2x4 EUB (The Poor Man's EUB)

Jeff2287 · #1 08-26-2009, 03:08 PM

Hello to all. I have been searching for an affordable electric upright bass. In spite of the fact that I've been extraordinarily not-picky I had no luck until I stumbled upon this 2x4 EUB from the website below:

http://www.mandobassman.com/Index.html

The reviews and testimonials sound good but I would obviously be a lot more comfortable playing one of these basses first. However, this guy lives in Salem Oregon and I live in Portland Oregon, which are nearly 70 miles apart, and I have no car. I was wondering if anyone has ever played one of these 2x4 Electric Upright Basses. Are they worth their $130 price tag? Will they crumble in a matter of minutes as many cheap things do? If all else fails, would I be better off just renting a car or hopping a bus to Salem so as to meet the guy and try this instrument out?

Thanks.
Jeff

Jeff2287 · #2 08-27-2009, 12:40 PM

Anything at all?

**Francois Blais** · #3 08-27-2009, 01:49 PM

Did you call them?
Maybe you could get a lift?

Jason P Bass · #4 08-28-2009, 05:57 PM

I'd want to see more pictures of the fingerboard.

squarewave · #5 08-31-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason P Bass

I'd want to see more pictures of the fingerboard.

I think the fingerboard is flat.

Marcus Johnson · #6 08-31-2009, 10:36 AM

That would be strange indeed.... a flat fingerboard with a radiused bridge and nut.

BassistFreak416 · #7 08-31-2009, 10:42 AM

it says on the page of the 2x4 that the bridge is ordinarily set up for bowing but can be made flat if you prefer

deaf pea · #8 08-31-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff2287

...would I be better off just...hopping a bus to Salem so as to meet the guy and try this instrument out?

YES

This is really a no-brainer . . . if you're only about 70 miles away from his shop, that's like right around the corner . . .

Gintaras · #9 08-31-2009, 11:14 AM

subscribing to thread. I would like something to play at Bluegrass get togethers and I do not have a Double Bass.

Jeff2287 · #10 09-01-2009, 12:40 PM

Hi alls. I might be getting a ride to Salem this Friday (maybe). If that all works out and I can get to this guy's shop then I'll be sure to post details about the bass up here. Thanks all.

father of fires · #11 09-01-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff2287

Hi alls. I might be getting a ride to Salem this Friday (maybe). If that all works out and I can get to this guy's shop then I'll be sure to post details about the bass up here. Thanks all.

Subscribed.

I can't wait for the review.

peterpalmieri · #12 09-01-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by father of fires

Subscribed.

I can't wait for the review.

I am subscribed as well. Don't know that I can say that "I can't wait for the review" but it's more like driving by an accident and you can't help but peak over to see if there is any bloody carnage....

father of fires · #13 09-01-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpalmieri

I am subscribed as well. Don't know that I can say that "I can't wait for the review" but it's more like driving by an accident and you can't help but peak over to see if there is any bloody carnage....

I can't wait for the review because this is very relevant to my interests.

I will be pulling the trigger on a EUB soon and this may fit the bill.

Marcus Johnson · #14 09-01-2009, 03:54 PM

You want a cheap EUB? Google on "PVC bass".

Gintaras · #15 09-01-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

You want a cheap EUB? Google on "PVC bass".

I love the PVC bass but don't have time for that type of project. Saw it on this sight and the member put some serious work into it. This looks like a cheap simple way to get started.

Marcus Johnson · #16 09-01-2009, 05:51 PM

Gintaras....I've been to a fair number of bluegrass thangs in my early days. I'm not sure that anything but a good old ply DB will fly with those folks. You could carry around a stopgap cheapo URB and an amp... or you could save up some $$$ and get a beater upright that you can just stick a mic in front of. I know of several here on this little island that would work fine in that capacity. It sometimes amazes me how many old serviceable ply DBs there are out there.

Jeff... $130 is pretty hard to beat, if the thing is playable. I'm still bothered by the impression I'm getting from the website... that the fingerboard is flat, but the plane of the strings is curved. Not sure if I have that right... but if so, it just makes no sense at all. It would be really easy to take a portable power planer to a 2x4, and come up with something that would work better.

A lot of the technique of playing double bass comes from the radiused fingerboard, even when playing pizz. If the fingerboard is flat, you lose a lot of what makes certain DB techniques work. You could just as easily play a bass guitar at that point.

IMHO

Jason P Bass · #17 09-01-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Jeff... $130 is pretty hard to beat, if the thing is playable. I'm still bothered by the impression I'm getting from the website... that the fingerboard is flat, but the plane of the strings is curved. Not sure if I have that right... but if so, it just makes no sense at all. It would be really easy to take a portable power planer to a 2x4, and come up with something that would work better.

A lot of the technique of playing double bass comes from the radiused fingerboard, even when playing pizz. If the fingerboard is flat, you lose a lot of what makes certain DB techniques work. You could just as easily play a bass guitar at that point.

IMHO

My thoughts exactly. Looking forward to more pics of the fingerboard.