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Kala Scout Fretless Acoustic-Electric U-BASS. All-mahogany construction, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, Venetian cutaway, Graph Tech TUSQ nut, Active EQ with built-in tuner, Kala round wound strings, and padded gig bag. Big upright tone, compact package
The Kala Scout Fretless Acoustic-Electric U-BASS is a compact, ukulele-scale bass that delivers the warm, singing tone of an upright or fretless electric bass in a package you can take anywhere. Whether you are a bassist exploring fretless playing for the first time, a ukulele player looking to add bass to your musical toolkit, or a working musician who needs a gig-ready acoustic bass that fits in the overhead bin, the Scout Fretless is built for you. Every Kala U-BASS sold at Town Center Music in Suwanee comes with a complimentary professional setup — a $75 value — so your instrument plays at its very best from the very first note.
The Kala U-BASS is a short-scale acoustic-electric bass guitar tuned to standard bass pitch — E-A-D-G — using low-tension strings that produce a deep, resonant fundamental tone in a body the size of a baritone ukulele. With a scale length of just 20.8 inches and an overall length of 29.3 inches, the U-BASS is far more comfortable to play for extended sessions than a full-size bass and compact enough to travel as a carry-on. Despite its small footprint, it produces a full, round, upright-like voice that sits beautifully in any mix, whether played acoustically at home or amplified on a stage.
The Scout Fretless removes the frets to unlock the expressive vocabulary that defines fretless playing — true slides, smooth portamento, and microtonal nuance that fretted instruments simply cannot produce. The Scout is now strung with Kala round wound strings, which deliver a clearer, more defined voice with greater note attack and articulation compared to traditional rubber U-BASS strings, while still retaining the warm, singing sustain that makes fretless bass so distinctive. The smooth rosewood fingerboard is responsive under your fingertips, and side-dot position markers keep navigation approachable even for players new to fretless instruments.
The Scout's body is built entirely from mahogany — top, back, sides, and neck — giving it a warm, focused midrange tone with natural sustain and depth. Mahogany's balanced, punchy character translates especially well to fretless bass, where the wood's natural warmth complements the singing quality of unfretted notes. The Venetian cutaway grants clean access to the upper register of the 16-fret fingerboard, making melodic bass lines and extended playing positions easy to reach without wrestling the body out of the way.
For amplified performance, the Scout Fretless is equipped with Kala's Custom Active U-BASS EQ. Active electronics give you onboard control over your tone, letting you shape warmth and clarity for any room or stage. The built-in chromatic tuner means you are always in tune before you play — a particularly important feature for fretless players where intonation accuracy is everything. Whether plugging into a PA, a bass amp, or a direct box, the active EQ delivers a clean, noise-free signal every time.
Every instrument sold at Town Center Music includes a complimentary professional setup from our experienced repair technicians — a service worth $75 that most online retailers simply cannot offer. For a fretless bass especially, proper setup is critical. We adjust the action, saddle height, nut slots, and electronics so your Scout Fretless plays with the smoothest feel and the best possible intonation from the very first day. Buying at Town Center Music means you get a professionally prepared instrument, not just a box.
The Scout Fretless ships with a custom padded U-BASS gig bag at no extra charge, giving you lightweight, protective storage for gigging, commuting, or travel. The Scout is compact enough to fit in an overhead bin, and the included bag makes it easy to bring your bass wherever the music takes you — from the practice room to the stage to a weekend trip out of town.
The Scout Fretless U-BASS is an ideal choice for bass players wanting to explore fretless tone without committing to a full-size instrument, ukulele players ready to step into the low end, and musicians who need a portable acoustic-electric bass for travel or small-venue gigs. It is in stock now at Town Center Music in Suwanee — professionally set up, ready to play, and waiting for you.
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