I did a search and all that kept coming up was people saying "for the price they're great" threads....

with that being said...what can you tell me about Ergo EUBs???

i'm wanting an upright for bluegrass/acoustic sets...but lugging around a 3/4 size DB isn't very easy to do in a mini mini van with electric basses,racks,and cabs or practical to do for the occasional acoustic set/recording ...so I saw these 5 string 800 dollar EUB's online...

i'm looking for a low priced EUB that's natural sounding through my amp that's deffinately the most important thing to me is that it sounds like an upright, and also that it has the "feel" of an upright...but won't take up 3/4 of my car in the process

thanks alot!

This is the first time i've ever posted, so here it goes. I just recieved my Ergo yesterday, and i have been very pleasantly surprised. I am new to the upright (i am actually a jazz guitar player-please, put down your weapons) and i wanted something i could cultiviate my DB desires with and not break the bank.

Initially, the new strings made it sound pretty nasaly, which really scared me at first, but after several hours of playing, it seemed to calm down and sound pretty good, especially considering that the instrument is just a stick of wood and 4 strings. The bass reacted well to the bow, although i am no expert on this matter.

The best feature on the bass is the tone knob-you have to turn the tone down a little, but then it sounds quite natural. Still, this might be the new strings. Sound is a very intimate thing for a player, and I don't think it can easily be described. My previous bass was an ampeg-baby bass that i had on loan from the university, and i definitely prefer the Ergo- You couldn't even think about the bow with the ampeg, although i have no idea what strings it had.

As far as portability goes, i don't think you can do better than the Ergo. It's shipping weight (with the supplied cymbal stand, which was definitely the heavier of the two) was only 16lbs. It is made out of cherry, and is suprisingly light. The wood also has some definite MWHAH going on, which i like. I Shopped around town, looking for a travel case, but don't know what to use.

As far as feeling like an upright bass...well, the neck IS nice and beefy and the strings look and feel like they are spaced correctly... but you have to realize that there is no body, of course...and that takes some getting used to. Plus the transition to thumb position is essentially nonexistent, so if you are used to using the body of your bass for pitch reference, then you will have to rethink your approach.

There are several other Ergo owners on this site as well, and it was because of their reccomendations that i made the purchase. I'd have to say that i am highly satisfied, but i am also "A Newbie", at least to upright.

ps.- the guy who makes these-Jesse Blue- is a really cool, and laid-back guy, at least in email correspondence. I must have emailed him a dozen times with a whole slew of questions and concerns before making a purchase, and as you can probably tell, i tend to over-write. Just go to his website and get his email there, he could probably provide more insight than anyone else on this forum.

Anyay, enough abusing my forum privelages...

Welcome to TBDB Funky. I think you're overly concerned about the size and loading problems concerning a DB. I drive a hatchback...I can put two DBs in there back to back. My big 7/8 bass, stool and amp fit in there along with another passenger and plenty room for other stuff!
With your van, you won't have a problem at all. There's only one way to get that DB sound and feell! To get that real DB sound, you don't need those huge amps and racks. Alot of us use little polytone 12 inchers.
This isn't an ad to sell this bass, because I don't want to ship it....but I have an Englehardt i'm selling for $900, so you CAN get a beginner DB for a hundred bucks more than the Ergo!

as far as the racks and cabs go, I use all of that stuff for my electric basses,which is my primary instrument...I have an 8 space rack, a 410 cab, a 115 cab and soon to be lugging around 2 electric basses in a Mitsubishi expo :) (thank God for roadies to get all of that stuff out!)

it will still be a few months before i make a decision one way or the other, however I really do like Engleheardts...of course I've only played them and Epiphone uprights(which rock!)

please keep the comments coming!

thanks a lot!!!

I really do like Engleheardts...of course I've only played them and Epiphone uprights(which rock!)
!

You need to look around......you need to experience what it sounds and feels like to play a real CARVED bass. Even if you can't afford to buy one now, you have to HAVE that sound and feel in yourself in order to make any kind of judgement on a cheaper bass! And believe me, Epiphones do not ROCK as you put it, compared to a carved bass!!

for what I would want it for, old Epiphones do rock...that is my opinion. I love them and they're not that expensive to get a hold of. I'm not planning on throwing down tons of cash on a first upright...so something in the sub $1000 dollar range is fine for me.

Well, I bought an EUB (Ergo actually). Sold it -- I mean, it's "good for the price" I guess. But really, you owe it to yourself to play some "good" basses before plonking down that much money. Even though they're cheap for an EUB, they're not cheap like a Fender Squier P-bass for $120 -- we're in a different league here. I've bought (used) and sold dozens of slab basses before settling on my Fender Jazz. But you don't really have that luxury (without tons of patience and cash) with an URB.

So once you've accepted that you're gonna spend some dough, and you're gonna be stuck with what you buy for a while, I think it makes a good bit of sense to try out all your options. I just went ahead and bought the Ergo. Once I played a "real", carved upright I knew the Ergo was done. I ended up getting a great deal ($1000) for a 50-year old carved German upright, and sinking another $600 in repairs. Now I have a bass that's worth $3500, not that I'd sell it...

Don't get me wrong -- the Ergo has its uses; mostly high-volume and latin gigs. But I found that if there's any way in hell I could take the real upright, I would. So I sold the Ergo.

From your profile, it looks like you have some killer basses on your GAS list. Thus I take it you're a bit of a gear snob :D So am I. Trust me on this:

Epiphone URB : Good Carved URB ::
Modulus/Fodera : Fender Squier P-bass. w/ warped neck.

for what I would want it for, old Epiphones do rock...that is my opinion. I love them and they're not that expensive to get a hold of. I'm not planning on throwing down tons of cash on a first upright...so something in the sub $1000 dollar range is fine for me.

I just purchased a 5 string Ergo EUB and love it. It is a little different than playing an accoustic upright but if you couldnt tell that by looking at it than... well we won't go there.

This instrument has a lot lower action than most upright basses and I actually found that to be a lot of fun. It is really easy to play and there is no ring in the sound of the strings. This instrument is light easy to transport and deserves a much higher price tag. I recommend making the purchase before the price goes up or someone offers to purchase the company. Either way these are bound to go up in price.

Sincerely,

Paul M.

Bought my Ergo just to practice late at night so as to not disturb the neighbors. IMO, the ergo is so-so and not a very good substitute for something real. An Englehardt w/ a good setup will def be better. The construction of my Ergo is mediocre, the varnish is now gumming up between the strings and the connection to the drum-cymbal mount still loose. Even despite those two things, the feel is definitely not the same. The mount on the cymbal stand makes it stand straight up and totally static. A little awkward compare to being able to freely lean a DB in any direction as your playing needs. Fingerboard isn't the same as a DB... my RH thumb makes an uncomfy 90 degree bend resting on the Ergo when playing pizz. On a real fingerboard, you only make contact on 50% of your thumb's pad allowing much more comfortable angle for your thumb. For some reason, I want to describe it feeling very "tight" or "tense" compared to my Chrissy.

Sounds totally nasal, lacks the depth and warmth that a REALBASS has. Maybe if you dialed it in just right with EQ you might get some usable sounds. Just listen to that Gregory Bruce Cambell link I put up on another thread - still very thin sounding. IFIWU, I'd save my pennies, look for a REALBASS, an Azola Bugbass, an Eminence Portable bass, or a David Gage Czech-Ease.

Come to think of it, I'd look into a Mathias Thoma Jazz bass... http://www.steveswanguitars.com/Gallery/Thoma/MT-23%20EL4/
Price seems right, but how's it sound? I wouldn't know. Prob better than an Ergo is my guess. For now, it does what I need it for, but I wouldn't play it for anyone else's ears.

EDIT: I didn't read WARTBUTTON's first post carefully - and ditto on his second post. I'd prob go for an Engle like the one he's selling over the Thoma I just mentioned. Englehardt's have been tested over an over by others on this forum and is probably a safe bet.

You're not really going to get an upright sound from an Ergo, more like a giant fretless BG. I second what a couple of other TBers said about playing some good basses before putting down money and making a more informed decision. It sounds like you got plenty of gear and if you're going for an upright sound you should get something that really nails it. If EUB, save your money and get a better one like Azola, Knutson Messenger, Eminence etc. I just have a feeling the Ergo won't do it for you. :cool:

I'd buy Paul's Engelhart-- that is one hell of a deal. There is no substitute for a double bass.

I just got one instrument of the Ergo type but with 6 strings.
And the problem with the low C (as I tuned) is that I hardly can play it as it is very noisy. I´ve always to compensate heavily with the equalizer of my bass combo. Is this a general problem of instruments with this low string, is this lowest string to be critical also with other instruments? I´ve no idear. Or is this just bad luck for me.

I just got one instrument of the Ergo type but with 6 strings.
And the problem with the low C (as I tuned) is that I hardly can play it as it is very noisy. I´ve always to compensate heavily with the equalizer of my bass combo. Is this a general problem of instruments with this low string, is this lowest string to be critical also with other instruments? I´ve no idear. Or is this just bad luck for me.
Having either a low C or low B, as I do, is not a problem in a real double bass. Of course adjustment by a pro luthier is a MUST on any instrument. I can't speak at all for the Ergo or any other bass-type instrument.
Please give us a little more info in your profile, so we can better understand your needs and all that good stuff.
Sounds like you're on the fence and haven't quite decided to jump off on the DB side? :hiding:

I just got one instrument of the Ergo type but with 6 strings.
And the problem with the low C (as I tuned) is that I hardly can play it as it is very noisy. I´ve always to compensate heavily with the equalizer of my bass combo. Is this a general problem of instruments with this low string, is this lowest string to be critical also with other instruments? I´ve no idear. Or is this just bad luck for me.


What do you mean exactly by noisy. Is the string action too low? Is it hitting the fingerboard, causing the noise?

Does it change depending on the amount of diggin in you do?

Does the string just feel loose to begin with?

Come to think of it, I'd look into a Mathias Thoma Jazz bass... http://www.steveswanguitars.com/Gallery/Thoma/MT-23%20EL4/
.

Just a warning here: now way, under any circumstances will I do biz with Steve Swan again. I don't want to take up space in this thread to go into details, but forewarned is forearmed...

Again, if you're on your way to a real DB, stopping off at that Thoma on the Swan sight isn't the way to go. It may have more of an acoustic sound than the Ergo, but those things are SO skinny, they're uncomfortable to play...at least from a real DB standpoint. As I mentioned on another thread, it's important (for me at least ) to feel those big ribs and the sound vibrations moving through them. Also, to be comfortable moving into the upper positions, the bulk around the neck and shoulder area plays an important role as a guide into the thumb positions.

Just a warning here: now way, under any circumstances will I do biz with Steve Swan again. I don't want to take up space in this thread to go into details, but forewarned is forearmed...

Interesting... this guy (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1608792&postcount=13) seemed to have a stellar experience with Steve Swan. :confused:

I know i mentioned the Thoma in an earlier post, but I have NO IDEA what that thing is like. I just thought it would be closer in terms of feel w/ an DB than an EUB. I mentioned it cuz it is an option and it seems that nobody has really looked at one.

I'm sure that thin body isn't enough to generate any big sounds comparable to a DB anyway. Seems like Paul is the only that has voiced any kind of experience with it (is that true?). Only one way to find out. But when that Thoma sells for $900-1000, I'm pretty suspcious that it's not all that great. Is it me or is it a little bit of CCB I smell?

I think it's unanimous that if you want to learn to play a DB, go buy a DB and don't bother ****ing around with a substitute for all the previously mentioned reasons.

The "Mathias Thoma Jazz" is the same as WWBW "Florea" brand.

http://www.wwbw.com/Florea-Thin-Body-Jazz-Bass-i93748.music

WWBW is one of the safest and best companies I've ever purchased from. (although I didn't buy this bass from them - yet :-)

I'm sure that thin body isn't enough to generate any big sounds comparable to a DB anyway. Seems like Paul is the only that has voiced any kind of experience with it (is that true?).
Yeah diddy, I tried a couple of those at some store in Chicago once. Absolutely a very faint acoustic sound. They even had outside liners on the ribs which cut down the little rib vibrating area even more!! You need some rib DEPTH to move that sound around. :scowl:

[QUOTE=ssab67]What do you mean exactly by noisy.

Yes right the string is hitting the fingerboard when I move my fingers.
It´s bouncing between my finger and the board between rising or pressing my fingers. It´s getting better when I stop the amplitude with my right hand after the touch of the string. The lone string swings without complications. It sounds like the metallic touch of the bassist of latest Korn Album. I find no better comparison.

I really wonder how an expensive EUB would perform with the C or H.

snip...Seems like Paul is the only that has voiced any kind of experience with it (is that true?). Only one way to find out. But when that Thoma sells for $900-1000, I'm pretty suspcious that it's not all that great. Is it me or is it a little bit of CCB I smell?

I think it's unanimous that if you want to learn to play a DB, go buy a DB and don't bother ****ing around with a substitute for all the previously mentioned reasons.

I sat in with The Jug Addicts (a Brooklyn-based jug band) for two songs on one of those skinny BSO at the Barbès bar, last june. I could play it, but it has a thin acoustic sound so, as mentioned several time before, you won't learn to make DB ring on it. Barely less bulky than the real thing. I am not sure that the "better than nothin" argument is valid. Once you buy such a thing for slightly less $ than an Englehardt, you're stuck with it, the resel value is rather low.

Ive been looking into one of these Ergos, because ive heard from several ppl that they are really good, I under stand that there are better basses out there, there always is and there always will be. I cant really spend more that $1000USD. plus im really into haveing a wider range that just 4 strings. so Im looking at the 6 string EUB model, along with my soon to be fretless conklin gt-7 and my next perchase of a conklin gtbd-7. :bassist:

I am not sure that the "better than nothin" argument is valid. Once you buy such a thing for slightly less $ than an Englehardt, you're stuck with it, the resel value is rather low.

Better than nothin? I don't remember saying anything like that but oh well.

No I agree, I think it's not a good choice for a first DB. Looking at things again, for myself it maybe would've been a better choice to get one of these than a Ergo. I just wanted something that had a similar shape and feel as a DB for practicing late at night, in which case NO noise and NO sound was better. The Ergo feels kinda awkward for this purpose for reasons I mentioned before, but I'm sure it fits someone elses bill.

