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Four sizes of ukuleles are common: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. There's also the less common sopranino and the bass ukulele at the extreme ends of the size spectrum.
The soprano, often called "standard" in Hawaii, is the smallest, and the original size ukulele. The concert size was developed in the 1920s as an enhanced soprano, slightly larger and louder with a deeper tone. Shortly thereafter, the tenor was created, having more volume and deeper bass tone. The largest size is the baritone, created in the 1940s.
The Kala uBass was designed by Owen Holt of Road Toad Music. That are not acoustic as well as solidbody bass ukuleles available.
Here is a link to a page dedicated to the uBass: uBass Appreciation Society.
The uBass Appreciation Society is a blog for those who play, or are interested in, the Kala brand uBass, a combination baritone ukulele and bass guitar. This ground-breaking 20″ short scale bass guitar produces the same pitches as a standard bass and is the closest you can come to the sound of an upright acoustic bass without an actual upright. This blog is for all those interested in playing tips, news and information relating to the Kala brand uBass.
Ukulele Bass Builders and Manufactures
Links
Listing Info
( from listing's site ) - The manufacturer of BeaverCreek guitars has over 30 years of experience in designing, building, and distributing instruments worldwide. They continue to manufacture for several well known and respected brand names in the music industry.
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Links
Harmony-Central user reviews: link
DeArmond® instruments are no longer available for purchase, but they have made their support materials available. On their site you'll find product information, technical specifications, and troubleshooting information.
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Earnest Musicial Instruments
Joel Eckhaus, Luthier
12 Fairlawn Ave.
S. Portland, ME 04106
207 799-9788
↑ Listing's Web Site Thumbnail Image
- Ukulele
- Bass Ukulele
- Guitar
- Tenor Guitar
- Lap Steel
Links
- www.EarnestInstruments.com
- Tiki King's Ukulele: Brand name database: Earnest
Listing Info
Makes an archtop Tenor guitar as well as other Tenor models.
Standard tenor tuning is (CGDA) but can be tuned like a guitars hgher four strings.
Information on the Tenor Guitar is avalable at www.TenorGuitar.com
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Kala
(pronounced Kah’ la )
P.O. Box 751149
Petaluma, CA 94975-1149
1 877 Uke Duke
↑ Listing's Web Site Thumbnail Image
- Over 120 Ukulele Models
- UBass - Bass Ukulele
- Tuners
- Cases
- Strings
- Accessories
Links
Funky Frets, Boyertown PA USA
Our family store, Funky Frets carries the line of ukuleles and accessories.
Listing Info
( from the Kala site ) - KALA BRAND UKULELES HAVE JUST BEGUN, BUT OUR ROOTS GO BACK A BIT.
Hawaiian Definitions of KALA (pronounced Kah’ la)
- v. To forgive, a prayer to free someone from any evil influence.
- nvs. Dollar, silver, money, cash, currency.
- n. Surgeonfish, Unicorn fish
- (Ono) Brand of Ukulele!!!
Hi, I’m Mike Upton, founder of Kala Brand Music Co. and Kala Brand Ukulele. I became acquainted with the charm of the ukulele at an early age as my Dad would strum the "uke" and sing old standards, entertaining the family, neighbors, and worshiping in Church. The sweet, soothing sound was the best pacifier for a fidgety child like yours truly, so as I grew up, you guessed it, I started playing the bass. Four strings like the uke, only much larger and able to rattle your teeth with the proper amplification i.e. Ampeg SVT 300 Watt Tube Head through a 8x10 cabinet. Anyway, back to the ukulele, I re-engaged with the uke while living on heavenly Lanikai Beach in 1991 with my lovely wife, Wendy. You were just starting to hear and see more and more people playing ukulele back then. My interest continued as I became the Hawaii Sales Representative for the Hohner Company in 1997. I found out very quickly that there were very few quality, affordable ukuleles available in the Islands. So with that in mind, I set out and with some help developed the popular ukulele line. In July of 2005 I went out on my own to start Kala Ukulele to continue to expand what is possible in the realm of quality, affordable instruments for the Ukulele Enthusiast and Novice alike.
