Kala Scout Acoustic-electric Fretless U-Bass - Natural

Fretless Short-scale Acoustic-electric Bass Guitar with Mahogany Top, Mahogany Back and Sides, Mahogany Neck, and Laurel Fingerboard - Natural Satin

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Item ID: UBassScoutE

Kala Scout Acoustic-electric Fretless U-Bass - Natural

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Scout Acoustic-electric Fretless U-Bass with Stand - Natural

Original price, crossed out: $304 and 95 cents, now $289 and 00 cents

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Kala Scout Acoustic-electric Fretless U-Bass - Natural

$279.00

On-Stage GS5000 Small Instrument Stand

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Q: What is a Kala U-Bass and who is the Scout Fretless model for?

The Kala U-Bass is a unique, compact acoustic-electric bass guitar known for its deep, upright bass-like tone. The Scout Fretless model is perfect for bassists seeking a portable instrument with a distinct, smooth sound. Its fretless design allows for expressive slides and glissandos, appealing to players who enjoy exploring unique textures, from seasoned pros to those looking to expand their sonic palette.

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Q: What are the advantages of the fretless design on this U-Bass?

The fretless design of the Kala Scout U-Bass allows for incredibly smooth slides, glissandos, and vibrato, giving your playing a vocal-like quality similar to an upright bass. While it requires a bit more precision with finger placement, it opens up a world of expressive possibilities and unique tonal textures that fretted instruments can't achieve.

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Q: What kind of sound do the Aquila Thunderblack polymer strings produce?

The Kala Scout U-Bass comes equipped with Aquila Thunderblack polymer strings, which are designed to deliver a warm, punchy, and surprisingly deep bass tone despite the instrument's compact size. These unique strings offer a smooth, comfortable feel under your fingers, contributing to the U-Bass's distinctive sound that blends acoustic warmth with electric clarity when amplified.

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Q: How do the U*Bass Active EQ electronics work for amplified sound?

The Kala Scout U-Bass features U*Bass Active EQ electronics, allowing you to plug into an amplifier or PA system for live performance or recording. This active system provides controls to shape your tone, ensuring you can dial in the perfect sound for any setting. It accurately captures the U-Bass's natural acoustic warmth and deep low end, making it versatile for various musical styles.

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Q: Does the Kala Scout U-Bass come with a case?

Yes, the Kala Scout Acoustic-electric Fretless U-Bass includes a custom gig bag. This padded gig bag provides convenient and secure transportation for your U-Bass, protecting it from bumps and scratches while making it easy to carry to gigs, rehearsals, or wherever your music takes you.

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Extremely Portable Fretless Acoustic-electric Bass

The Kala U-Bass Scout is another short-scale acoustic-electric bass in the popular U-Bass line that delivers incredible tone, playability, and design. The Scout features a mahogany top, back, and sides for rich, full low-end bass tone. A mahogany neck with a fretless laurel fingerboard provides stellar response and feel. And with a smooth, deep Venetian cutaway, you get great access down the neck. In addition, a satin finish lets the natural mahogany really shine, and a cream binding ties the color of this fine instrument in nicely for some great stage presentation. Sweetwater bassists have found that the U-Bass Scout also fits easily into overhead compartments on planes, trains, or the backseat of your car.

The right tonewoods

As an acoustic instrument, another major factor in the U-Bass Scout tone is the selection of tonewoods. This U-Bass gives you the characteristically full-bodied sound of mahogany construction. Plus, it looks simply amazing! Add to that a fretless laurel fingerboard and laurel bridge, and you get a kind of dark warmth that blossoms with every note.

Custom Kala electronics

Kala's custom Piezo electronics give this U-Bass a vibrant and realistic sound when you play plugged in. An active EQ lets you tweak your tone, effortlessly meeting the needs of even the most demanding venues. What's more, Kala's UK-500B electronics even equip this U-Bass with an onboard tuner — an essential part of any musician's live kit.

