Double Bass Baby Bass megathread

[Rodriguez]

If you own an original Ampeg, try a wooden bridge and a set of NS (Ned Steinberger) roundwound bass strings. I've been using these on my Ampeg & Zorko basses w/ great results. I don't think you'll need a preamp. Hope this helps.

Easy,
RR
Link Removed

 

[jamiefoxer]

I have used my '67 Baby Bass in a variety of situations. I like it best with Spirocore Solo strings. I often run it with a Bartolini NTBT electric bass preamp. When I do I usually have the passive onboard tone knob all the way off, the volume all the way up and set the preamp with maximum bass and a modicum of treble boost. This is a great sound with tons of sustain with the stock pickup.

I also have an Azola Wood bridge and Bass Max pickup that I use on occasion for a more modern sound. I have mixed both of those sources through the Raven Labs MPBII to great effect.

The best tones have come from plugging the stock pickup (tone rolled all the way off, volume all the way up) into the front of my Walter Woods amp and into a Euphonic Audio VL 208 or 210 or into my vintage SVT and 810.

The latter will rattle your teeth. If you use that rig be sure to have sired all your children first. You may be unable afterward.

That's funny...hahaha...I'll make sure to do all my "banging out" before hand

I'll look into the Bartolini Pre-Amp and the wooden bridge options. I figured wooden bridges would approximate a DB more and improve the sound, and I'm feeling the Pre-Amp will let me shape the sound even more than straight from the bass to the amp. In reality, the sound of an Ampeg is not THAT bad in decay. No DB ever will approximate an electric bass on decay/sustain, but, the high end stuff on the D and G string decay really quick...that's really the issue. Playing on the A and E strings, decay is pretty much where I like it. Fat and long enough. Long enough, at least, to do jazz applications with it. I know a lot of people swear on the altar of real DBs and think Baby basses can't cut it in jazz settings...but I was just watching Calle 54 (latin jazz documentary), the segment with Tito Puente, and bassist Joe Santiago was playing awesome walking bass lines on an Ampeg Baby Bass. Sounded just fine to me.

Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[Francois Blais]

In reality, the sound of an Ampeg is not THAT bad in decay. No DB ever will approximate an electric bass on decay/sustain, but, the high end stuff on the D and G string decay really quick...that's really the issue. Playing on the A and E strings, decay is pretty much where I like it.

I had an original BB about 10 years ago, and replaced the stock aluminum bridge with a wooden one.
I also removed the magnetic pickup and replaced the laminated metal plates under the bridge with solid stainless steel.
And I put an Underwood pickup on the custom bridge. (an Azola bridge is ok too if you can get one, plus a Bass Max, like suggested)
The issue is indeed with the top strings sustain.
That's where the instrument shows its flexibility, which damps these higher harmonics.
Putting brighter strings on top can help too.
Like Pirastro Flatchromes for examples. (the new ones, not the Originals)

 

[jamiefoxer]

What, if any, modifications can be done on an Ampeg Baby Bass or a replica to make it sound more like a double-bass?

So far, I've read about purchasing a wood bridge and special pickup from Azola's shop that is better than the standard magnetic diaphragm pickup and metal bridge that is common to baby basses.

What else would people recommend...and why is the new pickup and wood bridge better for a baby bass' tone?

Thanks friends!

 

[Francois Blais]

I had an original BB several years ago.
I replaced the metal bridge with a custom maple one, and used an Underwood pickup.
I also replaced the laminated washers under the bridge feet with custom solid stainless steel ones.
That way, the tone had much more clarity and sustain.
The original setup gives a very percussive thud-like tone.
Nothing wrong with that.
Many salsa players want that tone.
Depends on what you're looking for.

However, if you want a modern tone, may I suggest getting a modern EUB instead?
The BB is quite fragile with its uvex body.

If you decide to modify your BB, keep the original pieces!

Hope this helps.

 

[jamiefoxer]

The reason I've been considering a Baby Bass replica is

1) because I figure that, in real terms, most of the music I play is either salsa, latin-jazz, or latin-american in some way (tangos, cumbias, venezuela, peruvian music,etc)

2) Because if I was going to go for a modern EUB, I hate those that look like cricket sticks...and the only ones I'd love buying are way too expensive for me (Azola Bugbass II or more favorably, a BSX Allegro solid body). An Ampeg replica is more affordable for me, has a nice double-bass-like shape, and, i'll probably be playing latin music with it anyway. Replicas from Colombia (from Sendel, I don't trust the other Colombian makers) are, at most $1200 with shipping from colombia included...that beats the $2000.00 and above of Azola and BSX.

I also own an Ibanez BTB 405 with LaBella Deep Talkin tapewounds, and an Ibanez SR506 with Elixir roundwounds...so if I really need to get a jazz sound or some other sound that the Ampeg can't do, I'll either take the Ibanez BTB with its deep tapewounds and make it sound like a Fender Jazz, or if I need rock slap, I'll take the SR506.

