Anybody compared the Palatino and the Ergo

[i.b.bassing]

Hi all, I'm looking to add an EUB to my bass arsenal, but starting out with one that's inexpensive. This forum has been a great resource for researching. Looks like in the less expensive EUB's it's the Palatino and Ergo that are good quality for not much cash. Has anybody tried both, and can give an opinion on the differences, especially in playability and tone? Is one closer to upright in tone than the other? Both seem to have their issues that need tweeking, and I'm fine with doing that. Thanks!

[jamiefoxer]

I ordered my Palatino, but I haven't received it, so I can't give a comparison.

All I have to say is that

1) I wasn't impressed with the sound examples on Ergo's website, although I assume it has to be a good instrument if Reggie Wooten is endorsing it...he's got plenty of money and fame to endorse anyone.

2) I dislike "slab"-style basses.

I went with the Palatino and figure that, when I have a little extra money, I'll change the strings, bridge, and pickup. Even then, i'll have a quality EUB for less than $1,000...that's better than paying for a $2500+ Azola, BSX, or Eminence.

Unless you're a world-class double-bassist who makes his living purely from double-bass work...I don't see the point in paying thousands of dollars just to show off you have a BSX, Azola, or Eminence. If Palatino's quality is good enough to gig (and it seems that after the modifications, the sound is good enough that people compliment users for its sound), that's the instrument for the regular gigging musician.

[i.b.bassing]

Yeah, I noticed there seems to be a disconnect between the sound samples at the site and the rave reviews in the Ergo thread. The samples sound like one of those little Ashbory electric basses. I'm guessing the Ergo is capable of better things than that. I'm leaning toward the Palatino but wish I had a way to try both out.

[hdiddy]

Personally, I wouldn't bother looking at an Ergo anymore since the NS Wav4's are pretty much in the same price range. A Wav4 will beat it in every category. I don't understand the TB craze over Ergo's either. I tried one and hated it.

[MichaelVee]

Jesse lowered his prices before the WAVs came out, so the Ergo 4's are priced less.

I think Ergos are a YMMV EUB, just as the Palatinos are. Both Ergos and Palatinos require some changes and updates to be at their best, because they are not intended to be high-end EUBs. Having said that, mine is very nicely made and finished and is a very attractive instrument.

One reason that hdiddy may not have liked his Ergo is that Jesse does ship the basses with very cheap strings. All Ergo owners change out the strings, just like Palatino owners (and SX bass guitar owners too!) do. If you evaluate an out-of-the-box Ergo with the stock strings, you'll get a less than favorable impression. Same with Palatino.

[hdiddy]

Originally Posted by MichaelVee

One reason that hdiddy may not have liked his Ergo is that Jesse does ship the basses with very cheap strings.

Nope, I had replacement strings as soon as I got the bass. I knew the strings that came with the bass were crappy from the get-go (and they surely were). The Ergo 4 I had was shoddy in every category: fit, finish, feel, and sound. It's worth nowhere near the $700 I paid for it (or even at $600 these days). I should quit bashing these basses, but for an extra $200 or so, the WAV4 is gonna be soooooo much better.

[Tin-Foot Paul]

I haven't played a Palatino, so I can't fully answer your question. My 5-String Ergo is a fine bass. After adjusting the bridge, which had shifted during shipping, giving it an uneven sound, the only tweaking I had to do was put better strings on it. The Ergo sound samples on its website are deliberately unenhanced. I get a great sound from it with my GK Microbass combo. With a good preamp and amp the Ergo has a rich range of sound.

From reading this forum it seems the Ergo plays more like an upright than the Palatino, due to its bridge and neck radius, but I have no firsthand experience. You can use a bow on an Ergo, but from what I read here you can't on a Palatino.

I'm interested in checking out a WAV4 to see how it compares to my Ergo, but haven't yet. When I do, I'll post my impressions.

[SBassman]

Interesting dialog. Subscribing.