I bought an Ergo...and I really really enjoy it! for live use it's great, I'm gonna be picking up an acoustic DB though for practicing purposes....and If i like it better mic'ed than I may sell my Ergo, but for live stuff this thing deffinately kicks some serious booty!

I bought an Ergo...and I really really enjoy it! for live use it's great, I'm gonna be picking up an acoustic DB though for practicing purposes....and If i like it better mic'ed than I may sell my Ergo, but for live stuff this thing deffinately kicks some serious booty!

Um... if you haven't tried a real DB before your Ergo you're in a for a surprise. Put it this way, I won't be surprised if you end up selling your Ergo. I don't think it even holds a candle to even a basic level DB.

Um... if you haven't tried a real DB before your Ergo you're in a for a surprise. Put it this way, I won't be surprised if you end up selling your Ergo. I don't think it even holds a candle to even a basic level DB.
im sure i cant but im not going to spend 2000 on a decent DB.

plus i like the idea of a 6 string upright :bassist:

im sure i cant but im not going to spend 2000 on a decent DB.

plus i like the idea of a 6 string upright :bassist:

5 string yes, 6 string? I don't think they make them on a real bass. 'Sides... why? Only plank spankers need more than 5. IMO, it's hard enough with just 4... I don't need another string to worry about intonation with. :crying:

IMO, I'd save your pennies up and buy an Englehardt for $1200 IIWY.

well I have played several uprights before from Englhardt, old Epiphones, Slap Kings, and a few Juzeks (which were great)...but I opted to get this due to size....fits in the van alot easier than a DB would....I absolutely love this thing, but I think I wanna sell it so that I can get an Englehardt to play with....but overall I think it's a great bass that's lots of fun to play....would be great for Latin music, or jazz....but it's not my cup o' tea for bluegrass....because I have to bring my amp around to go to practice .....but it's great none the less

5 string yes, 6 string? I don't think they make them on a real bass. 'Sides... why? Only plank spankers need more than 5. IMO, it's hard enough with just 4... I don't need another string to worry about intonation with. :crying:

IMO, I'd save your pennies up and buy an Englehardt for $1200 IIWY.

Idk if there are factory made urb's that have 6 strings, but doesn't ratso harris play a six string urb?

My Ergo arrived yesterday. Excellent fit and finish, an absolutely beautiful piece of Walnut and light as a feather. The stand weighs more than the bass. :cool:

I took it to rehearsal last night and ran it straight into the church sound system. WOW! A deep, woody, boom. Very DB like.
Of course I had to listen to all the, "Hey, somebody stole the bottom half of your bass" jokes, but the guys were impressed with the quality of the sound. I strung it with Superflexibles and they seem like a good choice for now.

I'm still puttering around with setup, but I LIKE this bass.:D

Outstanding, Eric.. Glad you like it.

It's good to read a good initial review of an Ergo! There have been quite a few uncomplimentary things said about them on Talkbass thus far. Scattered among those have been a few genuinely happy owners' remarks.

Keep posting about your experiences with the Ergo.. the sound, the playability, all of it. For those of us who have, or who are contemplating getting, one, it's invaluable to hear.

It's an interesting and simple EUB design, which Jesse doesn't intend to compete with a either a full blown DB or a high end $$$ EUB like an NS.

An Ergo looks to me like one might fit in nicely with my small collection of inexpensive, but agreeable and usable, bass guitars. :) I'm probably going to make the short drive down to Chattatown to try out one at Jesse's place.

"Let's get the gig done and go home.." and affordable instruments can get the job done. Thanks, Jesse...

i love mine...I run it with a Sansamp Acoustic preamp for my Slamgrass band....man this thing is soooooooo easy to lug around/amplify....and I can make it sound super thick so it does GREAT for bluegrass....I am however saving up for an Emenince because my favorite bluegrass bassist, Ben Kaufman of YMSB, uses one and I LOVE his tone....

i only have one beef with the stick...the stupid peice in the back that goes into the cymbal stand has come loose....I emailed Jesse and he said to take it out and epoxy it....but I haven't had a chance to yet...and that's my ONLY beef with it

great product for a GREAT price

Okay, I'll bite...what's "slamgrass"?

i only have one beef with the stick...the stupid peice in the back that goes into the cymbal stand has come loose....I emailed Jesse and he said to take it out and epoxy it....but I haven't had a chance to yet...and that's my ONLY beef with it
Mine came loose upon arrival. I don't think I'm going to bother to epoxy it. IMO, that connector to the cymbal stand is real hokey. I'll probably remove the mount altogether and build my own. Maybe something out of wood or metal that's a monopod and I can mimic eminence's foot to do it too along with a body rest. The cymbal stand just doesn't do it for me.

Mine came loose upon arrival. I don't think I'm going to bother to epoxy it. IMO, that connector to the cymbal stand is real hokey. I'll probably remove the mount altogether and build my own. Maybe something out of wood or metal that's a monopod and I can mimic eminence's foot to do it too along with a body rest. The cymbal stand just doesn't do it for me.
The jury is still out on the stand. It does support the Ergo well and in any position I want and even more importantly, I can walk away from the instrument and know it will be in exactly the same place when I return.
But I agree that the connector could be a potential problem area, and the stand does rattle a bit when I'm low on the E string. It doesn't come through the pickup though.

Let us know when you figure out a monopod?

well we were having trouble determaining what genre we are because we're not straightup bluegrass....So I heard the term Slamgrass a long time ago in regaurds to high energy bluegrass....I liked the term and we've adapted it to form our own genre...

Slamgrass as a style can be defined as---New age bluegrass (newgrass),mixed with dirty jug band music, and major old time appalacian influences (our banjo player mostly plays clawhammer).....

so yah that's Slamgrass :)

We are starting to build a huge following...I think the fact that we're all under 21 and playing this style is really drawing people's attention...

I guess you could say if Yonder Mountain String Band and the Old Crow Medicine Show had a kid it would be us....The Algood Potato Association :D

OH BTW: I found something kinda fun the other day...

Lately I have been playing the Ergo sans tripod. Why? Cuz I have this weird noise rule in my apt. building that if I bother the neighbors after hours that I could get fined. It was the reason why I got the Ergo in the first place, but found that it still transfers alot of energy into the floor. Since I don't want to give anybody any reason to complain, I've been making and effort trying to isolate the bass.

So this is what I found that was kinda nifty. You don't have to make any mods:

1. Collapse the shaft so that it's completely closed and remove it from the legs.
2. Find a chair. Ones with a flat seat seem to be better.
3. Reset the angled connector so that it the shaft is paralell with the ground. The angle of the stick itself should be whatever you like it at.
4. Sit down on the chair and put the shaft under your left leg to hold it down. Essentially you're just sitting on it.

VOILA! Instant seated position! And you don't look like you're playing a cello. Just make sure you put enough weight down so that the stick doesn't lean over on you. You can sit in it normally and bring the bass in as close as you need, and you probably won't get any back problems unless your'e doing something funny. I like mine where it's oriented like a Real Bass and where I'm not sitting underneath the stick itself.

I've also been playing with the idea of making an attachment for the shaft that will acts as crossbar to keep everything from twisting/leaning over on me. I've been sitting on this super flat dining chair - the cheap one I got from IKEA. I just put a pillow underneath me to isolate the stand from the chair.

One caveat tho: I'm tall enough (5'10") that the nut is just about the right height. If you're shorter, it may not work for you.

Try it, you might like it! :)

I'll be durned,,,,,,it works. :D

Cool idea, especially sinceI don't have a lot of space in my practice area (read: office)

Since I haven't played an EUB yet, I have to ask-

If you were playing an Ergo seated, in a regular chair, not a stool- how long a tailpin (I think that's the correct term) would be needed to play it correctly?

Jesse might offer an adjustable tailpin, with a rubber foot, as an option, as opposed to the big ol' cymbal stand set up. I don't know, haven't asked him. I bet he would do it as a custom order.

If you were playing an Ergo seated, in a regular chair, not a stool- how long a tailpin (I think that's the correct term) would be needed to play it correctly?


I dunno... when the shaft is short, it's extends way pass my skinny A$$ that's for sure! :) I would think I don't want it stopping halfway past my thigh... that would be uncomfy. Don't think it would work on a stool nor where the chair seat has too much of a curve.

I should patent my idea before Jesse gets a hold of it... the Bass Chair. :D

Michael, the Ergo doesn't use an endpin. It's supported by the stand attachment on the back.

Eric- yeah, I knew it comes with the cymbal stand and all that.

The stand setup is for players who want to play standing up, or on a stool.

I was just wondering if an Ergo would work well if built with an endpin/tailpin, for those who might want to play it sitting down (not on a stool.).

I'm sure Jesse could build it that way. I'll give him a holler and get the facts.

Gotcha. Let us know what he says, OK? I'm one of those who can never leave anything stock. gotta mod it :hyper:

Eric- haven't caught Jesse in yet.. will keep trying.

You Ergo owners- If you take it off the stand and set the instrument upright on the floor- and then sit down to play in a normal height chair, like a folding chair, what is the reach like- can you comfortably reach up to the lowest positions? In general, can you play the instrument comfortably in this posture?

That's the question here- if it can be played like that, then the endpin idea will definitely work.

The nut is at shoulder height for me sitting in the desk chair, so that makes it a little low for my taste. It's playable, but I'd want some sort of bout attached if I were going to play it off the stand.:)

IMO, End-pin doesn't work without the upper bout or a facsimile. The balance is all off as it is. I already tried it and it doesn't work for me. It's already hard enough trying to shift to the right spot, much less managing to keep the thing from flying out of your left hand.

Hello all,

I work at a private, non-profit school and my son plays bass in the jazz band. The school is interested in the 4 string Ergo for the jazz band. I emailed an inquiry to the JesseBlu74@aol.com address but havent heard back. Anyone have any ideas on how to get in touch???

Thanks,
Dave

Jesse seems good about emailing back.

Also, I know he puts them up on EBAY.

Jesse seems good about emailing back.

Also, I know he puts them up on EBAY.

Yep, I guess my email wasn't gettin to him, I found one he had on ebay and I did the "ask seller a question" thing and he got right back to me. Thanks.

Im thinking about getting a four string ergo for my birthday...I have a question though...what kind of strings do you put on it? DB strings or electric bass strings?

How many electric sets are 42" scale? :cool:

Fret-less, the Ergo is 42" scale. Use your favorite URB strings. I've gone to LaBella nylons since I don't do any arco and they give a nice thump.

Im looking to purchase an EUB and was wondering if any one had any sound samples of an Ergo?

WoJ

(PS: Hello all! Nice forum uv got here! :) )

My Ergo arrived yesterday. Excellent fit and finish, an absolutely beautiful piece of Walnut and light as a feather.


Hi!

I´m just curious - how long did you have to wait for it?

I´ve ordered one 4string 25 feb 2005....and still waiting.


Regards
TompaD

You should email Jesse and bug him about your bass. Took me a few months as well.

Hi everybody.
I am from Denmark, Europe and want to know if Ergo sends basses out of USA? I have written him, but haven´t recieved an answer yet :crying:

It has been done now, thank you :p

So..... a couple of ? more:

Does Ergo instruments still exist?
How long time does an order normaly take?

Just want to let everybody know that I´m in contact with Jesse from Ergo instuments and I have placed an order on a 5-string EUB.
He has been really great to correspond with and I´m sure that the bass will make me happy.

So no problems.

Just got my new Ergo 4 string EUB. Sounds great - much closer to URB than fretless BG. Workmanship is very good. Solid mahogany with position markers. 42" scale certainly stretches the hand. I'll post pics soon. Off to rehearsal tonight - can't wait to hear it in a full band setting. :hyper:

Eggman

I am happy to report the Ergo EUB sounded great last night at rehearsal in a full band setting. Played it through my Bose PAS system with the acoustic bass preset - darn good.

This thing is a joy to play and easy on the wallet. Next I will pick up a bow to try arco on it.

I have just recieved mine today, a eub 5, it is fantastic. The friends I had around tonight couldn't believe how something so small could sound so much like an Upright. I had been playing with a cheap 3/4 chinese bass this weekend off and on with some friends, and the ergo blew it out of the water for sound, for about 500 dollars less, according to the friend who owned the double bass. I don't think it sounds anything like a standard fretless, and I've got a fretless bass and play it regularly. One thing I truly appreciate is the 3/4 scale length. The low b on this definitely doesn't sound floppy or distorted whatsoever, and this is one five string I won't be converting over to my standard High-C setup, eadgc. Anyways, I'll get some recording done with my friends soon and will post on the link below. Sorry to semi-hijack, but I was going to make a new thread when I saw yours freshly posted. These ergo's are worth every penny imho. I would like to play some higher end URB's for comparison, which I'm sure isn't much, but for the price, this bass is hot. :hyper:

...for the price, this bass is hot. :hyper:

+1

I leave mine set up and play it every time I walk past it. No worries about the hijack - we can use this thread as an Ergo feedback thread. I would like to try a 5 string. Guess I will add on in the future!!

Hey, welcome to the Ergo Owners Club! Heh, don't know why I'm saying that since I'm a total URB noob! :p

BUT! I currently own Ergo number 0005! Which is a solid purpleheart 5 string that had been converted to EADGC. I'm currently converting it back to BEADG and stringing it with a set of LaBella Supernils. I'm going to have to modify the tuners just a bit to fit the supernils but that should be easy, and after a few tests tonight, it looks like I will be able to successfully bump a Supernil E over to B. I chose the Supernils because I wanted a very low tension string and these look like they will work just fine!

What kind of strings did Jesse put or your Ergos? I would like to know for future reference.

Also, could one of you post a pic of the mounting system where the stand attaches to the bass? I want to see what it looks like because Jesse has offered to upgrade mine to that since mine is done a little different and i'm having problems with it.

Thanks, congrats on your new EUBs!

Hi Ergo owners.
I just got a Ergo 5 string yesterday but I am not as happy as you. The finish is really great, it is so beautiful but......

The bridge is so low that the C string literally is flying over it. Further more this string is also frayed! The bridge being so low doesn´t offer the best opportunitie for the vibrations to reach the amp and the sound to be great so the bass doesn´t have any resonans at all. My frettless sounds much closer to a DB.
Jesse will send me a new bridge and a new sting, I hope that this will make me glad.

