Which EUB sounds most like a double bass ?

[ZH_Driver]

I have no other EUB experience other than my BSX Allegro… but I am quite happy with that (until the time comes to get a normal DB).
Yeah it doesn't sound quite the same as a DB but my teacher (who played in the Sydney Symphony for about 25 years and various others around the world before that) was quite impressed how it sounds both arco and pizz, much better than other stick basses he has tried out.
I still look forward to getting the bow onto his bass at each lesson though, close is good, but the real thing is better!

[greenbass5]

Originally Posted by ElMon

+1 to factoring in HOW you play the bass, as to whether it sounds like an amplified DB. I've heard a local player who owns a very expensive 300 year old upright that sounds like a fretless electric live on gigs, only because he uses ultra-low action, steel strings, and a Fishman BP100 PUP. Now, unamplified, that bass sounds as deep and textured as you'd expect.

Conversely, I set up my Eminence EUB (now gone) with gut strings, raised the action, and when I dug in with my attack it DEFINITELY sounded like a real amplified URB. IME/IMO of course. I look at it this way: if you're playing in an intimate trio where you have a lot of sonic space to fill up, NOTHING will beat the sound of a good-sounding URB, IMO. That is of course with the right pickup/strings/amp/etc.


However, if you need the upright to function in a loud playing situation, where all of the nuances and special qualities of a real URB won't get heard out front, then by all means consider an EUB. Ideally I'd like to own both. As it is, I'll make sure to post somem clips to this thread when I get my BSX Allegro 5 later this week.

Hey ElMon, did that Allegro make it in yet?

[ElMon]

Originally Posted by greenbass5

Hey ElMon, did that Allegro make it in yet?

It did, and I'm working on getting some clips up to add to this thread. So far I'm VERY impressed with Dino's work. Right out of the box, the bass was setup with some of the lowest action I've ever encountered, excepting a few local guys who are into that ultra-low action/steel strings setup. Had this been my first impression of an EUB, I would have immediately fell into the 'sounds like a large fretless electric' camp.

I cranked the action (VERY easy to do) and immediately fell in love with the tone. To my ears it sounds as good if not better than any AMPLIFIED URB bass I've heard or played. IMO/IME. Exact same bloom to each note, the same growl when digging in, etc. After all, this model IS an acoustic instrument. Unplugged it sounds like an URB, just quieter due to the smaller body size.

Before I get into string choice, let me say again that HOW you play an EUB matters so much more than you would think. If I set the volume high on the bass/amp and play with a light touch, it definitely sounds like a huge fretless electric, which IS a cool sound to have. However if I keep the volume low and really dig in as I would do if I were still playing unamplified gigs on my old Kay M1 strung with guts, to me I can get 90% or more of the tone of a solid URB. YMMV.

As to strings, I can't say enough about the Velvet Garbos I've put on this instrument. The stock D'Addario strings were OK, accepting the B string which was a floppy mess, but the Garbos gut-like sound with more sustain, coupled with higher action REALLY transforms the sound of this instrument. And the B string is simply massive sounding, with a much tighter feel than the D'Addarios.

I'll work on some clips today and let you decide for yourself though...

[BigBeatNut]

Originally Posted by ElMon

To my ears {the allegro} sounds as good if not better than any AMPLIFIED URB bass I've heard or played. IMO/IME. Exact same bloom to each note, the same growl when digging in, etc. After all, this model IS an acoustic instrument. Unplugged it sounds like an URB, just quieter due to the smaller body size.

Glad to know someone else thinks that way. I'm still a newb when it comes to anything upright, but that is precisely why I bought my Allegro after trying out Palatinos, NSs, WAVs, Eminences and a few others I forget.

Andy

[damonsmith]

There are nuances but there are many great EUBs around now. It is worth stating again that actual double bass technique is what it really takes. Not a single one of these brands is going to make a bass guitarist sound like Paul Chambers.
Pretty much every EUB I try sounds fine, some better or worse than others.
I like the wood content and extra strings for my 7 string Ergo, but most of these instruments get the job done.
A good amp and good double bass teacher are going to make more difference in the end.
A $600 Ergo and a year of lessons is going to do anyone starting from scratch in the upright world better than the best Azola, Volante or whatever.

[ElMon]

Here's a link to some clips I recorded of my BSX Allegro 5 string, strung with Garbos:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...93#post8957393