Azola vs BSX Allegro

Russell Bergum · #1 12-11-2006, 08:16 PM

I am new the TB forum, but have been playing bass for over 25 years (classical, rock, alternative, folk-rock, swing, contemporary church, etc) and I am looking for a quality EUB. I'm afraid of beating up my Juzek (which sounds great the the Bass Max pickup - thank you Bob Gollihur!) and I am narrowing in on the BSX Allegro and the Azola Acoustic Bugbass. I have spoken with both Dino at BSX and Jill at Azola, and they both sound like wonderful people to work with. Has anyone played both, and how would you describe their differences? I also would be interested in any input on how the Azola solid bodies (bugbass, lightningbug, etc) sound compared the the acoustic versions. Thanks in advance.

Russell Bergum

bongomania · #2 12-11-2006, 08:24 PM

I don't have any hands-on experience with either one yet, but I have recently been checking them out as well. I agree that both Dino and Jill seem like awesome people. In the end I decided to put a deposit down with BSX because I like the look of his basses better. Sorry this isn't very helpful, I mostly just chimed in out of shared interest in the subject.

ctxbass · #3 12-11-2006, 10:43 PM

I previously owned a solid body, Azola made, Ampeg reissue Baby Bass. The craftsmanship was second to none. The feel was great. I did not keep it because I could only get either the "highly percussive, no sustain, Baby Bass sound", or, when I used the bridge wing mounted pickup, the "giant fretless electric bass sound".

I was lucky enough to find an Azola Acoustic Baby Bass

. Quality all the way. The sound I was missing before is there. While it will never sound like an unamplified double bass, I (and I am not alone here) find the sound almost indistinguishable from an upright bass amplified using a pickup. Since the electronics are optimized for the instrument, it probably sounds better than many amplified double basses.

Russell Bergum · #4 12-13-2006, 06:04 AM

I was on the phone with Dino at BSX yesterday, and a customer was picking up his Allegro A4. I could hear him playing pizz and arco in the background, and it sounded like a real upright. Then Dino held the phone towards the bass and it sounded HUGE, with a nice low end growl. I don't know what kind of amp it was going through. I spoke with the customer, who ranted about the beautiful finish and craftsmanship, feel and playability, and most of all, awesome sound. He had tried several other EUB's and had settled on BSX. He had not played an acoustic Azola, but had heard one live (of course, he did not have any specifics, ie model, age, pickups, etc). This guy could not say enough about how happy he was with his BSX. Dino is having a sale on all orders placed by 12/20/06, so I will be deciding before that.

cachao is god · #5 12-17-2006, 02:52 PM

I buyed an Allegro 4 in this days, it' s very good eub, very good sound and craftsmanship!

Russell Bergum · #6 12-17-2006, 05:40 PM

Cachao

Glad to see you are happy with your Allegro! I have yet to hear from anyone who has not been happy with the Allegro.

Has anyone compared the BSX Allegro to the T4?

bongomania · #7 12-18-2006, 01:38 AM

Over in "Miscellaneous-BG" there's an EUB thread in which TB'er "passinwind" speaks highly of his stick-style BSX. I don't know if he's tried the Allegro, but you could ask him.

cachao is god · #8 12-18-2006, 04:14 PM

I'm really happy with my allegro because its feel & sound basically remains as an acustic double bass.
It also has many kind of sounds on its own eletronic onboard.
I use it with an Eden wt550 amp set flat with one or two acme B1, witch provides a very round and warm tone.
It' s very portable, the detachable neck is fantastic,I take only two minutes for desasembling!

I'm thinkin' to change their original red label strings with gut strings or similar for less sustain "salsa" tone.
I' m wondering if buying the aquila strings or pirastro obbligato strings, what do you think about, what it could be the better strings for salsa?

Bye

Stefano

ps how can I put on an avatar???

**Francois Blais** · #9 12-18-2006, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cachao is god

I'm thinkin' to change their original red label strings with gut strings or similar for less sustain "salsa" tone.
I' m wondering if buying the aquila strings or pirastro obbligato strings, what do you think about, what it could be the better strings for salsa?

Salsa players often use Spirocore solos tuned down to orchestra pitch on their Ampeg baby bass.

Quote:

ps how can I put on an avatar???

You need to get a Supporting Membership for that:
http://www.talkbass.com/content/support.php?styleid=11

Best,
François

bongomania · #10 12-18-2006, 11:03 PM

Another fellow noted that the Thomastic Superflexibles had a deeper, tubbier tone with a shorter sustain, compared to Spirocore Weichs.

Russell Bergum · #11 12-19-2006, 02:43 AM

You should ask the designer himself, Dino Fiumara. You can email him at info@bsxbass.com, or go to the BSX website and get his phone number. He is very good to work with.

Actually, the email is dino@bsxbass.com. Sorry for the error.

bongomania · #12 12-28-2006, 12:39 AM

I'm very excited! I just placed my order today for a BSX Allegro Acoustic 5-string. Dino has been very helpful so far, and very patient with all of my questions. Yay!

Russell Bergum · #13 12-28-2006, 04:22 PM

Good news!

I also placed an order this weekend for an Allegro A4 string. I was seriously considering the 5, but I have never played a 5 string, and didn't want to experiment on what is soon to be my most prized instrument. Now, I just need to maintain my sanity during the 9-10 week wait. For those on the fence, the big sale continues through 12/30/06!

Passinwind · #14 12-29-2006, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Over in "Miscellaneous-BG" there's an EUB thread in which TB'er "passinwind" speaks highly of his stick-style BSX. I don't know if he's tried the Allegro, but you could ask him.

I have yet to try the Allegro that's currently at a Portland dealer's shop, but I'll post back if and when I get a chance to. FWIW, there's a live recording of my older (model 2000 I think Dino said) BSX stick bass on this MySpace site -- it's the third cut. Not sure how long I'll leave it up there, and please forgive the sloppy bar gig feeling.

Best of luck to both of you with the new EUBs! Be sure to try at least a few amp/cab rigs to dial 'em in.

matthewbrown · #15 01-16-2007, 12:57 PM

I agree. The Azola acoustic baby is the way to go if you're cramped for space, travel a lot, etc. And I found by getting a 1/2 size one with a high C string, I was able to make a fairly painless transition from electric -- except for the bow!