Have any of you changed the strings? I think they are rather cheap once and a new and better set would make it sound way better.

And Justice: Does your Ergo sound good without your Behringer BDI21? (I know that we have been talking about this before - sorry). I can see that there is to models of that Behringer BDI21, one of them named "Acoustic" and the other one named "bass", which one would you recommend?

Hi Ergo owners.
I just got a Ergo 5 string yesterday but I am not as happy as you. The finish is really great, it is so beautiful but......

The bridge is so low that the C string literally is flying over it. Further more this string is also frayed! The bridge being so low doesn´t offer the best opportunitie for the vibrations to reach the amp and the sound to be great so the bass doesn´t have any resonans at all. My frettless sounds much closer to a DB.
Jesse will send me a new bridge and a new sting, I hope that this will make me glad.

Have any of you changed the strings? I think they are rather cheap once and a new and better set would make it sound way better.

And Justice: Does your Ergo sound good without your Behringer BDI21? (I know that we have been talking about this before - sorry). I can see that there is to models of that Behringer BDI21, one of them named "Acoustic" and the other one named "bass", which one would you recommend?

That is surprising - you would think Jesse would have seen all that before shipping. My experience with the Ergo is obviously short - but has been very positive. I have not changed strings. I do know that Jesse buys his strings in bulk, non-name brand from China - so probably of lower quality. My strings are fine for now. Jesse and I had a couple of conversations about action and string height. My bridge is set up well - string height is fairly DB-like. I play mine through my Bose PAS (CR) system and it sounds great - no pre-amp or effects. My band mates dig its sound and have requested it be played on some songs previously tagged for BG.

Good luck - I hope Jesse makes this right for you.

And Justice: Does your Ergo sound good without your Behringer BDI21? (I know that we have been talking about this before - sorry). I can see that there is to models of that Behringer BDI21, one of them named "Acoustic" and the other one named "bass", which one would you recommend?

I'm in the process of restringing mine right now (waiting for one more string, had to send one back for an exchange) but remember, mine is only the 5th Ergo that Jesse made, he may have made improvements to the tone circuit. That said, when i tested it with the strings that came on it (not the original strings) I was just playing through headphones plugged into my mixer. I got what (IMO) was a good sound going direct into the mixer, but when I used the Behringer BDI21 as a sort of "preamp" into the mixer, I got what I thought was a nicer, fuller sound.

I just recieved the Behrigner ADI21 (acoustic DI box) this week and have not had a chance to try it out yet. When I get my string situation sorted out, I'll try it and let you know.

Eggman, are you using a sub with your Bose PAS? I have some friends that use them and I could see how it would work well for an EUB.

Once I get a few hours on mine I hope to replace my electric bass with the Ergo one some songs during our shows as well.

Eggman, are you using a sub with your Bose PAS? I have some friends that use them and I could see how it would work well for an EUB.

Justice - I use 2 subs as Bose suggests for bass.

Yes, I must say that it was a little disappointing to play it the day I got it. My expectations was high but the bass just didn´t sing and had no warm and DB-like sound at all. I really hope that a new bridge will do it. By the way - what is your string height at the bridge? And how much does the string press on the bridge, I mean can you easily pull them away from the bridge?

This being said I must state that the bass is absolutely beautiful and the finish is in top! And Jesse has through out the process been great to correspond with.

Does anyone have some sound samples with their Ergos?

What about to tone control on the back of the bass? I do not think that it change the sound much?

Hi Ergo owners.....

Would some of you reveal your string height (e.g. at the second octave)?

Yes, I must say that it was a little disappointing to play it the day I got it. My expectations was high but the bass just didn´t sing and had no warm and DB-like sound at all. I really hope that a new bridge will do it. By the way - what is your string height at the bridge? And how much does the string press on the bridge, I mean can you easily pull them away from the bridge?



Did you get the new bridge yet? How did it work out for you?

I bought a 4 string Ergo last year. When I bought it I had never played URB at all, so Jesse said he would set it up with low action to make the transition easier. After a year of playing it I'm ready to increase the action so I was thinking about asking Jesse if he would sell me a new bridge.

I have the 4 string Ergo and run the same Thomastic Sprial Core (reds) on the Ergo as I do on my 3/4 German Upright.

Good sound, good tone and the feel is almost identical to my acoustic with these strings.

Lots of people who hear the Ergo and play it like it and I've personally recommended the bass to quite a few folks as it is really a good bargain at the low price.

Run mine through a Gallien Krueger MB150 combo and it delivers close to acoustic (plugged in acoustic) sound.

I run an underwood pickup on the acoustic, intonation is great on the Ergo, only problem I've had in almost the year I've used it is the solder holding the wires on the pickups under the bridge have broken free and I've had to resolder them.

Just wish there was a hard shell case available for its 55" length.

I've got a 4 string Ergo that I bought off Jesse last fall, for the money I can't say enough good things about it.

Does it sound as good as my 3/4 German Bass plugged into my amp. No it doesn't but it does sound pretty damn good and has excellent tone as close to any EUB I've heard in the top line big money bass's.

Playability is excellent and the setup it came with is excellent, I installed Thomastic Sprial Core (reds) on the bass immediately upon receiving it. Feel is virtually the same as the Acoustic German upright.

I bought it because I've been lugging around the 3/4 bass for 10 -12 yrs now to gigs and jams and needed to have a van or SUV to tote it around. I always ended up driving the band as we needed the vehicle to transport the bass.

Further to that I developed some tearing and pulling of muscles in my left hand and carpal tunnel in the left wrist and extended playing of the acoustic caused considerable pain during rehearsals and jamming.

The Ergo has solved all those problems and my hands and fingers didn't cramp during this summers touring and playing schedule at all.

The EUB is easier to play physically and sounds great overall, does it meet the standard of the Acoustic on stage ? No but it certainly does the job. Stays in tune better and is a hell of alot easier to transport around.

Plug into a GKMB 150 combo amp with both acoustic and Ergo and don't have to juggle any settings other than volume on the amp all the eq's remain the same.

Used an Ampeg Baby bass with this amp and liked the sound (similar but not as good as the Ergo) but couldn't keep the damn thing in tune at outside festival gigs and it was a lot bulkier.

Overall I love the Ergo for the money, would I have a high end EUB ...............yep if I could afford to layout $4000 - 5000 you bet.

I just don't hear that much difference in the bass's to justify saving up to do so, win the lottery and then I'll consider it.

Just wish there was a hard shell case available for its 55" length.

I use an expandable fishing rod carrier. I think these might work too: www.sportube.com

Eggman

That case looks as though it might just work out well, have you got one and if so how do you like it.

I'm in Ontario Canada so likely I'll have to import it....

Currently using a snowboard case but it is big and bulky, Jesse didn't have any of the long bow cases when I bought my Ergo so I compromised.

Cold damn winters up here and I wanted to protect the bass.

Always afraid of damage with the soft case though, that's actually how the wires came loose on the pickup this time I believe as the bridge got bumped around.

Heading for Nashville in October so I want a case that will protect the bass for the 15 - 20hr drive with a car crammed full of instruments, equipment and clothes.

I'll be doing some research on the tube to see if I can purchase it locally if you are having good luck with yours let me know.

Email address at home here is skspeedie@bmts.com

Thanks man

That case looks as though it might just work out well, have you got one and if so how do you like it.

I'm in Ontario Canada so likely I'll have to import it....

Currently using a snowboard case but it is big and bulky, Jesse didn't have any of the long bow cases when I bought my Ergo so I compromised.

Cold damn winters up here and I wanted to protect the bass.

Always afraid of damage with the soft case though, that's actually how the wires came loose on the pickup this time I believe as the bridge got bumped around.

Heading for Nashville in October so I want a case that will protect the bass for the 15 - 20hr drive with a car crammed full of instruments, equipment and clothes.

I'll be doing some research on the tube to see if I can purchase it locally if you are having good luck with yours let me know.

Email address at home here is skspeedie@bmts.com

Thanks man

I had a fishing pole case and it worked well. I don't travel much with my equipment so I am currently using the long bow case (www.thebowman.com). I like the looks like the single pair ski case would work well.

Did you get the new bridge yet? How did it work out for you?

I bought a 4 string Ergo last year. When I bought it I had never played URB at all, so Jesse said he would set it up with low action to make the transition easier. After a year of playing it I'm ready to increase the action so I was thinking about asking Jesse if he would sell me a new bridge.



Hi
Haven´t got the new bridge yet. In the moment I have placed som matches under the bridge, making it high enough to actually play on the bass. But still the C and D strings are not high enough.
That is why I was wondering how high you other Ergo-guys strings are? I do not hope that it is something with the construction of the bass that is costing me problems.... :help: ...please

I was reading your post regarding thin sound and not warm and thick like a regular upright db.

Not sure if you are aware or not of the problems with peizo pickups having a very high output frequency.

Quite a few amp's do not match well to this high frequency and therefore the sound is quite thin and tin sounding which is not due to the bass or string set up but directly related to the matching problem of the high frequency.

Running a pre-amp such as fishmans B model (cheap but works) will convert that frequency on the output side prior to going to your amp.

Some amps handle the high frequency's with no problem such as the one I run which is a Gallien Krueger MB 150 and I know there are several others on the market as well.

Same thing happens if you line direct to the board, you end up with a thin tinny sound. Directly related to the peizo frequency.

The GK has a built in pre-amp with various eq settings along with filters for contour etc that can be tweaked to roll of the highs etc etc and what ever you set them at for the sound you want is what gets sent to the board on the line out off that back of the amp. The sound guy can then set his board flat and the house is hearing basically what you are hearing. No thin sound just big punchy bottom end bass.

I have the cheaper S version of the GK 150 and therefore the line out is a 1/4 inch jack which is a bit of a pain, I've found that running it to a Di box colours the sound and until recently I had patch cords from 1/4 to XLR so I could go direct to the board. Recently I ran into a 1/4" to XLR adapter with no cord therefore no problems with wire breakage due to high use.

For a couple hundred more dollars the GK - 150 E model is available which has two XLR outputs, one is prior to the pre-amp and one is post pre-amp, this is a nicer amp but I couldn't get one at the time I needed it.

Anyway I would suggest you try a couple amp's or buy yourself a Fishman B pre-amp (cheap at around $40 - 60 US) and you'll likely be pleasantly surprized.

I know if I plug into any Peavy equipment with any instrument with Peizo pickups the sound is aweful unless I run the pre-amp, similar results with Fender amps however the old Traynor tube amps are pretty good as are the new Yorkville.

Good luck and if you really want that Ergo to come alive buy yourself a GK MB 150 of either series ..... you won't be disappointed and as an added bonus if your ever recording the amp has 0 noise ratio on the recording console which always makes the engineer happy as he isn't filtering out various frequency's....

Not sure if you are aware or not of the problems with peizo pickups having a very high output frequency.
[snip]

I suppose you meant very high impedance?
It's true that piezo pickups need an input with a very impedance to avoid loading and the thin sound you described.

Hey, welcome to the Ergo Owners Club! Heh, don't know why I'm saying that since I'm a total URB noob! :p

BUT! I currently own Ergo number 0005! Which is a solid purpleheart 5 string that had been converted to EADGC. I'm currently converting it back to BEADG and stringing it with a set of LaBella Supernils. I'm going to have to modify the tuners just a bit to fit the supernils but that should be easy, and after a few tests tonight, it looks like I will be able to successfully bump a Supernil E over to B. I chose the Supernils because I wanted a very low tension string and these look like they will work just fine!

What kind of strings did Jesse put or your Ergos? I would like to know for future reference.

Also, could one of you post a pic of the mounting system where the stand attaches to the bass? I want to see what it looks like because Jesse has offered to upgrade mine to that since mine is done a little different and i'm having problems with it.

Thanks, congrats on your new EUBs!


DId you get this from THor ? IF so i am the original owner of that beast..

My 2p. I am a double bassist and was looking for the whole portabiity thing I have owned 2 Ergo's and was severely unsatisfied with both.

The tone was soo nasily and thin that it had no bottomewhat soever. However, Jesse told me b4 i bought that you absolutely had to run these things through a preamp. That helped but to my DB ears they just didn't cut it.

DId you get this from THor ? IF so i am the original owner of that beast..

My 2p. I am a double bassist and was looking for the whole portabiity thing I have owned 2 Ergo's and was severely unsatisfied with both.

The tone was soo nasily and thin that it had no bottomewhat soever. However, Jesse told me b4 i bought that you absolutely had to run these things through a preamp. That helped but to my DB ears they just didn't cut it.


Hi DZ, I got the 0005 from Joe Turski, who got it from Thor. So now I have e-met all of the previous owners of 0005!

I'm still in the process of changing out the strings on it and converting it back to BEADG, problem has occured that Quinn's is out of Supernils (aparently I got the last set they had in stock) and I need an extra E so they are trying to track one down for me.

As for the preamp, I have noted the same thing. When I plug the Ergo direct into my mixer, the sound is very thin. But when i used my Behringer BDI21 Pre/DI box, it fattened it up nicely. I also picked up Behringers ADI21 Acoustic Pre/DI box but have not had a chance to try it with the Ergo.

It should work out fine for me since I'm not really after the acoustic UB sound, but the visual style of the EUB.

I converted it to E-C since the b string articulation sounded like a well articulated fart. I mean it worked for what i needed it for
(touring and little stages) but after that stuff was over i went back to doghouse..

BTW, the purpleheart 5 weighs about 5 tons more than the mahogany 4 that i also owned. I had eurosonics on that and it really woke up the bass.

best of luck.

You got it, from what I understand they can run up to 90,000hz (measured in frequency)

Hi
Haven´t got the new bridge yet. In the moment I have placed som matches under the bridge, making it high enough to actually play on the bass. But still the C and D strings are not high enough.
That is why I was wondering how high you other Ergo-guys strings are? I do not hope that it is something with the construction of the bass that is costing me problems.... :help: ...please

Jesse set mine up with low action, it is about .15". I have a little buzzing now on the G sting below the 5th "fret" area. I think the action needs to be higher.

Is your fingerboard true ? On the Purpleheart bass that i had i had to completely resurface the fingerboard. IT had more waves than the atlantic ocean...accounting for much buzzing.

....

Thanks - I didn´t really know that. I will try out some preamps to make myself happier.

