Are Zeta EUB's any good?

[nil]

Here's the deal:

I'm an electric player wanting to play upright. I'm not keen on a "real" acoustic DB, mainly due to the size, cost and transportability.
Style of playing? Who the heck knows? Mainly a continuation of dub/experimental/jazz noodlings, but also for numbers with the band in an acoustic setting.

I'm quite partial to their looks and price...and the 34" scale doesn't put me off - since the EUB won't be my primary instrument, I like the fact that i'll be able to switch easily, and that it's small enough to get around.

I've done a search on TB about them, and most people were a bit negative, but this seems mainly from a comparison to a real URB.

I'm quite aware that only a few EUBs get close to a real URB tone, but how would a Zeta Crossover perform for my application? Their upper models are probably out of my price range.

Again, since I can't find one here, you guys are my best judge!

[Wil Davis]

If you want my honest opinion - I have one:
http://www.k1wd.com/music/bass/Zeta_PB304.jpg
- and I thought it was pretty good...

...until I played a real double-bass (http://www.k1wd.com/music/bass/URB.jpg), and I was immediately hooked - they're so different, they really are! Go with a REAL double-bass; you'll never regret it - even with the hassle of awkward size, weight, difficulty of playing - IT'S WORTH IT! Believe me - IT IS WORTH IT!!!

- Wil

[nil]

Wil - thanks for the reply - I was hoping you might post!

I'd love to have the money and space for a real URB, but they're pretty expensive - ~$3000NZD for a Chinese soapbox with strings! I'd rather put the money into a good EUB, also considering that the EUB wouldn't be my primary instrument. $850USD for a Educator to me seems like a better option (is yours still for sale?)

Any other comments about the playability and sound? Does it kinda approach a URB sound or is it really more like a fretless on a pole?


Thanks!

[brianrost]

I used to own a Zeta Crossover.

I got rid of it because soundwise, I already had fretless bass guitars that could match it and the bow sound was useless in my opinion (likely due to the strings).

I have yet to find an electric upright I really like (used to own a Baby Bass, too). So I still lug the real thing thing around most of the time, though if you check out my recent thread elsewhere there are gigs where my patience has been tried.

As a learning instrument, you should at least look into an EUB with a 41" scale. Otherwise you'll have to relearn all your positions if you do "graduate" to a real upright. There's a tendency to use all four left hand fingers on a 34" scale and there's also no need for thumb position playing on a Zeta because the heel is further up the neck and the body is cutaway.

Here in the US you can get brand new Chinese made plywood basses (admittedly cheesy) for as little as $500 and decent starter basses for about a grand, no more dough than the Zeta.

[nil]

I agree that as a learning instrument, a 34" scale would be a hindrance, but i'm figuring, for the amount of UR playing i'd be doing that a matching scale (to my electric) would be nice...it's my intention at some stage in the future to upgrade to a URB, so this is kinda a "in-between" stick for me.

Brian, could you coax a URB-like tone from your Zeta at all? If not, what was lacking?

A $500 URB would be cool, but try shipping the sucker to New Zealand! To a point, i'm a quality not cost kind of guy though, so i'd kinda feel cheated buying a cheese URB I think. Also, that magical word "portability" comes into play...I dig any instument I can transport on the back of my Vespa!

[Bass Guitar]

Originally posted by nil
A $500 URB would be cool, but try shipping the sucker to New Zealand! To a point, i'm a quality not cost kind of guy though, so i'd kinda feel cheated buying a cheese URB I think. Also, that magical word "portability" comes into play...I dig any instument I can transport on the back of my Vespa!

Hi nil,

Consider the Rossco's Easy Travel Double Bass. He is a luthier who works out of his home near my place. Nice guy.



Full-scale double bass, made with a smaller body for portability. Also fully acoustic unlike an EUB. Would be easier to ship from Melbourne than from the US.

His website is here:

http://home.iprimus.com.au/rossjazz/Double_Bass.htm

[nil]

Yeah, i'd noticed those before...how much do they go for? I never saw any details on his site and didn't really want to email for a price just in case it was ludicrously outside of what I can deal with...

[Bass Guitar]

Those basses are not cheap - over US$3000 if I'm not mistaken, if not more. This is much cheaper than a double bass. Best to email him and ask him for exact prices. Like I said, he's a friendly guy, open to all enquiries.

[nil]

ouch! Almost the downpayment on a house!

[Bass Guitar]

Originally posted by nil
ouch! Almost the downpayment on a house!

That's so true, especially with our currency now only 49 cents to the US dollar. Good if you are selling gear to the Americans, but bad if you are buying from them, like I have been...

[Billy Harrel]

Nil,
I have a XB304, ZB224 and a Zeta Prism. I would suggest the XB304 (Crossover) for you because it has a 34 inch scale. This would allow you to use the same LH fingering as you use on a bass guitar. I would also suggest you get the tripod stand and a cello bow.

My Zetas do not sound as good as an excellent plywood or good carved double bass. However, the action is very good for the money and to me that makes up for the sound quality loss.

[nil]

Well, the Zeta I had my eye on got sold, so it's back to the drawing board for me!