Stagg EUB megathread

[funkybassplayer]

i think it looks like a pretty fun thing to try out. Not getting rid of my NS EUB though

[degroove]

I was calling around the numbers listed on the Palatino site to find local stores near me. The closest store does not have any Palantino's, but they do have them in stock from time to time. He was hyping the new Stagg EUB the EDB 3/4 (for three quarter double basses.

I might go try it. I might see if he would get a Palantino in. It would be good to compare.

When I test it out, I will give an update.

I am a DB dabbler who is primarly EBG player. I did have Bowing/Lesson experience when I rented and UB for three months and took lessons. I realized the UB requires commitment!! I still love the tone. Caveat: I am not going to be able to test the Arco capability due to my lack of technique. Unless the store people can demo it, I will just be reporting on the finger use (pizz?)

I tried the Dean Pace so far. Stagg will be next, most likely. I am posting a link to the Stagg Website I found:

http://www.staggmusic.com/?request=products

[Russ48]

Hi, I purchased an 'Eastcoast' EUB in transparent red - It's the same as the Stagg, just under a licensed brand name. I really love it.

Positives:

• Great looks and construction
• Good upright tone, great with active sub-bass
• Great sustain
• Quiet electronics
• Composite 'ebonol' neck has a lovely smooth feel
• Curved fingerboard, can be bowed

Some negatives:

• The position dots were completely wrong, so blacked them out and put in my own - now fine!
• There is a buzz round about bottom B fingering on the A string.

Also a question:
Would anybody recommend the best strings for this bass? Because of the lack of a traditional tailpiece I would imagine I need 4/4 strings so that the windings aren't too near the nut. The strings supplied I think are medium guage. I'm after strings with brightness for Jazz. I've looked at Thomastik Precision or Spirocores. What does anyone else think?

Peace,
Russ

[Carias]

I have one.
Good:

Excellent Construction. Good looking too.
Versatile, you can practice without an amp
Good sub bass effect

Bad:
Poor pickup design and plastic bridge.Definitely sucks!!!I will replace that system.
Dot markers out of tune
Tuners of poor quality.

Bottom Line:
For the price I paid (500 bucks for a B st) it was a good option. My project next is to replace the pickup system and plastic bridge.
Great option for the price though.
Best,
Carlos

[Linus27]

In the UK, this Stagg EUB is just over the £300 mark. I wonder if this is worth getting as a introduction to EUB or it is worth saving some more and getting the NS WAV 4 which is about £650 - £700.

Any thought???

[Skribble]

Originally Posted by Linus27

In the UK, this Stagg EUB is just over the £300 mark. I wonder if this is worth getting as a introduction to EUB or it is worth saving some more and getting the NS WAV 4 which is about £650 - £700.

Any thought???

I suppose it's a case of you get what you pay for. As an introduction to EUB, you can't really go wrong for £300 but as the posts above have pointed out, there are some cheap components which you might want to replace.

If you can afford a Wav 4 (or an Aria SWB lite one, which is what I play) then you should get one - it'll serve you better in the long run.

[Linus27]

Originally Posted by Skribble

I suppose it's a case of you get what you pay for. As an introduction to EUB, you can't really go wrong for £300 but as the posts above have pointed out, there are some cheap components which you might want to replace.

If you can afford a Wav 4 (or an Aria SWB lite one, which is what I play) then you should get one - it'll serve you better in the long run.

Yes very true. Still number one on my list is the Wav 4. I am slightly concerned on the Stagg that the dot markers are in the wrong place. Not really the best thing to have when you are learning to play EUB and fretless etc.

[ps6000]

I just bought a Stagg with a missing nut. Can any owners of the Stagg EUB take a close up picture of the nut for me? I am going to attempt to do this repair myself and could use some good close up pictures to compare with.

Also, is the nut plastic, metal or wood?

