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Double Bass Baby Bass megathread
- Thread starter nil
- Start date
Original bridge and decent paint job at least. I wonder how they hooked up that J pickup!
How many of you are using Spirocores on your baby basses? I own a KK KB1 and the strings probably need to be changed.
The bass came with what I guess are the ordinary Spirocores Orchestra Light strings. They feel OK, but I have too little experience with other strings to know what I should be looking for. I'm using my bass for salsa and timba mostly and I'm not necessarily looking for the old school baby bass sound since I usually boost the lows and cut a lot of the mids.
I've read that a lot of salsa bass players use the solo strings and tune them one full step down. What can I expect from this type of setup? I guess it's going to feel pretty soft to play. How about the sound?
The bass came with what I guess are the ordinary Spirocores Orchestra Light strings. They feel OK, but I have too little experience with other strings to know what I should be looking for. I'm using my bass for salsa and timba mostly and I'm not necessarily looking for the old school baby bass sound since I usually boost the lows and cut a lot of the mids.
I've read that a lot of salsa bass players use the solo strings and tune them one full step down. What can I expect from this type of setup? I guess it's going to feel pretty soft to play. How about the sound?
Never heard of that. Been using Spirocore Solos for decades. Just tune them no different than any other string. Don't need to drop them down a step. Just keep playing the darn thing till your fingers bleed.
Just mythical hog-wash and nit-picking when it comes to the sound. The primary reason why a lotta cats get stuck in their niche and don't like the Ampeg BB sound. They just can't get out of their comfort zone trying to sound like someone else, rather than something else.
It's a dry thud. And when accompanied by good musicians it sounds really cool. I use it not just for Salsa. Played Christmas Classical, Jazz, Steely Dan, CBG, Big Band, and on and on. You adopt the sound as you see fit and impress the hell out of people for the very reason I mentioned: The thud!
He is talking about a whole step down from classical solo tuning, which is F#, B, E, A. So tuned down from the intended solo tuning, they are at standard EADG.
The solo spiros are definitely looser and have less sustain and are darker than weichs and mittels.
I've just understood that lots of people use the 3/4 size instead of the 4/4 standard length Spiros on these. I'd assume that if they are like weichs, that would make them have a little more tension and a slightly higher gauge than the 4/4 solos I'm using.
Freddie, is that what you use on yours?
The solo spiros are definitely looser and have less sustain and are darker than weichs and mittels.
I've just understood that lots of people use the 3/4 size instead of the 4/4 standard length Spiros on these. I'd assume that if they are like weichs, that would make them have a little more tension and a slightly higher gauge than the 4/4 solos I'm using.
Freddie, is that what you use on yours?
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The tension distribution on Solo Spiros is different to the Weich and Mittel (and probably also Stark) Spiros. The orchestral versions rise in tension towards the lower strings, the Solo strings are approximately equal tension, which might result in a bit loose lower strings that can rattle more against the fingerboard and sound weak.
This is my beautiful Black Babybass. It plays and sounds as perfect as a Babybass can be: thumpy fatness. The quite rare thigh rest is quite convenient. I don't know what strimgs these are, they were on the bass and play well although I do not prefer the different feel of the EA and DG strings so I ordered Spirocore Solo's and can't wait to hget them and put them on!
Two things I like to know, hopefully someone can help me:
1) The metal 'ring 'that probably was there to protect the bridge is missing: are these available somewhere?
2) Serial number is 013390. I would like to know the date of birth without opening the pickup system to check the potmeters. On the Ampeg site I found that this serial number is from 1965 but it is not clear if that is for amps only or any equipment they made.
Two things I like to know, hopefully someone can help me:
1) The metal 'ring 'that probably was there to protect the bridge is missing: are these available somewhere?
2) Serial number is 013390. I would like to know the date of birth without opening the pickup system to check the potmeters. On the Ampeg site I found that this serial number is from 1965 but it is not clear if that is for amps only or any equipment they made.
What I use is the 4/4 standard size. I wish I could speak German. But a picture speaks louder than words, so I attached one. I'm thinking perhaps ORCHESTERSTIMMUNG means Orquestral?? I've always used these:
That's really nice!
Not from Ampeg. But yes they are available from different other makers of copycat EUB's.
I don't think you'd find anything specific on a manufacturing date inside the pick-up system. I didn't in mine. Perhaps the Pots can be dated, but that's still not an indicator of the manufacturing date. I tried dating mine but I gave up. Mine is not too far off from yours, (013848). Mine was from the late 60's early 70's. But that was from the seller I got it from back in 1983 so I'd take it like a grain of salt.
That is one really nice instrument brother.
This is a very old envelope from a Thomastik Superflexible G string, and yes, it's orchestra tuning.
Hey Rich how can I get in touch with Andes Rosado I tried Facebook but got no response do you know his email? Thank you
I used to play in a salsa group for a few years, though I wouldn't consider myself a salsa bassist. I played an Ampeg with Spirocore Solos and loved the setup. Everyone in the group was happy with my tone. I think this is a standard setup.
I ordered one and paid through Paypal but my payment was returned without remark…
Very strange.
I've bought from Ray a few times in the past but didn't have any problem.
I suggest you email or call him to know what happened.
Good luck!
Does anyone use their Baby Bass for styles other than Latin? I'm wondering if they'd also be good for vintage bass sounds, funk, and rockabilly slap.
