new to uprights, looking for starter electric?

[TheShortOne]

I haven't been playing bass for a tremendously long time, and I want to try learning upright for a local jazz band I'm in. Except I don't own one. I'm looking for an inexpensive electric upright suitable for someone really short, something that won't break me if I can't do it. Four or Five string, my main bass is a Washburn 5 string. Help? Or tips?

[el_mariachi]

as most (if not all) double bassists will tell you, its best to start on a real double bass. And its a MUST to get lessons. Electric bass and double bass are completely different animals.

With that out of the way, the first couple of decent EUBs under a grand are the Ergo and NS WAV4. The ergo is a great instrument, but if you want a new one, you'll have to wait a few weeks for Jesse to build it.

Now as much as you could try to get either of these to sound exactly like a real double bass, its just not going to happen. BUT if you put on a set of real double bass strings, you'll get something that is close and would probably work fairly well in an ensemble setting.

[TheShortOne]

I'll look that up. I think the best affordable option for me is something "gently" used. Big issues for me is that I'm short (5'2") and I drive a Toyota Echo, so it's gotta fit.

[trb6pJM2]

.... MEU?
lol. just kidding, those things are way too expensive, I'd have to agree with El Mariachi, it's best to start on a REAL upright, It's an amazing instrument. I play electric now, and i played Upright for awhile. They are completely different as M said. It will be a VERY slow learning process, but, you feel much more accomplished than you ever would with the electric.

[chriss]

I have been an EB player for a long time and I recently purchased an Ergo 4 string EUB. The transition was not that bad. I attribute that to the lower action and the dots that Jesse puts on the side of the neck so that you know where the notes are.

I really, really love this thing. I leave it set up and can't walk by it without stopping to play it. It will easily fit in your Echo.

Yes, it's true that it does not sound exactly like an upright bass but it does have its own distinct sound. Think of it as a hybrid. I use mine not only on the classic country songs we do but also on rock and pop songs. One song I used it on was U2's Desire. It really was full sounding and I got a lot of compliments. In fact I played a job Friday where I played about 75% of the songs on the Ergo.


Speaking of compliments, I got quite a few Friday. At least two people told me I played great cello. :-)

[anon_6j591b0]

There are a couple of Azola Bug Basses for sale here.
Azola Bugbass EUB
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=340675
Good instruments you'd be likely to get all or most of your money back should you decide to sell it.

[juanete]

Get a KYDD. It is really easy to play if you consider yourself an electric player.

[anon_6j591b0]

Originally Posted by juanete

Get a KYDD. It is really easy to play if you consider yourself an electric player.

And if you want to become an upright player get something with a 40" to 41-1/2" scale length. You can go a long way on an EUB but get one that feels like an acoustic.

[Basso Musico]

Building on what jeffbonny said, if you are heading towards double bass-ness, put AlterEGO basses on the list (full disclosure: I endorse them). They rock.

Thanks,
Rick McLaughlin

[el_mariachi]

well TheShortOne was looking for an inexpensive EUB. AlterEgos, while seeming like fantastic basses, are about as far from inexpensive as you can get in the world of electric uprights. My vote would still be for either an Ergo or NS Design WAV4. Both are compact, sound very good (especially in an ensemble setting), and seem like very reliable instruments, especially for the price.

[Basso Musico]

Originally Posted by el_mariachi

well TheShortOne was looking for an inexpensive EUB. AlterEgos, while seeming like fantastic basses, are about as far from inexpensive as you can get in the world of electric uprights. My vote would still be for either an Ergo or NS Design WAV4. Both are compact, sound very good (especially in an ensemble setting), and seem like very reliable instruments, especially for the price.

Hey there El Mariachi,
Yes, inexpensive was one of the requirements. To refer to AlterEGOs as "as far from inexpensive as you can get" is just plain wrong. The NS instruments and the babyEGO line are similarly priced.

As I state in my post, the main reason that I added AlterEGO to the list is that the conversation was heading in the "similar to a double bass" route.

Best,
Rick

[el_mariachi]

if you are referring to the high end NS design basses, thats partly true. But the cheapest alter ego i priced (baby ego with "A" equipment) was almost 2700. Now don't get me wrong, from what I've read and heard, these are incredible instruments. But the instruments I'm referring to are both under 1K.
Another builder (albeit not very "cheap") is Merchant basses. I've also heard good things about these basses. But again, look at dropping at least 2500 on one of these as well. Thats the hard part about getting a quality entry level EUB. There just aren't very many unless you get lucky and find a good high-end used one.

[MichaelVee]

The Ergo 4 string is an excellent choice. It does have a distinct voice, but it can be readily EQ'ed into different tonalities.

They generally resell well, also, so you could start with one to get your feet wet, and then sell it to help move up to a higher-end instrument. Or you may be so happy with the Ergo you won't trade up.

[DaBassman]

Check out the Palatino EUB thread

[spoonido]

We haven't heard from The Short One since the original posting, so here we are left with nothing but lots of opinions! Has The Short One made a decision? Don't forget to check out the "Palatino Audio/Video Links" thread for samples. Right now it's only me, but I'm hoping some talented Palatino musicians will post and show what the Pallies can do.

[Francois Blais]

The Short One didn't come back on TB since sep 2, according to his profile.
Seems he lost his interest!