[Russ48]

Hi there. I actually sold my Stagg and bought an acoustic but I thought the nut was made of the same composite material as the neck so I am surprised yours was separated! I would imagine you could make one from hardwood, maybe maple, then paint it black to match. I remember the nut on mine being quite roughly made and the slots used to pinch the strings somewhat so more shallow rounded grooves might be in order. It was also a little too high making the action high at the nut. It was approximately 8mm thick. Hope this helps! Peace, Russ

[ps6000]

Thanks!
I bought a hardwood nut, but I wanted to see what an original looked like before I started hacking away.

[vishy]

Hi

I also just bought a new Stagg EDB. It is my first upright and so far I'm loving it. I haven't played it with my band yet but I will next week. Anyway here are a couple of shots that I hope will help. As far as I can see the nut is hardwood and not particularly complicated in assembly.




Vishy

[ps6000]

Thanks!
I just finished carving an ebony nut, put it on and played all weekend. I did a few things wrong so I am going to start again and these pictures help!

[wagstaff]

Originally Posted by Russ48

[*]The position dots were completely wrong, so blacked them out and put in my own - now fine!

how did you black out the dots? are they still noticable or do you have to look really closly at them to see them?

[derrenleepoole]

I'm now actually in the process of trying one of these out over a few nights with a view to buying it, having been the one who started this thread all those months back. I have to say that it's a serious contender as a Palatino beater which I've owned in the past. The one I'm trying now is really well made for the price, better than the Palatino IMO. The electronics are naff, the headphone socket is very noisy, but this can easily be tweaked if needed. The weight and size is very good and the composite neck has a really nice feel to it and plays quite well. It even comes with a well padded gig bag!

My observation/advice would be this: don't go into buying an EUB thinking you'll get an upright bass but electrified because you won't - period! I think this is a common mistake that many people make. If you buy into this type of instrument, you do so knowing that you get a 'sort of' upright sound, you can knock it about a bit, modifiy if desired, and learn that EUB is not/or is for without breaking the bank.

[10poundsuitband]

Hi,

I'm new to talk bass. Been playing a really sweet merchant vertical EUB for the last three months, but I need to return it soon and am looking to replace it on a budget...

enter the Stagg EDB.

Apart from some worrying rumours about intonation etc. my main concern is the 9v battery. I can't seem to find anyone who knows what it does or why it's there. Is the 1/4" jack dependant on it? How much play time do you get from an average 9v?

The last thing I need is a bass that runs out of juice every 20 mins.

Any comments from an owner would be really appreciated.

cheers.

[derrenleepoole]

The battery would only run out if the EUB was left plugged in for any long period of time. This is true of any active bass. The battery, as I understand it, helps bring the signal from the peizo pickups, up to a more normal level, so they're not as quiet.

Intonation issues? There are position markers on the neck which aren't perfectly true, and you can't adjust the bridge for intonation like you can on some EUB's and electric bass guitars. However, some would argue that your ears are the judge of intonation and not position markers, so you would/should still play in turn.

Be under no illusions, the Stagg is a cheap EUB, but it can offer an upright playing experience, but with a 'sort of' upright/fretless tone.

[10poundsuitband]

I've never played an instrument with an "active" output before...when we say long periods of time is that like hours or what?

Also, if volume boosting is thier only function, can that be achieved simply by overcompensating with your amp volume, or does that shoot the sound quality right down?

Would I be right in saying that a constant supply of batteries is a necessity with this bass?

[Carias]

Playing occasionally, my battery runs for about 5 months. To me this is a good time considering the very strong output gain. It also has an 1/8" jack for headphones and does not require an external preamp when using headphones. I was about to sell mine but decided to keep it.
Peace,

[Jazz Ad]

It sucks very badly.
Uncomfortable and clumsy, doesn't sound good at all, too harsh with a lack of mellowness.
An Ergo is infinitely better for little more money.

[JC Mags]

i posted a video in YOUTUBE that show the STAGG EUB in a small ensemble setup.

i got the bass just hours before i tested it so i was still feeling out the intonation on the bass. the markers on the bass are a little flat; just dont look at them while playing. hehe.. i played a couple of out-of-tune notes here and there during the sound check


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA4_Xh560hw