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Double Bass Azola EUBs Megathread

#461
MR PC said:
It isn't a Baby Bass though..more like The Scarab model Azola built briefly as an alternative to the Floating top Bug..
Click to expand...

Sorry, but you are mistaken. The Scarab has a small body similar to the Bugbass. That's a Baby Bass, or more accurately, an Acoustic Baby Bass. I used to own one just like it with a cherryburst finish.

Scarab:

attachment.jpg


Acoustic Baby Bass:

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Edit: found this on the facebook "Azola Basses" page:

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#463
Looks like we are both wrong, but you are more right than I was, David!;):D:)

Jill Azola told me that Alphonso had sold his first Azola Bass and bought a Scarab..looks looks like he later he bumped up to the Ultracoustic Baby Bass.

Those Ultracoustic models were really expensive and fancy instruments, and honestly IMHO I think the old plain wooden Zorko was a better value if you could find one.
 
#467
hensonbass said:
Who can work on these basses besides Steve as far as neck adjustments are concerned?

I'm afraid to mess with the tilting mechanism. I can't seem to get my action to raise up as much as I used to.
Click to expand...

You could do it yourself.......just loosen the strings, loosen the neck retaining screws and turn the set screw COUNTER CLOCKWISE 1/8th of a turn. Tighten and tune.
 
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#468
I had some work done on my bugbass by NYC luthier Mas Hino. He told me that when he lived in Japan he was Steve Azola's guy over there (or something like that). He does great work. Not in your area but if you need major repairs it might be worth it to send it to him.
 
#469
phat5 said:
You could do it yourself.......just loosen the strings, loosen the neck retaining screws and turn the set screw COUNTER CLOCKWISE 1/8th of a turn. Tighten and tune.
Click to expand...

I know how to do that part… the problem is I don't have anymore slack in the counter clockwise motion. The neck won't tilt any further in that direction to give me a higher action.
 
#471
Hi Azola owners.

I just bought a Azola Baby bass with both pickup systems, piezo and magnetic. I live in Denmark, bought it from the US. I can not hear the difference between them ? ? I just read that on some of his basses the volume button can pull up for access to the magfnetic system ? The reason I write this here and now, is that the bass is at the "doctor" -) Have you any knowledge or experiance with this ? hope to hear from you. kind regards, Jesper
 
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#474
HOLA SALSEROS!

I just scored an Azola Ampeg Baby Bass, and I want it exclusively for Salsa. I don't know if I'll ever have a need for the piezo electric pickups; I want to go 100% magnetic diaphragm, but I'm finding that the bass does not have that full fat drum sound I'm looking for, especially on the d and g strings, though there's a great sweet spot on the E at Bb.

I think in order to get the sound I want, I'll need gut strings.

If you're playing salsa and have one of these axes, what strings would you recommend to get the best sound?
 
#476
Francois Blais said:
I hear many Baby bass players use Solo-gauge Spirocores.
Click to expand...
Merci Francois. Has anybody here tried full gut (Pirastro Olives or Pirastro Eudoxas or Errands) on one of these basses? My concern is that the original Ampeg magnetic diaphragm might just have a different sound than the Azola reissue. The bass currently has way too much sustain. I have turned the tone all the way to the bass and pulled up the volume knob to engage only the diaphragm. It sounds good, but it doesn't sound like a drum yet.
 
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#477
You may look at dark-sounding steel strings as well, like Kaplans and Jargars.
Someone had a Baby Bass for sale here on the Classifieds and it had Flexocor strings. (a renowned orchestral string with very little sustain)
Found it: For Sale - 1965 Ampeg Baby Bass So Cal | TalkBass.com
He says:
UPDATE: The bass is now restrung with Helicore Solos, a more "correct" string choice for Baby Basses.
Click to expand...
 
#478
My baby bass is a Ray Ramirez Baby bass and it was built with the
Court Crawford said:
HOLA SALSEROS!

I just scored an Azola Ampeg Baby Bass, and I want it exclusively for Salsa. I don't know if I'll ever have a need for the piezo electric pickups; I want to go 100% magnetic diaphragm, but I'm finding that the bass does not have that full fat drum sound I'm looking for, especially on the d and g strings, though there's a great sweet spot on the E at Bb.

I think in order to get the sound I want, I'll need gut strings.

If you're playing salsa and have one of these axes, what strings would you recommend to get the best sound?
Click to expand...
Hi, when I first ordered my Ray Ramirez Baby bass, it had the piezo electric and after a few years of having buzzing issues I decided to remove it and go 100% pasive just like the ampeg, boy what a difference did that make to the sound. I must say that Ray Ramirez himself made that change for me. Here is a video from channel. THanks!!
 
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#479
Court Crawford said:
Merci Francois. Has anybody here tried full gut (Pirastro Olives or Pirastro Eudoxas or Errands) on one of these basses? My concern is that the original Ampeg magnetic diaphragm might just have a different sound than the Azola reissue. The bass currently has way too much sustain. I have turned the tone all the way to the bass and pulled up the volume knob to engage only the diaphragm. It sounds good, but it doesn't sound like a drum yet.
Click to expand...
Try adjusting the neck. If you tilt it forward, the strings will be higher off the fingerboard, giving you more thump and less sustain.
 

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