Double Bass Baby Bass megathread

[ejmbass]

I play a BB4 1963 stock. The only problem I have is hum. The pickup creates noise and is passed on to the front of house and today that is really frowned upon. I find myself turning to find a position that work best (perhaps phase). I am dealing with this and trying to find a solution.

I've played professionally with many that claim to be good replicas. The fact is that nothing sounds like the real BB4 or BB5. I currently use it as my main instrument for Latin Jazz and Latin in general.

My humble advise is if you feel compelled to try a different pickup buy one that fits in place and is in it's own housing. You may find that you want to return to the original pickup. In that case just pop it right in and play away. It's the best way to avoid the loss of the unmistakable Ampeg BB4.

 

[philpolecat]

Hi Chaps.I just bought an Ampeg B.B and was going to get some solo-tuning Spirocores as suggested - could somebody advise me as to what size should I get? (41 inch scale length)

 

[philpolecat]

I have just bought a BB and was wondering if anyone recognised the signature on the bridge.

I am after a replacement one-anyone out there with one?

 

[Fast Freddie]

Wow!

That looks like one of my first attempts at homemade 20 years ago, (it's not even Maple).

I did'nt make it, (And don't know who), but I'm sure just about anyone can get you a good ABB wooden bridge here. Have you tried Azolas?

 

[Francois Blais]

Solo Spiros are only available in 4/4 and 3/4 sizes.
Both would fit I think.
Uncletoad?

 

[Francois Blais]

I bought a BB bridge from Ray Ramirez here: Link Removed
Very well made!

 

[Uncletoad]

Solo Spiros are only available in 4/4 and 3/4 sizes.
Both would fit I think.
Uncletoad?

As far as I know you can cut up Spirocores however you like and they'll hold up fine. Buy what is available.

 

[AMJBASS]

I have started to get really deep into Latin music(Salsa, Afro-Cuban, etc), and have recently started the search for an Ampeg Baby Bass. Its pretty difficult to find one as it turns out, not to mention trying to have one shipped to Canada. So, I am looking into alternatives... I have considered Ramirez, but they are a bit pricey. Have any of you played the Sendel Baby Basses?

 

[AMJBASS]

I know this is an older thread, but I thought I would inquire to anyone with experience with either of these basses(M.O.G. and Sendel). I have sent inquiries to both of these companies, and both responses have been similar. $1200 US including shipping. Western Union prefered. I would just like to hear anyones experience with buying before I blindly send off $1200!!!

 

[Bassman415]

I have started to get really deep into Latin music(Salsa, Afro-Cuban, etc), and have recently started the search for an Ampeg Baby Bass. Its pretty difficult to find one as it turns out, not to mention trying to have one shipped to Canada. So, I am looking into alternatives... I have considered Ramirez, but they are a bit pricey. Have any of you played the Sendel Baby Basses?

Don't waste your time with the Sendel. They are pieces of crap. Horribly built, alot of structural issues, and the elctronics are very very noisy. I own a Ramirez & 2 Ampegs myself. wait a little and buy the ramirez. you wont go wrong. take it from me, i play salsa for a living

 

[line6bassist]

I also play in a latin jazz band.....And i found the NS wav Bass to work very very well...just flip the switch into the pizz side and roll off the tone and to me IMO has the classic Baby Bass sound at a very affordable price.. think Tony Banda from the Banda Brothers..Trust me the Band Members love the sound and it gets the crowd dancing hearing that perciussive deep round bass tone

 

[AMJBASS]

I have had 2 NS basses. The WAV, and a CR-4. I agree they do sound good, but I did not like they way they felt. I really want a bass with the neck heel(preferably a D neck).

I do really appreciate the opinions. I have considered the idea of getting one of the less expensive copies, but I might just hold off for a vintage Ampeg, or the Ramirez Composite model. Thanks again!

 

[icebox]

So is anybody playing one of these? I'm really curious about them as well!

 

[AMJBASS]

I have heard some good, and some not so good reviews on Mauricios basses so far. I have been REALLY researching as much as possible into the Columbian copies. Still, even in light of the negative reviews I am tempted to buy one and take it to my luthier to have the fingerboard dressed and a really good set up done. As long as the pickup is good quality, for the money, they look decent...

 

[babybass2006]

Hi,

I have a Zorko Baby Bass,

When i connect up the instrument in direct in an ampli of high power capacity, the sound remains very very low.

Te east it possible to change microphones or can to do again winding, purpose is to keep the sound of origine of this instrument.

Thank you
Sam To Paris France

 

[BAJO]

If you kats really want to know how the BB really was suppose to sound like, go and download the Ampeg Baby Bass manuel and inside it will tell you the diameters or gauges for the each string!! These were the string gauges that Bobby Rodriguez used on the early Puente and La lupe recordings..

Carlos Henriquez

 

[Marcus Johnson]

As far as I know you can cut up Spirocores however you like and they'll hold up fine. Buy what is available.

Yup. I've got a few of them, cut down to cello size by my friend, the late Derek Beatty.

 

[ptybass]

Please check out Link Removed. I received the model #9B a week ago. The finish (paint job is very good), the neck need some fingerboard dressing but playable, Strings they came with are very bad, I changes them immediately with a older set I had. There is en attachment at the body you use to lean on the bass, the screws did not hold in place, but in the middle position it hold good enough not to rattle with the E string plugged. Now, the sound, after adjusting the pick up height (turn it to to the max until there is nearly no sound, than lower 1/4 turn or until you get the sound and do it on both sides) was incredible deep thumpy clean modern salsa tone. I have a mid 60´ Ampeg Baby Bass with Spirocore Solo, and this one has more powerfull and rounder sound. Its good to mention that this bass came with both wood brudge and aluminum. The wood sounds much better. All in all, the bass has some issues but the sound is amazing and for the price $600.00 without shipping ( a friend brought it to for me) I am very happy.

 

[mauroconga]

hi folks ...
our company has been low-profile ... however that we have 11 years of hard work, we have dedicated for selling the best in baby bass.
in Colombia, we are the only Factory that sells original Strings ... this was done, because in Colombia is not available this type of string ... to this, we had to make a simple machine for this...(yes ,we do it ...)

In those years, we were selling strings both for Fernando garcia (Sendel), as for Mr. B.torres (Blady) ... after, they made their own machines for making chords ...
the bad thing about this is that here, also not get the right materials and perfect for this type of instruments, and so there were many problems with customers ...
then decide, give the option of offering our basses with strings imported from USA. (we offer Thomastik Spirocore ...)
we know that, when comparing our prices, there is a difference of $ 200, but WE OFFER STRINGS 100% ORIGINALS, something not seen in the other options in the Colombian market.

expect that in this brief review has been helpful for all ...

mauroconga
(M.O.G. BASSES)

PD.
a new website ...coming soon.

 

[Francois Blais]

Hi mauroconga.
Good to hear directly from you!

Best regards,
François