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Kamoa Ukulele
4-1310 Kuhio Hwy
Kapa'a, Hawaii 96746
USA
Phone: (808) 652 9999
eMail:
↑ Listing's Web Site Thumbnail Image
- Ukuleles
- Cases
Links
Listing Info
( from listing's site ) - Kamoa™ Ukulele Company is dedicated to building high quality bell tone instruments. Our “One player at a time” philosophy is the basis for the countless experiences that will resonate with you for years to come through the lifelong enjoyment of music on your Kamoa™ ukulele. From Exceptional student models priced around $100 up to divine custom masterpieces, we have a tailored Kamoa™ experience ready for you whether you are a true beginner or ukulele master.
Kamoa ukuleles are being played by Directors of Opera and Philharmonic Orchestras, Concert Violinists, Pianists, Flutists, the Grammy® Recording Academy, Hollywood Filmmakers, Former Heads of State, and many thousands of satisfied musicians from Punk to Polka, Appalachian Bluegrass to Gypsy Jazz. We have customers in over 20 countries and welcome you to our Global Ukulele O’hana.
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Mele Ukulele
1750 Kaahumanu Avenue
Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii 96793
Tel. 808.244.3938
Fax. 808.242.6566
- Ukulele
- Bass Ukulele
- Guitar
Links
- www.meleukulele.com
- Tiki King's Ukulele: Brand name database: Mele
Info
Mele Custom Mahogany Double-Neck Tenor
After numerous requests from Mele Ukulele customers, They've finally built this ukulele inspired by Jimmy Page's guitar! 8-string neck for strumming, 4-string for picking and soloing. The huge solid mahogany soundboard, back and sides give it a richness and resonance that's truly amazing! Ebony binding, bridge and fingerboard. Grover tuners. This is the ultimate uke for the player who has everything! Note; we sold the prototype (pictured) but we'll be building several this summer. The necks will be reversed; 4-string above and 8-string below. Check out the video for the production version played by Uncle Peter.
YouTube: Peter Delapinia plays the Mele double-neck Tenor Uke
Buying a ukulele from Mele Ukuleles by clicking on the affiliate badge above supports this site and all it takes to keep adding content.
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Road Toad Music
Owen Holt
Road Toad Music
P.O. Box 51817
San Jose, CA 95151
ph: (408)223-8006
- Ukulele
- Bass Ukulele
Links
- www.roadtoadmusic.com
- www.bassuke.com
The Road Toad Big Bufo Bass is based on the baritone 'ukulele body and scale. Special strings have been created to give you that big bass sound. Road Toad Basses have a natural tone that can be used in for a variety of styles of music.
- Tiki King's Ukulele: Brand name database: Road_Toad
Among the ukulele that Owen makes are a line of bass ukes. I played a few at the 2006 New York Ukulele Festival and they are amazing. You can believe the sound that comes from these.
Owen also designed the Kala UBass.
Big Bufo Bass Baritone by Owen Holt
Ukulele Guild of Hawai'i Members Gallery
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Manufactures of string for Bass ukulele.
Kala
(pronounced Kah’ la )
P.O. Box 751149
Petaluma, CA 94975-1149
1 877 Uke Duke
↑ Listing's Web Site Thumbnail Image
- Over 120 Ukulele Models
- UBass - Bass Ukulele
- Tuners
- Cases
- Strings
- Accessories
Links
Funky Frets, Boyertown PA USA
Our family store, Funky Frets carries the line of ukuleles and accessories.
Listing Info
( from the Kala site ) - KALA BRAND UKULELES HAVE JUST BEGUN, BUT OUR ROOTS GO BACK A BIT.
Hawaiian Definitions of KALA (pronounced Kah’ la)
- v. To forgive, a prayer to free someone from any evil influence.
- nvs. Dollar, silver, money, cash, currency.
- n. Surgeonfish, Unicorn fish
- (Ono) Brand of Ukulele!!!
