Dean Pace EUB megathread

[Crazy_Fingers27]

thanks. i guess i am going to keep looking, and try to find a real double bass, and not an EUB. thanks for the help.

[hdiddy]

I just got my 4 string Ergo in the mail today. Looks good, nice color. Mine took 1.5 months to get to me since I got the beveled FB instead of the smooth radius. Looks like it came with Spiro Weichs.

I'll take pics and give a review later.

[godoze]

you mean he put new strings on yours ?! The last one i got came with some used strings he got off of ebay !

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by Don Zebrauskas

you mean he put new strings on yours ?! The last one i got came with some used strings he got off of ebay !

Mine, too. I don't blame him though, with the cost of new strings he would have to charge more for the bass.

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by Showdown

I don't blame him

Me Either. Aren't the shipping strings on most URB just bridge & sound post holders anyway? I was under the impression all y'all were REAL picky about brand/guage.

He told me in emails that he puts what he can on it and he's keeping cost down.

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by James Hart

Me Either. Aren't the shipping strings on most URB just bridge & sound post holders anyway? I was under the impression all y'all were REAL picky about brand/guage.

He told me in emails that he puts what he can on it and he's keeping cost down.

Yep, most people are just going to replace them with their prefered strings anyway.

By the way, my picture made it on to his web site. It is the last one on the artists page.

http://www.ergoinstruments.com/

[hdiddy]

Nope, they're used, tho still playable. I'm assuming they're weichs by the gauge and the red string windings at the bottom. I'll keep them on til I get tired of my Corelli's. I noticed he put super glue on the E string above the nut to keep the strings from unwinding completely. The tip of the string is unwould and the core is wrapped about the BG tuner. Interesting.

Things I noticed:
1. The Ergo comes a little sticky from whatever finish/varnish he used. He just missed a couple spots. Will have to steel wool it off.
2. There is a little play right at the connection of the Ergo to the adapter that lets you put it on a cymbal stand. Guys, does yours do that?
3. Finger markers are kinda interesting. Not sure if I like them yet. I guess I accidentally ordered them.
4. My RH Thumb feels awkward 90 degrees against the side. I'm used to the a normal FB being thinner. I may attempt to bevel the part of the edge just for comfort.

I plugged it in briefly yesterday, and you guys weren't kidding when you said it needs to be EQ'd. I end up turning the treble almost all the way off on the amp, otherwise it sounds too much like a fretless. Plays good, bows fine with my limited skills.

Here's another curious thing... I folded up all the legs and played it standing, allowing me to lean it in any direction. It's actually really nice that way, has anyone thought of making a telescoping monopod stand for it? Maybe even one with a body rest? If I know someone who could do it, it might try. Might make portability even more interesting.

Pics later.

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by hdiddy

Things I noticed:
1. The Ergo comes a little sticky from whatever finish/varnish he used. He just missed a couple spots. Will have to steel wool it off.
2. There is a little play right at the connection of the Ergo to the adapter that lets you put it on a cymbal stand. Guys, does yours do that?
3. Finger markers are kinda interesting. Not sure if I like them yet. I guess I accidentally ordered them.
4. My RH Thumb feels awkward 90 degrees against the side. I'm used to the a normal FB being thinner. I may attempt to bevel the part of the edge just for comfort.

1. I didn't have a problem with this.

2. Mine is very tight at that connection.

3. I like them, but did notice on a gig where the stage was fairly dark they were hard to see. Not really a major problem though.

[HeavyDuty]

I just saw this in the MF catalog, where they state it has a 6" FB radius. Interesting!

[Lewis7789]

I've been undecided on a fretless 5 bass guitar or a cheap upright with this $800 burning a hole in my pocket... I didn't think electric uprights could be had for under $1500? So this Dean Pace really opened my eyes.

But you guys like the Ergo more? I'd like to have something with a 42" string length and something I could bow.

Showdown- was the $700 new or used for your bass?

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by Lewis7789

I've been undecided on a fretless 5 bass guitar or a cheap upright with this $800 burning a hole in my pocket... I didn't think electric uprights could be had for under $1500? So this Dean Pace really opened my eyes.

But you guys like the Ergo more? I'd like to have something with a 42" string length and something I could bow.

Showdown- was the $700 new or used for your bass?

$700 new (plus shipping of course). I prefer the Ergo. It is 42" scale and bowable.

[Lewis7789]

Thank you sir. I already email them and asked about the waiting period. I think I've made up my mind on what EUB to buy, an Ergo 4 string.

