Double Bass Baby Bass megathread

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Hey Nick (and the whole gang, of course )! There's now an authorized dealer for NS Design instruments and the guy in charge told me that he's going to start the business with the NXT line, which is reasonably priced. What's the word on these instruments? (No doubt there's a thread about them and right now I'm going to search for it, but anyway I wanted to post the question here)

 

[NickyBass]

I had an NS Wav (I think the NXT replaced the Wav). It actually copped a fairly decent 'Baby Bass-like' tone, but it was also alot more versatile. It was a very comfortable instrument and easy to play, but I felt there was a bit of a disconnect because I'm used to playing an upright. Now, the Baby Bass feels nothing like my upright, but it is alot closer than the NS. One thing that I would recommend is trying different strings. The stock strings give it more of a horizontal electric fretless tone. Also, a higher bridge will get a fuller tone.

All in all, I think it is a very well thought out instrument that has it's own charactoristics. It is alot more compact than the Baby Bass, but you also have to carry around the stand, which adds to the weight of the NS. I think there is an end pin system, but I'm not sure if it is compatable.

(btw...On a different note....the endpins on Baby Basses are heavy and always make my hand smell like old metal. Haha. I just bought a carbon fiber tube that is .7 inches in diameter and am expierimenting with that. The rod is feather weight and seems very stable. It's too soon to tell though.)

As to the NS, I went a different direction because 1. I wanted an upright feel and 2. I wanted to go the extra mile and get the authentic baby bass tone.

Are you not digging the Sendel? Have you tried an under bridge piezo pickup on it? I just tried my David Gage pickup (that I use for my acoustic upright) under the bridge on my Baby Bass and it sounded pretty good. http://www.davidgage.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=28 Ironically, the pickup was designed in collaboration with Ned Steinberger.

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Are you not digging the Sendel?

I truly enjoy my Sendel, Nick. I think its tone is great for what I want to use it for. As I told you once, my only complaint is its very low output. It sounds fine on my "Conciencia" video (which, sadly, has been blocked in many countries due to copyright issues), but I had to crank the preamp a lot for make it to sound like that. I remember when I received it brand-new in early '99: I didn't have an amp at home back then, and I plugged my bass to an old home stereo (at not so high volume, of course) when I wanted to hear it amplified. That day, I couldn't wait to hear my new instrument through a speaker, so I plugged it to the home stereo. I panicked when I couldn't hear anything (even at maximum volume - it was a very basic home appliance) and I thought the electronics were in non-working state. Fortunately, a couple days later I plugged it to the bass amp I had at my band's rehearsal place and I could hear it, but again, I must crank it a lot if I want it to be loud and powerful. I know that an external preamp (Sadowsky comes to mind) can solve the problem, but since this is the only baby bass I've owned in my life, I think I just want to have direct experience with something else.

 

[NickyBass]

I think you might really dig the NS basses. They are cool.

btw, are you using your Bongo for merengue? Would a passive P5 work well? It would be for 2-4 songs a night on salsa gigs. I would probably use a Radial Bass Bone to eq. I was loosely considering trying to trade for a Bongo. Not just for the merengue, but for funk stuff as well.

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

btw, are you using your Bongo for merengue? Would a passive P5 work well? It would be for 2-4 songs a night on salsa gigs. I would probably use a Radial Bass Bone to eq. I was loosely considering trying to trade for a Bongo. Not just for the merengue, but for funk stuff as well.

Of course I do! The Bongo is perfect for that stuff. Well, actually I think any bass works well for Merengue. Just make sure it's a 5-string, if you are playing modern (I mean, from mid 90s onward) Merengue tunes. Those low notes are a must for the style. That's the only reason why I don't gig my beloved Steinberger and Ex Factor that much.

What Merengue songs are you going to play with your band? If they are old ones, a 4-string works fine. Let me know, so I can tell you.

 

[NickyBass]

We haven't actually picked any specific songs yet. It is something that we are talking about because a lot of people are into merengue here, and we know that we are going to get a lot of requests. We are focusing on salsa, and we are promoting ourselves as a salsa group....but, we want to be prepared to please the crowds.

There is a website with, what seems like 100's of merengue transcriptions with horn and piano/bass charts. http://store.hacemosmusica.com/partituras1.html

Most likely, we will do a good sampling of old and new. My P is a 5 string, so I will probably play that for now. What are, in your experience, the most popular basses?

 

[NickyBass]

Got an email today:

'el bajo fue enviado'

I hope it doesn't take too long to get to NJ from Colombia.

 

[Rosebud]

Hey Nicky, I'm excited for you in all your Afro-Iberio-Latin style adventures, this is Fred from a million years ago at Uarts. I wanted to mention my sis is engaged to a guy who's from close (20 min away) in Colombia where those mog basses are made, I might have to pick one up eventually when I go. now I have an excuse to go to Kali! BTW I'm finally feeling latin music more. Also how are you communicating in Spanish, I didn't know you spoke Spanish, I can always offer translation if you need, I'm fluent. Fred

 

[Rosebud]

and, I left philly most recently, I'm afraid Uarts was like a bubble in time, exactly like it was 12 years ago, not necessarily bad, just not for me bro, peace, Fred

p.s. I'm. jonesin' for a baby bass!

 

[NickyBass]

Hey Fred!!! ¿Cómo estás? He estado estudiando el idioma de aproximadamente dos años. Toco en un grupo de 12 músicos y la mitad de ellos son de Puerto Rico, por lo que me están ayudando. I still have alot to learn, obviously. Haha.