BTW: I just got the new bridge (and a new C-string). I just have to fit the height myself.

I wasn't watching this thread. Mine sounds great, but I asked him to set the action as close to an upright as possible as I'll most likely be using my college's DB at some point for jazz ensemble when school starts. I wanted something that was physically similar so I can get my hands used to the mechanics required. I'll have to find my tape and measure the distances. I haven't had any issues, mine runs into my m2000 mesa basis head into an avatar 1x12/210 setup, with all the tone controls on the solid state side set flat and it sounds great to me. Only thing i did set was the compressor on the low end so the low notes don't overwhelm my poor 1x12. My 1x12 is great, but the low b on the ergo is a heavy handed sob. I haven't experienced any of the flabbiness or the strings lifting off of the bridge, they have nice tension. I have no idea what brand of strings are on this, if I can find a digital camera, i'll take pics of them, maybe someone can identify. I was playing a cheap chinese DB a while back, and the sound that it made wasn't nearly as sweet as my ergo. The ergo doesn't have that low end bloom that a double had, but for my fingerstyle technique, i thought it sounded more like a double than that chinese DB, which cost a few hundred dollars more. I would love to try a nice 5 string double bass, but they are cost prohibitive right now, not to mention I wouldn't be able to easily bring it around on the bus like this ergo. Thanks for the links on the cases btw, I'm looking at just getting an NS gigbag, that will hold the bass and the stand for about 140 bucks, how much did those fishing rod cases cost?

Does anybody know, where to find these EUBs in Europe?

The ergo's are manufacturer direct, http://www.ergoinstruments.com. Jesse doesn't seem to like email very much , but Just be patient.

I've never had a problem with Jesse contacting me via email, I usually get an answer within an hr or two tops....

I've had excellent post sale support from Jesse and he has been very helpful in suggesting improvement options I've fed back to him.

If you have the right email address he'll likely give you a response in a reasonable period of time <than a day.

Got to remember he is getting busy due to orders and he is a one man shop..........

For the money you can't beat these bass's and Jesse is improving them all the time as he receives feed back....

Good luck and keep trying....

I am looking into purchasing an Ergo EUB and I was wonder if there was anyone in the Chicago-Dekalb area of Illiniois who owns one and would let me try it out see how the feel of the instrument. (or something that would be simaler in feel that I could try out). Thanks in advance

Well, if you ever make your way to central Kentucky, I would be happy to help you out.

I bought a four-string Ergo a year ago and have been very pleased with it. I have mostly played rock, but a neighbor of mine, who is a sax player, got me into playing jazz. I wanted an upright but need something that was portable and not too pricey.

One concern: I have needed to use a compression pedal b/c the G and D strings ring out much louder than the A and E strings.

The action is great and it plays well.

Also, a plug for Jesse: when I first got the bass, I was getting a lot of fret buzz on my A string. I sent it back and he fixed--no hassle at all. He does stand behind his work,

lccben

Funny that yours was louder on the G and D. Mine is a tad louder on the A and E, and the G is particularly softer. I compensate with touch.

I am in the NY/NJ area, so no help on a Chicago audition. FWIW, I think Jesse offers to take the bass back, and refund $$ less the shipping if you're not happy. I was/am happy with mine.
Neal

Has anyone ever tried one of the Ergo 6's? I see a bunch of you mentioning the 5 string version. I'm currently considering purchasing an Ergo, and as I predominantly play 6 string BG I'm considering the 6 string Ergo. Though when it comes down to it, I may just buy a 4 or a 5 when I finally do it. Just thought I'd see if anyone had played one before. ;)

Thanks and have fun!!

I sent Jesse a money order for a 4-stringer today. Now the waiting begins...

I've just joined the Ergo Club- I picked my 4-string up yesterday. I actually bought it back in October, after losing yet another eBay auction for an Ergo, this time a fiver. I emailed Jesse to ask him about something or other and mentioned that I'd lost the auction. He wrote back and said he had several 4-strings on hand, and that the newer mahogany basses were better than the ones on the market as he'd made several improvements. So, since I had some available cash from playing a couple of theatre shows, I said 'heck with it' and bought one.

I intended to go right on down to Chattanooga and pick it up. However, my schedule hasn't permitted it, and so I finally made it down yesterday.

Jesse's a good guy, very funny and friendly. Late 30's, shaved head, long goatee, big tats happening. Big jazz and Star Trek fan. I guess we talked for a good hour and a half about all kinds of things. He had about ten Ergos onsite. Mostly 4's, a few fives, and he had his own 6 which he got out to show.

He gave me a choice between 2 4-strings, with different bridge heights. I chose the one with the lower action.

After a fine lunch at the India Mahal restaurant on Brainerd Rd. (Jesse's recommendation- he's an Indian food freak), I headed back home and tried out the bass.

Overall, I'm pleased with it, and was surprised to find that it wasn't so hard to locate the notes!

More initial impressions to come. I'll take a digipic sometime tonight or tomorrow.

Happy New Year's 2006!

Thanks go to Francois, the EUB forums moderator, for creating the Ergothread.

After a week or so with the Ergo, I've begun investigating the options to improve the basic instrument as I received it.

I'm looking at a number of DB string choices, as recommended by Bob Gollihur. Haven't decided that one yet.

I've pulled the basic piezos and controls, as they hummed quite a bit. Currently, I have put in a piezo film strip pickup from Experimental Musical Instruments. I haven't finalized the replacement piezo pickup system yet- but will be trying several options.

Haven't tracked down a gig bag yet- I've been to several local outdoor supply shops but haven't found a long enough long bow bag to fit the Ergo.

I'll report back on all these things as I decide them. In the meantime, if any of you fellow Ergo owners out there have some input in the areas of pickups, gig bags, and strings, please do share!

I eventually bought the bag that Jesse recommended from the start for the Ergo, at the time of my purchase he did not have any in stock. It is from a bow/archery supply company and Jesse supplies the part #

It works great and is cheap so that was a plus.....

When I ordered my Ergo I had Jesse ship it with only one cheap string on it to hold the bridge in place, I immediately installed a set of Thomastic Spiral Core (reds) on it which is what I run on my 3/4 German Upright.

Pretty good tone etc and I wanted to have the same feel as my upright, the set up is virtually the same as my upright as well.

Initially the A & E strings were louder with deeper tone, I moved the bridge around in the slot area and got significantly different tones and volume depending on placement ( mine has the thin bridge/wide slot).

Didn't see much difference in tone regardless of the position of the tone switch. Did some fiddling around some more with the bridge and finally removed strings and pulled bridge out of slot and discovered one pickup had a broken wire on a peizo.

Tried re-solder etc but ceramic was too badly damaged, suspect damaged during shipping. Contacted Jesse and he immediately sent out a new peizo.

While soldering in new peizo to the pot I jiggled my hand and melted solder joint where the crossover wire is attached to pot.

Resoldered this back on and soldered on new peizo, put the bridge back in and positioned feet on peizo's and reinstalled strings.

Much better sound but had a crackling noise coming through amp... Pulled apart again and discovered other peizo ceramic to be broken as well. Contacted Jesse and he sent me new peizo (all his cost both times, what a great guy !!).

Re-installed peizo, placed foam on front of and back of bridge, aligned feet on peizo's in centre of pads and re-installed strings.

Plugged it in and WoW !! great sound, tone knob works and adjusts tone from thin to fat as required, no more crackling noise, eliminated overtones that I had before and all the strings are of equal volume and good tone, well balanced unit.

It sounds really really good now and just tried it in the recording studio, layed down track with Ergo, layed down track with 3/4 upright German with underwood pickup and you couldn't tell which was which on play back through studio monitors.

Ergo track was given away by a bit of rattling noise in the track which we now figured out is from the stand, with some tightening of joints and better placement on a mat that could be eliminated......

I figure that the pot had a cold solder joint on it from the start and the peizo's were damaged during shipping as a result of not having it fully strung up. My bad........

For the money I can't say enough about the little unit now that I have it dialed in....

Not much more time spent getting it right than I spent getting the underwood peizo's right in my upright. That was a whole other experience in patience and experimentation !!

Hey, I just discovered this thread. What a great resource!

I recently bought the Ergo 6 string, as I'm used to 6 string BG. At that time the recommended case was no longer available from the source Jesse had. I poked around on the web and found out that the bow case was made by NEET. After some more web time I found the Neet NK-RC Strung Recurve Case.
(see http://www.bowhuntingstuff.com/product/NKRC)

The case is available in 62" and 66" lengths. It also has a side pocket that easily fits the tripod. I got the 62" case and my Ergo just fits inside without an inch to spare. If I had it to do over, I'd probably go with the 66"-er.

I played URB for about two years, about 25 years ago. I still found the transition from BG to the Ergo easier than expected. After about the fifth position, or so, I'm able to change to BG fingering up the rest of the neck. Not needing to use thumb positions really helped with the transition.

I'm having some issues with piezo tinniness and unbalanced string response. (D, G & C strings sound fine, while B, E & A have plenty of "thump" but little tone). I'll try moving the bridge around (per Speedster's experience) and I'll try using a pre-amp as recommended.

I live in the SW suburbs of Chicago June through August, So if Ron Now wants to contact me then, you can try out my Ergo.

I just scored a 7 string Ergo on eBay and am expecting delivery very soon. (It was listed as a "7 string electric upright bass" with no mention of Ergo in the title!?). I may have bit off more than I can chew, but it was there and someone had to buy it...

Glad to have found you guys!

Richard

Not sure if the 6 string is alot longer or not but what I did in order to fit my 4 string in the bow bag I have with the folding stand connection still attached is the following.

I used a pipe cutter and lopped off 2 inches of the tubing on the connector, it slides into the receiving end of the cymbol stand and did not need to be as long as it was.

Didn't affect anything at all but now fits in the bag perfectly, I made sure it was exactly the length needed to fit snuggly into the bag prior to cutting so that it wouldn't slide around and possibly damage or move the bridge.

Worked great !!!

I spent some time earlier in the week working with the EMI piezo film.

I've placed the film strip between the bridge and the top of the slot that it rests in. The slot is not wide enough to put the piezo film in the bottom, and then set the bridge on top of it, the way Jesse sets it up.

The problem I ran into was the Ergo bridge is not carved flat on either side. There is some rounding. Therefore, it's hard for the piezo film to make contact over it's entire length, between the body slot and the bridge.

I might try sanding the bridge flat so it will even out the pressure on the strip, then shim the bridge to the top of the slot by placing a long, flat wooden shim behind the bridge.

The film strip is picking up well enough that I am going to continue to work on this setup. Ultimately, I probably will get a K&K pickup and try that out.

I am getting a good sound by plugging the bass into my Raven Labs MDB-1, which has a very high input impedence.

I haven't decided on strings yet- but will be ordering one of the Neet NK-RC 66" bow bags.

Also on the subject of strings- I've emailed Bob Gollihur, who replied that he likes Corelli 370F on his Eminence. He said just to re-read his string descriptions on his website DB strings page, and to make my own choice on them.

I will be playing mostly pizzicato, and some occasional arco. I had decided that I would choose one of these:

Corelli 370F
Pirastro Obligatos (probably the Solos)
Eurosonic Lights

What strings have you other Ergo owners tried on your basses? With the prices of strings, it'd be good to have some sort of consensus going so we can avoid having to buy multiple sets of strings..

Ergo track was given away by a bit of rattling noise in the track which we now figured out is from the stand, with some tightening of joints and better placement on a mat that could be eliminated......

Sheldon- I've noticed the same thing. Piezos pick up any sort of vibration, they don't discriminate between instrument sounds and stand rattles- they all get amplified.

You have to really tighten down the stand thumbscrews to avoid the rattles. I think a heavier construction stand would help a lot- the one that comes with the Ergos is probably an inexpensive model.

Also, like you said, some sort of carpet, or a rubber mat, to place the stand on for recording would be a help.

Have you noticed that it's relatively easy to lift the bass and stand off the floor when doing a position shift upward?

Also on the subject of strings- I've emailed Bob Gollihur, who replied that he likes Corelli 370F on his Eminence.
I don't use an Ergo, but I prefer the 370TX.
They have a bit more tension.
If you don't dig in hard, the Fs are okay though, or if you want a ligther gauge.

I use Thomastic Spiral core (reds) strings and like them real well.

As far as lifting the bass while making quick changes etc I have not had a problem with that.

I have certainly reduced overtones and noise by placing the foam under and on both sides of the bridge.

If I had the dollars I would certainly order myself an Eminence, I tried one from the luthier this yr. at a trade show in Nashville through an MB150S with all the eq's at 12 oclock and man it sounded awesome.

I've got the Ergo sounding pretty close although my eq's are definately in different positions....

I did like the fact that the Eminence could be broken down to a short little pkg.

But at almost $3000 more Canadian .............. its unlikely I'll ever have one !

I own an Ergo 4 string,one of his very very earliest versions and I have always been impressed with it's tone(thats one of the reasons I was drawn to it).like any company from it's start to where it's at today the product will go thru changes and that has been the case with the Ergo EUB's,I have seen some of those changes and can say that no brand is for everyone but for me I'm diggin what Jesse Blu has brought to the table with these very nice(to my ears and a lot of others that have heard it)EUB's.I'm thinking about getting a 5 string EUB from him also.not only does he make a killer EUB,he also makes some very nice and well playing electric guitars and basses.for a great sounding EUB(not to be confused with trying to sound like a tradtional upright bass) just check out the sound bites on his site if you haven't already.I use Thomastic-Infeld Dominant nylon core strings on my 4 string Ergo.

http://www.ergoinstruments.com/

hey this is my first post and I was wondering how close the ergo feels to an upright. ive searched through the forums and couldnt find much. i was also wondering if someone could post a picture of the back of the neck. I just need something to practice on and dont care much about how it sounds just how the neck feels( i realize theres no body), also i dont want to spend more than 1000$ on it, because theres a chance i might get to move overseas for a year so want to get something thats not going to cost a million dollars to ship and when i come back to the states ill just start playing DB again.

I've got a 4 string Ergo and it feels pretty much exactly the same as my German upright. Good feel, nice and thin not thick like some of the cheap chinese bass's on the market.

I have ordered an Ergo 5 string in classic finish and it gets here in two weeks. I know the one modification from your upright is that the neck is an "E" neck instead of a "D" neck.

