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Double Bass Baby Bass megathread
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Hi Rolando,
The openings on the ampegs as you described are quite common on those basses, all my friends that have ampegs, haven't repaired them..but I am sure you can find a local luthier that might give you a hand.
As far as the 'ski jump' at the end of the fretboard, it is definitely repairable, as I had a bass repaired by a local shop. I live in Canada and the store is called George & Heinl
they are a fine instrument repair shop and they did a terrific job, no buzz and low action, straight neck
good luck
well, I did it!
I picked up an original ampeg BB, and its a wonderful experience to actually hold one of these instruments.
First thing I noticed is the shape of the fingerboard, it doesn't have a radius, its more of a flat inclined with a dive at the E side.
can somebody please confirm if this is the case with all the ampeg baby basses.....
the bass actually its in really good shape, very minimum openings on the side of the body.
also, looking to replace the aluminum bridge,
overall sound, its huge!! and with a light touch and low action, you can get lots of sustain.
I am really happy with it
unfortunaly, Azola won't be providing any parts or repairs service, but can anybody suggest where to get accesories, such as bridges and gig bags..
cheers
Ruddy
I picked up an original ampeg BB, and its a wonderful experience to actually hold one of these instruments.
First thing I noticed is the shape of the fingerboard, it doesn't have a radius, its more of a flat inclined with a dive at the E side.
can somebody please confirm if this is the case with all the ampeg baby basses.....
the bass actually its in really good shape, very minimum openings on the side of the body.
also, looking to replace the aluminum bridge,
overall sound, its huge!! and with a light touch and low action, you can get lots of sustain.
I am really happy with it
unfortunaly, Azola won't be providing any parts or repairs service, but can anybody suggest where to get accesories, such as bridges and gig bags..
cheers
Ruddy
- May 6, 2003
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- Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
I had a gig bag custom made by Messina and it's very good. For bridges I use the original. If it's broken...good luck.
thanks Uncletoad!
btw I was in Ohio, this past weekend checking out some basses, and I have heard very good things about your shop.
congrats!
I'll make sure to check it out someday.
I am sure you could restore all those Ampeg BB out there!
peace
Rb
btw I was in Ohio, this past weekend checking out some basses, and I have heard very good things about your shop.
congrats!
I'll make sure to check it out someday.
I am sure you could restore all those Ampeg BB out there!
peace
Rb
Ordered and received a gig bag and a maple bridge for my ampeg from Ray Ramirez. excellent quality and Ray is a good guy to talk to and a hell of bassist.
I am really starting to appreciate the sound of the ampeg baby bass, specially on live performances, it cuts through like no other bass.
I can't see it being a great bass for say Jazz, Bossa etc. but it sure its the sound for Latin.
peace.
I am really starting to appreciate the sound of the ampeg baby bass, specially on live performances, it cuts through like no other bass.
I can't see it being a great bass for say Jazz, Bossa etc. but it sure its the sound for Latin.
peace.
the answer:
the answer:
the MOG bb pickup is essentially, a Ampeg BB pickup replica...
(with 2 magnetic pickups (5k.) , 2 silicon steel diaphragms ,2 magnets ...& the aluminium or wood bridge )
the best option for a good sound (low/high clarity in the notes) in this system is, the aluminium bridge ...
PD: a good solution for repair an ampeg bb (opening bodies) is paste the sides with a special glue ...in Colombia ,we uses a chemical used in the dental protesis (this ,is used in the dental protesis makes ...is a liquid + an orange powder...) i don´t know the name for this ...
.
Back in the 90's mine began to open up a little. This was as a result of me leaving it too close to an apartment radiator in NYC back in 1988. When I relocated to Miami the humidity began to open it up a little more. I used Marine-Tex black epoxy. Not only does it seal rock hard it's mold able and sands smoothly.
The fix is barely Noticeable. It's been 15 years since I made this fix and no re-occurance.
The fix is barely Noticeable. It's been 15 years since I made this fix and no re-occurance.
Attachments
I read several articles on Solo Tuning strings for the Ampeg Baby Bass regarding the length size and was wanting some clarification. I acquired my father's baby bass and wanted to buy Thomastik Spirocore solo tuning strings but not sure on which to buy... 1/2 size or 3/4 bass size length. Also, what tension works best. I'm more interested in getting the salsa sound out of my bass. Looking forward to your comments. Thanks. New Member
Hello All,
I own a Ray Ramirez Baby Bass with a fiberglass body which has developed 2 cracks leading from the end pin mount outward. On one side the crack is about 1 inch and on the other its 1/2 an inch. To my knowledge cracks in fiberglass will spread over time. I am reluctant to send the bass back to Mr. Ramirez as he is very slow at responding to emails and doing the work. I am willing to take the time to do the repair myself but I don't have any experience working with fiberglass. Does anyone have knowledge on doing this sort of repair? Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated - thanks.
