Ergo Megathread part I

[MichaelVee]

No problems at all, just stirring up the thread.

[JAUQO III-X]

I don't know if you guys are into Jesse's electric but here's some progress pics of my Ergo electric.

Ergo electric progress pics

[jrduer]

Still waiting. I got an email from Jesse on March 27, "I should be shipping your bass out to you within 3 weeks..." Another email April 24, "It should go out to you this week... ." Nothing.

I know Jesse's probably spending all his time working on Jauqo's bass guitar ( ) but this wait is KILLING me!

~John

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by jrduer

I know Jesse's probably spending all his time working on Jauqo's bass guitar ( ) but this wait is KILLING me!

~John

No I'm waiting like you and it's killing me as well

[jrduer]

The magic of Talkbass ( ): I just got an email from Box It, Jesse's shipper, and my Ergo should be delivered by UPS tomorrow! It left Nashville this morning at 7:29a.m.

~John

[jrduer]

Got it yesterday. Played it through my practice rig -- LOVE it!

Today, I'm gonna take pics and run it through my main rig. Maybe I'll start a new thread in EUB for the pics, etc.

~John

[jrduer]

Well, here are a couple of pics of my new baby. I've run her through my practice amp (a tiny little Danelectro), but haven't hooked up my main rig yet. Maybe later.

I found on the Danelectro that I needed to turn the treble all the way down. The pickup in this bass really has good output (no need for a preamp, IMO, although I will be using a Fishman Platinum Plus when I gig with it, for the EQ function and DI), and it's a little heavy on the high end. Lots of clicks and clacks (or maybe it's my lack of technique... ).

Anyway, I'll try to get more impressions posted as they are formed. I'll be gigging with it next Wednesday.

~John

[jrduer]

Here are a couple more pics. The neck is the same front-to-back thickness as the upright I've been playing, but it's a "V" shape, rather than rounded. Don't know if that comes out very well in the pic, but there you go. It's very comfortable for my left hand.

~John

[bassame]

Originally Posted by MichaelVee

You have to really tighten down the stand thumbscrews to avoid the rattles. I think a heavier construction stand would help a lot- the one that comes with the Ergos is probably an inexpensive model.

Also, like you said, some sort of carpet, or a rubber mat, to place the stand on for recording would be a help.

Have you noticed that it's relatively easy to lift the bass and stand off the floor when doing a position shift upward?

I like the idea of the Ergo. I play DB but I like the idea of a substitute to take to amp-equipped rehearsal studios by way of public transportation. I don't care if it sounds like an EB or a DB as long as it feels like a DB; I'm not giving up the DB for performance, but for a rehearsal with a loud drummer and EUB should be fine.

But I don't want to have to change my right hand technique. So I'm wondering, what does it feel like to play? The above quoted comments are a bit off putting. Do you miss the feel of a DB leaning against you? Does the stand offer enough stability to resist if you pull hard on a string? Does it lift up when you shiift upward?

[SeanMac]

I just got my new Ergo 4 on Friday. I really like the way it feels, the look is very utilitarian (which I love), and I get a full sound from it running it through my Roland DB700 combo amp. The only problem I'm having is that there is a loud low frequency hum, but if I touch the plug sleeve of the cable, or the metal on the back of the amp, the hum disappears. This doesn't happen with my bass guitars. I was thinking a DI box might solve the problem. Jesse suggested running a wire from the transducer to a string. I live in an old house with 2 wire romex, so maybe the problem is the grounding. I own a furman conditioner for my PA, maybe I should try that first. Any suggestions?

