Double Bass Best Electric upright for Bluegrass?

[Bass Doc]

Need to do some travel work. Thinking about getting an electric upright. I am playing Bluegrass exclusively now. No Arco, all pizz.

Just looking for opinions from other Bluegrassers who owned EUBs.

What type did you own, what did you like or hate,about it?

If you had to buy an EUB for Bluegrass today, what would you buy?

Thanks for the opinions!

Bass Doc

 

[ExistentialJ]

Although I (very very sadly) no longer own it, I found the Ergo to be REALLY well suited for bluegrass. I'm sure some will disagree, but I found the tone to be warm and thumpy with decent amplification. I currently have a Stagg, and while it's okay for rock/jazz/p&w, it's pretty much worthless for bluegrass.

Best of luck finding something you like - and be sure to let us know!

 

[MR PC]

Eminence, hands down the #1 most familiar and acceptable EUB in the Bluegrass scene.

 

[Jeremy Darrow]

The Eminence is a great choice. You might also want to check out the Chadwick Folding Bass. It's not quite as small as an Eminence in its case, but when you get to the gig, you have a real bass.

 

[Bass Doc]

Unfortunately the Eminence is out of my price range. :-(

Has anyone tried the NXT for bluegrass?

I tried a Stagg and I agree, it was not suited for Bluegrass.

Bass Doc

 

[okcrum]

Although I (very very sadly) no longer own it, I found the Ergo to be REALLY well suited for bluegrass. I'm sure some will disagree, but I found the tone to be warm and thumpy with decent amplification. I currently have a Stagg, and while it's okay for rock/jazz/p&w, it's pretty much worthless for bluegrass.

Best of luck finding something you like - and be sure to let us know!

+1. I'm playing with more bluegrass-oriented and americana acts these days, and people love the warm sound and surprising resonance of my Ergo. They come with an inexpensive stand, so you'd want to replace that (I used a DW) and of course get a case to make it roadworthy. It's an excellent value.

The lead time on orders might make it incompatible with your needs, though.

 

[Dave Martin]

Though I see the occasional Eminence at festivals, the Chadwick Folding Bass (in my experience) is a far better choice. It's flyable, but it's a real upright that looks, plays and sounds like a real upright. I don't work for the company, but I've known the Charlie Chadwick for decades.

I've taken my Chadwick all over the US (and am currently in Canada with it). If the Eminence is out of your budget, the Chadwick will be, too - but it's worth saving for. The website is Invalid Link Removed

 

[cdbrewer99]

I use the NXT for Bluegrass and Jazz and it sounds great. Very bumpy and extremely clear. I run it through a Bassbone pretty much flat. Every now and then I will roll off some bass and boost the mids for a sound that's more true. It is a very thumpy instrument. I get compliments from other musicians on how good it sounds frequently. Can't go wrong for 1300$.