I've tried 10 or 12 different sets of strings and have come back to spiros. Steve Azola updated the pickup and preamp on mine to the latest version - this made a big difference (do a search and you'll find a review). I start with the high and mid controls on the preamp all the way down and open them up so I get just enough growl without the metallic finger noise. With darker orchestral strings such as pirastro flexocore I found I wasn't able to get much growl at all although they did get a nice round thumpy tone. I feel I get that thump along with some growl with sprios by rolling off the highs and mids as needed.
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Double Bass Azola EUBs Megathread
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I've tried 10 or 12 different sets of strings and have come back to spiros. Steve Azola updated the pickup and preamp on mine to the latest version - this made a big difference (do a search and you'll find a review). I start with the high and mid controls on the preamp all the way down and open them up so I get just enough growl without the metallic finger noise. With darker orchestral strings such as pirastro flexocore I found I wasn't able to get much growl at all although they did get a nice round thumpy tone. I feel I get that thump along with some growl with sprios by rolling off the highs and mids as needed.
Hi everyone,
I'm having difficulty with my upper back and some initial stages of arthritis in my hands. I'm still new to the DB but would like to continue pursuing it. I have an Ergo EUB which is "fine" for me, but I'm wondering:
1. Would a shorter scale, like the Gypsy's, be any easier to play? Are the string gauges perhaps different/smaller than those of a 41" scale, thus making them easier on the left hand? (I have the Correlli 1/2 size on my Ergo).
2. For those of you who own a Gypsy, does the Gypsy sound a little too much like an electric bass guitar? (I've heard the sound clips from Steve and Jill on this site.) I've not heard one live.
3. I might play some arco if my back can handle it, otherwise I'll play pizz in bluegrass and other folk genres. I'd love to play Bach but I doubt that will happen! I live in a small area so I'm leaning toward a good quality, smallish ("bass on a stick") body which would be easy enough for me to continue studying on as well as transport.
Thanks so much. I'm not sure if "downsizing" to the 34" scale will help my upper back pain and/or my left hand stretch or not.
Have a blessed day!
Jill
San Diego
I'm having difficulty with my upper back and some initial stages of arthritis in my hands. I'm still new to the DB but would like to continue pursuing it. I have an Ergo EUB which is "fine" for me, but I'm wondering:
1. Would a shorter scale, like the Gypsy's, be any easier to play? Are the string gauges perhaps different/smaller than those of a 41" scale, thus making them easier on the left hand? (I have the Correlli 1/2 size on my Ergo).
2. For those of you who own a Gypsy, does the Gypsy sound a little too much like an electric bass guitar? (I've heard the sound clips from Steve and Jill on this site.) I've not heard one live.
3. I might play some arco if my back can handle it, otherwise I'll play pizz in bluegrass and other folk genres. I'd love to play Bach but I doubt that will happen! I live in a small area so I'm leaning toward a good quality, smallish ("bass on a stick") body which would be easy enough for me to continue studying on as well as transport.
Thanks so much. I'm not sure if "downsizing" to the 34" scale will help my upper back pain and/or my left hand stretch or not.
Have a blessed day!
Jill
San Diego
Jill -
You have PM re: where to hear short-scale basses in southern California.
- Jill
Link Removed
You have PM re: where to hear short-scale basses in southern California.
- Jill
Link Removed
[DEL]Has anyone been able to reach Jill @ Azola lately? Is all ok there?[/DEL]
Never mind.
Never mind.
If anyone has an Azola Bambino, Latin Bambino, or maybe a hollow body full scale bass for sale (mini bass, baby bass, bugbass II, etc.) please PM me. Thanks.
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Thanks for the link, but I'm the current high bidder on that one. I am hoping there is a Bambino out there looking for a new home. I doubt it, I don't think very many were made.
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When I bought my "pre-owned" Azola Acoustic BB a few years ago, I contacted Jill Azola. She advised me that the neck should not be removed for shipping.
Should you win the auction, it might be a good idea to ask Jill about the best way to pack the bass.
Good luck with the auction.