I hope everything is going well for you. I have been playing with a few guys from UArts, but, for the most part, I have lost touch with alot of good people. It is good to see you around TB.

I will post a review when I get the MOG bass. Mauricio seems like a good guy. If you get to the shop, I'd love to hear about it.

 

[Rosebud]

Cool! You're worth (insert a weight) in gold.

 

[SlappinDaBass86]

I ordered one from a different maker last week and it took 4 days to receive it. ( from Cali Colombia to New Jersey)

 

[SlappinDaBass86]

I truly enjoy my Sendel, Nick. I think its tone is great for what I want to use it for. As I told you once, my only complaint is its very low output. It sounds fine on my "Conciencia" video (which, sadly, has been blocked in many countries due to copyright issues), but I had to crank the preamp a lot for make it to sound like that. I remember when I received it brand-new in early '99: I didn't have an amp at home back then, and I plugged my bass to an old home stereo (at not so high volume, of course) when I wanted to hear it amplified. That day, I couldn't wait to hear my new instrument through a speaker, so I plugged it to the home stereo. I panicked when I couldn't hear anything (even at maximum volume - it was a very basic home appliance) and I thought the electronics were in non-working state. Fortunately, a couple days later I plugged it to the bass amp I had at my band's rehearsal place and I could hear it, but again, I must crank it a lot if I want it to be loud and powerful. I know that an external preamp (Sadowsky comes to mind) can solve the problem, but since this is the only baby bass I've owned in my life, I think I just want to have direct experience with something else.

I've owed so far three different Blady's (Made in Cali Colombia)and all have been great instruments. I strongly recommend for you to buy a SANSAMP pre amp (RBI is the model I have). These pre amps are tube amp silumators and give the bass an extra warmth to the sound. Another thing you can consider is changing the strings and adjusting the pickup height. I recommend using the Thomastik Spirocore Solo Gauge. Nice and flexible with great warmth sound, these stings are one of the best for magnetic pickups.

 

[NickyBass]

Does Blady still have a website? I haven't been able to find much info on them. Are you in south Jersey or north Jersey?

 

[SlappinDaBass86]

Hey Nicky, I'm excited for you in all your Afro-Iberio-Latin style adventures, this is Fred from a million years ago at Uarts. I wanted to mention my sis is engaged to a guy who's from close (20 min away) in Colombia where those mog basses are made, I might have to pick one up eventually when I go. now I have an excuse to go to Kali! BTW I'm finally feeling latin music more. Also how are you communicating in Spanish, I didn't know you spoke Spanish, I can always offer translation if you need, I'm fluent. Fred

Hey there my friend I thought I would steer you in the right direction if you are going to be directly in Cali. To start M.O.G is located in a town called Palmira. It’s about an hour away from Cali if I’m not mistaken. Your other two options are Blady or Sendel. I'm waiting to see what Nick has to say about MOG. I've seen his work before and heard the bass but haven’t been wowed by it. Sendel makes basses in UV Plastic and the pickup on the instrument is weak, very very weak. Fernando (Owner of Sendel) was in the states about 4 months ago and brought me one of his mini baby bass. The moment I picked up the bass and felt it weighed 5 lbs and saw it was made out of plastic, I told him I was not interested. M.O.G and Blady's are two of the better Baby Bass makers around. But there is one HUGE difference. If you are looking for a following then you would want to go for a Bladys. His basses are used by real professionals. Check his website out.


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[SlappinDaBass86]

Does Blady still have a website? I haven't been able to find much info on them. Are you in south Jersey or north Jersey?

Yeah his website is Link Removed

I called him on Sunday that I needed a bass immediately and he sent it out on Tuesday and received it 4 days later. I tried to order one from Mauricio but when I called him to tell him I was going to Colombia personally for a vacation and I was going to pick it up he told me that he didn’t have enough time to make the bass. Meanwhile as busy as Blady is he made 2 for me that I brought back.

 

[NickyBass]

Hey there my friend I thought I would steer you in the right direction if you are going to be directly in Cali. To start M.O.G is located in a town called Palmira. It’s about an hour away from Cali if I’m not mistaken. Your other two options are Blady or Sendel. I'm waiting to see what Nick has to say about MOG. I've seen his work before and heard the bass but haven’t been wowed by it. Sendel makes basses in UV Plastic and the pickup on the instrument is weak, very very weak. Fernando (Owner of Sendel) was in the states about 4 months ago and brought me one of his mini baby bass. The moment I picked up the bass and felt it weighed 5 lbs and saw it was made out of plastic, I told him I was not interested. M.O.G and Blady's are two of the better Baby Bass makers around. But there is one HUGE difference. If you are looking for a following then you would want to go for a Bladys. His basses are used by real professionals. Check his website out.


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Thanks for the info. I will check out the site.

What is the 'huge difference' between MOG and Blady?

 

[SlappinDaBass86]

Thanks for the info. I will check out the site.

What is the 'huge difference' between MOG and Blady?

I'm sorry I wrote it out the wrong way. The HUGE difference is following. M.O.G has been under the radar for many years now and to be honest Blady has made a name for himself. I know a good amount of top notch musicians that use his bass here in the NY/NJ area. To be honest I’m very curious to see what your M.O.G will sound like. I live in Central NJ.

 

[NickyBass]

That is an impressive list of users.

 

[NickyBass]

I really like the looks of this bass: (as played here by Mr Oscar D'Leon)

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