[damonsmith]

I started a new thread with out seeing this. I measured the action of my double bass and sent it to jesse, he sent me two bridges, I went with the one like my double bass. If you want double bass sound you have to use double bass technique, so get the action up and dig in. I find the more I practice unplugged the better it sounds. I couldn't be happier with it.
Here is my original post:

I needed to find a travel bass this year so I looked at several options, the semi acoustic options were OK but in the end they would end up being a poor substitute for my double bass.
On the other hand all the other EUBs I have played have left me a bit cold as I tend to play un-amplified about 80% of the time. I wanted something with new options that I would enjoy playing. A student brought over a 4 string ergo, not long after I ordered a 6 string from Jesse.
This instrument is amazing on so many levels.

Saying it sounds "like an acoustic bass" is partly true but it also important to point out has it's own unique sound based on the resonance of wood and strings. it has a gorgeous sound unplugged both arco and pizzicato ( perfect for 2 am practice!!!), the pick up system amplifies the sound of the body and bridge rather than the strings. It is warm and inviting to play.
The overtone series behaves just like my double bass making every harmonic, subtone, bi-tone and mulit-phonic available. I prefer the sound of the ergo to my amplified double bass and will be using for most if not all situations that require amplification.
The extended range of the low 'B' and high 'C' give new and amazing possibilities as does the stand ability to lay the thing flat like an ironing board for easier preparation.
The pizzicato sound retains the percussiveness as well as the warm rich detail of the double bass it also has wide and rich variety of colors with the bow and is very easy to make a singing pure tone at multiple dynamic levels. Every traditional and extended technique I work with projects perfectly.
It took a few days to get used to the 6 strings but it was well worth it. I have the action set nearly the same as my double bass and thus switching between the two is no trouble and I do not lose any strength or technique.
In the short time I have had it I have used it contexts ranging from detailed chamber music to free jazz and more experimental playing.
The elegant design and warm sound wins people over immediately.
I would recommend it not only for double bassists wanting an EUB or travel instrument but also as a better option than a cheap plywood bass for beginners.

damon smith
http://www.balancepointacoustics.com
http://myspace.com/smithdamon

[damonsmith]

The wait can be a drag it was killing me too, but he makes it for you - it takes about as long as a Hatori Hanzo sword. just spend the time practicing...

[MichaelVee]

Originally Posted by SeanMac

The only problem I'm having is that there is a loud low frequency hum, but if I touch the plug sleeve of the cable, or the metal on the back of the amp, the hum disappears.

Sean- I ran into the same thing with my Ergo- see my earlier posts. I, too, live in a house with two prong outlets, and the Ergo hummed - loudly - when plugged in.

I have not yet constructed the shielded piezo circuit (see How to Make a Piezo Pickup) but intend to do so this summer.

If you take apart the stock pickup and open the control cavity, you'll see that Jesse does not use much shielding at all. Just a bit of copper foil on the two piezo halves. Nothing on the cable- just a twisted two pair - and no shielding on the jack or in the cavity.

In probably a good number of practice/performance situations, it would not be a problem, if the power supplied the bass amp were good.. but the Ergos really do need to be properly shielded. It probably would add another $100 or so to the cost of the instrument, but would be worthwhile.

Have any of you other Ergo owners here on TB done shielding jobs on your basses? If so, how much did you do- did you do the whole copper wrap/cavity wrap nine yards?

[MichaelVee]

Originally Posted by bassame

I like the idea of the Ergo. Do you miss the feel of a DB leaning against you? Does the stand offer enough stability to resist if you pull hard on a string? Does it lift up when you shiift upward?

Bassame- I like my Ergo a lot also, other than the electronics. I never played DB, so I don't miss the body! The stand is lightweight, as previously noted. It'd be good to replace it with a really solid, heavier cymbal stand. The bass and stand will rock if you really play hard, and yes, I can easily lift the whole thing off the ground when I shift positions upward.

The total weight of an Ergo mahogany 4-string and the cymbal stand isn't that much- probably 15-20 pounds.

After I get the electronics redone and shielded, I'm going to invest in a heavy stand. Still don't have a 'gig bag' / longbow bag for it yet.

