Double Bass Azola EUBs Megathread

[Jazzdogg]

I heard back from Steve Azola quickly; he was friendly but it wasn't too helpful. I spent some time today focusing on my tone (more than trying to be decent at playing, which is my usual task on EUB or DB), and actually was able to get a tone I was happy with. It seems that the issue I was having was more in the midrange, because when I brought that down, things were still natural but much more pleasant. I'll still be swapping out strings to see what my perfect set is, but I'm happier with it already.

You're in good company: I seem to recall the late, great, Ray Brown emphasizing the importance of getting a good sound on double bass as one of the most important aspects of getting hired repeatedly.

When I'm learning a new song (or relearning and old one), as soon as I feel comfortable with the form and changes, my emphasis shifts to achieving a consistently good sound. If I'm using an amplifier, my preference is to hear my bass (and hands), only louder.

It's more difficult to achieve a great sound using only my hands than it is to modify my sound by twisting knobs on an amp, but it's definitely worthwhile.

 

[smperry]

You're in good company: I seem to recall the late, great, Ray Brown emphasizing the importance of getting a good sound on double bass as one of the most important aspects of getting hired repeatedly.

When I'm learning a new song (or relearning and old one), as soon as I feel comfortable with the form and changes, my emphasis shifts to achieving a consistently good sound. If I'm using an amplifier, my preference is to hear my bass (and hands), only louder.

It's more difficult to achieve a great sound using only my hands than it is to modify my sound by twisting knobs on an amp, but it's definitely worthwhile.

Thanks for that. If I'm being honest, I've been somewhat phoning in my bass guitar playing the past few years; with easy music, I can obsess over tone. On DB and EUB, I'm much less confident so I'm just trying to get through the changes. I'm enjoying the challenge but still, it's worthwhile to pay attention to tone too.

 

[speyer]

I have tried so many DB strings over the years and I think dominants may be my favourite. I recall feeling like the G string was not as balanced as the rest of the set (a bit thin) but the EAD strings had a great blend of organic tone, feel and focus for EUB.

 

[mikezimmerman]

This may be of interest to some folks here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[59jazz]

Similar to my model, I do have a fix for the upper bout adjustment. If anyone is interested, I can share photos of the procedure.

 

[Holdsg]

This may be of interest to some folks here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

those are hard to find, and totally worth it.

 

[mikezimmerman]

Especially a 5-string!

those are hard to find, and totally worth it.

 

[mrman740]

I ended up buying this as soon as I saw it, lol! Ebony fingerboard, leather mute still intact, original stand included, original case in excellent condition, Bow included, and I talked them down a few bucks because of the damage on the bout adjusting knob... sounds absolutely amazing!!! Here it is next to one of my Ampeg's..

 

[mrman740]

This is the original ad...

 

[Joelc73]

View attachment 4868068 I ended up buying this as soon as I saw it, lol! Ebony fingerboard, leather mute still intact, original stand included, original case in excellent condition, Bow included, and I talked them down a few bucks because of the damage on the bout adjusting knob... sounds absolutely amazing!!! Here it is next to one of my Ampeg's..

Nice! Love my Scarab 5

 

[mikezimmerman]

Glad someone here picked it up!

View attachment 4868068 I ended up buying this as soon as I saw it, lol! Ebony fingerboard, leather mute still intact, original stand included, original case in excellent condition, Bow included, and I talked them down a few bucks because of the damage on the bout adjusting knob... sounds absolutely amazing!!! Here it is next to one of my Ampeg's..

 

[59jazz]

Holy crap…..a Bug 5’r. Good thing I didn’t see this before you

 

[mrman740]

Holy crap…..a Bug 5’r. Good thing I didn’t see this before you

This is the one I messaged you about!

 

[Yamarc]

Does anyone know where we can find a list of Azola players / artists?

 

[etoncrow]

You might check this page out:

Azola Basses

 

[dylanjohnson]

Does anyone know where we can find a list of Azola players / artists?

Go to the Wayback Machine on Internet Archive and explore the old Azola site. I remember there being a long list of players.

 

[Rick Cole]

OK, Azola people, here's my question. I have a Gypsy (34" scale ) I bought when the Azolas were still in production. Is the bridge fixed? I ask because the action is too high and the fret markers are not aligned with the strings, i.e. if I play the octave on the E string at the 12th fret marker, the pitch is way sharp. It has a neck tilt adjustment and I used the included hex wrench to set the action as low as possible. I expect a bridge adjustment might sort things out, but I am inclined to believe the bridge is fixed. I don't have the original strings on the bass. I replaced them with D'Addario tapes.

Can anyone set me straight, please? I love this bass and would love it even more if I could get it to play just a little easier.

 

[dylanjohnson]

It is not as far as I know. Mine isn’t. It’s like a double bass. Measure between the nut and the top of the bridge and it should be 34”

 

[dylanjohnson]

It is not as far as I know. Mine isn’t. It’s like a double bass. Measure between the nut and the top of the bridge and it should be 34”

Give us pics.

 

[Rick Cole]

Thanks! I may try repositioning the bridge.