Should you win the auction, it might be a good idea to ask Jill about the best way to pack the bass.
Good luck with the auction.
hi all. i'll be looking to get some new strings for my hollow body bug bass soon - still trying to figure out which brand to try although i'm leaning towards the corellis or maybe the spiros. something lower tension for sure. according to the letter that came with my bass it's currently strung with 1/2 size helicores but my question to you folks that have experimented with different strings is what would you recommend size wise? it just seems to me from looking around that there's a somewhat limited selection of 1/2 size strings available compared to 3/4. are 3/4 size strings too long because of the short peghead? any drawbacks to cutting them down to fit? questions, questions...
many thanks for any advice you can offer...
jim
many thanks for any advice you can offer...
jim
I recently put Corellis on my BugBass II - I wanted a low tension string - and they fit and work great. They are of course long and the main part of the string, past the silk, is wound onto the tuning peg, but this doesn't seem to be causing any problems. I haven't cut the strings back at all, just tucked the long ends back into the peg box - it looks a bit untidy but I'd like to be able to swap them to other basses later in their life if the mood takes me.
The best feel, fit and sound has been the Spirocore Weichs in 3/4 size, although I'd still like to try the Spiro solos one day - a lot of the latin players around here swear by them.
Andy
Corellis (in medium gauge only) are also available in fractionals.
I have a 90cm set (350B) and it fits nicely on my Carruthers EUB.
Much less slack to wrap!
Jill Azola sent an email to several people.
There will be an official announcement on their website soon.
(and probably here too)
Stay tuned, but please don't ask more details for the moment.
thanks for the replies fellas. françois i see by your reply in another thread here that the corelli 1/2 size set would be a good fit for my bass. any idea about the distance from the ball end to the silk winding at the nut end for a set of spirocore 1/2 size? due to my experience with flatwounds on the electric bass i'm a little wary about wrapping too much of the metal part of the string around the tuning pegs. or is that not as much of a concern with upright bass strings?
merçi!
jim
merçi!
jim
Hi Jim.
I don't have the half-size Spiros numbers, sorry.
Beware: half-size Spiros are thicker than 3/4 and 4/4 sets!
They may fit better, but you may end up with high tension.
I don't have the half-size Spiros numbers, sorry.
Beware: half-size Spiros are thicker than 3/4 and 4/4 sets!
They may fit better, but you may end up with high tension.
Been using 3/4 Spiro size on my Bug for about 10 years. I don't cut them, and I have only changed them when they go ridiculously dead (I'm lazy!) Mostly Weich E and A. Obligato solo D and G until recently when I put on some 30+ year old Spiro Solo D and G. I might switch to Solo E and A as well. I'm enjoying the tension of the solo gauge, and they bow nicely.
I was trying to avoid the Spiro growl on my Original Bugbass and used Helicore Hybrid lights for a few years with good success. Several months ago, I switched to Sensicores and found them to be an easy playing string with good depth, clarity and sustain.
Main downside is that they usually go a tiny bit flat between gigs, although they hold pitch just fine at a gig. And, yes, I did have to trim the strings to fit my Bug...no problems with winding the metal part of the string on the tuner.
Main downside is that they usually go a tiny bit flat between gigs, although they hold pitch just fine at a gig. And, yes, I did have to trim the strings to fit my Bug...no problems with winding the metal part of the string on the tuner.
thanks françois! that's good to know! from what i've been reading here and in the strings forums i think i should be fine with a 3/4 size set. jill was also kind enough to send me a pm confirming that. she also said that string lengths can not only vary from maker to maker but can sometimes vary from batch to batch by the same maker! this can be a lot more complicated than buying strings for an electric bass!
so now i've got my choice narrowed down to the corellis, the spirocores or maybe the la bella 7720S. i'm in no hurry to decide so if anyone here has any opinions about how these strings sound or feel on an azola please feel free to chime in...
once again thank you to everyone for their replies,
jim
Sorry to hear of this
I wish them both the best. Steve & Jill, thank you for all you have done for us.
p5
I wish them both the best. Steve & Jill, thank you for all you have done for us.p5
