BSX Allegro Users?

[Suntower]

I've had no issues with the end pin. We may have different 'versions'.

On further reflection, I think a big part of the sound issues I've had are the piezo transducers. I have toyed with the idea of trying miniature mics... like those used in super-hi quality acoustic guitar pups. They sound dramatically better than piezos. (at least on guitar) Probably cost a fortune, though.

I've decided I'm not gonna spend another 2p on this. It is what it is.

What I've settled into using the thing for a lot is sort of a 'Baby Bass' sound... Sort of like a scooped 'Music Man'... sharp attack and bottom but no middle. Which is fine.

But at some point, I'll look at a 'real' upright. I'm just missing 'the air' too much I think.

[cuatro_cuerdas]

Originally Posted by Suntower

Some updates.

2. I did a couple of things to tackle the rattles.
a) I simply took off and put back on the neck a couple of times. It turns out that how one does that makes a BIG difference in the -tone- which I never noticed before.

b) I stuck some foam in the battery compartment and it not only made a buzz on two notes go away, but that too made the tone -noticeably- better. Hurray! OTOH, it also made another note -start- to buzz. Argggh!

I wish I could make -all- the buzzes go away.
---JC

Hi suntower, I change my helicore strings to velvet anima on my BSX allegro and the tone is fantastic, but after I changed the strings I got buzzes on my A string and it is really annoying, you said you put some foam in the battery compartment and that fixed the problem, I wonder if you could post some pictures about that process ? , I want badly to get rid of that noise in the A string..

[Suntower]

As soon as I find a spare $304 I'll give 'em a try. Oy.

Is the 'buzz' coming from inside? Usually when people say 'buzz' there's something on the bridge or nut.

All I did was open the back 2nd plate --- where the circuit board is --- and put a piece of packing foam where one of the wires is... I think it was probably a bit loose.

---JC

Originally Posted by cuatro_cuerdas

Hi suntower, I change my helicore strings to velvet anima on my BSX allegro and the tone is fantastic, but after I changed the strings I got buzzes on my A string and it is really annoying, you said you put some foam in the battery compartment and that fixed the problem, I wonder if you could post some pictures about that process ? , I want badly to get rid of that noise in the A string..

[cuatro_cuerdas]

Originally Posted by Suntower

As soon as I find a spare $304 I'll give 'em a try. Oy.

Is the 'buzz' coming from inside? Usually when people say 'buzz' there's something on the bridge or nut.

All I did was open the back 2nd plate --- where the circuit board is --- and put a piece of packing foam where one of the wires is... I think it was probably a bit loose.

---JC

Yes you have to give it a try,the animas are so nice to play!

I did the same by the way, I took the circuit board out and put some foam inside, but the buzzing was still present, I did the same with the battery comparment, and the buzz was still present, so I suspect that it is comming from the nut or bridge, I think I will delivered to a luthier to investigate this problem, I don't want to mess around with the nut or the bridge..

[gvb1]

I drilled small indentations at diffrent lengths in my endpin so that the screw locks into them.

Originally Posted by Suntower

I've had no issues with the end pin. We may have different 'versions'.

On further reflection, I think a big part of the sound issues I've had are the piezo transducers. I have toyed with the idea of trying miniature mics... like those used in super-hi quality acoustic guitar pups. They sound dramatically better than piezos. (at least on guitar) Probably cost a fortune, though.

I've decided I'm not gonna spend another 2p on this. It is what it is.

What I've settled into using the thing for a lot is sort of a 'Baby Bass' sound... Sort of like a scooped 'Music Man'... sharp attack and bottom but no middle. Which is fine.

But at some point, I'll look at a 'real' upright. I'm just missing 'the air' too much I think.

[gvb1]

I have used La Bella Deep Talkin strings and they sound great pizz but don't bow worth diddly.

Originally Posted by cuatro_cuerdas

Hi suntower, I change my helicore strings to velvet anima on my BSX allegro and the tone is fantastic, but after I changed the strings I got buzzes on my A string and it is really annoying, you said you put some foam in the battery compartment and that fixed the problem, I wonder if you could post some pictures about that process ? , I want badly to get rid of that noise in the A string..

[bobsax]

Originally Posted by gvb1

I drilled small indentations at diffrent lengths in my endpin so that the screw locks into them.

If you can show us a pic ,I'd love to see how it looks.

One of the cool things about EUB's is you can play and sit in a normal chair.
I made a short pin for sitting with a 13" threaded steel pipe, a nut , a garden hose washer and a rubber end plug. This way I don't need the tightening screw with the huge handle that always gets stuck in the case.
Down side is it will fall out when you lift the bass.
I may try a velcro strap to keep it from falling out but usually I just reach down and hold the instrument with one hand on the pin.

[BigWookie]

Originally Posted by Suntower

Hi,

First post here. Be gentle.

I've had a BSX Allegro 4-5 years now. Like it a lot, but I don't see anyone these days using them where I live (Seattle) so I have some questions.

1. Anyone recommend a -stand- for these things? I'm constantly worried about the thing falling over. Dino sells a 'display stand' but it's kinda expensive and doesn't really look all that practical for use on a gig. I just need something to lean it against that's stable. Suggestions?

2. Anyone use a different 'belly rest'? The one mine came with isn't adjustable. I wish the -length- was adjustable. Suggestions?

3. Mine suffers from fairly chronic 'rattles'... sometimes it's the battery cage; other times, the wires inside move around and vibrate with certain notes. Suggestions?

4. I've been using helicores. To me they sound a bit better than the spirocores it came with... I mean it has so much sustain, the helicores kinda toned it down. But I wonder if there are other suggestions that would work even better. This is more about -me- than the audience. To the audience it sounds -great-. But from my POV, it often sounds kinda dead. Obviously it will never have the 'big' sound of a real upright, but any help would be good.

I'm just wondering if these are common issues with common solutions. Again, it's not like a Fender Jazz where everyone has 'em and you can see what others do.

TIA,

---JC

Response to Sunflower's first post. As for the belly rest. I picked up a 6" pre-threaded extension metal rod and a threaded coupler (female both ends) at the local Service Star hardware store. It works for me.

[Glenn Harris]

Ultimately, all unfretted basses (EUB's, DB's, BG's, etc.) are unforgiving when it comes to intonation. We have to constantly work at it to get the intonation right, and the BSX Allegro (the hollow-body, in my case) isn't any different, in this context. It may be that, if the BSX projects well, it's because it puts out more mid- and upper-range overtones, which makes it easier to hear when notes are in tune. . . and out of tune. And, of course, intonation is more of a challenge for arco playing than for pizz.

I got my Allegro with the optional dots, and they are a huge help in getting the intonation right.