Booli - this probably isn't a fair question, but if I were to locate a Kala solidbody U-Bass (not one of the US made ones) for about $100 more than the Hadean, do you think the difference would be worth it? The Kala comes with a bag and a strap. For some reason, I get the feeling they may come from the same factory.
Not sure I can answer to your query exactly, as I'd said in a previous post to this thread, I've never actually played a Kala U-Bass, however, as I also stated previously now having both the solid-body and acoustic Hadean uke basses, my lust for a true Kala, Gold Tone, Eddy Finn, Ohana, Ortega D-Walker brands of u-bass type instrument is now completely satisfied.
However, this interest
may be rekindled when The Magic Fluke Company releases their Bass Fluke sometime in/after June as per their NAMM2015 info and the front page of their web site, which I also confirmed by telephone with 'Betty' when I called Magic Fluke last week. My guess is that the price will be AT LEAST $500. I am a
HUGE fan of their instruments and have both a tenor Fluke (with solid koa top, rosewood fretboard and pegheds) and tenor Flea (walnut top with birch rosette, rosewood fretboard), as well as a concert Flea (black Lava model, birch top, plastic fretboard, Gotoh UPT-L tuners [self-installed]) and another tenor Flea (hibiscus red model, birch top, plastic fretboard) is in transit from Gryphon Strings in Palo Alto, CA and should be in my hands on Tues next week.
Keep in mind that my purpose for a uke bass might be different than most, for I am currently not a bass player in a gigging band (been there, done that), nor do I want to embark on a deep study of the instrument. My SOLE purpose is to have an actual instrument (as opposed to MIDI or software plugins) for songwriting/compositional purposes. There's too much of a 'disconnect' for me playing/writing bass parts with a piano-keyboard type controller.
Since taking up the ukulele 2 yrs ago (and now mainly tenor and baritone, seldom concert or soprano any more), I find a 34" long-scale bass nearly impossible to play -- it's not just the scale length or the string tension, but I've grown out my nails on the right hand and there's no adaptation of right-hand technique that makes sense for me (regardless of if I use tapewounds or flatwounds, either way my nails still get wrecked), also a larger (than uke bass) bass is heavy enough to dissuade me from using it. I've also tried several 32", 30" and 25.5" scale basses, and still a real PITA for me. Once upon a time I was pining for a Ned Steinberger electric upright, or a Stagg electric upright, but cant justify the cost in lieu of the Hadean uke basses, never mind that upright bass strings are over $100 per set (Thomastik-Infeld).
If it helps to know (with regard to my own satisfaction level with these Hadean instruments), I'll share that I'll soon be selling my 1986 sparkle-red Aria Pro II 34" scale electric bass with OHSC, as well as my much older 4/4-sized Kay upright acoustic bass. These Hadean uke basses are 'good enough' for my needs, and take up a lot less space.
As you've pointed out, no case was included from Rondo, and the Kala acoustic u-bass hard-case (rectangle-shaped, tolex over plywood) is 0.3" too narrow for the width of the lower bout, as well as a full 1" too short for the overall length of the Hadean.
Hope this helps.
