I installed a Chinese 3 band preamp (looks the same as what Rondo uses in their acoustic u-bass), had Guitar Center add Gotoh tuners (I provided), cut a nut and install Aquila Thunder Reds, but I didn't like the them, so I decided to install a set of Pyramids I had. As I tuned them, pop went the E string. Looked for them online, but could only find Kala's new metal round wound, so I ordered two sets in case I pop one of them, only $35 each (already out of stock).
I've been a little skeptical of metal wound because the other bass player in the group uses a Kala U-Bass spruce top with Pyramids and they sound too "tinny" to me. But once I plugged in and warmed up, I found the sound of mine to be nice and full and deep. That very well could be due to my Phil Jones Bass Double Four vs. his Pig Nose Hog (most likely).
I have to say, I'm very pleased with the sound and feel. The volume balance is very good, and it's not that problematic to play fretless as I've heard so many times.
I installed a Chinese 3 band preamp (looks the same as what Rondo uses in their acoustic u-bass), had Guitar Center add Gotoh tuners (I provided), cut a nut and install Aquila Thunder Reds, but I didn't like the them, so I decided to install a set of Pyramids I had. As I tuned them, pop went the E string. Looked for them online, but could only find Kala's new metal round wound, so I ordered two sets in case I pop one of them, only $35 each (already out of stock).
I've been a little skeptical of metal wound because the other bass player in the group uses a Kala U-Bass spruce top with Pyramids and they sound too "tinny" to me. But once I plugged in and warmed up, I found the sound of mine to be nice and full and deep. That very well could be due to my Phil Jones Bass Double Four vs. his Pig Nose Hog (most likely).
I have to say, I'm very pleased with the sound and feel. The volume balance is very good, and it's not that problematic to play fretless as I've heard so many times.
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