best choice EUB for arco only

Kjetil Laukholm · #1 07-27-2008, 06:28 AM

I am getting a EUB for nice quiet home practise. Mostly scales really.
I tried the Bridge Bass from Bridgeinstruments some 10 years ago and while it would be inpossible to practise strokes on that instrument I came away with a feeling it was a decent arco sound.

I would love any non exotic suggestions.

My main instrument is a huge 1750 Lockey Hill with a tiny 41'' string length, and the EUB will replace my Hachez #5 as my scale practise instrument so I am looking for something good.

**Francois Blais** · #2 07-27-2008, 09:12 AM

The Eminence maybe?

http://www.gelbass.com/

Are you looking for a solid-body, for a muted tone, or a semi-acoustic, like the Eminence ?

P.S. Say hello to Kurt Wallender for me please!

mheintz · #3 07-27-2008, 09:54 AM

To my ears, the Alter Ego sounds the most realistic and the reference points are most similar to a double bass. Bill Merchant's bass might be another possibility if only because you can customize the neck to match your Hachez or Lockey.

downneck · #4 07-27-2008, 09:59 AM

i'll second the Merchant Vertical, i've got one and the arco feel is pretty damn natural

Kjetil Laukholm · #5 07-27-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francois

The Eminence maybe?

http://www.gelbass.com/

Are you looking for a solid-body, for a muted tone, or a semi-acoustic, like the Eminence ?

P.S. Say hello to Kurt Wallender for me please!

I would like a semi acoustic, 41 inch string length.
Has anyone tried the bridge bass http://www.bridgeinstruments.co.uk/elec_bass.html
It seems it is not very well known.

jonas · #6 07-27-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kjetil Laukholm

I would like a semi acoustic, 41 inch string length.
Has anyone tried the bridge bass http://www.bridgeinstruments.co.uk/elec_bass.html
It seems it is not very well known.

Is that bass *semi* acoustic?!?

damonsmith · #7 07-27-2008, 05:06 PM

I play mostly arco and I am quite happy with my Ergo. I has a quiet but full sound unamplifed - great for late night practice. I think a 4 string can be had for $600 or so. add in a bit more for good strings and a stand and it is still cheaper than any other option.

**Francois Blais** · #8 07-27-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonas

Is that bass *semi* acoustic?!?

Hi Jonas.
Well, their website states "Hollow moulded bodyshell, from carbon fibre and kevlar composites. High strenght to weight ratio."

There doesn't seem to be any hole in the body though.

Best regards,
François

Kjetil Laukholm · #9 07-27-2008, 11:40 PM

the Bridgebass is just a thin shell so there is quite a bit of cavity in there.
I am waiting for an answer regarding the cost of a custom string length and a balanced XLR output. And Unless I see somthing more interesting in this thread, I will place an order in a week or so.
(I forgot to mention I played one about ten years ago and was very impressed with the jazz sound and positively surpriced at the arco sound. Its shoulders made it feel much like a real bass unlike EUB's I have owned in the past)
List price is in the $4k range.
I would like to stay under $7-8k

hdiddy · #10 07-28-2008, 11:11 AM

For Arco? Alter Ego or Yamaha Silent Bass. End of story.

Basso Musico · #11 07-28-2008, 01:03 PM

Obviously, I agree about AlterEGO being the top-notch arco instrument. My only concern is in the original post - "I am getting a EUB for nice quiet home practise. Mostly scales really." If that's it, no gigs, no etudes, no rep, you'll be grossly under-using an AlterEGO...but I guess that's true of any good instrument. Anyway, great sound samples can be found here:
http://www.alter-ego.it/english/mp3.php

Best,
Rick

hdiddy · #12 07-28-2008, 01:15 PM

Rick, I don't see it that way. None of the other EUBs will give you the feel of a regular DB. Either they're missing an upper bout or there's no heel to match a regular DB. The only thing that could prob do it is the MerchantBass since it has a weird foot for an endpin and resists torque when doing pizz.

I never liked the Eminence - it's light and wants to twist like mad. Anything on a tripod doesn't cut it since you can't rebalance the instrument for thumb position. I know this first hand from owning both an NSD and an Ergo.

