Azola EUBs Megathread

[davel66]

Original paperwork for bugs would be awesome!

[tornadobass]

It's just a one-pager, but here you go...

[Bobby King]

Hey folks! I know this is shameless self-promotion, but my Azola Bug with Flight Case is for sale in the classifieds

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by tornadobass

It's just a one-pager, but here you go...

Thanks!

[mrpackerguy]

Now that I've had some quality time to spend addressing this issue with all the helpful suggestions......

There is no sound/support post. There is a hollow chamber where the preamp sits north of the bridge, then it's apparently solid body again from bridge to the endpin over which the bridge sits.

The bridge was sited at just past 41.25" to 41.5" from top of the bridge to middle of the nut. Moving it to 41" definitely reduced the thuddy attack. Not entirely, but to a tolerable point. However, this produced yet 2 other problems. After this adjustment, the bass was horribly out of tune according to the tuner. Almost an entire half step from the double dot markings on the fingerboard and very noticeable even at the "C" position dot on the G string. Moving the bridge back closer into tune increased the thud again. The second problem is a noticeable reduction in volume from bridge adjustment to bridge adjustment. Moving the bridge to an out of tune 41" position resulted in noticeable volume reduction.

I'm not playing up at the "12th fret position" even 1/50th of the time, but, it's somewhat disturbing to me anyway. I'm trying to attribute this to anything but build quality. Then again, I have not changed strings. I don't know what's on there, but the wrappings are different colored for each string - black, red, green yellow and the ball end all have green wrapping. If someone could ID these strings and recommend different ones, I'd try that as well.

Certainly treating the preamp as boost only has helped some. This EUB definitely doesn't like mids boosted at all.

I also lowered the strings slightly and that seemed to help.

I'm also going to try a new amp. I've got an 8 ohm Acme B1 coming and have one of two different tube pres to try with it, a Shuttle and a Walkabout.

So overall, I've reduced thudding at the expense of tuning and volume.

It's a beautiful bass. I'm just not sure it's worth all this fussing with. Someone else might have better luck. Seriously considering getting rid of it.

[mrgoodbass]

one thing that's helped me with this is making sure the low gain switch is on on my GK 800 amp (-10 DB switch on this amp).

[mrpackerguy]

Seems to be somewhat less thuddy with an Acme B1, possibly because of the lower bass extension compared to the Markbass CMD 121p I was running through which is more of a mid-present combo and which is now for sale sold in the BG GFS amps section.

[MR PC]

a high pass filter would smooth it out that way too

[Jazzdogg]

Just got a Fishman pro platinum to use with the Azola, and spent a few hours finding tones I liked with a Wizzy 12M and iAmp800.

So far, so good. I like the sound, and I like being able to push two buttons on the iAmp to bypass the EQ section entirely; great for doubling with an outboard pre-amp.

After seeing countless photographs of the Fishman, I expected it to be smaller and lighter. It's bigger, heavier, and more robustly built than I expected it to be. It's a tank.

I was surprised to prefer the sound of the single piezo element (that's wedged into the bridge like an Underwood), which provides a "woodier" sound than the individual piezo elements mounted directly beneath the strings on the bridge. At least so far. I may change my mind during round two, tomorrow.

I wanted to try running the Fishman directly into an effects return, but had no luck. Anything special I should know about iAmp effects loops before round two?

Most important to me, the Azola is pure enjoyment to play, and easy to gig!

[MR PC]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

Most important to me, the Azola is pure enjoyment to play, and easy to gig!

I couldn't agree more, that's why I purchased mine in 2009.....it's a great tool.

[davel66]

Originally Posted by tornadobass

It's just a one-pager, but here you go...

Thanks much for taking the time to post this Tornado!

[mrpackerguy]

Originally Posted by MR PC

a high pass filter would smooth it out that way too

Can you suggest one?

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by mrpackerguy

Can you suggest one?

I have one of these, and it's great!

HPF-Pre

[MR PC]

that's the one.

[mrpackerguy]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

I have one of these, and it's great!

HPF-Pre

Oh, OK, thanks. This is the one made in my own back yard!

[brianrost]

Finally joining, my Minibass arrived Saturday and the first gig with it was last night. I got many positive comments though I was only about 80% sold, more tone dialing is in store. Out again on Wed. night, see how that goes.

I owned an Ampeg Baby 30 years ago, this Mini immediately brought back some fond memories of some "Bob's Country Bunker" style gigs

A controls question: the detented knob (10 stops), is this just a bass rolloff/notch circuit?

A peg question: it's a little clumsy getting in the bag with the peg attached, is there a place to stash the peg in the bag?

[Joelc73]

I'm back in the Azola club! I have a five string Scarab on its way. I'm really excited about it. I don't think I've seen an Azola 5 before!

I had a bug bass years ago that always needed a sans amp (or similar) in between it and the amp to take out some of the Piezo thud. The bass I'm getting has a newer pickup system so I'm hoping it's more plug and play.

Are you guys plugging yours straight into an amp?

Thanks!

[matthewbrown]

I plug straight in, although I used to use a Bass Pod. My GK sounds just fine, though, all on its own.

[bassfox]

I have no problem plugging straight into a Demeter HP-1 and GK MB200.

[Joelc73]

Thanks guys -- Good to know.

BTW does anyone have any info on the Scarab 5's? I can't seem to find any info on them on the web. What did they sell for originally? Where in the Azola line did they fall?

Thanks