Double Bass BSX Megathread

[VictorW126]

Hello.
I measured the length of the strings on my bass BSX Allegro and drew a diagram. (See figure Link Removed )


Total length of original string BSX (which originally stood) - 1480mm.

Standard 3 / 4 of the string has cut. Strings 1 / 2 I have not tried.

I hope this helps.

free image upload
Link Removed

 

[ztpbassman]

Thank you Victor for this great drawing. It is very helpful.

I just wanted to ask what you meant by "standard 3/4 of the string has cut."

Are you saying that most 3/4 length strings have worked for you?

And if so, which strings have worked for you, very specifically?

Thanks again for great work.

 

[VictorW126]

Sorry for my very bad English!!! I'll write in more detail - hopefully it will be appreciated.


Most strings are designed for Acoustic Double Bass.
Acoustic Double Bass 3/4-size scale has 41-42" (usually). The distance from the bridge to tailpeace 220-270mm. The distance from the nut to a long-range tune-mechanism (tuner) of 160-200 mm. Tuner axis is longer (so you can wind the greater length of the tail of the string).

Strings 3/4 have a full-length 1650-1900mm (depends on brand). It's total length - from one end to the other end.

BSX Allegro has the same scale (41.5" around), but its distance to tailpeace and to tuners is less. Tuners are similar to the bass-guitar. Tuner axis short, so you can not wind the long tail of the string. (You can reel a few rows - that's bad.)


I shortened the string (cut the tail) for a 150-300mm, that the string is well wound on the axis of the tuner. (This length depends on the brand of strings and strings of numbers, because the strings are wound on A,D tuner more distant than the E,G)

Specific length you need to find an experimental for each string. You need to leave a tail length of 150-200mm after chopping for a good winding.


Strings 1/2-size I have not tried. I think their full length is good enough to use on bass BSX. 1/2 acoustic Double Bass has a small scale (38-40"), but the length to tailpeace and tuners more than BSX. Total length of the string should be similar. Strings 1/2 will have less tension.
But I have no experience with such strings.


Total length of the string for the BSX-Allegro should be approximately 1500mm (A and D strings) and 1460mm (E and G) or more.


All full-size BSX bass (Allegro, T-bass, etc.) are similar in design. For them to choose a similar full-length strings.
For the small-size bass (Flip-bass, Mini Allegro and Half-note: 34", 36" and 38-40" scale length) you can use a shorter string.


ps: 1" = 25.4mm

 

[bassmanhss]

I would like to know more about the BSX series 2000 EUB that I have inherited from my uncle's estate. