Double Bass Azola EUBs Megathread

[basss]

I picked up a used set of Garbos and just finished a second gig with them on the Acoustic Baby. They are indeed too long so the E and A strings have metal wrapped around the tuning pegs, I have my fingers crossed that they don't break. However, they sound and feel great.

I used Garbos on my Bug for a while. Never had any problems besides the PITA I got from installing them.

 

[nlerohl]

Well thanks to Steve and Jill for making the world sound better.
I had a Floating top bugbass back in 2003.. I think?!?! Bought it when I was a student and then sold it because I, well, wasnt a student anymore and needed money. Im fairly secure with my gigs now and always knew I would get another one someday. After hearing the news thats the first thing I did. I consider Steve to be like the Leo Fender of the EUB world.
Great design, great sound and no nonsense engineering. I just found my new Azola and cant wait to play it all over the place. All us Azola owners should. Keep them out in the world, keep letting people see and hear them and most of all keep the name in the forefront of the EUB market. We owe it to ourselves and our investments, as well as Steve and Jill for all their years of hard work and commitment to our "issues" with finding good portable, amplified Double Bass sound.

I currently own a Czech Ease and a Yamaha SLB200, Both have their ergonomic benefits, but I still have never matched the sound of my Bugbass for straight up thumping and walking.Proud NEW owner, for the 2nd time of an Ambassador ltd edition hollow body..

 

[hensonbass]

I'm still touring with my 2008 5 string Ultracoustic Bugbass. It's been bouncing around the US in a trailer for the last two years enduring broiling hot summer days to freezing cold nights. And it rarely goes out of tune.

Best bass investment I ever made!

 

[Russell Bergum]

I'm still touring with my 2008 5 string Ultracoustic Bugbass. It's been bouncing around the US in a trailer for the last two years enduring broiling hot summer days to freezing cold nights. And it rarely goes out of tune.

Best bass investment I ever made!

I have the same bass but in a 4 string. Same color, and is about a year old. I use it primarily for orchestra work, and occasional bar gigs, and it sounds great - people are always amazed at what a great arco sound I get out if it. It was great to have this when my upright was out of commission for repairs, and I used this for our orchestra spring concert series.

 

[hensonbass]

people are always amazed at what a great arco sound I get out if it.

This is a video of my Azola where I bow it in the first verse of the song.

In the last month I added a Biesele magnetic pickup (designed to fit both to my Azola and my 7/8 5-str. DB) and it has increased the versatility of this instrument very significantly.

In the past I used the Azola more with the acoustic-based songs but now I can cut through the mix as well as any fretless EB and still sound like an upright. Very inspiring sounds!

 

[bribass]

This is a video of my Azola where I bow it in the first verse of the song.

In the last month I added a Biesele magnetic pickup (designed to fit both to my Azola and my 7/8 5-str. DB) and it has increased the versatility of this instrument very significantly.

In the past I used the Azola more with the acoustic-based songs but now I can cut through the mix as well as any fretless EB and still sound like an upright. Very inspiring sounds!

Hey, Nice playing! It does sound really good, even arco.

 

[biddypatrick]

Hi all..
I have a lightning bug floating top and although I don't use it as much these days due to less travel I do want it to be well looked after as my second bass. I just put on some new strings ( thomastik solos ) and I noticed something about the tilt neck. I moved it to check out the different action heights and I don't think it's working and if it is it's way to subtle..
I'd actually like to lower the action just a little so that my two basses have as similar feel to each other as possible. With the tilt neck lowered all the way it's a bit high around the Thumb Pos. and well, going the other way doesn't seem to make any difference.
Should I:
1. get some needle files and lower the strings?
2. sand the top of the bridge a little?
3. abandon the self repair trip and travel the 300km to a luthier?

I only want to lower very slight...It feels fine until the area around d on g string and upwards to Thumb pos.

Kindest regards..

BTW: The solos feel great on the instrument thus far..

 

[tornadobass]

Hi all..
I have a lightning bug floating top and although I don't use it as much these days due to less travel I do want it to be well looked after as my second bass. I just put on some new strings ( thomastik solos ) and I noticed something about the tilt neck. I moved it to check out the different action heights and I don't think it's working and if it is it's way to subtle...

