My BugBass has used light Helicore Hybrids for a few years and they sound nice and are easy to play. I think their string-to-string balance and tone is more similar than the Spiro weichs I used on it for awhile.
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Double Bass Baby Bass megathread
- Thread starter nil
- Start date
Thnx guys...so far I'm leaning towards the Spirocore solos. Has anyone tried Thomastik Superflexes? They seem to be popular too for BB.
Just picked up a late '60's Baby Bass with the original gut strings still on it. I think I want to switch to steel but I'm not sure what my choices are. Any help would be appreciated.
The solo Spirocores are quite popular with these instruments.
Do a search in this (EUB) forum and you'll find previous threads about this.
Do a search in this (EUB) forum and you'll find previous threads about this.
- May 6, 2003
- 5,272
- 160
- 64
- Disclosures
- Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
Save the gut somewhere, you may want to go back to it.
Spirocore Solos are what most salsa players use. You need to readjust the bass for them.
Baby Bass Manual page 1
Baby Bass Manual Page 2
Baby Bass Manual Page 3
Baby Bass Manual Page 4
Baby Bass Manual Page 5
Baby Bass Manual Page 6
Maybe this belongs under the "Setups & Repair" forum, but I though I'd try here first. Moderator: feel free to move it.
I want to try adjusting the neck on my Ampeg Baby Bass. There is the "tilt" adjustment screw in the back of the bass, and the truss rod adjustment (which I'm guessing mostly effects the lower half of the fingerboard). Of course there'"scoop", bridge height, and tailpiece adjustments, but I was going to ignore them for now.
My plan was to measure string height at the end of the fingerboard, the mid point (which is where the fingerboard joins the neck), and a marked spot 3 notes from the nut. Then make and notate an ajustment, measure the string heights, and see how it plays.
I also figured I should slack the strings some while tilting the neck back, so I didn't put pressure on the adjuster.
The bottom of the trussrod has a knurled thumb-wheel that my thumbs will never be able to move. The wheel has two slots cut in the periphery and looks like there may have been a special tool to turn it.
Any advice on adjustment procedures or turning the trussrod thumb-wheel would be appreciated.
Thanks....Lyle
I want to try adjusting the neck on my Ampeg Baby Bass. There is the "tilt" adjustment screw in the back of the bass, and the truss rod adjustment (which I'm guessing mostly effects the lower half of the fingerboard). Of course there'"scoop", bridge height, and tailpiece adjustments, but I was going to ignore them for now.
My plan was to measure string height at the end of the fingerboard, the mid point (which is where the fingerboard joins the neck), and a marked spot 3 notes from the nut. Then make and notate an ajustment, measure the string heights, and see how it plays.
I also figured I should slack the strings some while tilting the neck back, so I didn't put pressure on the adjuster.
The bottom of the trussrod has a knurled thumb-wheel that my thumbs will never be able to move. The wheel has two slots cut in the periphery and looks like there may have been a special tool to turn it.
Any advice on adjustment procedures or turning the trussrod thumb-wheel would be appreciated.
Thanks....Lyle
- May 6, 2003
- 5,272
- 160
- 64
- Disclosures
- Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
This may be of some use.
Baby Bass Manual page 1
Baby Bass Manual Page 2
Baby Bass Manual Page 3
Baby Bass Manual Page 4
Baby Bass Manual Page 5
Baby Bass Manual Page 6
That fingerboard tail adjuster is worthless. No matter what you do with it very little changes. I'd ignore it.
In a nutshell I suggest you have whatever strings you like tuned up to pitch. After having done the adjustments for the tailpiece and the pickup adjustments under the bridge I screw the alan screw for the neck tilt in and out until I find the spot where it doesn't buzz when I play.
Be sure it's not sharp or flat each time you adjust something as everything will move given your tuning.
Thats all there is.
Baby Bass Manual page 1
Baby Bass Manual Page 2
Baby Bass Manual Page 3
Baby Bass Manual Page 4
Baby Bass Manual Page 5
Baby Bass Manual Page 6
That fingerboard tail adjuster is worthless. No matter what you do with it very little changes. I'd ignore it.
In a nutshell I suggest you have whatever strings you like tuned up to pitch. After having done the adjustments for the tailpiece and the pickup adjustments under the bridge I screw the alan screw for the neck tilt in and out until I find the spot where it doesn't buzz when I play.
Be sure it's not sharp or flat each time you adjust something as everything will move given your tuning.
Thats all there is.
I have a half-size (39" scale) Azola 5-string with a high C-string. I'm hoping to get a better sound by replacing it; it seems thin and twangy compared to the rest of the strings, which I believe a DAddarios -- they were what the Azola came strung with. I'd welcome suggestions from any players who have had a similar problem, although don't know how many EUB players have a C-string!
http://www.quinnviolins.com/qv_flexocorbass.shtml
Available in three gauges, the Flexocor is probably the warmest high C string you can get.
