So I bought myself a EUB...

Swimming Bird · #1 08-28-2006, 10:31 AM

I got a Zeta Educator series, and I'm having a few issues...

Mainly, the action is really high (I normally play bass guitar so my hands are weak compared to a real upright player's, but this is unplayable). I've lowered it as far as I can, but the strings are still really high off the fingerboard. This is extremely problematic as I can't play it for more than a few minutes at a time and everytime I've played it live, my left hand has cramped. I played a friend's NS EUB and it has paper-thin (ie proper) action. Does anyone know how to get playable action on a Zeta Educator?

Also, I use a roland synth module with my bass guitars and I saw that the Zeta has built-in midi, but with a different type of connector. Is there any Zeta-to-13 pin translator piece, or would I have to get Zeta's own midi package to use it?

ElMon · #2 08-28-2006, 12:34 PM

you'd really have to measure the action for anyone here to be able to assess it as "too high". I will say though that the first six months of playing upright will feel like you've been thumbwrestling Andre the Giant, and you definitely won't be able to make a whole gig on one. I'd recommend getting a bow, setting the metronome at 60bpm and bowing long tones to get your intonation and hand positions up to snuff, as well as seeking out lessons.

first off, though, measure that action with a milimeter measurement, then post it for the venerable sages (ie. old curmudgeons) on the DB forum.

IMO, IME, YMMV.

TheSuzie · #3 08-28-2006, 02:26 PM

I tried to play an older Zeta in a store last week. While the action was a bit higher than an electric bass, what made it unplayable for me was that the neck was way too thin front to back which caused nearly instant hand cramps.

Without measurements. I dont know if your strings are too high but I do know that upright technique is a whole different ball game than BG. For me it has been a painful adjustment at times and I gave up my first time around. One thing to remember is that if you make it all about hand strength you will injure yourself instantly. Yes you need to get stronger but you also need to use the weight of your arm to help even more than with the BG. Try doing very slow exercises and get a feel for the "light arm" where your fingers are above or barely touching the string. This is the feeling to have when you are shifting positions. Then try to feel the 'heavy arm" - let the weight of your arm be transmitted through your fingers to depress the string. Trying to clamp too much with your fingers and thumb is not a good way to go, it will wear out your joints and muscles and slow you down.

Your bass may have a problem but the technique issues are still extremely important. I play one bass that is set up with very high action in order to boost the acoustic volume and to allow me to dig in with my right hand. I would cripple myself if I didn't rely on my arm weight when fingering that bass.

Just some things to try - YMMV

Peace,
S

Swimming Bird · #4 08-28-2006, 07:43 PM

Thanks all. My bass is ~3 mm at the nut (obviously no issue there) but is 11 mm at the 7th note ('fret'? I don't know upright lingo). That seems problematic to me, but I haven't the slightest idea whether or not that is the norm...

Additionally -- what are some good upright instruction/exercise books?

**Francois Blais** · #5 08-28-2006, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimming Bird

Thanks all. My bass is ~3 mm at the nut (obviously no issue there) but is 11 mm at the 7th note ('fret'? I don't know upright lingo). That seems problematic to me, but I haven't the slightest idea whether or not that is the norm...

Additionally -- what are some good upright instruction/exercise books?

3 mm at the nut?
This is your biggest issue!
The thickness of a business card or two is more than enough.
No wonder why you feel the strings so stiff!

WillBuckingham · #6 08-28-2006, 08:55 PM

On my bass, the strings look like they're laying flat against the board where they touch the nut.

If you want to go anywhere with your playing you'll need to find a good teacher. This is what everyone will tell you.

Nohandles · #7 08-29-2006, 05:25 AM

Wow 3MM no wounder you get tired so fast. I set all of my basses to .127 MM of an inch. and at the end of the fret boards it measures 8 MM. I can't understand why manufactures won't at least get instruments to playable. At lease the owner could finish up taking it to where they like the action to be. Onnce you make your changes you will not believe how easy the electric will play.

Happy playing-Doug

TheSuzie · #8 08-29-2006, 04:37 PM

Yeah even my high action bass is pretty low at the nut.

Swimming Bird · #9 08-30-2006, 04:48 PM

Well, at least I know it's not entirely my fault. Now how do I fix it?

**Francois Blais** · #10 08-30-2006, 07:21 PM

Bring the instrument to a qualified luthier to modify the nut.

TheSuzie · #11 08-31-2006, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francois

Bring the instrument to a qualified luthier to modify the nut.

If you got this directly from Zeta, I would call and complain. See if they will pay to have it set up properly. You could even email them a link to this thread. If you bought this through a dealer, they should provide you with a setup or help you get Zeta to straighten things out. Builders and dealers should be selling instruments that are at least playable (though maybe not perfect) unless they explicitly state that you need to get it set up. I mean this is not a $99 SX slab we are talking about here.

Good Luck,
S