For those who are wondering what the heck im talking about, it means that the neck heel connects at the body at the "E" (using second finger...right???) Instead of the "traditional" D. While D is most common, Eb necks are also, while less common, a traditional setup but not an "E".

Why does this matter? when going from back of the neck to thumb position and when playing arround the neck joint, ive been taught to use the joint as a reference for my hand position.

While this bums me out about the ergo basses, my dad has a Ph.D in industrial arts. (superhuman shop teacher) He and i are going to build a piece to put in place to use as a marker for the D joint that while most likely will be a permenant attachment on my bass, we are devising a way to make it non-permanant. At that time we will build a crappy website with instructions and detailed pictures on how to build it if one was so inclined.


I have spoken to two or three ergo players, they say the neck joint isnt a major problem at all, and most have adjusted their playing to it, and it feels as "real" as a real upright bass.
I am very excited about getting my new bass and i cant wait.

based on their testimonys i ordered one. When i get it i will post an in depth review of the bass here, at harmony central, and also i'll send it to jesse for the website. I will be fair, honest, and critical of the design, setup and tone of the bass, as i have played upright for about 4 years now and have a wonderfull instructor who guides me.

on a side note, if you want to hear a Ergo 6, go to the website and listen, he's posted some clips of him playing one with a smidge of reverb on it.

(good thing my amp has built in reverb.)

Violen/Bryant

thanks for the posts cause i was wondering how the back of the neck was set up and i think im going to go a head and order a 4 string. thanks for the help.

Jauqo, I have just revisited the Ergothread and found your post. Thanks for adding a bit about your Ergo experience to the thread.

Jesse really is a great guy. I hope that many future Ergo owners do get the opportunity to meet him in person. I was fortunate to have that opportunity, and in addition I got to see his music room and workshop. He has built some amazing, creative guitars and basses, in addition to the Ergo basses.

Jauqo, we would definitely appreciate your continuing contribution to the Ergothread. You have a lot of experience and wisdom to add here. Welcome!

-- michaelvee

Thanks michael,I really dig and support Jesse's talent.

He's almost finished with my 4 string electric bass(with a hipshot Tremolo).

when it's finished I will post pics in the appropriate thread.


I ordered my 5 string(with high C)Ergo today.

Has anyone else had problems fitting the E string in the Gotoh tuners? The tuner slots are too small. Any solutions?

Here's what I did to fit the e string into the tuner,...

I ran the string down through the bottom of the bass and tied a knott in it therefore you are using the regular end for this string and it will fit through the tuner.

I did'nt cut off the excess on the e string so if needed I could use it again on my regular acoustic upright if I broke a string.

Here's what I did to fit the e string into the tuner,...

I ran the string down through the bottom of the bass and tied a knott in it therefore you are using the regular end for this string and it will fit through the tuner.

I did'nt cut off the excess on the e string so if needed I could use it again on my regular acoustic upright if I broke a string.


I'm not sure I follow you.

Run the string up through the hole in the base of the bass....

Stick the regular end (as it came in the pkg.) through the tuner hole, hold it snuggly and get a wrap or two onto the tuner.

The string will fit right out of the pkg. if you don't shorten it like Jesse suggests for the rest of them.... (as there is not tail piece)....

Now go back down to the base of the bass and pull the E string tight, tie a knot in it as close to the base of the bass as you can (all you need is one loop knot) then tighten into tune.

You'll likely have to tune a few times until the knot sets.....

Many of the older strings for double bass's came without ball ends etc and you actually had to tie knots in each string....

Anyway if need you can always use the string for a regular upright if you don't cut off the excess string with the ball on it.

Kind of looks funny hanging there but I taped mine to the back of the bass.....

I'm kind of cheap and hated to cut off a Thomastic Spiral core red string that runs 60 bucks a piece up here in Canada.....

Hope that clarify's......

Thanks, I see what you are saying now.

I've thought of attaching a tailpiece on the back a few inches away from the holes to bring the string to the right length. I may try that if I can find a suitable way of doing it.

Has anyone else here on Talkbass bought an Ergo in 2006?

Has anyone else here on Talkbass bought an Ergo in 2006?

No - but I have made contact with Jesse about him installing a new pickup in my 4 stringer.

Why - is there something amiss with Ergo?

Has anyone else here on Talkbass bought an Ergo in 2006?



I got a new 5 string from him a few weeks ago.


I got my first Ergo(4 string)a few years ago.

I'm waiting on delivery (any day now, I hope!) of a 4-string.

Why? Is there a problem?

~John

No problems at all, just stirring up the thread.

I don't know if you guys are into Jesse's electric but here's some progress pics of my Ergo electric.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227719&highlight=ergo

Still waiting. I got an email from Jesse on March 27, "I should be shipping your bass out to you within 3 weeks..." Another email April 24, "It should go out to you this week... ." Nothing.

I know Jesse's probably spending all his time working on Jauqo's bass guitar (:) ) but this wait is KILLING me!

~John

I know Jesse's probably spending all his time working on Jauqo's bass guitar (:) ) but this wait is KILLING me!

~John

No I'm waiting like you and it's killing me as well :(

The magic of Talkbass (;) ): I just got an email from Box It, Jesse's shipper, and my Ergo should be delivered by UPS tomorrow! It left Nashville this morning at 7:29a.m. :hyper:

~John

Got it yesterday. Played it through my practice rig -- LOVE it!

Today, I'm gonna take pics and run it through my main rig. Maybe I'll start a new thread in EUB for the pics, etc.

~John

Well, here are a couple of pics of my new baby. I've run her through my practice amp (a tiny little Danelectro), but haven't hooked up my main rig yet. Maybe later.

I found on the Danelectro that I needed to turn the treble all the way down. The pickup in this bass really has good output (no need for a preamp, IMO, although I will be using a Fishman Platinum Plus when I gig with it, for the EQ function and DI), and it's a little heavy on the high end. Lots of clicks and clacks (or maybe it's my lack of technique...:) ).

Anyway, I'll try to get more impressions posted as they are formed. I'll be gigging with it next Wednesday.

~John

Here are a couple more pics. The neck is the same front-to-back thickness as the upright I've been playing, but it's a "V" shape, rather than rounded. Don't know if that comes out very well in the pic, but there you go. It's very comfortable for my left hand.

~John

You have to really tighten down the stand thumbscrews to avoid the rattles. I think a heavier construction stand would help a lot- the one that comes with the Ergos is probably an inexpensive model.

Also, like you said, some sort of carpet, or a rubber mat, to place the stand on for recording would be a help.

Have you noticed that it's relatively easy to lift the bass and stand off the floor when doing a position shift upward?
I like the idea of the Ergo. I play DB but I like the idea of a substitute to take to amp-equipped rehearsal studios by way of public transportation. I don't care if it sounds like an EB or a DB as long as it feels like a DB; I'm not giving up the DB for performance, but for a rehearsal with a loud drummer and EUB should be fine.

But I don't want to have to change my right hand technique. So I'm wondering, what does it feel like to play? The above quoted comments are a bit off putting. Do you miss the feel of a DB leaning against you? Does the stand offer enough stability to resist if you pull hard on a string? Does it lift up when you shiift upward?:confused:

I just got my new Ergo 4 on Friday. I really like the way it feels, the look is very utilitarian (which I love), and I get a full sound from it running it through my Roland DB700 combo amp. The only problem I'm having is that there is a loud low frequency hum, but if I touch the plug sleeve of the cable, or the metal on the back of the amp, the hum disappears. This doesn't happen with my bass guitars. I was thinking a DI box might solve the problem. Jesse suggested running a wire from the transducer to a string. I live in an old house with 2 wire romex, so maybe the problem is the grounding. I own a furman conditioner for my PA, maybe I should try that first. Any suggestions?

I started a new thread with out seeing this. I measured the action of my double bass and sent it to jesse, he sent me two bridges, I went with the one like my double bass. If you want double bass sound you have to use double bass technique, so get the action up and dig in. I find the more I practice unplugged the better it sounds. I couldn't be happier with it.
Here is my original post:

I needed to find a travel bass this year so I looked at several options, the semi acoustic options were OK but in the end they would end up being a poor substitute for my double bass.
On the other hand all the other EUBs I have played have left me a bit cold as I tend to play un-amplified about 80% of the time. I wanted something with new options that I would enjoy playing. A student brought over a 4 string ergo, not long after I ordered a 6 string from Jesse.
This instrument is amazing on so many levels.

Saying it sounds "like an acoustic bass" is partly true but it also important to point out has it's own unique sound based on the resonance of wood and strings. it has a gorgeous sound unplugged both arco and pizzicato ( perfect for 2 am practice!!!), the pick up system amplifies the sound of the body and bridge rather than the strings. It is warm and inviting to play.
The overtone series behaves just like my double bass making every harmonic, subtone, bi-tone and mulit-phonic available. I prefer the sound of the ergo to my amplified double bass and will be using for most if not all situations that require amplification.
The extended range of the low 'B' and high 'C' give new and amazing possibilities as does the stand ability to lay the thing flat like an ironing board for easier preparation.
The pizzicato sound retains the percussiveness as well as the warm rich detail of the double bass it also has wide and rich variety of colors with the bow and is very easy to make a singing pure tone at multiple dynamic levels. Every traditional and extended technique I work with projects perfectly.
It took a few days to get used to the 6 strings but it was well worth it. I have the action set nearly the same as my double bass and thus switching between the two is no trouble and I do not lose any strength or technique.
In the short time I have had it I have used it contexts ranging from detailed chamber music to free jazz and more experimental playing.
The elegant design and warm sound wins people over immediately.
I would recommend it not only for double bassists wanting an EUB or travel instrument but also as a better option than a cheap plywood bass for beginners.

damon smith
http://www.balancepointacoustics.com
http://myspace.com/smithdamon

The wait can be a drag it was killing me too, but he makes it for you - it takes about as long as a Hatori Hanzo sword. just spend the time practicing...

The only problem I'm having is that there is a loud low frequency hum, but if I touch the plug sleeve of the cable, or the metal on the back of the amp, the hum disappears.
Sean- I ran into the same thing with my Ergo- see my earlier posts. I, too, live in a house with two prong outlets, and the Ergo hummed - loudly - when plugged in.

I have not yet constructed the shielded piezo circuit (see How to Make a Piezo Pickup (http://www.fittell.id.au/piezo/)) but intend to do so this summer.

If you take apart the stock pickup and open the control cavity, you'll see that Jesse does not use much shielding at all. Just a bit of copper foil on the two piezo halves. Nothing on the cable- just a twisted two pair - and no shielding on the jack or in the cavity.

In probably a good number of practice/performance situations, it would not be a problem, if the power supplied the bass amp were good.. but the Ergos really do need to be properly shielded. It probably would add another $100 or so to the cost of the instrument, but would be worthwhile.

Have any of you other Ergo owners here on TB done shielding jobs on your basses? If so, how much did you do- did you do the whole copper wrap/cavity wrap nine yards?

I like the idea of the Ergo. Do you miss the feel of a DB leaning against you? Does the stand offer enough stability to resist if you pull hard on a string? Does it lift up when you shiift upward?:confused:

Bassame- I like my Ergo a lot also, other than the electronics. I never played DB, so I don't miss the body! The stand is lightweight, as previously noted. It'd be good to replace it with a really solid, heavier cymbal stand. The bass and stand will rock if you really play hard, and yes, I can easily lift the whole thing off the ground when I shift positions upward.

The total weight of an Ergo mahogany 4-string and the cymbal stand isn't that much- probably 15-20 pounds.

After I get the electronics redone and shielded, I'm going to invest in a heavy stand. Still don't have a 'gig bag' / longbow bag for it yet.

Bassame- I like my Ergo a lot also, other than the electronics. I never played DB, so I don't miss the body! The stand is lightweight, as previously noted. It'd be good to replace it with a really solid, heavier cymbal stand. The bass and stand will rock if you really play hard, and yes, I can easily lift the whole thing off the ground when I shift positions upward.

The total weight of an Ergo mahogany 4-string and the cymbal stand isn't that much- probably 15-20 pounds.

After I get the electronics redone and shielded, I'm going to invest in a heavy stand. Still don't have a 'gig bag' / longbow bag for it yet.
Thanks Michael. I tried a Steinberger CR4 a few nights ago at a guitar store and found it a solid, well-built piece of work. It felt heavy and solid on its stand, and the whole thing, in its gig bag, weighs 18 lbs. I'm a bit disturbed by the do-it-yourself attitude expressed by Ergo owners, who are trying to make it more of what they want it to be, replacing this, shielding that. I know some people love to tinker with their stuff, that's great. Me, I like to have it work right the first time. I am basically lazy.

Thanks Michael. I tried a Steinberger CR4 a few nights ago at a guitar store and found it a solid, well-built piece of work. It felt heavy and solid on its stand, and the whole thing, in its gig bag, weighs 18 lbs. I'm a bit disturbed by the do-it-yourself attitude expressed by Ergo owners, who are trying to make it more of what they want it to be, replacing this, shielding that. I know some people love to tinker with their stuff, that's great. Me, I like to have it work right the first time. I am basically lazy.

- All I had to adjust is my action which is a personal thing anyway. Mine has no hums, buzzes or other issues. It sounded great out of the box.
You should also do a lot of practice on it unplugged. The concept is the wood is amplified, not the strings, the better you can make the wood sound the better it will sound plugged in.
It is a double bass, so you should use double bass technique and get a doulbe bass teacher if you are coming from BG.

I enjoyed my Ergo alot, I did play around with things but that was more me than the bass as I really was shooting for making it as close to playability and tone as my Acoustic 3/4 bass, in doing so I improved several things that were slightly annoying to me over time such as the overtones which are common in stick type EUB's.

Balance throughout the strings volume wise etc....

I expected that when I bought it as the pricing is so good for such a great little unit... Hundreds and thousands of dollars less than comparable bass's.

At 700 US dollars its a steal.

I did recently purchase an Eminence Acoustic EUB which I absolutely love as it has the balanced strings, no overtones etc right out of the box.

At 3000 dollars I didn't expect anything less !

It has good sound (Ergo is comparable) but what i like the best is that it feels like my acoustic, I don't need to carry the stand around and the fans except it much better.

