looking for an EUB...

[AZNBassist]

I've been playing upright for quite a while and I love the sound of my acoustic bass. However, sometimes its just not that feasible in some gigs (for example, too much hassle to haul around or the gig is too loud and it feedsback). Granted, I probably would bring a slab to those gigs. But I've also tried out some EUB's and lately I've been interested in looking for an instrument that feels like an upright, but can also be played like an electric. To clarify it, I'm looking for an EUB that:
1. Feels like a real double bass (the neck still has the crook at Eb, has shoulders that rest against me and still has the distribution of weight of an upright so that I don't have to use my hands to balance the bass without sitting down)
2. Has extremely low action (hence, being playable like an electric bass and I don't have to worry about digging in)
3. Isn't too expensive, since some EUB's I've seen (like the Yamaha) cost up to $3000

I'm kind of new to EUB's so I have no idea if there is such an instrument or if I'm asking for too much. Any ideas?

[dcr]

There is (or was) an Azola Original BugBass in Classifieds. I love mine! It's on my never-sell-despite-whatever list right next to my '69 Precision.

It's got a full-size "D" neck, an adjustable bout, and piezos on-board. Weighs about 12 pounds. Mine fits in the front seat of my VW Jetta. Decent upright tone. Can't ask for more! If you've got more bucks, the Eminence is a nicer instrument, as it's a real hollowbody, complete with bass bar and soundpost. About the same size. About 2x as much used.

I've no affiliation with Yamarc or his Azola. Just a satisfied user of one just like it!

Just my $.02


dcr

[AZNBassist]

Thanks for the reply dcr, however, after searching around the forums and the internet a bit, I came to the conclusion that the closest thing to what I was looking for was the AlterEgo. However, in the clips they have on their website, the sound isn't exactly what I had in mind. Guys who have the AlterEgo, is there any way to get more sustain out of the AlterEgo? Or does it always have that thump in it? And how does it sound arco?

[Basso Musico]

Originally Posted by AZNBassist

Thanks for the reply dcr, however, after searching around the forums and the internet a bit, I came to the conclusion that the closest thing to what I was looking for was the AlterEgo. However, in the clips they have on their website, the sound isn't exactly what I had in mind. Guys who have the AlterEgo, is there any way to get more sustain out of the AlterEgo? Or does it always have that thump in it? And how does it sound arco?

I'm endorsing the AlterEGO basses. I own an Acoustic Figaro (see my review here: http://mrpcbass.wordpress.com/2007/01/23/my-new-bass/), and I have 2 babyEGOs at my place - a 5 string with Velvets and a 4-string with supersensitives.

So the thump issue you mention is not something I have experienced personally. Could be a product of the age of the instrument (there have been some fantastic innovations over the years) or it could be the way the clips were recorded. Or it could be the way that the player dialed in the tone - there is a pretty wide range of tonal possibilities. Could also be the bassist's technique. But in my personal experience, the thump isn't present. That goes for all three instruments.

As far as arco is concerned, it's fantastic, and this goes for all three too. The Acoustic sounds a little more like a URB since that what is has been designed to do.

Anyway, lest I turn this into something that sounds like a sales pitch, let me just say that I think these things rock.

Thanks,

Rick McLaughlin