I suggest the medium gauge.
Hope this helps,
François
Available in three gauges, the Flexocor is probably the warmest high C string you can get.
I suggest the medium gauge.
Hope this helps,
François
The choice is very limited for "true" 1/2 size bass strings.
You can use these without any problem, but you may want to choose the thick gauge to compensate for the loss of tension due to the shorter scale.
Greetings, I just acquired an Ampeg Baby Bass and have noticed that the output of the pickup seems very low. This is observable through a number of different amps and is quite noticeable when A/Bed with a passive bass guitar, I have to crank the amp relative to the level with the slab. Im guessing the obvious solution would be to run it through a preamp, but is this something people typically have to do with Baby Basses? Any BB players out there have similar issues, and if so, do you crank your amp, or is there something faulty with the pickup in my BB? Or rather, is this attributed to the inherent tone of the instrument, and thus something I'll have to get used to if I want to keep it?
- May 6, 2003
- 5,272
- 160
- 64
- Disclosures
- Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
They don't have much gas. However they should be adjusted properly or they are really bad.
Go HERE for some links to adjusting the bass.
After you've done all that if it's still to anemic use a preamp. Any good bass preamp will do. I use a Bartolini NTBT in a box when I need one but it's overkill.
Into the front end of my Focus or the Walter Woods I can get enough gain not to need one.
Go HERE for some links to adjusting the bass.
After you've done all that if it's still to anemic use a preamp. Any good bass preamp will do. I use a Bartolini NTBT in a box when I need one but it's overkill.
Into the front end of my Focus or the Walter Woods I can get enough gain not to need one.
I agree with Uncle Toad..it's just the nature of teh beast. I have a friend who has an original Ampeg and a Sendel replica from Colombia. The Sendel Replica plays at the same volume as the Ampeg when put on 3 or 4 on the amp, when the Ampeg needs to be pumped up to 7 or 8. The Sendel has a better gain...due to the newer, non-Ampeg pickup they use. It also has more clarity, though that's why people buy the original Ampeg. They want that warm, pingy sound that was the result of the special "mystery" pickup.
If volume is the issue, just get a preamp or an amp with a combination. My friend plays a 200 watt Ampeg BA- combo amp...powerful enough to amplify pretty much every venue we've played together (small to medium size restaurants), and has been great as a monitor on outdoor festivals. he's never had a problem getting enough power from the Ampeg and the combo amp only. I have an Ampeg BA-210 combo amp...works fine for all my electric and Palatino VE-500 work, and my friend has a model that's slightly different (same wattage, but different features).
If volume is the issue, just get a preamp or an amp with a combination. My friend plays a 200 watt Ampeg BA- combo amp...powerful enough to amplify pretty much every venue we've played together (small to medium size restaurants), and has been great as a monitor on outdoor festivals. he's never had a problem getting enough power from the Ampeg and the combo amp only. I have an Ampeg BA-210 combo amp...works fine for all my electric and Palatino VE-500 work, and my friend has a model that's slightly different (same wattage, but different features).
I have a Baby Bass copy coming from Argentina that was a lot less than a grand, but it worked out for me because my family is from there and my parents are visiting, so I arranged for them to pick it up there and bring it back on the plane. I'll have news in two weeks when they get back. I think the pickup is just a standard piezo but it's the Baby Bass body shape. It's my first EUB, I'm quite excited.
Coming from the BG world, I had serious GAS for an upright but not a lot of money. I thought it would be nice to start out on an EUB first, but again, for the price of most EUBs I could save a little longer and get an upright. If only there was an EUB that was less than a Palatino...
Well, an extensive search down Bob Gollihur's EUB links uncovered a possibility. My father is from Argentina, what if there was an EUB maker there who I could get one for cheap from and have him bring it back? I turned up a few names and settled on DiGiacomo & Yavicoli, because they make a Baby Bass clone and it looked pretty nice on the internet. My parents had a trip planned for January, so I had him set something up (I speak Spanish but wanted to make sure there was no confusion) and pulled the trigger. I won't name a dollar price but suffice it to say that it was less than a Palatino (of course, when you figure in plane tickets to Argentina, substantially more). They go through many hassles to get it on the airplanes (when asked what the hell it was by customs officials in Miami, he told them it was for salsa music and their eyes lit up), but finally get it into the country. I cook them a very nice dinner to thank them for the trouble and check out my new bass. Here is a picture (I don't have a camera so this picture, taken as I play my very first notes on it, will have to do):
So here is a preliminary review: it is slightly better quality than one would expect for the price. It exudes a very handmade vibe, with the varnish applied somewhat unevenly, but I kind of like that. The woods are South American: The body and neck are made from guatambu, and the fingerboard and bridge are made from guayuvira (the bridge is maple). It doesn't have a scroll, instead something that would look comfortable on the front of a pirate ship. The tuners look like P-bass tuners and I'm not sure how they'll stand up. It came with ROUNDWOUNDS?!?!?! I didn't even know that there were roundwounds this scale! It turns out they are made in Argentina and are probably just electric strings extended longer. They do not suit the bass whatsoever and will be replaced ASAP. The pickup is ok, a cheap piezo, it is extremely microphonic and will be replaced down the road. The action is a little too high for me to handle, I will have to get it lowered as I adjust to the transition.
