I'm currently considering purchase of an EUB. I know there are always tradeoffs involved, so I'm hoping to get people's opinions as to the "best" in terms of each of 5 attributes:

1. Tone quality
2. Playability
3. Design/"Looks"
4. "Fit & finish"
5. Value

Since no one EUB is likely to be "best" on all 5 attributes, I'm assuming folks will pick different EUBs for different attributes.

The "best"?

1. Tone quality

...depends so much on the player

2. Playability

...depends a lot on the set-up

3. Design/"Looks"

...totally irrelevant, unless you're looking for something which goes with the wall-paper/curtains/living-room-suite

4. "Fit & finish"

...depends on the manufacturer

5. Value

...are you looking for a bass or an investment?

;)

- Wil

PS: You'd be much happier with a real double-bass - I know, I was... (on all 5 counts!)

First let me state that I've owned/played the following EUBs:
- old Ampeg Baby Bass (which I modified)
- basic Azola BugBass I
- Carruthers SUB-1 (which I modified slightly too)

Originally posted by RunngDog
1. Tone quality

Depends what tone you're looking for!
Eberhard Weber (very electric/modified/space)?
Traditional AUB sound?

2. Playability

The SUB-1 is the best of the three I stated above, but YMMV!

3. Design/"Looks"

Depends what you think is a nice design!
As you can see, it's pointless.

4. "Fit & finish"

The SUB-1 is the best of the three I stated above, but YMMV!

5. Value

For me the SUB-1 has the best value among the ones listed above, etc...
But I've not tried the new Azolas, the Steinbergers, the Messengers, the Eminence, etc. etc.!

HTH anyway!

I've never owned one, but I've had the chance to play quite a few.

If you're after something that's close to the feel and sound of an amplified upright bass, I'd say that the Eminence is a good choice. If I was forced to play an EUB instead of the doghouse, it would be my choice. It was the only one I've tried that didn't feel "dead" under my fingers.

The Eminence has an actual hollow laminate bass body rather than a plank, and it features a Realist pickup. Of course, you may be after a more "electric" sound, in which case, a solid body model may be more to your liking.

This very subject has been discussed in 2 or 3 threads recently - so there was this thread :

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24370

And if you scroll down this forum page a little, there is a thread titled "Stick Recommendations".