EUB that sounds like an electric bass guitar

truckplayer · #1 07-04-2008, 09:18 PM

Are there any EUB's that sound like an electric bass guitar?
Two instruments I've wondered about are the original Ampeg Baby Bass and the Azola version--do they fit the bill?

Juan

damonsmith · #2 07-04-2008, 10:02 PM

I think Clevengers(sp?), Zeta's and NS EUBs probably CAN sound most like BG depending on how you amplify, set up, and play them. Most EUBs will be pretty BG-like if you play them like BG.

Jazzdogg · #3 07-04-2008, 10:28 PM

The clips I've heard of Barkers all sounded like an EB to me.

dannster · #4 07-04-2008, 10:39 PM

My NS CR4M does both quite nicely. The EMG's and the bridge piezo pickup can be blended or isolated.

bongomania · #5 07-04-2008, 11:23 PM

People usually complain that most EUB's -especially the solidbody ones- just sound like fretless bass guitars. So really if that's what you're after, it will be an easy quest. The funny thing is that the two you named, the Ampeg and the Azola, are among the few that won't sound like a BG.

**Francois Blais** · #6 07-05-2008, 09:37 AM

The Original Ampeg Baby Bass is the most appropriate salsa and cuban music bass because its tone is very thumpy and dark.
The exact opposite of what you seek.

Your profile is empty so we have no idea of your gear, tastes, etc. but I guess you play bass guitar?
You may look at crossover instruments like the Zeta crossover for instance or some short-scale EUBs. (the Barker is probably another fine example)

Best regards,
François

themarshall · #7 07-05-2008, 09:58 AM

I saw the radiators several years ago and the bass player had a fretted EUB. Sounded like a bass guitar.

nathanmcnathan · #8 07-05-2008, 03:12 PM

I'd say almost any EUB will sound like an electric bass.

truckplayer · #9 07-05-2008, 07:31 PM

I appreciate the EUB suggestions and the comments about Ampeg and Azola. A little past history --tried electric bass but never had the passion for it so I've stayed exculsively with uprights. Presently playing a '53 S9 Kay with underwood pickup and using an SWR amp. Lovin' it

**Francois Blais** · #10 07-06-2008, 09:05 AM

Ok, so you'd probably want a full-scale EUB then.
To get more of a BG tone, you may wish to get a magnetic pickup.
Some EUBs come with one, but there are standalone units that can fit any bass with a double-bass fingerboard, like the Pierre Joseph String Charger, the Biesele, etc.
You can find cheaper units like the old Schaller, but it's not a humbucking design.

Most of the Ned Steinberger EUBs have a magnetic pickup, if I'm not wrong, in supplement to a piezo one, and you can blend them as you wish.

damonsmith · #11 07-07-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanmcnathan

I'd say almost any EUB will sound like an electric bass.

They all sound electric, but many won't come close to bass guitar. I wouldn't mind my Ergo sounding more electric at time but it is a block of amplified wood, so the wood is always in the sound.

**yodedude2** · #12 07-10-2008, 07:39 AM

Barker basses are electric upright bass guitars--EUBGs--that use conventional electric bass guitar electronics. Check them out here:

http://www.barkerbass.com/

later, ron

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckplayer

I appreciate the EUB suggestions and the comments about Ampeg and Azola. A little past history --tried electric bass but never had the passion for it so I've stayed exculsively with uprights. Presently playing a '53 S9 Kay with underwood pickup and using an SWR amp. Lovin' it

Hemispheres85 · #13 07-11-2008, 08:10 AM

A Dean EUB came into the music store where I work last week. It sounds almost exactly the same as a fretless electric. The quality is terrible and it feels nothing like a real upright, but it's cheap at $500!

derrenleepoole · #14 07-11-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemispheres85

A Dean EUB came into the music store where I work last week. It sounds almost exactly the same as a fretless electric. The quality is terrible and it feels nothing like a real upright, but it's cheap at $500!

The Dean Pace is a BG played upright that's for sure. But I wouldn't say it's terrible. I had one that was very reasonable and easy to play with usable tones both BG and UB (ish). The only real draw back is the lack of a proper radius fingerboard. But with a proper setup, good strings and a common sense approach to playing it, it's more than usable.

nathanmcnathan · #15 07-11-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damonsmith

They all sound electric, but many won't come close to bass guitar. I wouldn't mind my Ergo sounding more electric at time but it is a block of amplified wood, so the wood is always in the sound.

Really? I actually really liked the sound of the ergo basses compared to most other EUBs - sounded pretty natural.

**Francois Blais** · #16 07-11-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanmcnathan

Really? I actually really liked the sound of the ergo basses compared to most other EUBs - sounded pretty natural.

I think that's what Damon was saying.

damonsmith · #17 07-11-2008, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanmcnathan

Really? I actually really liked the sound of the ergo basses compared to most other EUBs - sounded pretty natural.

Yeah, it sounds great. It is barely an EUB! It pretty much always sounds like amplified double bass, never an "electric" instrument.

truckplayer · #18 07-12-2008, 08:44 PM

This is probably a crazy question but here goes...

Can a magnetic pickup be installed on a EUB to get the electric sound?

**Francois Blais** · #19 07-13-2008, 12:52 PM

Of course.
At least brands such as Pierre Joseph's String Charger, Biesele, the old Schaller.
These three models are designed to be mounted at the bottom of the fingerboard, assuming it's a DB fingerboard...

I'm not associated with Bob G, by the way.
It was the only page I could find providing info and pictures.