[bassame]

Originally Posted by MichaelVee

Bassame- I like my Ergo a lot also, other than the electronics. I never played DB, so I don't miss the body! The stand is lightweight, as previously noted. It'd be good to replace it with a really solid, heavier cymbal stand. The bass and stand will rock if you really play hard, and yes, I can easily lift the whole thing off the ground when I shift positions upward.

The total weight of an Ergo mahogany 4-string and the cymbal stand isn't that much- probably 15-20 pounds.

After I get the electronics redone and shielded, I'm going to invest in a heavy stand. Still don't have a 'gig bag' / longbow bag for it yet.

Thanks Michael. I tried a Steinberger CR4 a few nights ago at a guitar store and found it a solid, well-built piece of work. It felt heavy and solid on its stand, and the whole thing, in its gig bag, weighs 18 lbs. I'm a bit disturbed by the do-it-yourself attitude expressed by Ergo owners, who are trying to make it more of what they want it to be, replacing this, shielding that. I know some people love to tinker with their stuff, that's great. Me, I like to have it work right the first time. I am basically lazy.

[damonsmith]

Originally Posted by bassame

Thanks Michael. I tried a Steinberger CR4 a few nights ago at a guitar store and found it a solid, well-built piece of work. It felt heavy and solid on its stand, and the whole thing, in its gig bag, weighs 18 lbs. I'm a bit disturbed by the do-it-yourself attitude expressed by Ergo owners, who are trying to make it more of what they want it to be, replacing this, shielding that. I know some people love to tinker with their stuff, that's great. Me, I like to have it work right the first time. I am basically lazy.

- All I had to adjust is my action which is a personal thing anyway. Mine has no hums, buzzes or other issues. It sounded great out of the box.
You should also do a lot of practice on it unplugged. The concept is the wood is amplified, not the strings, the better you can make the wood sound the better it will sound plugged in.
It is a double bass, so you should use double bass technique and get a doulbe bass teacher if you are coming from BG.

[speedster]

I enjoyed my Ergo alot, I did play around with things but that was more me than the bass as I really was shooting for making it as close to playability and tone as my Acoustic 3/4 bass, in doing so I improved several things that were slightly annoying to me over time such as the overtones which are common in stick type EUB's.

Balance throughout the strings volume wise etc....

I expected that when I bought it as the pricing is so good for such a great little unit... Hundreds and thousands of dollars less than comparable bass's.

At 700 US dollars its a steal.

I did recently purchase an Eminence Acoustic EUB which I absolutely love as it has the balanced strings, no overtones etc right out of the box.

At 3000 dollars I didn't expect anything less !

It has good sound (Ergo is comparable) but what i like the best is that it feels like my acoustic, I don't need to carry the stand around and the fans except it much better.

The Traditional fans of "Bluegrass Music" didn't except the Ergo bass well, the Eminence has the small acoustic body rather than just a stick....

Due to price differences between the two Erog vs Eminence I still recommend the Ergo to newbies and folks that don't have the cash but for those that do have the cash the Eminence is a thorough bred that's for sure.

[damonsmith]

The emeinence is closer to the double bass sound, I tried one and I also tried the gage.. the trouble for me is they are too close but not close enough to double bass. I can't go back to a plywood bass just for the airlines, I'd rather stay home.
I would never want to play either unless I had to because my double sounds better, whereas the ergo sounds different but still woody and opens up a new sound world.
these:
http://allbasse.com/
and these:
http://www.barryguy.com/travelbass/travelbass.html
are what I would call thorough breds.

[butchonbass]

I just ordered an Ergo 5. I will post my thoughts to this thread when I get it.

[damonsmith]

I have had mine for a week now, so I am learning new things each day.
I am getting a really rich and singing arco sound out of it, the high "C" is great to play on. My theory of the momment is the solid piece of mohagany behaves very close to a solid spruce top on a carved bass.
It seems to react better and quicker than a plywood double bass, with a much smoother sound.