Video Interview: Bakithi Kumalo Talks Kala Basses
Bakithi Kumalo and His Kala Basses…
The Bakithi Kumalo Signature California U•BASS® was born from a collaboration with our friend, music legend, and Paul Simon bassist, Bakithi Kumalo. Paul Simon and Bakithi Kumalo formed a relationship over 30 years ago when Bakithi, who was working as a mechanic in South Africa, came to the U.S. to record the 1986 hit album, Graceland. They have been playing together ever since.
Bakithi was one of the first musicians to champion the U•BASS when it was first released in 2009 and was the first Kala Artist to have a signature model made to his specifications.
In 2013, he collaborated with Bakithi to create his Signature California U•BASS®. This model is the same U•BASS that Bakithi Kumalo plays today.
This four-string, fretless California U•BASS® comes in with a rich espresso brown stain over a Swamp Ash body with a custom pickguard that sets the look of this instrument apart from other basses. One of the most stand-out features about the California U•BASS Series is the custom LR Baggs EQ system which we developed specifically for this collection. By customizing our pickup system, we have dialed in the sound on these basses to a science, and the huge low end this U•BASS can produce as a result is perfect for unique high-quality studio recordings or stage performances. The smooth, easy-to-tune custom Hipshot Ultralite™ tuners are the icing on the cake for this beast of a U•BASS.
The California U•BASS® Series is played by legends around the world. With the California Solid Body U•BASS you have all the tools you need to stand out and sound amazing, all that’s left is to go out and create something awesome!
The completely redesigned California U•BASS® is now available! With every California U•BASS® order you’ll receive:
SPECS
| BODY: | Swamp Ash |
| NECK: | Straight Grain Maple |
| FINISH: | UV-Cured Satin |
| FINGERBOARD: | Roasted Maple |
| BRIDGE: | Richlite |
| NUT: | Graph Tech Black TUSQ® |
| SADDLE: | Richlite |
| TUNERS: | Custom Hipshot Ultralite™ |
| STRINGS: | Road Toad Pahoehoe |
| ELECTRONICS: | LR Baggs Custom EQ |
| STAIN: | Espresso Brown |
| STRAP BUTTON: | Black x2 |
MEASUREMENTS
Scale Length: 20.375 inches, Overall Instrument Length: 29.375 inches, Body Length: 14.031 inches, Number of Frets: 16, Width at Upper Bout: 7.75 inches, Width at Lower Bout: 10.25 inches, Width at Waist: 6.625 inches, Body Depth: 3.25 inches, Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1.75 inches, Fingerboard width at neck/body joint: 2.125 inches
The beautiful Striped Ebony U•BASS® has a deep brown color with reddish-brown striping. One of the finest woods for instruments, Striped Ebony is a high-density wood that has superior tonal qualities. The light Maple binding creates a striking contrast with the dark Ebony body, that makes the variants in the striping stand out. Comes in a Fretless model with Proprietary Polyurethane Strings, Custom Hipshot® Ultralite Tuners, GraphTech TUSQ® Nut, Custom U•BASS® Pick-up, and a Deluxe Padded Gig Bag.
BAG AND CASE INFORMATION
- Fits ALL Kala BARITONE Ukulele Bags, UB-B, & Sonoma Coast BARITONE Cases
- Fits U•BASS specific bags and cases: UB-UBASS, DUB-UBASS, HC-UB
The beautiful Striped Ebony U•BASS® has a deep brown color with reddish-brown striping.
One of the finest woods for instruments, Striped Ebony is a high-density wood that has superior tonal qualities. The light Maple binding creates a striking contrast with the dark Ebony body, which makes the variants in the striping stand out. Comes in a Fretless model with Proprietary Polyurethane Strings, Custom Hipshot® Ultralite Tuners, GraphTech TUSQ® Nut, Custom U•BASS® Pick-up, and a Deluxe Padded Gig Bag.
BAG AND CASE INFORMATION
- Fits ALL Kala BARITONE Ukulele Bags, UB-B, & Sonoma Coast BARITONE Cases
- Fits U•BASS specific bags and cases: UB-UBASS, DUB-UBASS, HC-UB, & HCT-UB
SPEC MEASUREMENTS
Scale Length: 20.375 inches, Overall Instrument Length: 29.375 inches, Body Length: 14.031 inches, Number of Frets: 16, Width at Upper Bout: 7.75 inches, Width at Lower Bout: 10.25 inches, Width at Waist: 6.625 inches, Body Depth: 3.25 , Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1.75 inches, Fingerboard width at neck/body joint: 2.125 inches
For more information on Kala Basses, visit online at kalabrand.com