How does it sound? I play mostly jazz/funk/groove stuff. I'd like to run it through my normal bass rig of a SWR 4004 head and SWR 4-10" cab alongside my Fender Jazz for gigs. And run it through my Boss GT-6B bass effects board if possible?

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by Lewis7789

Thank you sir. I already email them and asked about the waiting period. I think I've made up my mind on what EUB to buy, an Ergo 4 string.

How does it sound? I play mostly jazz/funk/groove stuff. I'd like to run it through my normal bass rig of a SWR 4004 head and SWR 4-10" cab alongside my Fender Jazz for gigs. And run it through my Boss GT-6B bass effects board if possible?

It sounds good through my amp, an Ashdown EB180-12. I can't say how it would sound through yours, but I suspect it would be good. You should be able to use the Boss GT-6B with no problems. I've used a Line 6 Bass Pod with mine with good results. It lets me set up a patch for the Ergo so I can switch between electric bass and the Ergo easily.

[Lewis7789]

Thanks again for the reply.

Good point about using a patch for the upright so your levels are already set.

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by Lewis7789

Thanks again for the reply.

Good point about using a patch for the upright so your levels are already set.

Yes, it is necessary. The Ergo doesn't have a preamp and its level is lower than even a passive electric, so you need to be able to boost a little when you switch to it. For me about +3db is about right. I also like to EQ it different than electric.

[RyanHelms]

Something I like about Ergo is the builder is using American Cherry. I think they offer other woods, too, but the cherry is stable, local, extrememly re-newable, affordable, etc. There's some much hype about exotic hardwoods nowadays...

Now as for the Pace, to me it looks like they took a thru-body neck, slapped a stand on it, and called it done. No style whatsoever. The catalog *does* list a 6" radius fretboard, but I zoomed in on the pic at MF and man does it look EB flat to me. I really don't see it being bowable. (tell that to Jimmy Page, right...) But hey, for the price? Just hope the piezo bridge sounds good.

edit: I just checked an Ergo on eBay that's Jatoba (African Cherry) but a quick glance at their website got this:

After extensive experimentation over many years, I've found that American Cherry is most ideal for construction of these instruments as it's quite stable, offers a great sound, and shows much more consistency(in terms of wood defects,and uniform color) than either Walnut, or Maple, and is readily available in quantity, and doesn't show any signs of scarcity in the future.

edit: On the issue of style, after seeing more and more short scale EUB efforts I have to say that the simplest approach is probably better considering portability/functionality. My "neck-thru body slapped on a stand comment" came off too condescending. With respect to DIY efforts, the easiest and most cost effective approach is just that. Dean, however, could perhaps re-think their pricing considering that a homebuilder could do more for less.

[Thurisarz]

I'm interested in an 5-string EUB and the only one available in sweden is the Dean Pace bass, haven't seen any other brand. Does anybody have one or have tried one? That black one sure looks tempting

Thanks!

*EDIT:* What sort of strings do you have on a EUB? Roundwounds? Nylon? I really like having a High C instead of a low B, is that possible to buy if there is nylon used?

BTW, can i use a strap on the bass or can i only play it sitting down?

[plester102]

I just bought a 4 string ERGO from EBay. It is brand new from Jesse O'Neal (the maker) for $620 including shipping.

Received it in 5 days USPS.

I need a preamp into my Roland amp. The output from the pizeo PU under the bridge is pretty low.

Very simple design concept. The installed strings are flat wound and produce a very uneven volume string to string as well as up the fingerboard. I think that with some simple mods it will be a usable EUB.

It's definetly different than a real DB. But, it's a good buy for a 42" scale EUB.

Cheers

Paul

[bassman1185]

Ok, I know that these are technically electric uprights, but I think that these will appeal to bass guitarists more than "real" upright players, so that's why I'm posting this in the BG forum.

Anyway, I really liked it. It didn't really sound like a real upright, but more like a cross between a fretless bass guitar and an upright. More thumpy than a fretless, but with less
sustain. The 35" scale felt much more familiar to me than the full 42" (I think) of a full upright. I do wish that it came with a preamp or something. It also seems like you're not getting a lot for your money. I mean, it does come with a stand, but otherwise it's essentially a neck and a bridge. It's not even Korean, it's Chinese. It's built well from what I could see, but I don't think it's worth the $700 with case that the place was asking. Compared to other EUBs, it seems like a steal, but I just don't think that it's really a great value. Anyhow, has anybody else played one?

[Bassplayer5115]

Hey I was reading about those today. THey had a 5 String for like 800 bucks. I have never played one but they sure looked interesting.

Do you know anything about Dean basses? I was possibily looking into the Dean Edge Q5.

But For 700 bucks...was it a 4 or 5 string?