instrument stand for breaks during recording, rehearsal, or performance. These allow the instrument to
hang from the area where the neck meets the headstock. They usually have a support for the back of
the instrument. Keeping your U-Bass in the case protects it from weather damage and other hazards
that could void your warranty. Before placing your bass in its case, be sure to wipe the strings off with a
soft cloth as well as other contact areas (neck, upper bout, bridge).
The fretboard on the U-Bass should already be well conditioned. If after a period of time you see that
the fretboard looks dry, apply a thin layer of lemon oil or mineral oil to a cloth, then wipe the fretboard
evenly. After a minute or two, wipe the excess oil with a clean cloth. This process should be done no
more than twice a year. Of course, never leave your U-Bass in a hot or cold vehicle for a lengthy time.
This leaves your bass vulnerable to theft as well as damage that could void your warranty.
As with any fine instrument, the U-Bass benefits from an intentional approach to maintenance. Unlike
traditional electric bass strings that begin their lifecycle with a bright sound then gradually mellow, U-
Bass strings are designed to have a warm, mellow tone, similar to an upright bass. It is not uncommon
for these polyurethane strings to last several years after their initial break in period if you continue to
keep your U-Bass clean.
Changing Strings: Changing strings on the U-Bass takes a little finesse. Looking at the back of the
instrument, you will be able to see the crimped string endings. Before unwinding the strings, make note
of how many wraps are on the individual posts. There should be no more than two winds on the B, E, A,
and D strings and three winds on the G string. Unwind the strings and remove them from their posts.
Gently pull the strings from the bridge holes until the string is all the way out. Now you are ready to
install fresh strings. Carefully feed the new strings through the bridge hole and into the slots of the
tuning pegs. Stretch the strings as far as you can around and through the string post. This is a critical
step as too many windings around the post can lead to tuning and tension issues. Once the strings are
tuned up (E, A, D, G), alternate between stretching and tuning them until they lock into pitch. Please
note that this process takes some time but will reward you with stable tuning.
Shadow Active Pickup and Equalizer
The Shadow active pickup system runs on a single 9 volt, coin-style batteries. They are accessible
through the magnetic cavity cover on the back of the bass. Simply remove the electronics cover on the
back of the instrument and pull the battery out of the clip. Carefully place the new 9 volt battery into
the clip and reattach the backplate.
Instrument Specifications:
Tuners: Hipshot
Neck wood: Maple
Fretboard: Rosewood
