EUB Search

[richmoore1998]

EUB Search
I too have been researching EUB's. As previously stated, I think we all agree that the EUB is not a DB. However, my need for an instrument is for an EUB that gets reasonably close to a DB but avoids that "fretless bass" sound. I tried the NS CR4T today as well as the SLB200. I thought that the punch and clarity of the NS was fantastic and know that it's a great product - would certainly be a good bit of work changing techniques with no real body to work with (ie thumb positioning)- call me lazy but I thought the feel of the SLB200 felt a little more like home. One last bass I am courting is the Eminence 4 string - I hear that it can be susceptible to feedback problems due to its design - Eminence users please input here.....

Currently I'm looking into what kinds of mods I could do to the SLB200 to get it to sound a little more "punchy" - perhaps a little closer to the NS but not quite that "electric fretless bass" thing. Any suggestions anyone could post would be a great bonus....

I"m heading out on tour in October and will certainly need one for then as well as some way to transport - most guys up here in Toronto are using SKB-like golf cases that are tweaked and padded to check them...

[junglebike]

Azola. Lightning bass for maximum portability and minimum feedback. Acoustic baby bass if you want something a bit bigger and with a little more upright "air" in the tone. www.azola.com Pricey but worth it!

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by richmoore1998

However, my need for an instrument is for an EUB that gets reasonably close to a DB but avoids that "fretless bass" sound. I tried the NS CR4T today...

I have found that there are ways to avoid that fretless bass sound on my NS CR5..

So - raise action, only use piezos - not magnetic!
Change strings for darker, "real" DB strings.

Finally - play it like a DB - the more you use BG techniques the more it sounds like a big BG - the more you play with proper DB technique the more it sounds like a DB!!

Obvious really!!

[Andy Allen]

Originally Posted by junglebike

Azola. Lightning bass for maximum portability and minimum feedback. Acoustic baby bass if you want something a bit bigger and with a little more upright "air" in the tone. www.azola.com Pricey but worth it!

+1 on Azola.

I recently bought an Azola Bugbass II that plays and sounds remarkably like an upright - that was my worry when I bought an EUB, but with the Bug bass it was unfounded. It balances well and is bowable; as much like a DB as I could have hoped.

I visited the Azolas a few weeks ago (see my post) and tried the acoustic Bugbass: I particularly liked the way it resonated - and preferred it to the Eminance had I tried a while back.

Andy

[damonsmith]

The azolas are really nice. Ergos are a great option as I always say.
they have a sound close to DB but just as important they react like one
due to being a solid carved block of mohogany.
I got one of these from ebay and took a belt sander to the middle:
http://www.frabill.com/rodcases.html
It travels real easy, AND @$7-800, it just relieves a ton of stress. The price comes into play because Like many of us I was not in the market for another bass, and while the Ergo is not a perfect sub for my double bass, I have yet to hear any differences worth $1000s more.

[speedster]

I've got a 4 string Eminence and have had no feedback problems what so ever. I've used it with my
GK MB150 amp and also direct to the system through a fishman B preamp and used the monitors for my sound and either way I have not had any feedback issues.

I used to have all kinds of feedback issues with my 3/4 German Bass but not with the Eminence

The eminence is a great bass with good tone and awesome playability very similar to my 3/4.

I don't use the plastic support that comes with it I lean the bass the same as my acoustic 3/4.

[junglebike]

FWIW, my experience with Ergo was that it wasn't even close. I don't know if I got a dud, but my experience wasn't anything like what others have posted. Mine developed a crack in the headstock, and had an E string that popped out of place regularly. It sounded thin and nasal, wobbled, and generally speaking wasn't all that impressive of an instrument. Obviously, it's a MUCH MUCH cheaper instrument than an Azola, but it's simply not in the same league.

[damonsmith]

Originally Posted by junglebike

FWIW, my experience with Ergo was that it wasn't even close. I don't know if I got a dud, but my experience wasn't anything like what others have posted. Mine developed a crack in the headstock, and had an E string that popped out of place regularly. It sounded thin and nasal, wobbled, and generally speaking wasn't all that impressive of an instrument. Obviously, it's a MUCH MUCH cheaper instrument than an Azola, but it's simply not in the same league.

As I have posted before it needs to be treated like a DB, meaning you need to put force into it and get the wood resonating to a get a good sound. You also need adjust your amp for Piezos.
I am not saying it is in league with Azolas, I'd love to have one of the carved hollow bodies, espcially if they made 6 string.

I do prefer it to the eminece which is plywood.
If I was going to put out a lot of $$ I'd get this:
http://allbasse.com/

[tornadobass]

+1 as a long-time happy Azola BugBass player here...nicely built axe. It has done well for acoustic blues, electric blues, big band and pit for musicals. Sounds in the URB direction, certainly nothing like a fretless electric sound.

Mine is the original model and the pickup system has been refined several times since. Strings make a difference to the sound, especially going with a somewhat dark string or at least one that's well aged. Light gauge strings seem to provide a more even string balance.

A pretty instrument, too!

[Dave Whitla]

http://www.bassix.net

I just ordered one of these. Haven't heard it yet, but by all accounts it's as close to a DB as you can get for an EUB. Fingers crossed.

[damonsmith]

Originally Posted by Dave Whitla

Haven't heard it yet, but by all accounts it's as close to a DB as you can get for an EUB. Fingers crossed.

- I think this where you get set up for disappointment. If it gets too close but no cigar like the Eminece or the Czech-ease, it just becomes irritating not to have your real bass.
I like EUBs that can function in the same context but have their own qualities that can give you a different experience. One example is having 6 strings or how efficiently they amplify.
That way instead of having a "travel bass" that gathers dust until you have an out of town gig you have a different instrument that might work well in contexts your double bass won't.

[Dave Whitla]

Originally Posted by damonsmith

- I think this where you get set up for disappointment. If it gets too close but no cigar like the Eminece or the Czech-ease, it just becomes irritating not to have your real bass.

That's certainly a possibility, but the main reason I'm getting the EUB is for local gigs that I don't want to take my good bass into, either because the bandstand is cramped, or I don't want beer spilled on it, or both I thought about getting a cheap second upright, but then I don't have the option of any range of EUB features, and it would be just as un-travel-friendly as my other bass! (and then I'd REALLY miss my good bass!)

The main thing with this Bassix thing will be the feel, and I'm pretty confident it will feel the way I want it to. Soundwise, I'll deal with it one way or another. It's supposed to be way less twangy than many EUB's so already I'm happy about that...

[damonsmith]

Cool, I am not saying anything about he quality of the bassix, just about an overall approach to being happier with an EUB. The bassix looks like a good one.
It feels great to leave my bass at home for EUB appropriate gigs. It is also a whole lot more fun to play amplified, something I always hated with double bass. Now I just play the double bass acoustic.

[TheSuzie]

I have become a fan of these basses after hearing one at a local gig and reading up a little bit. He has a couple of interesting design features that seem that they may contribute to a more natural feel and sound.

http://www.merchantbass.com/

Peace,
S