Kala UBass
The Kala UBass is the size of a baritone ukulele but has the range of a bass guitar i.e. it is tuned EADG in the same octave as a standard bass guitar. It achieves this through polyurethane strings.
The original bass ukulele was the Road Toad. The downside is that it was very expensive - out of the range of most ukulele players who might be curious about it. Then they hooked up with Kala who used Road Toad's technology and adapted a standard baritone ukulele to produce a cheaper bass ukulele. The Kala U-bass is in a range that makes it affordable to someone who wants to include bass in their ukulele group but wants to keep the aesthetic.
One thing to keep in mind if you do buy a Kala UBass is that you need to get an amp at the same time. Polyurethane strings don't produce much volume on their own and need to be amplified.
It comes in two versions: fretted and fretless. If you're used to playing fretted instruments, it takes some getting used to a fretless instrument. But it does give you that distinctive sound of a stand-up bass.
On Video
The folks from RISA demonstrate the UBass.
On eBay US
 NEW KALA U BASS Ukulele Bass Great new product case  US $579.00
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 FRETTED KALA U BASS Ukulele Bass Sale 1 only w case US $579.00
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 kala Bass uke fretted ka ubassfs US $499.95
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On eBay UK
 Kala uBass 20 Electro Ukulele Bass Fretless All Solid £399.99
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 Kala uBass Bass Ukulele Electro Acoustic NEW £399.99
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Specifications
Size: Baritone
Construction: Solid mahogany top, back and sides.
Fretboard: Rosewood. 16 frets (12 to body)
Bridge: Rosewood
Neck: Mahogany
Tuners: Custom Hipshot
Pickups: Piezo
I’ve just bought the fretless Kala ubass model a couple of days ago. Having only played regular fretted bass before I’m finding pitching notes a little challenging so far, but worth persevering with because I want that upright sound which this little guy almost captures.
It is possible to play unamplified when practicing at home (nobody hears my bum notes then!) but once plugged in it really has an astonishing bottom end. The polyurethane strings have a great feel although I’m also finding using vibrato difficult in these early learning days. The ADG strings are tending to go flat often so far and I’m hoping this is just due to the strings stretching while settling in? There’s way too much wrapped around the tuners which might not be helping either.
The fit and finish is pretty good, with a nice grained mahogany. The edge of the fretboard could have been rounded off a little more, feels a bit sharp.
Well done Kala, a great bass with a huge sound!