Opinion - Fretless Acoustic (Dragonfly 5) or EUB

MNAirHead · #1 09-23-2009, 03:03 AM

I'm aware that a boxy thud sound is not possible from an EUB.

I'm aware that most folks play EUB for the upright look and longer strings.

Any opinions on a Fretless Acoustic 5 vs EUB...

Not really looking toward DB due to our climate and storage issues.

(I'm considering adding a NS WAV.)

Thank you.

scojack · #2 09-23-2009, 06:11 AM

Well id say EUB everytime -- but im biased.
If your looking for that 'Thud' then check out the Ampeg Baby Bass type EUB's that have a Diaphragm pickup.

Ian

MNAirHead · #3 09-23-2009, 06:15 AM

Looks to be $3k or so.. do like it.

Rvl · #4 09-23-2009, 06:49 AM

There is a Latin bass player on YouTube that gets a nice sound using a NS Wav.
You can use foam to dampen the piezo sustain and get more of a thump

Azola has a latin pickup as an option
piezo vs latin pickup vs magnetic pickups

Thanks

Robert VanLane

TVBBass · #5 09-23-2009, 06:58 AM

I would go EUB, I've play a dragonfly 5 fretless which a mate bought but... I was dramatically underwhelmed. I couldn't put my finger on anything particularly wrong...the sound just didn't live up to the lovely looks. (IMO)

hdiddy · #6 09-23-2009, 02:11 PM

EUB. Go all the way or go home.

etoncrow · #7 09-23-2009, 02:28 PM

I had a fretless Tacoma Thunder Chief. Very well made but I could not get the sound i wanted out of it. I tried several different strings but no go. Sold it. Bought an Azola Bug Bass II and I love it; will not part with it.

Dave Irwin · #8 09-23-2009, 06:00 PM

I'd say the DeArmond Ashbory if you can stand the short scale.
If I can't play upright on a gig, I play the Ashbory.

I do have a Kramer Ferrington acoustic BG for sale cheap if you want one

hdiddy · #9 09-23-2009, 08:24 PM

LOL Ashbory bass - is that a joke? If you can't handle playing an acoustic EB with with or without frets, I suggest you try another instrument... maybe harmonica?

MNAirHead · #10 09-24-2009, 09:29 AM

I own an ashbory .. they rock.

There are 2 types of folks.. those with an opinion (and haven't given it 4 hours to get used to) AND those who love them.

I've made more money with the Ashbory than my Status, Factor, Alembic, Roscoe, 62 P or Modulus.

I get more Ashbory requests than anything else.

Dave Irwin · #11 09-24-2009, 03:45 PM

Not sure where you're coming from on this. Who said anything about not being able to handle an acoustic bg? Fact is, the Ashbory gives more bottom than any BG I've ever heard and gets closer to an old school DB sound than a BG.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

LOL Ashbory bass - is that a joke? If you can't handle playing an acoustic EB with with or without frets, I suggest you try another instrument... maybe harmonica?

Marcus Johnson · #12 09-24-2009, 05:01 PM

I agree, and I play DB for a living, and have owned several fretless basses and EUBs . For the (minimal) money, the Ashbory is a great value.

I've also been getting great results with my NS Designs Bass Cello. Little, strap-on, bowable upright bass. Killer sounds.... Very DB-like, or fretless, or anything in between, in a package the size of a slab.

Marcus Johnson · #13 09-24-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

suggest you try another instrument... maybe harmonica?

That is the devil's instrument.

Mark Perna · #14 09-24-2009, 05:40 PM

I had an original Ashbory in the mid-80's and it is the only thing I've ever sold that I wish I hadn't. I bought the newer version in the mid 90's and, while it is very cool and has seriously improved tuners (the original had friction tuners like a ukelele's which made it very difficult to stay in tune), it just doesn't sound the same.

mark

MNAirHead · #15 09-24-2009, 05:45 PM

The thought for full scale something is to make it easier to play some tunes..

Yes Ashbory is one of the ones I think about selling then wonder why I would.

IT does take time to get used to it.

Dave Irwin · #16 09-24-2009, 05:50 PM

You're right. Fender cut some costs on the pickup, preamp, or both.
sorry for turning this into an Ashbory thread. If it helps, I had a T series BSX that had the centered tone that comes with the longer string length and the growl.
But it sustained way to much to really sound like an upright and ofcourse didn't have the acoustic kick (umph).
The Ferrington I mentioned earlier has some acoustic kick, nice growl if you want but misses on the string length.
Pick your poison.

Quote:

Originally Posted by calivox

I had an original Ashbory in the mid-80's and it is the only thing I've ever sold that I wish I hadn't. I bought the newer version in the mid 90's and, while it is very cool and has seriously improved tuners (the original had friction tuners like a ukelele's which made it very difficult to stay in tune), it just doesn't sound the same.

mark

hdiddy · #17 09-24-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

That is the devil's instrument.

No BIGGUS, fiddle is the Satan's first choice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgvfRSzmMoU

Paul Warburton · #18 09-24-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

I'm aware that a boxy thud sound is not possible from an EUB.

I'm aware that most folks play EUB for the upright look and longer strings.

Not really looking toward DB due to our climate and storage issues.

A "boxey thud". Wow.
"Upright look". Gee.
"Cimate changes". Darn.

Marcus Johnson · #19 09-24-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

"Upright look". Gee.

It's surprising how many of those "corporate" gigs I get because somebody likes the look of the DB onstage. Some pretty looking musical furniture to eyeball while all the junior execs are chokin' down their creme brulee....

S'okay...... the paycheck spends the same either way.

MNAirHead · #20 09-24-2009, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

It's surprising how many of those "corporate" gigs I get because somebody likes the look of the DB onstage. Some pretty looking musical furniture to eyeball while all the junior execs are chokin' down their creme brulee....

S'okay...... the paycheck spends the same either way.

You're right. I get paid to help folks hear with their eyes.

I get tons of work due to 6/7 strings.. only play 5