Hi, I’m Mike Upton, founder of Kala Brand Music Co. and Kala Brand Ukulele. I became acquainted with the charm of the ukulele at an early age as my Dad would strum the "uke" and sing old standards, entertaining the family, neighbors, and worshiping in Church. The sweet, soothing sound was the best pacifier for a fidgety child like yours truly, so as I grew up, you guessed it, I started playing the bass. Four strings like the uke, only much larger and able to rattle your teeth with the proper amplification i.e. Ampeg SVT 300 Watt Tube Head through a 8x10 cabinet. Anyway, back to the ukulele, I re-engaged with the uke while living on heavenly Lanikai Beach in 1991 with my lovely wife, Wendy. You were just starting to hear and see more and more people playing ukulele back then. My interest continued as I became the Hawaii Sales Representative for the Hohner Company in 1997. I found out very quickly that there were very few quality, affordable ukuleles available in the Islands. So with that in mind, I set out and with some help developed the popular ukulele line. In July of 2005 I went out on my own to start Kala Ukulele to continue to expand what is possible in the realm of quality, affordable instruments for the Ukulele Enthusiast and Novice alike.
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Aquila
Aquila Corde Armoniche di Peruffo Mimmo & C. S.a.s
Via Aviano 16
Caldogno
Vicenza
36030
Italy
P. IVA 02295710244
Phone: +39 0444 986972
Fax: +39 0444 989399
Aquila USA
P.O. Box 82761
Portland, OR 97282-0761
Ph/Fax (503) 788-5029
↑ Listing's Web Site Thumbnail Image
Links
Info
Aquila USA is the U.S. representative for Aquila Corde Armoniche, manufacturers of the finest gut strings and synthetic strings, for historical and modern musical performance.
Nylgut is a synthetic gut string.
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Links
- www.worthc.to/W-Strings.html
- Worth Strings (a Good reference): www.worthc.to/W-Strings-e.html
- Worth Strings (a Good reference): Worth BassStrings
Info
100% Fluoro-carbon Ukulele Strings
Brown, Clear Regular, Clear Special Hard top
The revolutionary Ashbory Bass is completely unique. It utilises short scale silicone rubber strings in conjunction with piezo-electric transducer technology. The signal is enhanced by on-board active circuitry and fed to any bass amplifier.
The Ashbory Bass is now being manufactured and distributed by Fender/Guild as the 'DeArmond Ashbory Bass'. This is the full story of how it all happened.
Here are a list of links realted to the Ashbury Bass
- Ashbory The Official Story by Nigel Thornbory - The Story of the Ashbory Bass as told by its originators
- WidipediA: Ashbory Bass - [ link ]
The Ashbory bass, designed by Alun Ashworth-Jones and Nigel Thornbory, is an 18-inch scale fretless (but marked) electric bass developed in 1985. This scale is just over half of the 34-inch scale of an ordinary bass guitar. When amplified, the Ashbory produces a low, resonant bass tone similar to the tone of a pizzicato (plucked) double bass.
- Ashbory Bass Resource - www.largesound.com
- Bass Ukulele / Ashbory Bass - [ link ]
- AshboryBass.com - www.ashborybass.com
- Fender - Ashbory Bass - [ link ]
- Ashbory Bass Page - [ link ]
Links
Harmony-Central user reviews: link
DeArmond® instruments are no longer available for purchase, but they have made their support materials available. On their site you'll find product information, technical specifications, and troubleshooting information.
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Musikmesse '10 - Kala Ukulele U-Bass Demo
Kala U-Bass Demo
Flamenco with Ukulele Bass
Here is a cook demonstration of the uBass by Kala by Gigu Neutsch. That instrument is amazing. I have to get me one of those.
Thundergut, Aquila String for Kala UBass
[ Back to Instruments Ukulele Main page ]
Thanks for visiting and checking out the site!
Content is always being added and updated. So check-in often. Thanks, Curt
Over 440 lessons, 54 songs and TABS, 240+ archtop luthiers, 180+ ukulele builders, festival information, ukulele links on the web. On the web since the early 90's and growing everyday.
BASS_UKULELE.PHP | Updated: Monday, 26th March, 2012 @ 02:31pm