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Double Bass Baby Bass megathread

#121
An old Ampeg Baby Bass is the EUB to have if you´re concerned with image as well as sound. Or an Azola or Ramirez replica, which is most likely a better sounding and sturdier instrument, although still having the "right" vintage look.

South America is full of Baby Bass makers, of which many reach the US and Europe. Many of them sell direct to customer. I have not tried any of these so I can´t vouch for the quality.

The following offer fiberglass Baby Basses of the classic design as well as modifications of the old design. There seems to be more or less a cottage industry of Baby Bass makers in South America. There´s also a maker or two of pickups in the old diaphragm design.

Azola (US) Link Removed
Ray Ramirez (Puerto Rico) www.RayRamirezBasses.com
Cruzound (Puerto Rico) www.geocities.com/cruzound
Sendel (Colombia) Link Removed
M.O.G. (formerly known as Simet) (Colombia) Link Removed
Guitarras Legendario (Cuba) Link Removed (no EUBs shown on website)
Juber Ludeña (Peru) [email protected]
Julito (Venezuela) no contact info
Fagundez (Venezuela) no contact info
Claudio Venegas Marin (Chile) no contact info
Freddy Chamorro (Chile) [email protected]
Carlos Carbajal (Mexico) Link Removed

Carbajal makes a diaphragm type pickup where you can change between plastic, wooden and metal diaphragms.

But, as Jaco said, "it´s all in the hands, man". A set of thuddy strings (gut, nylon, plastic), the right plucking technique (not so close to the bridge) and some EQ tweaking can take you a long way.

Mikael
 
#122
Hey guys, I just came into ownership of an Ampeg Baby Bass. I'm pretty excited, but it needs a little bit of work. I was wondering if anyone knows of anyone in the greater Chicago/St. Louis/Indianapolis area that might work on these (I'm in central Illinois). Thanks for any help. Oh, I also need a case for it if anyone knows where I can come across one. Thanks!
 
#123
For cases, bags, and any other Baby Bass accessories or parts,
your best bet is Azola Basses Link Removed. Steve and Jill will go out of their way to help you even if you are not their customer. They made the reissue basses for Ampeg and are an invaluable resource.
 
#127
Hey everyone. Curiosity is starting to get the best of me. If any of you in the Chicago area have a baby bass (I'm not brand specific) or know someone who has a baby bass that would be gracious enough to let me try it out, please drop me a pm or email me at wxjeremyATyahooDOTcom. I play in a latin band and the more I hear a baby bass the more I want to try one out. There are a few latin clubs I'm going to check out where there are live bands. I'm sure there has to be someone in Chicago that plays a baby bass.
 
#130
I play in mostly Latin bands. I use a Palatino VE-500. I've gotten compliments on my bass' sounds (after modifying it with the modifications listed on the Palatino Thread on this forum). I can get a boomy, baby-bass-like sound, or i can get a wood upright sound for jazz. The original baby bass is not that versatile in sound. It can only do the boomy-pingy sound that is preferred for Latin bands.

Trust me...I play with some of the preeminent Latin bands in MA...not a single player has complained about my sound.

And best of all, a Palatino with some modifications will still be cheaper than even the cheapest Colombian replicas (let alone a real Ampeg Baby Bass).

Just a suggestion. Enjoy playing Latin music!
 
#131
I know there are many ways of getting a good usable sound for Latin/Salsa etc. DB, EB and EUB's all have tones that can be modified to approximate the Baby Bass.

However, I have found that the Baby Bass in its original form has a bounce, a heft and an air to it that I can't dupilicate on any other instrument.

When called for Latin gigs I prefer to use the Baby over anything else and when I do everyone loves it. It is the perfect sound and feel and look for the gig.

If you can afford to have multiple instruments or if Latin is your only Gig I see no reason to approximate the tone with a lesser expensive instrument.

Otoh if you have to do a bunch of stuff with the one instrument the Baby is a one trick pony and sucks at about everything else.

Nothing else does the trick like that though.

Having said that when buying an original be sure it has the original bridge and that both sides of the pickup are working properly and the threads are not stripped on the bracket inside that holds the two coils. You can do that by plugging in the bass and by screwing the set screws in and out to be sure the threads work and the volume of the strings go up and down.

Also be sure the sides aren't split or if they are that they've been properly repaired. The Baby Bass explodes and then is worthless. The closer to original condition you can get the better. If the fingerboard has been worked be sure it appears to have been done by a DB luthier rather than a guitar guy. It should play like a DB.

Ask if you have more questions.

Enjoy!
 
#132
Uncletoad said:
However, I have found that the Baby Bass in its original form has a bounce, a heft and an air to it that I can't dupilicate on any other instrument.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly toad. I play in a strictly latin band. I have an EUB right now that with some easy mods (foam under string and EQ tweaks) can get a sound DAMN close to a baby bass. But like you said, a real baby bass has a certain quality to it that makes it unique.
 
#133
Hey, Uncle:

On your Ampeg Baby Bass, did you ever move on from the Spiro Solos tuned down? That's what I've had on for years, playing Salsa.

But now I'd like to try the bass in Western Swing and C&W, so was thinking of a new set or something different. Don't want too much sustain, though, so maybe the 15 year old set is ok. Ever try one of your old Gamut G&D's on the Ampeg?

And did you ever move on to the Azola wood bridge and wing-type pickup?

Thanks.....Lyle
 
#134
LyleRyan said:
Hey, Uncle:

On your Ampeg Baby Bass, did you ever move on from the Spiro Solos tuned down? That's what I've had on for years, playing Salsa.

But now I'd like to try the bass in Western Swing and C&W, so was thinking of a new set or something different. Don't want too much sustain, though, so maybe the 15 year old set is ok. Ever try one of your old Gamut G&D's on the Ampeg?

And did you ever move on to the Azola wood bridge and wing-type pickup?

Thanks.....Lyle
Click to expand...
I tried that bridge and pickup. Sounded good. I still have it. I felt like if I wanted that sound I'd just use my Regular DB. I just use it for the occasional Latin gig. The DB gets all my country/swing stuff.

The bass still wears Spiro solos, in fact the same set from 2004. It came with a set of good gut tops on it that I still have. I may try them again. I've not tried Gamuts on it yet.
 

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