Of course, the sheer joy of getting it was soon overcome with reality. I knew I needed to get lessons immediately, but I was shocked at how much my hands hurt after a few hours of playing. I have a pretty good ear (did some time at Berklee) and I put position markers to help me adjust, but the sheer physical aspect of it was overwhelming. I've been playing in short spurts to rest my hands, and will be finding a teacher soon to learn proper hand positioning so I don't injure myself.
And then there's this: it just makes me want an upright more. It's nice to have the body shape and all, but I want the real thing so badly. I yearn for the physical sensations of an upright, the times I've played them I greatly enjoyed the full-body aspect of it, and it's just not there with an EUB. So I'm considering putting some money into a rental until I can afford the real thing, and just using this for shows.
In short, what happened to me was exactly what the board said: ain't nothing like the real thing, and you might as well go straight for it. I am excited but know that it's a long ways from an upright and I am planning the steps towards a real one.
Now, some questions: to anyone in Boston who plays a EUB, where do you take it to get set up? My roommate showed up to Rutman's with a Kay cello and they acted snobby to him, I don't want to get ridiculed for this thing. And also, who do you recommend for lessons? (I am having serious cash flow problems, as in I work at an ice cream store so I'm broke all winter, so lessons that don't break the bank would be nice)
Well, an extensive search down Bob Gollihur's EUB links uncovered a possibility. My father is from Argentina, what if there was an EUB maker there who I could get one for cheap from and have him bring it back? I turned up a few names and settled on DiGiacomo & Yavicoli, because they make a Baby Bass clone and it looked pretty nice on the internet. My parents had a trip planned for January, so I had him set something up (I speak Spanish but wanted to make sure there was no confusion) and pulled the trigger. I won't name a dollar price but suffice it to say that it was less than a Palatino (of course, when you figure in plane tickets to Argentina, substantially more). They go through many hassles to get it on the airplanes (when asked what the hell it was by customs officials in Miami, he told them it was for salsa music and their eyes lit up), but finally get it into the country. I cook them a very nice dinner to thank them for the trouble and check out my new bass. Here is a picture (I don't have a camera so this picture, taken as I play my very first notes on it, will have to do):
So here is a preliminary review: it is slightly better quality than one would expect for the price. It exudes a very handmade vibe, with the varnish applied somewhat unevenly, but I kind of like that. The woods are South American: The body and neck are made from guatambu, and the fingerboard and bridge are made from guayuvira (the bridge is maple). It doesn't have a scroll, instead something that would look comfortable on the front of a pirate ship. The tuners look like P-bass tuners and I'm not sure how they'll stand up. It came with ROUNDWOUNDS?!?!?! I didn't even know that there were roundwounds this scale! It turns out they are made in Argentina and are probably just electric strings extended longer. They do not suit the bass whatsoever and will be replaced ASAP. The pickup is ok, a cheap piezo, it is extremely microphonic and will be replaced down the road. The action is a little too high for me to handle, I will have to get it lowered as I adjust to the transition.
Of course, the sheer joy of getting it was soon overcome with reality. I knew I needed to get lessons immediately, but I was shocked at how much my hands hurt after a few hours of playing. I have a pretty good ear (did some time at Berklee) and I put position markers to help me adjust, but the sheer physical aspect of it was overwhelming. I've been playing in short spurts to rest my hands, and will be finding a teacher soon to learn proper hand positioning so I don't injure myself.
And then there's this: it just makes me want an upright more. It's nice to have the body shape and all, but I want the real thing so badly. I yearn for the physical sensations of an upright, the times I've played them I greatly enjoyed the full-body aspect of it, and it's just not there with an EUB. So I'm considering putting some money into a rental until I can afford the real thing, and just using this for shows.
In short, what happened to me was exactly what the board said: ain't nothing like the real thing, and you might as well go straight for it. I am excited but know that it's a long ways from an upright and I am planning the steps towards a real one.
Now, some questions: to anyone in Boston who plays a EUB, where do you take it to get set up? My roommate showed up to Rutman's with a Kay cello and they acted snobby to him, I don't want to get ridiculed for this thing. And also, who do you recommend for lessons? (I am having serious cash flow problems, as in I work at an ice cream store so I'm broke all winter, so lessons that don't break the bank would be nice)
