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Double Bass Azola EUBs Megathread

#301
lowendgrumble said:
has anyone had any luck with the azola baby bass with both magnetic and piezo pickups...amplifying synthetic core strings, or gut strings?

thanks
Click to expand...

Magnetic pickups wil not amplify gut strings. You might be able to pickup some sound with synthetic core strings depending on the metal of the outer core wrapping. Not sure. You have to try.

I tour with an Azola Ultracoustic EUB and I use a Biesele magnetic pickup blended in slightly with the piezo signal and I LOVE the sound I get. I have a nice woody tone with a tad of punch on the bottom that blends well with the heavy kick drum that is used in the band. FYI: I use steel strings (Spirocores).
 
#303
On a BugBass II, what was the pickup configuration like? Without the Azola website, there are only a few photos on the Internet.

I see one with metal disk pickups under the bridge feet like an Ampeg Baby Bass. Plus it has a single Bass Max pickup on the E-side of the bridge. Was that the standard config, or did Steve also use an additional Bass Max on the G-side too later on?

Thanks...Lyle
 
#304
hensonbass said:
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!
Click to expand...


Nice clip! I have the Biesele pickup too which I use on my DB for feedback emergencies. Btw what guitar is Corey using in that clip? never saw one like that before.
 
#306
Well GAS got me, and I added a BugBass II. I think I "almost" have enough Azolas and Baby Basses now. ;)
I was surprised to find that with the upper bout extension, it bows easily (for me, a Baby Bass will flop around when bowing the E-string).

Here's a photo of the pickups I was asking about. Looks like 2 bridge wing pickups could be added as an option, though mine only has the one. From the owner's manual, it sounds like some BBII's have a switch to go between the Latin pickups (metal disks under bridge feet) and the wing pickups, though mine does not. I assume the "Barbera multi-piezo bridge" pickup was a whole different animal.

I'm happy with the pickups, and like the blend between the two. But any historical info on the pickup options would be appreciated.

Thanks...Lyle
 

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#307
LyleRyan said:
On a BugBass II, what was the pickup configuration like? Without the Azola website, there are only a few photos on the Internet.
Thanks...Lyle
Click to expand...

My Floating Top Bug II came with two BAssmax pickups via individual RCA jacks. It's a passive system with a blend pot. For me, it didn't work very well at all, and I'm not sure how many Azolas were produced this way. I think the original system with just one pu was easier to use.

I disconnected the pots, removed the Bassmax pu's, and wired an old Underwood straight to the output via one of the RCA jacks. No on board volume control. but the sound is much better, IMO.

Later Azolas used another generic piezo embedded in the bridge, and an OEM preamp from EMG that was pretty nice.

I think the strength of the Azola's was their clean design style, Steve Azola's top notch woodworking, combined with Jill Azola's attention to detail in every aspect of each instrument from conception to delivery.
 
#308
I've tested the SportTube Snowboard flight case (Series 3) with my BugBass II at my local REI store.

It seems to fit ok, including the gig bag. Didn't try to fit the stand in. Might require some safety blocks around the bridge, as there isn't a lot of clearance for extra padding, and the SportTube will flex a little.

Using supplied pins, the length is adjustable.

Anyone else tried one of these? At $175, it seems well made.
http://www.sportube.com/pages/snowboards.php

Thanks...Lyle
 
#311
LyleRyan said:
I've tested the SportTube Snowboard flight case (Series 3) with my BugBass II at my local REI store.

It seems to fit ok, including the gig bag. Didn't try to fit the stand in. Might require some safety blocks around the bridge, as there isn't a lot of clearance for extra padding, and the SportTube will flex a little.

Using supplied pins, the length is adjustable.

Anyone else tried one of these? At $175, it seems well made.
http://www.sportube.com/pages/snowboards.php

Thanks...Lyle
Click to expand...

Hey Lyle,

I used a case like this for my baby bass - same brand, but I think it was for skis, not snowboards. Anyway, when I got home the neck was cracked right at the heel. It was in there with a soft case, but no extra support for the neck, which was my mistake. Got it fixed and the bass is all good now, but I haven't flown with it since. The baby bass has that metal guard over the bridge, so I knew that wouldn't be an issue. Good luck with it.
 
#312
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#316
FYI all -
Have had quite a few questions about the short-scale MiniBass presently on ebay. It *is* actually a very, very, very early AZOLA from 1995. That's why so many of the features don't look quite "normal" to most of you. As the saying goes, "It is what it is." The instruments certainly evolved dramatically from their earliest incarnations.
- Jill (for Steve)
2/23/2011
AZOLA Basses "legacy page" now on fb
 
#320
Hello all-
I was playing a gig the other day with my floating top Bugbass and thinking about how much I love this instrument and how its a shame that they are no longer being made. Then a scary thought occurred to me: What will I do if and when the bridge breaks? I have had DB bridges split in the past especially after a few years when the wood dries out. What the heck would you do if an Azola bridge breaks. I suppose a very talented luthier might be able to carve one from scratch but I wonder about the quality and cost. What would they use for a blank? Any thoughts?
 

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