What EUB is closest to a real double bass?

[BassChase]

Hello fellow bassists,

Im about to get into the world of electric upright bass. Im a senior in high school and I play alot of jazz and classical upright bass stuff. Im becoming really serious in my playing and I need something to be able to practice on at home.

I simply cannot fit a normal bass in my house or afford one.

So my question is, which EUB is most like a typical upright bass?

I was looking at the WAV4 but there is no neck joint like on a typical bass. Any thoughts on the Palatino VE-550?

My budget is $1000.

Thanks

[Francois Blais]

Hi.
Do you mean sonically or physically?

You can get a real DB for $1000 or even less. (second hand, of course)
There's one for $750 in the Classifieds right now:
Hermann Beyer plywood

Do you want a regular DB scale? (around 42")
There are shorter scale EUBs too.

You can even get a fractional DB, like a 1/4 size, which scale is about the same as a BG.
Furthermore this is less bulky.

Regards,
François

[JtheJazzMan]

Another one of these threads eh, oh dear.

What sounds are you looking for, or what qualities in the sound are you looking for?

[Bruce Lindfield]

This has been asked before many times, with the answer that has come up most often, being the Eminence.

I think that things like the WAV4 are least like a real DB - although that's not to say they can't be useful instruments in their own right.

[sbassface]

Yo, I just saw a guy in my area playing a Jazz gig on a 1/4 size bass, (strung A-C), honestly sounded real good. I even thought he was a whiz in the upper register with my back to him, not knowing about the high C string.

[Mike Arnopol]

The French made Volante sounds the most like a double bass. Blows the others away. The Eminence is okay, but not in the ballpark. I've played most of 'em.

[HogieWan]

Sounds like he's looking for feel more than sound as it is for practice

[Illbay]

The problem is, all the EUBs that you folks are mentioning cost more than a decent DB, even one with a good amplification system.

So, OP, you have to ask yourself: Is this more for practice at my house, or to play out with?

If the answer is "practice," the WAV is just fine. Believe me, I have one, if feels very real (and the snobbery about the sound is irrelevant). If the answer is "to play out," then you'll get more bang for the buck going with a half-decent DB in the thousand-buck range.

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by sbassface

Yo, I just saw a guy in my area playing a Jazz gig on a 1/4 size bass, (strung A-C), honestly sounded real good. I even thought he was a whiz in the upper register with my back to him, not knowing about the high C string.

A small bass strung that way is sometimes called a Piccolo Bass.
Correct me if I'm wrong, guys and gals.

[BassChase]

thanks for all the input!

I need it to be physically similar first. A traditional upright bass tone is important but I mainly need it to be physically similar.

The WAV doesnt work for me cause it doesnt have the typical neck joint.

[BigOldHarry]

$1000?

wow. I've been keeping my eyes open for years, and used they seem to START around $1800.

Good luck man!

[etoncrow]

You can get an Ergo EUB new for about $650.00. Is it the closest to being a double bass? Nope, not by a long shot but it does make a good sound under your budget and can be used to keep your practice honest until you can afford something else. They really are a cool instrument IMHO. See:http://www.planadmin.us/ergo/?q=node/5

[duckyincarnate]

There is a Merchant EUB in the classifieds for sale in the classifieds for more or less what you have to spend. They seem to have a good rep, and might be worth a look for you. You could do a search.

[scott reed]

+1 on the Merchant with your budget.

[superfunk47]

Originally Posted by Francois Blais

A small bass strung that way is sometimes called a Piccolo Bass.
Correct me if I'm wrong, guys and gals.

Piccolo tuning is a full octave up, A-C is called tenor tuning.

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by superfunk47

Piccolo tuning is a full octave up, A-C is called tenor tuning.

Thanks!
I had Ron Carter in mind, and he was playing his Piccolo Bass with the A-C (tenor) tuning.