I have been playing EB as a pro for nearly 20 years but am new to bluegrass. I have a large 1/2 size or small 5/8 size Eberle (the dimensions are as follows:Body - endpin to neck block is 40.5"; string length is 39.5";Upper Bout is 18"; Lower Bout is 20.5") but i want a louder bass. I have been looking at a Shen 80 or 100, the new Upton UB standard laminate or now i am strongly considering a Roma Hybird carved top. Any suggestions out there? Will any of those be louder then the one i have?

One of Arnold's New Standards. They're cannons.

Check the classified. There is an older Meisel ply that is described as the loudest bass the poster has ever played. Somewhere near St. Louis. Only $1000 bucks too.

Ya just never know for sure 'til ya play one - any of 'em . . . but the old vintage Epiphone Bass (like maybe a B-4) enjoy the reputation of being real cannons with that deep bluegrass thump - depending on the strings, of course. Any bluegrasser that I've ever heard about havin' one - luv'd it !

I second both suggestions. I have one of each. They're both plenty loud. (Epiphone and Cleveland)

No doubt you need to move to a 3/4 bass, but in the quest for volume remember that a lot of that comes from the player. Are you tweaking the strings with your fingers like a guitar? I have seen and heard many guys who got a weak sound because of that.

Another key to the sound is setup. What ever you end up with, money spent on a professional setup is money invested.

I play a New Standard Cleveland for bluegrass, folk, etc., and it projects well, good volume. We do a one mic thing most of the time, and although it would be loud enough for that, I still use an additional mic, or pick-up mic combo to get a little more detail. It's a big bass, though, probably feel a lot larger than the basses your used to.

Setup is real important and also strings :). A couple years after buying the bass I have now I went into the shop that setup my bass (Hammond Ashley in Seattle) for a new set of strings. They were installing new steel strings while I waited and I was playing a few of there basses for sale, one had different strings than the others, they were louder by about 25% a synthetic gut string (Euro Sonic) they are a lower pressure string like gut. I immediately had them put on my bass and after 4 years there still on and louder than an idenical bass as mine. They also are easier on my fingers at week long festivals. Last year at a music camp on the Oregon coast (Bluegrass At the Beach) Mike Bub used my bass for the week and sayed he could not beleave how his fingers felt and commented on the improved volume.

Setup is real important and also strings :). A couple years after buying the bass I have now I went into the shop that setup my bass (Hammond Ashley in Seattle) for a new set of strings. They were installing new steel strings while I waited and I was playing a few of there basses for sale, one had different strings than the others, they were louder by about 25% a synthetic gut string (Euro Sonic) they are a lower pressure string like gut. I immediately had them put on my bass and after 4 years there still on and louder than an idenical bass as mine. They also are easier on my fingers at week long festivals. Last year at a music camp on the Oregon coast (Bluegrass At the Beach) Mike Bub used my bass for the week and sayed he could not beleave how his fingers felt and commented on the improved volume.

I had my bass set up with new strings (Spirocore) new tail wire, neck planed and soundpost reset. How common is it for guys to use pick-ups at a bluegrass festival?

.... How common is it for guys to use pick-ups at a bluegrass festival?
Pretty darn common :D ... less feedback issues than using a dedicated microphone on the bass. See here at BlueGrass Bass Place for a recent discussion: http://www.bluegrassbassplace.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=803 .

You can also persue the whole "Strings, Pickups & Mics" Forum there at BlueGrass Bass for other info.

Pretty darn common :D ... less feedback issues than using a dedicated microphone on the bass. See here at BlueGrass Bass Place for a recent discussion: http://www.bluegrassbassplace.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=803 .

You can also persue the whole "Strings, Pickups & Mics" Forum there at BlueGrass Bass for other info.

Thanks everybody for your replies, this part of talkbass is very cool!!! I will be with my dad and brother at Bean Blossom this summer jamming so if anybody is there come and jam with us. Just look for the "Baker Boys". Well have a cabin.