KALA U-BASS

DOUBLE-BASS SOUND IN A UKE BODY

The remarkably affordable travel-sized acoustic Kala U-Bass manages to pack warm and woody double-bass sound into an instrument that can fit—case and all—into the overhead compartment of an airplane. Tonewoods range from exotic mahogany to brighter spruce-topped models. They all feature Kala’s proprietary polyurethane strings, which are the key to U-Bass’ extremely short-scale extra-deep tone. A custom piezo electronics system complete with active EQ and tuner round out the package, making the Kala U-Bass 100 percent gig ready.

–Phil Selman