I practice on my Yamaha and switch two and from the regular DB seamlessly and apply the same exact technique to both. Just my $.02.

damonsmith · #13 07-28-2008, 01:30 PM

I have no problem with the tripod at all Is it all about angling the bass right.. Thumb position is just fine for me on mine.

mheintz · #14 07-28-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basso Musico

Obviously, I agree about AlterEGO being the top-notch arco instrument. My only concern is in the original post - "I am getting a EUB for nice quiet home practise. Mostly scales really." If that's it, no gigs, no etudes, no rep, you'll be grossly under-using an AlterEGO...but I guess that's true of any good instrument. Anyway, great sound samples can be found here:
http://www.alter-ego.it/english/mp3.php

Best,
Rick

This is a good point. I sometimes find myself in the same boat as Kjetil Laukholm. Two or three times a year, I travel on vacation and can't bring my upright. I'd prefer not renting an upright, which requires an extra trip and extra cash. I'd rather check an EUB. In this case, the Alter Ego is probably be overkill. What's the cheapest, flight ready EUB for arco practice? How much does the Yamaha Silent Bass run? Does it come with a flight case?

Basso Musico · #15 07-28-2008, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mheintz

This is a good point. I sometimes find myself in the same boat as Kjetil Laukholm. Two or three times a year, I travel on vacation and can't bring my upright. I'd prefer not renting an upright, which requires an extra trip and extra cash. I'd rather check an EUB. In this case, the Alter Ego is probably be overkill. What's the cheapest, flight ready EUB for arco practice? How much does the Yamaha Silent Bass run? Does it come with a flight case?

Well, I feel that you should check out the AlterEGO babyEGO and Unico lines, rather than the Acoustic line (the line that most people talk about when referring to AlterEGO). The babyEGO is comparable to a Silent Bass in pricing, and the Unico is less expensive.
Rick

hdiddy · #16 07-28-2008, 02:20 PM

Sometimes I wish I tried the babyEGO, but it's too late now and the Yamaha works just fine and I enjoy it. The materials on the Yamaha aren't the greatest however (the fingerboard wood was cheap grade). The stuff on the Alter-Ego is hopefully better.

Silent Bass runs about $2400. Comes with gigbag only. No flight case - check the Megathread. Some of our guys have come up with certain flight solutions - the cheapest being a golfing flight case.

@Damon: I know you like the Ergo. Personally, I can't stand the damn thing and was happy to get rid of it. It just didn't work for me. The NSD is only marginally better in feel, but it's one of the best sounding EUBs around. They did a great job with the piezo pickup on the CR4. The NSD tripod is certainly alot better as it has a wider stance than the drum tripod the Ergo uses. Also, it allows for more axis of freedom.

cnltb · #17 07-28-2008, 02:26 PM

bassculture.de make one.
I think it is arcoable.

Kjetil Laukholm · #18 07-28-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basso Musico

Obviously, I agree about AlterEGO being the top-notch arco instrument. My only concern is in the original post - "I am getting a EUB for nice quiet home practise. Mostly scales really." If that's it, no gigs, no etudes, no rep, you'll be grossly under-using an AlterEGO...but I guess that's true of any good instrument. Anyway, great sound samples can be found here:
http://www.alter-ego.it/english/mp3.php

Best,
Rick

I have to listen to this thing 2-3 hours a day so it needs to sound good (at a minimum the Hill will still be played for the 4 1/2 hour rehersals and 60-90 minute warmup) It is hard enough to get up and do the scales wit a good instrument, if it feels or sounds wrong it just aint gonna happen.
If this is underusing the EUB imagine the $44k bass I was using only for my scales up till now. 4-5k is a small investment for a few hours of daily practise and less than the cost of a descent bow.

hdiddy · #19 07-28-2008, 03:13 PM

FYI: The yamaha is close in feel but there are small details that aren't exactly the same. The bridge for example is small and looks like a cello bridge, but the string spacing still feels right. If you have the budget (which it sounds like you do), I would look at the higher end Alter-Ego's. I totally agree with the investment as a practice instrument. It's well worth having something that feels exactly like a DB if you can afford it. I'm sure the sound will be good as well. Mine seems to be easier to bow than the regular DB.

damonsmith · #20 07-28-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

@Damon: I know you like the Ergo. Personally, I can't stand the damn thing and was happy to get rid of it. It just didn't work for me. The NSD is only marginally better in feel, but it's one of the best sounding EUBs around. They did a great job with the piezo pickup on the CR4. The NSD tripod is certainly alot better as it has a wider stance than the drum tripod the Ergo uses. Also, it allows for more axis of freedom.

I like the Ergo, but the first thing you have to do is get rid of the stand. It took a lot of time to tweak it just right, but I am getting a great, woody sound out of it.