Gear News: Kala Teams Up with Graph Tech for Helium-X Bridge on California U•BASS
Kala, a leader in ukulele and bass ukulele innovation, has collaborated with Graph Tech Guitar Labs to unveil a ground-breaking addition to their New California U•BASS® series. This partnership marks a significant advancement as Kala enlisted Graph Tech’s expertise to develop the Helium-X Bridge, a new Bass Saddle featuring state-of-the-art technology.
The latest generation of California U•BASS® refines Kala’s original short-scale solid-body bass design. Handcrafted with precision at the Kala USA Workshop in Petaluma, California, these instruments are revered for their superior craftsmanship, versatility, and distinctive low-end resonance, earning acclaim from professionals in the bass industry.
“Mike Upton and his team from Kala have always been pushing the boundaries of what ukuleles, in models and performance. Their California U•BASS® is the latest, and maybe the greatest so far in pushing the boundaries of what a ukulele bass can do in both playability and tone. It’s so satisfying seeing the vision and collaboration of the California U•BASS® brought to life by both the Kala and Graph Tech teams”, says Dave Dunwoodie, Graph Tech’s Head Honcho.
At the heart of this innovation lies the Helium-X Bridge from Graph Tech, engineered with low mass and high elasticity HeliumX® saddles. These saddles seamlessly channel the strings’ vibration and harmonics to interact with the instrument body, opening a new world of tone and rich harmonics hidden within each instrument. Offering versatility, each string can be top-mounted or strung through the body, with 1/2″ height adjustment and variable string angle capability.
Graph Tech’s new HeliumX / Ghost Saddle system brings a new level of performance and versatility to our latest generation of the California U•BASS®. We are thrilled to introduce this eagerly anticipated innovation that offers consumers adjustable action and intonation without the worry of compromising even output from each string. Additionally, this system will open the door to new sounds with various string options as we continue to evolve the offerings within the California U•BASS® product line.
— Ryan Haugh, Product Manager, Kala Brand Music Co.
Collaborating with Graph Tech early in the design phase enables guitar companies to leverage advanced technologies and expert insights, ensuring that new products meet new heights in performance and innovation from inception to production.
For more information on the California U•BASS® series and the Helium-X Bridge, please visit www.graphtech.com & www.kalabrand.com