Are you sure you're adjusting the tilt correctly? If it's like my BugBass, loosen the lower two screws on the neck plate, then turn the set screw clockwise to push the neck up toward the strings. Finally, snug down the two screws on the neck plate, being careful not to overtighten. I can't think of a reason to file the bridge or the bridge slots...they should only be half as deep as the strings or the strings will bind when you tune.

 

[biddypatrick]

Are you sure you're adjusting the tilt correctly? If it's like my BugBass, loosen the lower two screws on the neck plate, then turn the set screw clockwise to push the neck up toward the strings. Finally, snug down the two screws on the neck plate, being careful not to overtighten.

Yep, that's what I'm doing...I only want to lower the action a little..I'm not sure why the tilt neck doesn't seem to be working...

 

[Francois Blais]

I suggest you loosen the strings somewhat before changing the neck tilt.
Furthermore if you want to increase the angle to get a lower action.
There's a lot of pressure on the bolt.

 

[biddypatrick]

I suggest you loosen the strings somewhat before changing the neck tilt.
Furthermore if you want to increase the angle to get a lower action.
There's a lot of pressure on the bolt.

Thanks Francois,
I tried to loosen the strings but still no joy

What do you mean byFurthermore if you want to increase the angle to get a lower action.andThere's a lot of pressure on the bolt.

I can't figure out why the tilt neck is not working..???

 

[Francois Blais]

The bolt you're turning, to adjust the tilt, is pushing on the neck, which goes several inches down in the body cavity.
So that bolt gets a lot of pressure from the neck.
When you turn it to decrease the tilt (get higher action) there's not much need to loosen the strings, since you're working in the same direction the neck pushes on the neck.
Going in the other direction is another thing.

The Azolas are using the same mechanism as the original Ampeg Baby Bass to adjust the tilt.

(I had an original BB and also an Azola BugBass, years ago)

Maybe the bolt is stripped. (this may occur if you try to adjust the tilt without losseining the strings, like I described)

 

[biddypatrick]

Maybe the bolt is stripped. (this may occur if you try to adjust the tilt without losseining the strings, like I described)

Ok, it is working but not like I think it should be. The neck is only moving 3mm ( basically nothing) between highest to lowest. Maybe you're right Francois. Can this be fixed? I know a good guitar luthier around here. Any pointers in regards to this?
Thanks for your replies..

 

[tornadobass]

Considering it's just a set screw, you might want to unbolt the neck and take a look.

 

[biddypatrick]

Considering it's just a set screw, you might want to unbolt the neck and take a look.

Thanks...I did start to unbolt the neck and then had second thoughts and tightened the bolts again..I don't know why..but this seemed to help it and when I turned the tilt screw the fingerboard move a little more towards the strings..exactly what I wanted...thanks..

 

[lowendgrumble]

has anyone had any luck with the azola baby bass with both magnetic and piezo pickups...amplifying synthetic core strings, or gut strings?

thanks

 

[bracko]

I have an Azola Ambassador Plus (hollow body) and am considering trying some gut or synthetic strings too, probably Labella black-tape wound. The aim is to get a "deader" sound with less sustain and high end "twang" that the metal strings seem to provide.

Has anyone tried this with an Azola?
Thanks

 

[tornadobass]

I've used SuperSensitive Sensicore strings on my original model BugBass for the past couple of years and like both the sound and feel better than the Helicore Hybrid lights I'd been using before that.

The sound has more of a round bottom and less top zing than the steel strings I've tried, yet they're not boomy. Jill Azola told me that before they closed shop they were considering adopting Sensicores as one of their string options.

Sensicores also cost a little less than the other synthetic core strings on the market. There's no rolling like some brands and they seem to be pretty durable, with a long life.

And yes, in full disclosure, I am an endorser, but only because I really like these strings on the BugBass...they're also on an Epiphone acoustic upright that I got recently and again are performing well.

 

[lowendgrumble]

mainly I was curious about the magnetic pickup with non metal strings. perhaps I should've posted in the baby bass forum, just wanted to see if anyone here had experience?
thanks.

 

[Francois Blais]

I have an Azola Ambassador Plus (hollow body) and am considering trying some gut or synthetic strings too, probably Labella black-tape wound. The aim is to get a "deader" sound with less sustain and high end "twang" that the metal strings seem to provide.

Has anyone tried this with an Azola?
Thanks

You won't get that tone with those strings.
I'd look at orchestral strings instead, or hybrids like Evah Pirazzis.