The Traditional fans of "Bluegrass Music" didn't except the Ergo bass well, the Eminence has the small acoustic body rather than just a stick....

Due to price differences between the two Erog vs Eminence I still recommend the Ergo to newbies and folks that don't have the cash but for those that do have the cash the Eminence is a thorough bred that's for sure.

The emeinence is closer to the double bass sound, I tried one and I also tried the gage.. the trouble for me is they are too close but not close enough to double bass. I can't go back to a plywood bass just for the airlines, I'd rather stay home.
I would never want to play either unless I had to because my double sounds better, whereas the ergo sounds different but still woody and opens up a new sound world.
these:
http://allbasse.com/
and these:
http://www.barryguy.com/travelbass/travelbass.html
are what I would call thorough breds.

I just ordered an Ergo 5. I will post my thoughts to this thread when I get it.

I have had mine for a week now, so I am learning new things each day.
I am getting a really rich and singing arco sound out of it, the high "C" is great to play on. My theory of the momment is the solid piece of mohagany behaves very close to a solid spruce top on a carved bass.
It seems to react better and quicker than a plywood double bass, with a much smoother sound.

I But I don't want to have to change my right hand technique. So I'm wondering, what does it feel like to play? The above quoted comments are a bit off putting. Do you miss the feel of a DB leaning against you? Does the stand offer enough stability to resist if you pull hard on a string? Does it lift up when you shiift upward?:confused:
I am not sure why but I do not miss the body, I get right up to it and it feels like a natural relationship. My pizzicato and arco technique are both based on making unamplified double bass project, so I pull pretty hard, it has not been a problem with the ergo. I just played a gig on double bass after practicing on the ergo all day, the transition was no trouble at all.

I am not sure why but I do not miss the body, I get right up to it and it feels like a natural relationship. My pizzicato and arco technique are both based on making unamplified double bass project, so I pull pretty hard, it has not been a problem with the ergo. I just played a gig on double bass after practicing on the ergo all day, the transition was no trouble at all.
Thank you Damon.

Guys, does anyone know the best way to contact Jesse? I'm interested in having an Ergo 6 made for me, but I'm not sure how best to contact him. I've emailed him through the info@ergoinstruments.com email address he gives on the hompage of his website a couple of days ago, but have yet to hear back from him. Any thoughts? Thanks!

He does have another email address, but I don't have it anymore. Maybe someone else has it?

Just give him some time. In my experience, it sometimes takes him a few days to answer that email. But he WILL answer.:)

~John

Just give him some time. In my experience, it sometimes takes him a few days to answer that email. But he WILL answer.:)

~John

That's cool. Yeah, I figured I'd give it a few days at least before trying again. I'll give it a week I guess and see what happens. Thanks for the response!! :)

Have Fun! :bassist:

He does have another email address, but I don't have it anymore. Maybe someone else has it?

JesseBlu74@aol.com

Guys, does anyone know the best way to contact Jesse? I'm interested in having an Ergo 6 made for me, but I'm not sure how best to contact him.

- The 6 is a good choice. I am happy I made it. Certain things are harder like playing on the low strings in the thumb pos. with the bow, but with practice it all works out.
Also, check your emails spam filter, his first message ended up in mine.

- The 6 is a good choice. I am happy I made it. Certain things are harder like playing on the low strings in the thumb pos. with the bow, but with practice it all works out.
Also, check your emails spam filter, his first message ended up in mine.

Thanks for the comments. I'm glad to hear from someone who has a 6 and likes it! I primarily play a 6 BG so I thought I'd get a 6 when I purchased an EUB also. :)

Good point on the spam filter. I'll keep an eye on it. ;)

Thanks for the comments. I'm glad to hear from someone who has a 6 and likes it! I primarily play a 6 BG so I thought I'd get a 6 when I purchased an EUB also. :)

Good point on the spam filter. I'll keep an eye on it. ;)

- Make sure to get some upright lessons then. If you play the ergo with a lighter BG touch it won't sound as good. You have to get the wood vibrating just like a double bass, then it really sounds amazing.

- Make sure to get some upright lessons then. If you play the ergo with a lighter BG touch it won't sound as good. You have to get the wood vibrating just like a double bass, then it really sounds amazing.

Yeah, I plan to get lessons. My private BG instructor also give DB lessons, so I'll go through him most likely. ;)

Have fun!! :bassist:

I got my new Ergo 5 string last week and am having a great time with it. Edmonton, Western Canada. If anyone in that part of the country wants to check out an Ergo let me know.

I am mainly a guitar player but studied Double Bass about 5 years ago and fell in love with it especially the bow. I got sidetracked off the bass for a couple years then rented one again. After a 3 year break from that I bought an Ergo. I am using the Simandl technique.

One carry over to my guitar from my initial upright studies was the bending of the left hand thumb as opposed to using a straight thumb like most guitar players.

It is a much more natural and relaxed position.

I always said I would buy a double bass again and give it some quality time which I am now doing thanks to Jesse.

Any way just a quick hello. I haven't done any tweaking or anything yet with the bass (same strings etc). I will when I know more of what I want. Right now it is all technique, technique, technique.

Take care.

ps.

You can check my guitar playing out on my website:

http://www.excelguitar.com/Sound_Bytes.html

It will be awhile before I thrown in some bass soundbytes but Autumn Leaves and Alice In Wonderland are sounding fine so far.

My ergo 6 got a great test last night, in the Weasel Walter sextet, with loud tenor saxophone, another bassist on a zeta, Henry Kaiser playing loud guitar and two of the loudest drummers alive, William Winant and Weasel Walter. The Ergo was great and the low "b" and high "c" really came in handy. No feedback and I could get the Volume up so I could really interact with those great, loud drummers.

I received my Ergo 5 Friday. I love it. It sounds really good and is very easy to play. As I suspected, the piezo only did not work well with my Ampeg SB-12 as the piezo needs a higher impedance input. I put one of Walter Harley's piezo buffers (http://www.cafewalter.com/cafewalter/fetpre/index.htm) in my Clevinger that I sold. I found another version of a piezo buffer at this page:
http://www.scotthelmke.com/Mint-box-buffer.html I added a volume pot to mine. The sound into a modern amp is slightly better, with more bass and smoother treble, but it really helps with the Ampeg, and the volume pot keeps from overdriving the amp. I got enough parts to build several, if anyone is interested, shoot me an email at bayoucables@cox.net

http://members.cox.net/bayoubass/buffer.jpg

http://members.cox.net/bayoubass/buffer1.jpg

I have been working on my ergo 6, I sanded the slots pretty drasticly on the low B and high C.
They are still high enough to get a good tone but the basic four string is exposed and I can play arco in thumb pos. on any of the strings now.
I am a lot happier with playing it now.
I can dig into the G a lot better and the C is a lot quicker which suits it's purposes better anyway.

I'm quite intrigued by the ergo. For arco players, has anyone tried various bows on the ergo & had a preference of one over the other?

I'm quite intrigued by the ergo. For arco players, has anyone tried various bows on the ergo & had a preference of one over the other?

I use a German bow and use both French and German holds as needed.
The french grip seems to get a lot of intresting spiccato and other sounds, I am getting really nice Bel Canto sound on the high C with the German grip.
The more I work with it, the more this instrument gives up.

Cool, I'm looking to pick up an ergo to test the waters of upright bass. I've been an EBG player for 25+ years & want to do a little exploring without spending $2500+ on a decent double bass.

With the Ergo, I'm assuming I should get some sort of pre in order to control volume, have more tonal options, etc.
Also, this may be a semi-stupid ? on my part but with the ergo do you have some of the same needs & problems as with double bass in regards to amplification & feedback or is it more similar to an EBG for amplification. THANKS.

I play BG but dabbled on upright many years ago. I got the Ergo 6 about 9 months ago. Right or wrong, I find that I can use BG fingering in the mid and upper positions without having to (re-) learn thumb position, which helped my transition to the Ergo.

Richard

Cool, I'm looking to pick up an ergo to test the waters of upright bass. I've been an EBG player for 25+ years & want to do a little exploring without spending $2500+ on a decent double bass.

With the Ergo, I'm assuming I should get some sort of pre in order to control volume, have more tonal options, etc.
Also, this may be a semi-stupid ? on my part but with the ergo do you have some of the same needs & problems as with double bass in regards to amplification & feedback or is it more similar to an EBG for amplification. THANKS.

- I think that is a great plan. I find it far better than a plywood bass.
A preamp will help the sound, a sans amp is on my list. one thing is for sure, themore you play it like an upright the more it will sound like one, a lot of tone issues can be corrected the old fashioned way: through technique.
A friend of mine who plays in the local symphonies including subing in the SF symphony came over and checked it out he was really impressed by the arco sound.
As far as the BG fingering in the upper register, I have used that a bit and it works, thumb pos. still has more facility.

Hi,

I want to get into double bass. I'd like to get a "real" one, but EUBs interest me, and the Ergo in particular because of its affordability and portability.

From following this thread, it seems that most of you are pretty satisfied with the sound as it compares to an acoustic upright. I don't feel that the sound samples on the Ergo Web site did it justice (I hope).

I'd like to hear in person how an Ergo sounds, and I plan to be in Seattle at the end of July. Are there any owners who would be willing to play it for me (it would be pointless for me to try). I'll bring my amp (Acoustic Image Contra), so I can hear how it sounds through my own rig.

I'm not expecting it to sound just like an acoustic UB, but I play in a little jazz combo on the retirement home circuit, and I think it would do the trick.

If you'd be interested in demonstrating the bass, please PM me.

Thanks a lot,
Michael

there is a mp3 of my ergo here: http://www.myspace.com/smithdamon It was from a KFJC broadcast yesterday. Just a DI from my little fender "Frontman 15b" livingroom amp. Obviously it sounds even better through a nicer amp, but my good small amp is getting fixed and I did not want to lug my big amp. The rest of it was duo with singer Aurora Josephson.

damon smith
http://www.balancepointacoustics.com


Just released:
bpa009 "sperrgut" birgit ulher/damon smith/martin blume
bpa 010 "cruxes" aurora josephson/joelle leandre/damon smith/martin blume
bpa 011 "sextesense" john butcher/aaron bennett/henry kaiser/danielle degruttola/damon smith/jerome bryerton

Thanks, Damon. I listened to the Ergo solo, which was a little challenging for me. Was the duo with the singer one of the other pieces that is listed on that page?

Michael

No, the rest of the radio broadcast was. The other MP3s are double bass.
I know the solo is pretty "out" but you can hear some of the "legit" pizz and arco sounds toward the end.

I just got my 5-string, purchased from Ebay. I could not be happier. I shopped for a long time for an EUB. I have a German Carved that I gig with, and wanted an electric with a 42" scale for rehearsals and ease of travel. It will be nice to put the Ergo in the backseat of the car and head to rehearsal. Especially in the winter time (Wisconsin) when the temperature gets way down below zero. My prized acoustic can relax in the music room and wait for gig day while the Ergo braves the weather.

Now I'll get to the point. I have seen the posts in this thread about using the SportTube and the recurve bow case as a gig bag. However, I don't believe the SportTube has any padding inside of it and I'm wondering if anybody has found an alternative to the bow bag.

What are you guys using to transport your Ergo? Please post a picture and a URL to where you bought it if you can.

i am using this:
http://www.frabill.com/rodcases.html
I found out about it from the NS design thread. I used a belt sander to take out the extra plastic and tackle box.
The stand does not fit but my bow does. I would not fly with a wood bow but I am getting a carbon fiber bow for that reason.

I had an interesting experience last night with my ergo on a gig.
Things came way down in volume and it was just the pianist and I.
I sent the volume pedal to "off" and just played totally acoustic! It was a small space and it was quite clear both pizz and arco.
I do quite a bit of unplugged practice on it, as I am about to now, so that helps.

I ordered a snow ski bag from Dick's Sporting Goods. The brand name is Spartan, it was only $25. My Ergo4 fits pretty good, its about 10" longer than it needs to be. Also, there is a small divider inside designed for the ski poles. I wrap the bass stand in a bath towel and slip it in the pole compartment. I wish it was padded a little bit more, but on the whole it is a pretty good bag. If a guy wanted to spend $60-$80, he could find one with thicker padding and a shorter length. I, on the other hand, am kind of a tight wad. Anyway, hope that helps.

Sean

I got a plastic fly rod case at Academy for $30. I cut down the sliding part of the case and made a cushion for the bass. It works, but the stand doesn't fit with it. I got the bow case linked further up in this thread and it works perfectly. If anyone wants the plastic case, PM me and I will let it go very cheaply, basically for shipping cost and a little bit.

I cannot overstate what a life changer this Ergo has been. I just finished a solid late night practice AFTER my girlfriend went to bed.
Simandl, Mendelssohn, various triple stops long tones, with French and German Bows plus so work on various extended techniques.
I have the action more or less the same as my double bass so the work carries right over.
I practice the double bass about the same but the ergo being already standing makes it gets a few more sessions in durring the day and then I practice it unplugged at night.
Let's be honest - picking up the bass can be the hardest step in practicing - once I pick it up I can just keep going but the Ergo is already standing.
This instrument is everything I'd hoped it would be and much more.
Ok, a little more playing and off to bed...

I've had my Pupleheart Ergo for a little over a year know and sounds good to me through my little practice amp with an 8" speaker but when I play it through my combo which has a 15" I'm stuggling to keep it from sounding either too boxy or to muddy. Any suggestions?:help:

I know about the sweet spot for the bridge and I'm sure I found but that through my combo amp that I use for my other basses that the either the ergo is boxy or muddy.

Sugarbone i'm unsure if you have been using a pre-amp and you didn't say. The Ergo as does most EUB's use piezo's for their pickups and they tend to have a high impedence out put.

They don't match up well with some amps unless a pre-amp is used to buffer the high output.

This could be causing the problem.

I also had a problem with my ergo in that one of the the wires on the pot came lose and it was not making good contact.

It caused similar issue's, I simply resoldered the joint and the problem disappeared.

I did add more foam to the bridge area to calm down the overtones but other than that the ergo was a great unit and well worth the money.

I have since purchased an Eminence which is much more accepted by the fans in the style of music our band plays.

Good luck............. hope this helps and perhaps solves your problem.

