Ukuleles have taken the world by storm in recent years, making them a staple of today's music scene. Much of their popularity can be accredited to the US company Kala, which offers by far the largest range of models. With the U-Bass series, Kala introduced the concept of the ukulele bass, producing impressive bass sounds with a powerful low end – made possible by unique strings. The Kala U-Bass Journeyman 4 NT shares these characteristics. Like all Kala ukuleles, it boasts an array of high-quality features, including carefully selected woods, premium hardware, a piezo pickup, an on-board preamp, and a built-in tuner. The standout feature of the Kala U-Bass Journeyman, however, is its stylish appearance, which is highlighted by classic F-holes, a Venetian cutaway, and cream body binding.
The top, sides, back, and neck of the Kala U-Bass Journeyman 4 NT are crafted from mahogany, as is the headstock, which is fitted with die-cast machine heads. The 16-fret rosewood fingerboard and the bridge are the only exceptions in terms of wood choice. All of the instrument's wooden surfaces have a smooth satin finish. The Kala U-Bass Journeyman has a scale length (vibrating string length) of approximately 21", or 52.8cm, and an overall length of 74.6cm. The premium Kala roundwound strings are guided over a GraphTech Nubone nut to the fingerboard, and the bridge conceals a piezo pickup that can be fine-tuned to the player's sound requirements using the on-board preamp complete with a three-band equaliser. The Kala U-Bass Journeyman also comes with a matching gig bag.
One of the biggest advantages of the Kala U-Bass Journeyman is apparent right from the start: Its portability. The instrument's compact and lightweight design makes it the perfect travel companion. From the garden or poolside to a holiday or business trip, the Kala U-Bass Journeyman is ideal for bassists who want their instrument by their side wherever they go. The Kala U-Bass Journeyman is also a great choice for players seeking an instrument that is not only easy to play, but also offers the familiar feel of an electric bass thanks to its roundwound strings, and delivers a satisfying bass sound. Thanks to its affordable price tag, the Kala U-Bass Journeyman also makes a viable option as a second or even third instrument, making it a special and unique addition to any bassist's collection.
Kala Brand Music Co. is perhaps the world's most recognised ukulele manufacturer. The company was founded by the American Mike Upton in the early 2000s, in his hometown of Petaluma, California. Drawing on his earlier years of living and working in Hawaii, where he developed a deep affinity for the ukulele, Mike's mission was always to create high-quality, yet affordable ukuleles under the Kala brand that would make this instrument accessible to musicians of all backgrounds. This philosophy quickly paid dividends, leading to the rapid growth of Kala's instrument portfolio. The quality and variety of Kala's ukuleles have attracted the attention of many acclaimed artists, including Bakithi Kumalo, Abraham Laboriel Sr., Hutch Hutchinson, Twenty One Pilots, Walk off the Earth, and Eddie Vedder, all of whom are among the proud players of Kala instruments today.
Although its compact size may suggest otherwise, the Kala U-Bass Journeyman is far from being a toy. The special strings featured on the instrument are strong yet highly elastic, allowing buttery-smooth playability, while delivering an impressive bass sound with a powerful low end. The piezo pickup also minimises the onerous feedback issues commonly encountered with acoustic instruments, making the Kala U-Bass Journeyman a powerful contender among the usual classics for use in studio and home recordings. In terms of performance, the excellent sound and unique look of the Kala U-Bass Journeyman will make a lasting impact wherever the instrument is played – be it on a stage or a street corner.