Kala Scout Fretless U-Bass Features:

A beautiful and massive-sounding acoustic-electric bass guitar you can take anywhere
Compact 20.8-in.-scale and fretless fingerboard provide plenty of room to play
Mahogany construction provides full-bodied warmth with an incredibly deep fundamental
Separately compensated saddles for each string and die-cast tuners keep your tuning and intonation solid
Piezo pickup with active EQ provides exceptional sound in any live environment

Resources

Acoustic Guitar Buying Guide

Bass Guitar Buying Guide

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Tech Specs

Number of Strings: 4
String Type: Polymer
Body Type: Acoustic Bass
Body Shape: U-Bass
Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
Color: Natural
Finish: Satin
Top Wood: Mahogany
Back & Sides Wood: Mahogany
Neck Material: Mahogany
Fingerboard Material: Laurel
Fingerboard Inlay: Dots
Number of Frets: Fretless
Scale Length: 20.8"
Nut Width: 1.75"
Nut/Saddle Material: NuBone/Composite
Bridge Material: Laurel
Tuning Machines: Custom Black Die-cast
Electronics: U*Bass Active EQ
Strings: Kala Roundwounds
Case Included: Gig Bag
Case/Gig Bag: Gig Bag
Manufacturer Part Number: UBASS-SCOUT-FL

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Reviews

4.8

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This is hands down the best no-brainer purchase I have made. The sound of this little bass is so distinctive and upright-like, I just can't put it down! My wife probably thought I was nuts when it first arrived and I was just cracking up in the other room having a great time playing it. The A string is a bit non-responsive to tuning but with some patience it tunes up nicely.

I love this thing!

But the key is to get good strings...the Thunderbrowns are the absolute bomb! Great texture and makes this instrument sing. Being fretless means I can micro-adjust the intonation of each note high up and down low on the fingerboard...which is typically out of tune on these short-scale instruments. And the cutaway is clutch. The electronics are solid and the sound is HUGE when plugged in...again, in part due to the kick-*** strings. The acoustic sound is also louder than my full-sized acoustic bass guitar I had years ago, with better definition of sound. When plugged in, it does sound close to an upright, and can also get that "Mwaa" sound which is so sweet (again due to the strings...the Pahoehoe stock strings can't touch these Thunderbrowns!). Case is great (love the back-pack style straps).

Only things I can find so far: I wish there was a strap pin on the base of the neck, rather than having to tie my strap to the head-stock, but I can probably put one on myself, in a bit. And the battery seems like it is already losing juice, but again, not such a big deal. Also gotta adjust your fingering attack...play real chill, or else intense picking/plucking will pull notes out of tune a bit and cause some nasty buzzing/distortion, especially when plugged in.

Overall, definitely go for this one. So much fun and I haven't even gone to my first summer festival or campfire jam.

Although I had not intended on getting the fretless version, I am glad I did. It really does sound like an upright when run through an amp. It is fun to play, weighs hardly anything, and at 20 inches long, real easy to transport. I always get a group of surprised people askng about it at the end of the gig.

This thing was a brand new model, and I just happened to notice on the website prior to a trip to the Sweetwater facility in Ft. Wayne. It was so new, they didn't even have one on the display room floor yet. They brought it out from the warehouse, and I played around a bit with it...the tone was reasonably good without amplification. Then, I plugged it into a bass amp. Holy cow!! It growled, it had low end and tone for days, even with the EQ on both amp and bass flat. A bit like a cross between a Hofner and an upright bass, but with less deadness than a Hofner. The sound is just fantastic. I've already recorded with it on a project, and the client loved the tone. When I showed him what I used, he couldn't believe it!!! This is NOT a toy, and a steal at less than $ (as of this writing). I LOVE this thing!

Overall decent for the money. Electronics are a bit of disappointment, but it works. Tuning pegs work but that's about it. But adding a better preamp and Hipshot pegs would probably double the cost.
If Kala had a cut-away fretless acoustic-electric with Fishman electronics and Hipshot pegs I would probably buy it.

See also: Acoustic Basses, Kala, Kala Fretless Bass Guitars, Kala Acoustic Bass Guitars, Kala Ukuleles

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Kala Scout Acoustic-electric Fretless U-Bass - Natural

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Scout Acoustic-electric Fretless U-Bass with Stand - Natural

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