I've had my Pupleheart Ergo for a little over a year know and sounds good to me through my little practice amp with an 8" speaker but when I play it through my combo which has a 15" I'm stuggling to keep it from sounding either too boxy or to muddy. Any suggestions?:help:

Depends on what kind of amp it is. It also depends on technique which I cannot overstate.
The Bass + you makes the sound. Are you primarily a double bass player or bass guitarist?
Either way I'd work on getting a good sound with an amp at all - that should improve things.

Is there a long wait for Jesse's uprights? About how much does a 5 string run?

The 5 is $750, 6 is $800. I am really happy with the 6, it took about 4 weeks.

I love my 5. The more I play it, the less I want to play my electric bass.

I am looking for a portable UB and was thinking of ordering an Ergo 5-string. How close to a 3/4 UB does the Ergo sound when it is unplugged? My son plays bluegrass on a 1954 3/4 Kay so he doesn't need/want the electric effect.

whoooohoooo....i ordered my 4-string natural Ergo from Jesse on Monday. He had one extra that he was building that had not been spoken for, so I agreed to take it. It's supposed to ship out today. I can't wait!!

This will be my first experience on an upright, but I think that I'll really like it. I had him set it up as close to a DB as possible so I can learn correct technique from the start and will be taking lessons from an experience teacher as well.

If I like the whole upright thing, I'll eventually move to a nicer real Double Bass, but I figured this would be a good, inexpensive way to see if I actually enjoy playing an upright.

I am looking for a portable UB and was thinking of ordering an Ergo 5-string. How close to a 3/4 UB does the Ergo sound when it is unplugged? My son plays bluegrass on a 1954 3/4 Kay so he doesn't need/want the electric effect.

Unplugged it is very quiet but dead on double bass sound. Mine is abotu have it's first trip on aplane for some gigs in Chicago on the 2nd of Spet.

hey guys, im looking to buy an ergo 6 within the week - im wondering what you guys use to string your ergos with.

anyone using spirocores?

hey guys, im looking to buy an ergo 6 within the week - im wondering what you guys use to string your ergos with.

anyone using spirocores?

Helicore Orchestral, which is what Jesse recommended. His rationale for using orchestral strings for pizz is that it takes away some of the harsh highs of the piezo, and I agree with him.

hey guys, im looking to buy an ergo 6 within the week - im wondering what you guys use to string your ergos with.

anyone using spirocores?

-I am, on the middle 4, they sound great.

Well I previousely stated that I wasn't happy with the tone of my Ergo through my combo amp. When I tried through a Hartke 3500 with a tube preamp going through a 15 and 4 10s WOW it sounded great kind of an Upright plus. It had a round penetrating bottom that my band mates got off on and it was so full. Has any one tried adding a conventional magnetic pickup like split EMGs for a more unique and versatile sound. And for those who asked no I'm not an upright player but played fretless for 35 years.

Hey, if anybody's looking for an Ergo, I just found this on ebay....starting bid is $495.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ergo-Upright-Bass_W0QQitemZ180022199054QQihZ008QQcategoryZ4713Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'd buy it, but I just paid Jesse for mine (doh!).

Anyway, might be a good time to get a great deal on a new Ergo if you've been thinking about one....

:-)

one LAST question - anyone wished the ergos came with traditional (ie. ebony) fingerboards? im trying to convince him to make mine with one, on an upcharge, of course.

one LAST question - anyone wished the ergos came with traditional (ie. ebony) fingerboards? im trying to convince him to make mine with one, on an upcharge, of course.

I don't think it really needs one, mine sounds great as it is. It would probably raise the price considerably too.

Has anyone else here on Talkbass bought an Ergo in 2006?

Michael asked that question on April 4th. I ordered a 5-string Ergo last week. Jesse says that mine will be one of a group of four instruments that he is starting today, and that I should have it in about five weeks.

Jim O'Briant
Gilroy, CA

one LAST question - anyone wished the ergos came with traditional (ie. ebony) fingerboards? im trying to convince him to make mine with one, on an upcharge, of course.


Part of the reason they sound so good is the single carved piece of wood.
As nice as an ebony board would be for the left hand I doubt it would retain the woody tone.

Helicore Orchestral, which is what Jesse recommended. His rationale for using orchestral strings for pizz is that it takes away some of the harsh highs of the piezo, and I agree with him.

I'm looking at trying a set of used Orchestrals.

But when I visit the D'Addario Bowed website (http://www.daddariobowed.com/BOWProdBass.aspx), I also encounter the Hybrid and Pizzicato sets. Both are also said to be good for use with Piezos, and have longer sustain.

Lots of string choices out there.. and DB strings are expensive enough that I don't want to experiment around too much.

Have any of you other Ergo players tried these various Helicore sets?

(L-R) Orchestral Hybrid Pizzicato
http://www.daddariobowed.com/Resources/JDCBOW/Images/Products/Prod_ba_o_big_Helicore.jpghttp://www.daddariobowed.com/Resources/JDCBOW/Images/Products/Prod_ba_h_big_Helicore.jpghttp://www.daddariobowed.com/Resources/JDCBOW/Images/Products/Prod_ba_p_big_Helicore.jpg

The low B on mine is a Heliocore, as my experience with all of their strings it just sounds like a dead Spirocore. Jesse cautions against Spirocores but I have had them on for months and they sound great.
I ruined a $50 Spirocore low B due to being ignorant about how to shorte them, so I am forcing myself to deal with the helicore for the time being.
The high C on mine is a Corelli and it sounds amazing, I'd go with those if you do not want Spirocores.

I'll have my Ergo 6 with me in Chicago this weekend if anyone thereabouts wants to hear one. Details in this thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3303483#post3303483

... I ruined a $50 Spirocore low B due to being ignorant about how to shorten them ...

So.... how DO you shorten them without ruining a string? I read the earlier message in this forum, about tying a knot in the bottom of the string to effectively shorten it, but is there a better and "proper" way?

Thanks!

Jim O'Briant
Ergo 5-String on order...
Gilroy, CA

Jesse says to super glue them below where you want them cut. The low B on mine has been soldered.
the middle 4 you can just cut the ends as long as there is yarn.

just received my new Ergo 4-string natural this afternoon. This is my first experience with an upright and so far I'm loving it !!!

I had Jesse set the action to a typical upright level, so it's kinda high, but it seems to feel really good. Haven't played it through an amp yet. Played through my POD breifly and it sounded quite good after I rolled off the highs.

Anyway, I'm quite happy to be part of the Ergo "club"...

:-)

just paid for a 6-string... should arrive in 5 weeks...

I've had some similar experiences to those already posted on here and wanted to weigh in. I got an Ergo 6 a while back and have gigged with it a certain amount. Jesse is, as others have said, a great guy and super helpful and timely with advice. Which is good, as I've needed some.

I had the same problem as SeanMac with the buzz and hum that happened when not in contact with (in my case) both the strings and the chassis of my rack. This drove sound guys ballistic. My solution was to sheild the hell out of the control cavity (on my Ergo, Jesse only shielded the removable plate), and run a ground wire through to the bridge. I covered the bridge with aluminum tape (so that it contacts all the strings), and soldered the ground to it. Problem gone, though now my bridge looks a little silly.

Like a few others, I have string balance problems on mine. The E and B are pretty dead compared to the others. I've tried everything under the sun to fix that, but no dice. Guess I'll just have to live with it.

I found that the bass plays better and picks up less grime from my hands after I tung-oiled a few times. Looks cool, too.

All in all, I like the Ergo. It's useful, cheap, and gets a pretty good sound (check out the beginning of "Walk of Shame" on my band's myspace site: http://www.myspace.com/poophousereilly for a sound sample--that's the Ergo through my ADA MB1 straight into the board (there's also a washtub bass on there, so don't confuse them. FYI, there's a mildly naughty word or two on that track). Plus, other musicians think it's cool. But I wish I hadn't got the 6. The neck is really big for my hands. Maybe soon I'll put out a feeler to trade it for a 4 or 5.

I don't have balance problems, after I moved the bridge around. my A & D strings are a bit thin. I hope to fix that with a preamp.

I had a nice Flight with the Ergo this last weekend. I used the Frabill packapole case with no troubles, I checked it in.
One of the gigs had another bass player, WIlbert Dejoode. It was a bit tough playing next to Wilbert with the Ergo, he has one of two Beautiful chamber basses made by the English master maker John Lott in the mid 1800s. He uses gut strings and has a very original character to his playing.
I would have liked to have my own double bass, but then a short, simple trip like that would not be possible due the fascist airlines, and that is why I bought it.

Has anyone here tried tung oil on the Ergo? I'm thinking of applying it to the entire instrument, but I'm concerned that it might adversely affect the tone. Maybe I'm just being paranoid.:confused:

~John

I put tung oil on the whole thing, and my advice is to go for it. I couldn't really hear a tonal difference, and it doesn't suck dirt up like it used to. I used the glossy stuff, and did three coats.

Has anyone who owns an Ergo 4-string had trouble with wolf tones? I'm beginning to think mine resonates at the low F note on the D string. Every time I play that particular note, it rings and rings, and gets progrssively louder, kinda like tuned feedback. (Makes it interesting to play in C major.)

I'm compensating with technique for now, but if anyone else has had a similar problem, I'd like to know how you fixed it (if you did). Fat Finger, maybe?

~John

Damonsmith is right about the finger board thing because the finger board on the ergo is also to a certain degree the resonator so ebony might work against you tonewise.

Damonsmith is right about the finger board thing because the finger board on the ergo is also to a certain degree the resonator so ebony might work against you tonewise.

-I hear what he is saying, though. When you play a gig in dry atmosphere
It can really slow you down. Plenty of fastfret solves the problem.

I used a regular household surface cleaner on my ergo I figure the cleaner the better, no gunk more - tone. The key word I used before is resonate and the more wood can breath the more it can resonate. If the bridge gets dampened there'll be no sound til it dries up so don't don't go crazy just some on a piece of cloth and get the gunk from your hands and whatever else you get from weather and smokey clubs. I'm also considering some 00 Steel wool and linseed oil for the trouble spots on the fingerboard and back of the neck

Pledge is good, also I've wiped my Ergo with both Murphy's Oil Soap and Old English lemon oil.

More importantly, I have a show gig coming up late next month, so I need to get moving and make my shielded piezo film pickup and install it.

As detailed in a post in this thread last winter, my Ergo hums a lot when plugged in, mostly due to 2-prong outlets in my house. I have no doubt that the bass would also hum out live with dimmer packs in use.

So.. I've got the piezo film pickup from Experimental Musical Instruments (Windworld). I just need to trim the excess width off the film, solder on some shielded cable, tape the leads, and wrap the whole thing in copper film. Place it, and then solder on a jack, which will be tape wrapped and then copper shielded.

I'll get this done this week and report back here. Now that I've mentioned it in the thread, I can't procrastinate! You guys bust me on it if need be.. :scowl:

On the wolftone thing I'd move the bridge around to try and find another sweet spot. Maybe you favor that spot on the neck and wore enough of and unseen dip in the fingerboard. These are just guesses but maybe I got lucky.

jesse's been a great guy. my bass is on the way.

there were some problems tho, shipping was more expensive than he predicted, so i needed to pay him extra. but he was nice enough to let me change my shipping address to use my virtual address in the US instead. and then he refunded me by paypal very promptly.

some warning, because i needed 220USD to ship by his shipper, when it originally was quoted at 140USD.

however he was nice enough to receive my bow from ken smith, and shipping it together in the same box with no upcharge.

the shipper was nice too, covering the insurance of the bow as well without any upcharge.

ill write a review as soon as i get it, maybe in 2 weeks or so.

On the wolftone thing I'd move the bridge around to try and find another sweet spot. Maybe you favor that spot on the neck and wore enough of and unseen dip in the fingerboard. These are just guesses but maybe I got lucky.

I thought about doing that, but then I realized that the wolf tone changed, depending on where I was playing. There was no trouble at my house, but different notes were troublesome in different clubs.

So, I took my Gramma isolation pad with me, and that took care of the problem. Apparently (and this is just a guess) the proximity of the bass to my amp, and the volume at which I play, and the stages I was on, combined to make the wolf tones appear. Decoupling the bass from the stages has cured the problem.

The only drawbacks to this fix were that I had to readjust the stand to make a smaller footprint that would fit on the Gramma, which made me worry a little bit about the stability of the bass (turned out not to be a problem); and making the stand's footprint smaller made the bass taller, because I didn't take the time to futz with the other height adjustment(s) on the stand. This also turned out not to be the problem I anticipated.

Anyway, things are both hunky and dory now.

~John

Got my Ergo 4-string. Sounds good, except the E string is a little quiet and the A string is a little quieter than that. I think it's the strings. Any suggestions on strings? I'm not too worried about cost. You can even suggest custom sets (ie: get an E from such and such, an A and G from such and such and a D from such and such) as long as you can buy the particular strings suggested as single strings cause I'm not buying 4 sets just to use 1 string from each set, but I will buy 4 single strings.

I use thomastik spiros, they sound great. Try moving the brige around, my 6 get that problem, moving the brige fixes it.

I use thomastik spiros, they sound great. Try moving the brige around, my 6 get that problem, moving the brige fixes it.

Move the bridge? I dont think I can cause it's got a slot for the bridge.

This may sound like a dumb question, and probably in the wrong thread, but what exactly are gut strings?

Move the bridge? I dont think I can cause it's got a slot for the bridge.

This may sound like a dumb question, and probably in the wrong thread, but what exactly are gut strings?

Move it side to side in the slot. Gut string are made of guts. Normally Sheep gut.

I bought a Neet (model NK-164) 64" recurve bow case for my Ergo 5 string. I've used it for about 4 months now and I'm really happy with it. There is no pocket for the stand but the bass fits perfectly. It cost $30 on Ebay.

I've attached a picture.

Just an option for anybody out there shopping.

I bought a Neet (model NK-164) 64" recurve bow case for my Ergo 5 string. I've used it for about 4 months now and I'm really happy with it. There is no pocket for the stand but the bass fits perfectly. It cost $30 on Ebay.

I've attached a picture.

Just an option for anybody out there shopping.

I've got the same case, recommended by Jesse. It works great.

I'm going to be building myself a hard case for mine that is sectioned into 2 parts; one for the bass and the other for the stand and a bow case.