 

[Uncletoad]

What, if any, modifications can be done on an Ampeg Baby Bass or a replica to make it sound more like a double-bass?

So far, I've read about purchasing a wood bridge and special pickup from Azola's shop that is better than the standard magnetic diaphragm pickup and metal bridge that is common to baby basses.

What else would people recommend...and why is the new pickup and wood bridge better for a baby bass' tone?

Thanks friends!

If you don't already have a Baby Bass and are looking for a more authentic tone don't buy one. Get an EUB that is more authentic from the start. There are many.

If you already have a Baby Bass the Azola wood bridge and a Bass Max pickup would help move you towards a more usual EUB tone. It defeats the Baby Bass Latin tone however. You can't have both. The Wood bridge is not an "improvement" it is just different.

If you want a Salsa bass get a Baby Bass and leave it alone. If you want an EUB there are many far better ones on the market and the Baby Bass at it's best will never sound close.

 

[jamiefoxer]

Uncletoad,

I very much appreciate your suggestions. It has made me rethink the issue. I wanted a bass that is versatile enough to do salsa style gigs, but can also work for jazz styles. I'm figuring that I'd be better off "emulating" a salsa sound through a EUB that is more closer to a double bass, than trying it the other way.

The only problem is that there's nothing very affordable in the EUB range that doesn't look like a stick...and even those guys are like $1200 or more.

I wish I could find an affordable BSX Allegro or Azola BugBass II...that would make my day.

 

[bongomania]

BSX does run some specials now and then, I got a deep discount on my Allegro (although it was still not cheap). When he gets back from NAMM, ask Dino if he'll have any special pricing deals coming up.

 

[Aleph5]

My mileage varied greatly on this. Though the feeling about changing to a wooden bridge is almost universal, and I highly respect all that Azola does toward this, for me I got MORE thud/less sustain when I replaced my stock Al bridge w/ a wooden one. I changed back and sold the wood. I'm sure neck angle, bridge location, etc. have a lot to do w/ it, but my BB has pretty good sustain.

Good URB tone is another story. I've had the best luck so far with a Fishman BP-100 clipped onto two aluminum strips cut to fit and sandwiched onto the bridge, but sometime I'll get back to trying to do better by other means.

Hey, I just thought of this: Maybe the extra mass of the aluminum plates on my bridge improves sustain.

Anywho, my BB is a lifetime project, though someday I may just move on since I have other basses for most every occasion.

 

[chema]

i just purchased a 1962 ampeg baby bass for use with my touring latin/salsa band, any suggestions for hard cases/flight cases?
im looking for an affordable alternative to the azola bug bass flightcase.
thanks

 

[Elmarito]

I have a flight case for my baby bass. It is big and weighs about as much as the bass. It was custom made locally and has held up well. A typical anvil style case.

I do not think that I wll be using this case anymore. Let me know if you are interested.

 

[chema]

i am interested as a matter of fact. im kinda strapped for cash right now (my amp ot stolen yesterday) but possibly later this month... send me pics if possible, and what you might want for that to [email protected]. thanks

 

[Tom Howland]

Check Azola Basses.
They make the baby bass now.
May have case.

 

[chema]

their flight cases run $999, before shipping. my baby bass cost me $1200, im looking for a cheaper alternative...

 

[Callused Finger]

their flight cases run $999, before shipping. my baby bass cost me $1200, im looking for a cheaper alternative...

ouch.. and I thought $575 for the NS flight case was a lot.

 

[Uncletoad]

their flight cases run $999, before shipping. my baby bass cost me $1200, im looking for a cheaper alternative...

Your bass may have cost you $1200 but you got lucky. If it was damaged or stolen the cost to replace a '60's Baby Bass is over $2000 these days.

10 years ago they were half that. By the end of this decade I suspect they will surpass the $4000 mark. They are appreciating rapidly and worth whatever it costs for protection. They didn't make near enough of those things and many bite the dust annually.

The Azola version of this bass is excellent but not the same as the original. I had one and sold it to keep my original.

The road rule of thumb is this.

If you travel you must insure your stuff for replacement value and take whatever cartage measures are required to protect it in the process.

If you can't afford to protect it you can't afford to take it.

 

[bajocallao]

Having said that I saw Ismael Miranda last year. His bassist used a Fender Jazz and played it headstock up sitting. He was amazing and sounded fine out front. When you are used to making that sound and playing in those styles perhaps it doesn't matter what you use.

Was he African American?
I believe his name is John Henry Robinson and he swings hard on that fender

 

[Uncletoad]

Was he African American?
I believe his name is John Henry Robinson and he swings hard on that fender

Probably. That was almost 2 years ago I think.

 

[Elmarito]

I just got a Ray Ramirez travel mate a couple of months back. It has the magnetic diaphragm pickup of a Baby Bass on a body half the size. The sound is perfect. Mind you, it is around 1800.oo.

It was is easier for me to find the extra 1800 bucks than it was to get an authentic Baby Bass sound from other basses.

Since I got it I haven't touched my Azola Baby Bass.