Kala Updates the California U-Bass for 2024 – No Treble
A decade after its introduction, Kala’s California U-Bass is getting a facelift. The solid-body, ukulele-sized bass has been updated to a “more adjustable version of the instrument that maintains its stylistic and tonal integrity.”
A key aspect of the design change for the super-short scale instrument is in its bridge. Kala now fits the California U-Bass with Graph Tech’s HeliumX Bridge with Ghost Saddles to provide intonation adjustability. For electronics, they also fit the bass with an LR Baggs custom preamp.
The California U-Bass will come in eight total options: Big Leaf Maple or Hawaiian Koa top, four or five strings, and fretted or fretless. “Initial models will be released with La Bella Silver Plated Round Wound strings,” Kala writes. “Kala’s classic Road Toad polyurethane strings will be offered as an alternate option at a later time (release date is pending). Flatwound strings are currently not an option for the California U-BASS.”
The updated Kala California U-Bass is available now with prices of $1,499 for the four-string model and $1,599 for the five-string models.
Kala 2024 California U-Bass Photos:
Kala 2024 California U-Bass Specs:
| Scale: | 21 Inch Scale (4-String); 23.5 Inch Scale (5-String) |
| Body: | Swamp Ash |
| Top: | Big Leaf Maple or Hawaiian Koa |
| Neck: | Maple |
| Fingerboard: | Rosewood or Maple |
| Frets: | 24 |
| Pickup: | Piezo |
| Electronics: | LR Baggs Custom Preamp |
| Bridge: | Graph Tech’s HeliumX Bridge with Ghost Saddles |
| Finish: | UV-Satin Finish |
| Other: | Magnetic Backplate, Deluxe Padded Gig Bag with Neck Rest & Tool Kit |