I bought a Neet (model NK-164) 64&quot; recurve bow case for my Ergo 5 string. I've used it for about 4 months now and I'm really happy with it. There is no pocket for the stand but the bass fits perfectly. It cost $30 on Ebay.

I've attached a picture.

Just an option for anybody out there shopping. Fenderbass- I've looked for the NK-164 case on eBay today, and no hits on the search. Did you buy yours from an online store, or was it used, from an individual? I've found an online store called Bow Hunters' Superstore that carries Neet, but the owner, Mark, says they don't have a 64" recurve bag, just a 61" and a 70". More details on getting this bag through eBay, please?

There is a company online that sells them, but I don't remember the name of it. You can email Jesse and he can tell you.

What is the scale length on the Ergo 4s? I looked, but didn't see it listed on their website.

What is the scale length on the Ergo 4s? I looked, but didn't see it listed on their website.

Mine is right at 42", my double bass seems to be 41, I need to measure it standing up.

Yeah, you're Ergo should be 42" scale (3/4) unless specified otherwise in your order.

Fenderbass- I've looked for the NK-164 case on eBay today, and no hits on the search. Did you buy yours from an online store, or was it used, from an individual? I've found an online store called Bow Hunters' Superstore that carries Neet, but the owner, Mark, says they don't have a 64" recurve bag, just a 61" and a 70". More details on getting this bag through eBay, please?


I bought it from an Ebay store called Bowhunter's Superstore:

http://stores.ebay.com/Bowhunters-Superstore

Here's the case:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Neet-Archery-Cippewa-Recurve-Bow-Case_W0QQitemZ320022032451QQihZ011QQcategoryZ1291Q QtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem?hash=item320022032451

Here's Jesse's response on my email inquiry. I'd mentioned the Neet 61" and 70", and that BH Superstore does not have the 64" case.

"Well, the basses are 54" long, so the 61" is probably the one we're looking at.. I know mine has a few available inches on the end..The online source I used to recommend to folks is out of business now, but you should be able to find it locally."

There is this case on eBay from BHS (http://cgi.ebay.com/Neet-Archery-Navajo-Recurve-Bow-Case_W0QQitemZ320014947268QQihZ011QQcategoryZ1291Q QssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem), but the listing does not show the length. I've contacted the BHS person to ask what length it is. I'm guessing it's a 61". If so, I'm getting this one.

I bought a Plano AirLiner (#4588) fishing rod case. I put 4" of foam rubber in each end, because the case is expandable, and the foam allowed me to adjust the length so that there wasn't too much (or too little) pressure on the bass from the ends.

Then, I got one of those 5/8" thick closed-cell foam camping mats (the things you roll out on the ground under a sleeping bag), and cut a piece that fit inside the case. It holds the bass very snugly, even though it doesn't run the entire length of either the case or the bass. (I cut it so that there is a gap -- a channel, so-to-speak -- that allows the stand piece to travel along the case wall without tearing up the foam. And I had to remove the bolt/wingnut assembly, so I'll have to start putting that on the head of the stand, so I don't lose or forget it.)

Now, I'm trying to decide if I should glue the 5/8" foam to the inside of the case. It tends to pull out when the bass is removed, and it likes to slide in farther when the bass is inserted. But it's no real problem to hold the foam in place while inserting/removing the instrument.

~John

I was going to make a plywood case for it myself. 2 compartments, 1 for bass and 1 for stand and bow case. If I do it, I'll post pics of it.

some help for the singaporeans who are thinking of buying a ergo -

no matter how you ship it, its going to be expensive. haha.

i learnt that the hard way, used my own shipper and saved a grand total of 5USD over jesse's shipper. and i had to pay tax on the thing, so it came to quite a hefty sum i DID NOT FACTOR IN.

i suppose shipping/strings/bow+shipping/case+shipping is not a ignorable component when buying a DB, especially when living in a far of country.

i envy you americans, if only for this one thing.

ok the ergo is here. its my first foray into a upright of any kind, so the review wont be much use.

i cant find the tone knob mentioned on the website "A single tone control with a mute switch is offered on these instruments, adhering to the simplicity of the design principles."

also, the shipping gnomes/gremlins ate my rosin (rosin came free with a bow that jesse helped me ship together). i cant find it in the shipping box. this is particularly irritating as there are few string shops in this country. im not sure how much that rosin will cost me, but i doubt it'll be much.

i also cant bow a proper sound without my rosin. the black hair helps, but the sound is thin and i need to get it "just right" otherwise it sounds like a squealing pig.

not sure if its the rosin, or the fact that i havent gotten a preamp to use with this beast.

construction on the ergo itself looks fine, if not for rough edges here and there, and visible glue drops here and there as well.

The tone knob is right by the jack on mine. It has a chickenhead knob. You pull it up for the mute switch. There is no volume.

i believe he left it out (?) i know a knob when i see one, and a chicken head one is unmissable.

i believe he left it out (?) i know a knob when i see one, and a chicken head one is unmissable.

My 6 has no knob.

My 4 has no knob, either.

~John

I added a volume control to my 5'er. I put a 250K pot in a plastic project box and attached it to the stand with velcro. No more feedback between songs.. And yes, I will make you one, email me if interested.
Anyone else notice that the position markers are mostly a bit on the sharp side? Being that I just got back into upright playing, I need them. Not that you could see them playing live anyway. For a quick fix, I cut out some pieces of black Dymo tape with a hole punch and put them at fret positions 3, 5, and 7. They are large and easy to see. I played my first ever four hour gig with just the Ergo last night. Love it!

He doesnt put knobs anymore... my newest ergo upright has no knob... My school has one with a tone and one with a volume... we never use them, so I figure thats why it is not there anymore.

Yeah, I have a tone knob on mine but I just set it to the middle and leave it alone. I got mine about a year ago.

My markers seem to be right on, if not a little flat. My teacher's acoustic is a 7/8 and he seems to play a little past the markers when I watch him show me stuff, so I don't know if he's just used to playing a larger bass or if my markers are just a touch flat. They don't really seem to affect my tonality while playing so I don't worry about 'em too much :D

I added a volume control to my 5'er. I put a 250K pot in a plastic project box and attached it to the stand with velcro. No more feedback between songs.. And yes, I will make you one, email me if interested.
Anyone else notice that the position markers are mostly a bit on the sharp side? Being that I just got back into upright playing, I need them. Not that you could see them playing live anyway. For a quick fix, I cut out some pieces of black Dymo tape with a hole punch and put them at fret positions 3, 5, and 7. They are large and easy to see. I played my first ever four hour gig with just the Ergo last night. Love it!

- I just use a volume pedal, although have not experienced feedback troubles.

So.. I've got the piezo film pickup from Experimental Musical Instruments (Windworld). I just need to trim the excess width off the film, solder on some shielded cable, tape the leads, and wrap the whole thing in copper film. Place it, and then solder on a jack, which will be tape wrapped and then copper shielded. I'll get this done this week and report back here. Now that I've mentioned it in the thread, I can't procrastinate! You guys bust me on it if need be.. Okay, no one busted me on it and I procrastinated.. :)

I did try the EMI piezo strip today. No output! The wiring was correct, and it made sounds when I touched the film, but when I put everything together and put the bridge in place, nada. I tried several things and nothing worked.

So, I went back to Jesse's original funky little hand-cut looking piezos with foam rubber backing- that came with the bass. My bass had the push/pull volume control with the mute switch. I took the control out and wired the piezos directly to a standard 1/4 jack. The control cavity is now shielded with copper foil, as is the back of the control plate.

It works again! The hum is reduced over what it was, but it's still there. I'll probably have to wrap the piezo leads in copper tape also, but it's okay for now.

It's good to have the bass playable again. My goal is to use it in an upcoming musical. However, in reading through the first couple of tunes in the score, it's gonna be a lot of work to get the upright positioning down.

I will work on it and see if I can pull it off. If not, my trusty Warmoth fretless is waiting in the wings.

Also, while I have my soldering chops back up, I may go out and get a box of Altoids and create one of the piezo preamp boxes. I had bought a piezo preamp circuit from Walter Harley back this winter. It'd be perfect for the Altoid box, with a couple of jacks wired in.

Or I may just not worry about it and use my Raven Labs MDB-1 for the piezo buffer/mute circuit. Tinkerer that I am, I'll surely try both!

I'd mentioned the Neet 61" and 70", and that BH Superstore does not have the 64" case.

Well, the basses are 54" long, so the 61" is probably the one we're looking at.. I know mine has a few available inches on the end.

I received my Ergo 5-string a couple of weeks ago. I had Jesse make the fifth string a C (above the G string) rather than a low B. Even as little acoustic 4-string bass as I've played over the years, that fifth string sure takes some getting used to!

Based on the recommendations posted here, I also bought one of the 61" archer's bow bags from Bowhunter Superstore on eBay. It's the model called "Navajo," I think. If I leave part of the stand attached to the bass, then the bag is about 3-4 inches too short. I think I'll cut off the stand tube rather than have to remove the stand from the bass every time I pack it away. I plan to buy a rubber tip, like those used on canes or crutches, to keep the end of the stand tube from scratching the back of the bass or abrading the inside of the case.

Any other thoughts or suggestions on these issues are certainly welcome!

Jim O'Briant
Tuba & Bass
Gilroy, CA

Based on the recommendations posted here, I also bought one of the 61" archer's bow bags from Bowhunter Superstore on eBay. It's the model called Navajo I just bought one of those today, also.

I went back to Jesse's original funky little hand-cut looking piezos with foam rubber backing- that came with the bass. The problem was, I didn't remember whether the piezo strips face down (foam backing between piezo and bridge feet) or up (piezos directly under bridge feet). I'm pretty sure the piezos are supposed to be facing up, right under the bridge feet. Can someone check theirs and confirm this? Mine is playing, but it's very sensitive to the bridge position.

Hey Michael the foam goes under the piezo's the bridge sits directly on top of the brass. I had the best luck with the ceramic coating placed down contacting the foam.

You can mess around with peizo's for next to nothing (radioshack) and cut them to size using good scissors. Just attach the hot wire to the ceramic and the other to brass using solder.

I messed around a lot with several different peizo's and they all gave different responses. Look at the output frequencies on the buzzers prior to purchasing.

Best luck I had was using the cheap acoustic peizo stick on tuning pickup for guitars. Tore it apart carefully and cut the brass peizo in half then put the two pieces in the same as originally installed then added more foam.

Never did have a humming issue, sounds like grounding problem...

PS - Jesse can send you and will !!! send you new peizo's free of charge...... You can get them slightly bigger smaller or alot larger and cut them down yourself.

Just have to have a steady hand for soldering and ensure you don't over heat them while attaching the wire.

Incidently you can use the wire that comes with the acoustic tuning pickup as it is shielded if you go that route.

Good luck ....... and I didn't have any luck with the flex strips either

Thanks for the input, Sheldon. You ever regret selling your Ergo? I know you love that Eminence..

I just wanted to tell everyone that the Neet 61" bow case just got here. Talk about fast shipping!

It's all black except for the center section, which is the Navajo print, and it's fine, not tacky at all. Anybody want a picture?

It's not heavy, heavy duty, but it is sufficiently padded for most purposes. I wouldn't drop the bass onto concrete, for instance, or have something heavy fall over on to it. I'd liken the thickness to a medium-weight gig bag.

I'll spray it with waterproofing spray, and it'll be good to go.

I wouldn't mind pics of it.

I wouldn't mind pics of it.

Had a chance to do a pic just now, so here 'tis:

http://www.leconte.com/images/Ergo%20and%20Bag.jpg

The way the bow case is tapered on the ends, not rectangular, means the 61" case is perfect for the Ergo.

I've grown very interested in these basses. Having played electric bass for around 4 years, and trombone/ tuba for about 10, I'd like to expand my playing into the upright realm. I've dabbled on a 'real' upright before, even had one on loan from a school, but they were all set up for orchestral playing and were just too big for me to handle.

I saw their prototype 7 string bass viol, and then read about the price drop, and figured this would be a superior product to the Ghettotronix thing I was also considering.

Is mahogany the only body wood he uses? What kind of finishes are available? I'd just like to know some of these before I contact Jesse himself.

All mahogany I believe, it's a great tone wood. Natural and stained like the pic with the case above.
Contact Jesse, he will answer all your questions. Here's my natural finish 5:
http://noahvale.freeshell.org/Bass/ergo/ergo.jpg

All mahogany I believe, it's a great tone wood. Natural and stained like the pic with the case above. Very nice five, Butch! I like the natural finish mahogany a lot. The classic finish is the darker stain, which is what my four has. It's a rich color with its own appeal.

Yes, Jesse can build Ergos out of several different kinds of wood. I'd say there's probably a premium in pricing over the mahogany.

His standard wood used to be cherry. He liked it a lot, it was inexpensive and plentiful, but apparently a lot of customers didn't think it was a good wood for this instrument and asked for a more traditional tonewood.

He did lower his prices recently, by about $50. I just noticed that on his website. This is a good idea, because it keeps him competitive with some of the other options for EUBs under $1000, such as the new NS Designs WAV bass, the Dean Pace (such as it is), and the Palatino.

And Sheldon, I asked Jesse for a new set of piezos for my bass, as you suggested. When I put the original piezos back in, I got a good sound out of the treble side, but the bass side piezo has never sounded right. Replacing them completely should do the trick. Jesse didn't charge me for the replacement, which was nice of him to do.

Alright. I read all 10 pages of this.

I am fairly certain now that an Ergo is for me.

Just a quick question about putting the ergo into an amp. I have a peavy, and I read really early in this thread that it didn't have a very nice sound to it.

Just wondering if anyone has had similar issues.

I am going to stick with a 4 string, because I can't be bothered with the problems people seem to be having with the models with more strings... just not worth the risk and I am completely content with 4.

I don't think there is anything else I need to really ask, because of what I've read here, thanks again everyone, really helpful information!

It's not the Peavy, I would think. It could be the EQ settings the person had. It may be the amp, but doubt it. An Ergo is a great bass, go for it.

^ Thanks...

Hey Everyone, I'm going to try one out today, and if I like it, I'll get it :)

Either way I'll come and post what I think.

(wish me luck)

^ Thanks...

Hey Everyone, I'm going to try one out today, and if I like it, I'll get it :)

Either way I'll come and post what I think.

(wish me luck)
Good luck. Keep us posted!