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Double Bass Aria EUB megathread

#61
Jeff, did you try to change the strings? I was thinking of the medium Helicore Hybrids? I have been fiddling with the tone. parametric eq'ing, compression, reverb etc. Overall I like the tones I can get but I must say I am not so into these piezo pickups... sounds a little farty on the attack.. maybe my technique :(
 
#62
I have Corelli on mine now
My Aria has both magnetic and piezo pickups and the Corelli work with a magnetic pickup.
I have a set of Helicore and Obligato waiting to try out
I want to try Spirocore Stark on it too and waiting until I see a used set pop up

I find to get a full sound I have to pluck the string very hard and turn down the volume on the Aria preamp
Am using a Wizzy Combo and it has a deep switch and 2 contour switches I sometimes use . Wizzy combined with the magnetic and piezo pu gives many 9 useable voices

Overall I like my Aria and it is easier to travel with than my UB
In the future I want to try out an Azola

Thanks

Robert VanLane
 
#63
I recently picked up a Aria SWB-03 on eBay for $2000AUD.
I was incredibly stoked with this.
This model is not available for purchase in Australia.
The only other EUB of this quality I could get in Australia was an NS Design, and i think the Aria SWB-03 is way sexier.
The SWB-03 has magnetic pick ups and piezo pick ups. It sounds unbelievable amplified and just as good plugged straight into a PA.
While this is a dream for pizz playing, I am not 100% happy with its use for arco style. It still sounds hot, but it doesn't match an AUB.
One other downside is when i play shows with it, there are always a handful of people that require me to explain to them what an EUB is.
Out of curiousity, does anyone know what these retail for?
 
#64
The last time I saw an SWB3 for sale it was about £1200. No idea what that equates to in Australian $ but I reckon you got a good deal.

I'm always getting questions about my SWB Lite at gigs but I find it's a good thing - it generates a bit of interest in the band and makes you stand out from all the other acts. It's also a good conversation starter with any interested ladies in the audience... *cough*
 
#66
185000 Yen coverts to approx $3000 AUD (at the current exchange rate which is not so good). :rollno:
I imagine an item like this would jacked to about $5000 AUD in Australia shops though. :mad:

On the AUB i have I used Hellicore's.
Does any one have any suggestions for what strings would be awesome for pizz & arco on my SWB-03?

I was possibly thinking of trying some Obligato's.
 
#67
slapmutepop said:
I was possibly thinking of trying some Obligato's.
Click to expand...

I just bought an SWB Lite-1 from Jumbotron a few weeks ago and spent the extra bread to have him throw in a set of Obligatos he'd installed. He reasoned that their natural warmth and round top were the most pleasing compared to the stock strings (OK, but meh) or a set of Spirocores (loud but twangy). I was hoping to pull the instrument back to a more traditional sound for pizz playing and the Obligatos definitely seem to do the trick.

I've contacted the Golihurs and both of them seem to think this string can do pizz and arco if you're looking for a traditional sound pizz sound. I may end up stringing my acoustic DB up with a set just to get the two instruments set up as close to each other as possible. The one caveat I'd mention is that if your SWB-03 has any magnetic pickups you won't get a very strong signal as the only metal in the strings is the windings. They really sing through the piezo pickup in my bridge, though.
 
#69
Hi all...

After playing standard electric bass for 20 years, and always wanting to play an upright, I bit the bullet and bought an Aria SWB-Lite Bis ( that's the version of the SWB-Lite that has both pickups, the Fishman Bridge Pickup and the Magnetic Fingerboard pickup ).

Anyhow, I've been having lots of fun with it so far. At first I had a loud low grumbling noise I couldn't get rid of, but thankfully changing the 9V Battery took care of that. I've lowered the Treble to about halfway to get rid of some hiss, and I've lowered the Bass a bit too, and I'm pleased to see that's what most people here have done. I still haven't settled on the best position for the two volume pots.

I am thinking of getting new strings for it, and was wondering what would be good strings to get for this 2 pickup version. I'm still trying to get used to playing bass upright, with no frets, but will eventually look at new strings. I'd be playing the bass in a covers / wedding band type set up, more rock than country if that makes sense?

One other question, I've noticed that when playing the bass, the A string seems a lot more, I don't know, punchy when plucked, compared to the E string, which seems much smoother. Is this normal?

All advice appreciated, thanks!

J.
 
#70
I have the exact same Aria
Gollihur has some suggestions for strings for use with magnetic pickups . I use Corelli but am trying out Spirocore now.
Invalid Link Removed

When I use piezo, I lower the treble and either boost the bass or keep it flat
When using magnetic I keep both flat
I use one or the other depending on song

I use a EA Wizzy Combo amp and really like switching between 1)flat 2)Deep switch 3)Contour I 4)Contour II for different songs

Personally I would try out a used set of Spirocores
Spiro's take a few months to break in to sound really good

I used to have Obligato on my DB
Now am using Spiro Heavy E , Med A , Light D and G
I tried to put a Spiro Heavy E and it wouldnt fit on the Aria. the hole on the tailpiece is too small.

Thanks

Robert VanLane


jasonb said:
I've lowered the Treble to about halfway to get rid of some hiss, and I've lowered the Bass a bit too, and I'm pleased to see that's what most people here have done. I still haven't settled on the best position for the two volume pots.

I am thinking of getting new strings for it, and was wondering what would be good strings to get for this 2 pickup version.
J.
Click to expand...
 
#71
Thanks for your reply...

It looks like I might try out some Spiros, when I have the money that is! I didn't realise how much there was to consider with this new bass, it really is a different type of guitar. So far I've actually had both pickups in use, haven't tried only using one or the other.

By the way, this might be a stupid question, but are all DB strings ( like Spiros for example ), flatround? Or what I'd call flatround anyhow, very smooth to the touch. The strings that came with the SWB-Lite Bis are flatround and I love them, the smoothness of the string makes it very easy to play.

Thanks!

J.
 
#73
Thanks for the reply...

Yep, you're right, I meant flatwound, I was typing there without engaging my brain!

That's good to know, I've been playing with flatwound strings on my standard bass too and I'm just very used to the feel of them. Now I gotta get the money for a set of Spiros!

J.
 
#75
Nice one, thanks for the tip! About how long does it normally take to break in a set? Are they still playable while breaking them in, or can you really only use them during rehearsals etc. until they're done?

Jason.
 
#76
Depends on the brand.
Also depends on your personal tolerance to increased brightness.
Other than the usual stretching for a few hours (steel) or days (synthetics or gut), they can be played immediately.
They sound brighter at first.
Spirocores are known to take a longer time to fully break in.
(some people really dig them after a few months)
It's just a personal matter, not a rule.
 
#78
hey,
I am annoyed
I got an aria swb-04 - love it.
absolutely hate the crappy case that comes with it.

I had the shoulder strap on , when it snapped.
my bass hit the floor and I have a couple of cracks around where the neck meets the body.

lord knows how I am going to get them fixed!

what I really want is a good solid case for bass.

I live in the uk - does anyone know where I an a good case from?

really appreciate any ideas
thanks
Martin
 

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