Azola EUBs Megathread - Page 4

matthewbrown · #61 11-18-2007, 08:25 AM

I have a custom 1/2 size with a high C string added. Yes, it is a beautiful instrument, and yes, it sounds just like an amplified upright. And no, you can't have it!

funkydanbass · #62 11-20-2007, 04:25 PM

Hi guys,

I am in the market for an Azola baby bass. I've been looking at the Carved Acoustc baby bass, but would love to get my hands on a Euro Acoustic. I know these have been discontiued for sometime, but understand they were contracted out anyway. Does anyone know if these can be purchased direct from the luthier?

If not, is anyone selling?

Any information / recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Daniel.

funkydanbass · #63 11-22-2007, 02:39 PM

Anyone?

**Francois Blais** · #64 11-22-2007, 06:16 PM

Your best bet is probably to contact Jill Azola about this.
On their website, they suggest the Acoustic Baby Bass as a replacement.

Hope this helps!

Regards,
François

funkydanbass · #65 11-22-2007, 06:30 PM

Thanks, I have tried. It appears thay have alot of emails to catch up on....

matthewbrown · #66 11-24-2007, 01:53 PM

It's hard to believe that Steve and Jill Azola have by themselves "carved" such a niche in the bass world for their work, but they have, and for good reason. I'm very pleased with my 1/2 size 5-string acoustic baby bass -- and so is everyone who hears it!

phippsyg · #67 11-30-2007, 02:25 AM

Hi peoples,
Am looking at ordering an Azola Baby Bass and can't decide what finish to put on it. I know what I don't like-sunburst and the real yellow colours, but can't settle on anything. I saw a picture of a spalted top I really like or maybe just a plain satin finish. Would love to see some photos of anyones suggestions. Anyone have any soundclips as well? Posting here or You can email me photos if possible at; phippsyg@hotmail.com, that would be great.
Thanks!!

matthewbrown · #68 12-08-2007, 02:39 PM

I went for the traditional "iced tea" finish on my baby, because I wanted to get gigs that required a traditional looking instrument. It has worked out, because I didn't want a showy instrument. Good luck with your decision.

hensonbass · #69 04-26-2008, 01:20 AM

I just received my 5-string Azola ultracoustic bug bass this past Monday and wanted to share my experiences so far. I ordered this bass 7 months ago based on all the information I could gather from the Internet and corresponding with other owners of these instruments. I never had the chance to play an Azola bass so it was quite a leap of faith to order one sight unseen.

I've owned an Eminence EUB and I currently own 3 upright basses (Prescott, Shen, unknown Czech) and several slabs too. I've also tried out the NS and AlterEGO EUBs.

My main gig right now is touring with a rock/folk trio out of Atlanta and we average about 200 shows a year. The shows average about 1,000 fans in attendance so the venues are anywhere from large clubs to theaters and outdoor shows. We run everything direct with in-ear monitors so no monitor speakers are used on stage at any time.

I started out using the Eminence for this gig but I ended up switching to my Shen hybrid 150 bass with a Realist and/or a Rev.Solo PU and combining this with a magnetic pickup blended in for added punch. This rig sounded better than the Eminence and also added a visual impact that comes from a real upright. And surprisingly, the Shen held up great on the road.

However, there were issues to deal with. One of the pickups would always crap out after a few months and it seemed I was always tinkering around with something electronically every few days. And as our shows got bigger the bass would start to feedback because the mains were so loud that the subs would make my bass vibrate out of control to the point I couldn't play the damn thing - especially with the bow. I knew I had to come up with something better, or I would give up and play a bass guitar.

Well all I can say is Azola to the rescue.

I've played the bass for 3 shows now and everyone is raving about it. Soundmen are coming up and saying they can't believe how much clarity and power comes out of this bass. Fans are telling me they can hear me clearly for the first time. There hasn't been one bit of feedback and we're playing loud as hell, even when I use extreme effects like overdrive, envelope filters and reverb. Pizz and arco are balanced and even. I don't have to adjust tones between playing styles. What a pleasure it is to have a punchy pizz tone that still sounds smooth when you switch to the bow, with no volume jumps or dips. The spirocore weich strings sound really good stylistically for the music we are playing, but I think I need a stiffer string to accommodate my technique. I’m going to try some superflexibles next week and see what happens. I’m also learning how to play with a high ‘c’ string. I’ve been able to fake it so far, however I can’t wait to put in some time learning how to really play it. That high 'c' really sings!

If you want to see a pic of my bass it’s on the Azola homepage:

http://www.azola.com/sys-tmpl/door/

I can’t overstate the craftsmanship involved in this instrument. No more bridge height adjustments. The fingerboard tilts with an allen wrench. The flame on the maple back and sides is gorgeous. I also knew when I first saw this gem that it was built to be solid as steel. Steve really does overbuild his instruments and the attention to detail is astonishing. He and his wife Jill really put a lot of love into these instruments. Jill is really cool and fun to talk to, and she answers all the questions you may have. I really feel for the first time that I have an upright bass that I feel is as tough as any bass guitar I would use on the road. No special treatment needed. Solid, solid, solid. The display stand it comes with is a new design – really portable and functional. The gig bag is first class as well, however, I will play it safe and have a road case built for the trips in the bus bins.

