Bill the 2nd

Thanks for your input, as yet I have to see what the feedback is like if any. Cheers

Excellent reply to your guitarist, who needs band members like that anyway LOL. We shall see what, if anything is said and I have your well observed reply ready just in case. Cheers.

Just to bring some kind of conclusion to the subject of trying to achieve that elusive double bass sound. I ordered a Harley Benton u bass from Thomann and must say I'm really impressed with the guitar. It is a little larger in size to the Kala and as such feels so much easier to play and the bottom end is really stunning, here are the stats. Harley Benton Kahuna CLU-Bass Ukulele Custom Line Kahuna Series Uke-Bass, Traveller-sized, spruce top, mahogany body, carved back, mahogany neck, C-shape, blackwood fingerboard (Pinus Radiata), DOT-inlays, 20 frets, scale 534 mm, nut width 42,0 mm, blackwood bridge (Pinus Radiata), black open gear tuners, pro pickup system with built-in tuner, Aquila strings, finish: natural satin. At £130 it isn't expensive and really worth trying out, I will be using this bass at our next practice in two weeks time "cant wait to bang it through a 300 watt rig" and look forward to the bands hopeful surprise at the fantastic low end from such a small instrument.

The kala I tried for one day I actually bought, but the guys in guitar guitar (I buy all my gear from them) were really appreciative that if I couldn't get used to the semi acoustic shape and very short scale that I could return it which I did. The tuning was excellent but the body kept digging into my forearm not a great thing to stand and play for any length of time. I also have the Gretsch short scale but only play it on a rare occasion I think the twin humbuckers make it sound a bit boomy at times but it's a nice bass to play.

Thanks to you guys above for the help, however it transpires that even if the strings were available for my shortest scale bass at 28" it seems it's not feasible to fit these type of strings IE too many alterations to the bridge as the strings have no anchor lugs they tie, the nut would need filed out also the tuning heads replaced. Looks like the best option, other than buying a u bass might be a bass pedal of some description to try and achieve those deep bass tones. Even spoke without success to a custom guitar builder who has years of experience hand crafting guitars.

Thanks for the info and I think this is just the kind of thing I'm looking for, if the strings are still available I'd be quite happy to have a go at fitting them to my Gretsch short scale bass as a project. Ill check out Ashbory bass strings on line.

Hi I have just signed up here tonight and hope to possibly find some answers. I recently had a go with one of these amazing sounding uke basses and was tempted to buy one however the size is really awkward to settle into. I am assuming the strings, Aquila Thundergut that are made of polyurethane or a rubber material are probably the main component for such a deep sound, almost like an upright at times. My question is this:- Does anyone know if or heard of, a standard or short scale bass has ever been fitted with them or if they are available other than the uke @ 20" scale. Tried the internet but no luck as yet.