I own a Ray Ramirez Baby Bass with a fiberglass body which has developed 2 cracks leading from the end pin mount outward. On one side the crack is about 1 inch and on the other its 1/2 an inch. To my knowledge cracks in fiberglass will spread over time. I am reluctant to send the bass back to Mr. Ramirez as he is very slow at responding to emails and doing the work. I am willing to take the time to do the repair myself but I don't have any experience working with fiberglass. Does anyone have knowledge on doing this sort of repair? Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated - thanks.
A buddy of mine inherited a vintage Ampeg baby bass a while back, and called me today and told me I should come try it out. Then he surprised me by telling me that I should borrow it since it's just collecting dust. Needless to say I had to plug it into the Portaflex as soon as I got it home...
It needs a really good cleaning and a set up, but it sounds gorgeous through the '63 B-15. I have some questions about the bass but I'm sure if I read back through the thread I'll find the answers to my questions. Just thought I'd share!
It needs a really good cleaning and a set up, but it sounds gorgeous through the '63 B-15. I have some questions about the bass but I'm sure if I read back through the thread I'll find the answers to my questions. Just thought I'd share!
Two questions - I downloaded the Baby Bass manual, and followed the instructions for setting up the pickup and the neck.
1) I have the neck adjusted as far as it will go to lower the action, but the strings are still extremely high off the fretboard. Is swapping out the bridge for a wooden one which is shorter than the stock aluminum bridge the next viable step to lower the action?
2) I'd like to use this bass for just a few songs in an oldies/classic rock band setting. The diaphram pickup works fine, but is considerably lower in output compared to my P-bass. Because I'll be switiching between the two - I'd like to add a removable magnetic pickup to even out the level, and make the tone a bit more flexible. The Schaller looks like a good option - any other recomendations?
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1) I have the neck adjusted as far as it will go to lower the action, but the strings are still extremely high off the fretboard. Is swapping out the bridge for a wooden one which is shorter than the stock aluminum bridge the next viable step to lower the action?
2) I'd like to use this bass for just a few songs in an oldies/classic rock band setting. The diaphram pickup works fine, but is considerably lower in output compared to my P-bass. Because I'll be switiching between the two - I'd like to add a removable magnetic pickup to even out the level, and make the tone a bit more flexible. The Schaller looks like a good option - any other recomendations?
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Does yours have an adjustable tailpeice too?
If you will be using it for classic rock, a wooden bridge would work well. If you did that, then you can also look into piezo bridge pickups. They will give you a bit better 'upright' tone than the magnetic Schaller.
The other option is to get an external preamp.
If you will be using it for classic rock, a wooden bridge would work well. If you did that, then you can also look into piezo bridge pickups. They will give you a bit better 'upright' tone than the magnetic Schaller.
The other option is to get an external preamp.
You can get a wooden bridge made for the Baby Bass from Ray Ramirez in Puerto Rico. Link Removed I don't know if they come pre-cut or not. Might be worth calling him.
Or you can get in touch with Bob Gollihur at http://gollihurmusic.com/ . If you get a wooden bridge, I would suggest getting a piezo pickup like the K&K.
The problem with the Schaller is 1.) it would sound a bit like a fretless P Bass. This isn't a bad thing, but it might not be what you want. 2.) The Baby Bass fingerboard isn't as rigid as a traditional upright and it might not take the screws as well. and 3.) It's probably best not to modify a vintage instrument (even if it is just a few screw holes.)
If you want the magnetic tone, there is another guy who makes one that will velcro onto the end of the board. I forget the name. If I think of it, I will post it.
Or you can get in touch with Bob Gollihur at http://gollihurmusic.com/ . If you get a wooden bridge, I would suggest getting a piezo pickup like the K&K.
The problem with the Schaller is 1.) it would sound a bit like a fretless P Bass. This isn't a bad thing, but it might not be what you want. 2.) The Baby Bass fingerboard isn't as rigid as a traditional upright and it might not take the screws as well. and 3.) It's probably best not to modify a vintage instrument (even if it is just a few screw holes.)
If you want the magnetic tone, there is another guy who makes one that will velcro onto the end of the board. I forget the name. If I think of it, I will post it.
AFAIK, he doesn't make them anymore.
I got one once, but was very disappointed.
I have a friend that attached a pierre josephs magnetic pickup to a piece of wood, then attached the piece of wood on top of the metal bridge. It works great, he has an a/b box and he switches from the pierre josephs to the baby bass pickup depending on the style of music.
The bass player's name is Rances Colon. And he is the first call for Baby bass live and studio. Incredible classical bassist too.
The bass player's name is Rances Colon. And he is the first call for Baby bass live and studio. Incredible classical bassist too.
Thanks all for the pickup ideas. Before I swap out the bridge to lower the action, I suppose I should ask "What is normal for the action to measure off the fretboard?" I'm not experienced with double basses, but I've noodled around with a couple in music stores. They seemed to have much lower action than this Baby Bass, even with it's neck adjusted all the way back (lowest action). If the action is supposed to be substanially high to eliminate any buzzing and create the most thump possible, than I'll just "cowboy up" and work with it as is. 
Anyone have some measurements I can compare to?
Anyone have some measurements I can compare to?