How does it sound? Well I’m blown away by its earthy, woody tone, but at the same time having a forwardness and a punch to the note. It certainly blows away what I could get with my amplified Shen, that’s for sure. Is it going to sound just like a doublebass with a microphone, no, but for my situation I wouldn’t be heard if I tried to do that. This bass still produces enough acoustic quality to the sound that it comes through in a mix with the other instruments. The flexible 3-band eq also allows for a tasteful adjustment of that sound as well. The bottom line is that the Azola has a distinctive tone that is very pleasing to the ear.

I hope this review gives other players an idea of what to expect from an Azola bass. I’m going to be touring the US all this summer with this bass. If any of you fellow TBer’s would like a chance to hear one in action or try mine out at a sound check PM me and we’ll work it out. Here’s my schedule:

http://www.coreysmith.com/tourinfo.cfm

FYI: I’m not an endorsee or looking for any kickback in this. I’m just a big fan of the Azola’s, and I think other players would be as well if they could hear and play these amazing instruments in person. It’s hard to be the little guy in the music biz, you know.

four2oh · #70 04-26-2008, 01:39 AM

i've been drooling over those, nice review!

jsbarber · #71 04-26-2008, 07:31 AM

I have an Azola Acoustic Bug Bass, which is the predecessor to the model you have. I think the difference is primarilly in the arched back on your instrument. It has significantly more acoustic nature to it than the solid body bug bass, but not as much as the baby bass (which is significantly larger). To my mind the acoustic bug bass / ultracoustic bug bass provide a great blend of form factor convenience with an acoustic enough sound.

Since I've never played an Eminence, how would you compare the tone and playability of your Azola with your Eminence (from what you can remember of it)?

I completely agree about Jill & Steve. Since I live in San Diego and Ramona is close by, I've had a chance to visit them a couple of times. They are terrific people and very passionate about their instruments.

Jim

hensonbass · #72 04-26-2008, 09:12 AM

The Azola is a far superior instrument to the Eminence in tone, construction, design and ultimately value IMO.

Look, you're comparing a handmade, fully-carved bass with a proprietary pickup system to a chinese - factory made plywood upright with a Realist pickup.

The Eminence to me is too expensive for what it is. I don't think it's worth the price tag for what you get. The thing is they are more available and players have an easier time accessing them to try out or hearing them because they are mass produced. Whereas it's hard to try out an Azola because not many shops carry the line and/or the private owner demand is too great.

But a lot of people like the Eminence and it works for them. I'm glad I switched.

Russell Bergum · #73 04-26-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phippsyg

Hi peoples,
Am looking at ordering an Azola Baby Bass and can't decide what finish to put on it. I know what I don't like-sunburst and the real yellow colours, but can't settle on anything. I saw a picture of a spalted top I really like or maybe just a plain satin finish. Would love to see some photos of anyones suggestions. Anyone have any soundclips as well? Posting here or You can email me photos if possible at; phippsyg@hotmail.com, that would be great.
Thanks!!

Call Jill and talk to her. She will be able to send you all kinds of pics. The Azola's are great people to deal with. They provide highly personalized service and will work with you to make sure that what get is the best possible match for your needs. I can't say enough about them.

Russell Bergum · #74 04-26-2008, 05:44 PM

Glad to hear your bass is working out! Someday, I may have one of my own. The Azola's are great to work with. That's a beautiful bass.

Also, I checked out your tour schedule...you're playing in some great venues! Too bad none are in MN...I'd like to check out your show.

damonsmith · #75 04-26-2008, 07:55 PM

These things really look like the right idea!

ctxbass · #76 04-26-2008, 11:58 PM

I have been extremely happy with my Azola Acoustic Baby Bass.
I came to the same conclusion that while it does not sound like my double bass with a microphone, in situations where I need to be loud it is the perfect instrument. I don't need to be concerned with speaker placement (which can be a big problem on a small stage) and the sound is all that you said it is. Top notch craftsmanship to boot.
I bought mine second hand and Jill Azola went out of her way to help me, making certain that the seller knew how to pack the bass properly for shipping.
I previously owned an Azola reissue Ampeg Baby Bass, and while it turned out that the sound was not exactly what I was looking for, the high quality of the instrument was very impressive.
I think you would be hard pressed to find people who care more about their instruments and their customers.

buddyro57 · #77 04-27-2008, 08:51 AM

two words; (borrowed from the movie Juno)

"hells yes"

JS

hensonbass · #78 04-27-2008, 04:25 PM

I was at an after party last night and there was a cover band playing as a duo (drums & guitar) in the corner. The club was packed and noisy as hell. They had a pretty strong PA and a couple of floor monitors. I brought out my bass and sat in on some tunes. I plugged directly into the PA with a Radial DI and then dialed some bass in the monitors.

I heard every note... and had a blast.

I would never have tried that with my DB. Probably wouldn't normally do it with a slab either. Not unless I wanted to torture myself.

It's so cool to have an instrument I can do so much with and love what I hear each time I use it.

I got a little beer spilled on it too - it's mine now!

matthewbrown · #79 04-27-2008, 04:31 PM

THere's a nice azola on ebay now. Just search "azola"

hensonbass · #80 05-04-2008, 01:37 PM

Just replaced the spiro-weichs strings with a set of superflexibles and a flexocore high 'c'.

Much more upright tone to dig in with and easier to bow as well. The stiffer SF strings still have the growl but with not as much zing as the weichs. I think this is the optimal setup for me.

I played an outdoor festival yesterday with about 15,000 in attendance. Had no soundcheck. I plugged the Azola into a DI and it sounded awesome throughout the house - loud and clear.

Anybody want to buy a Shen upright?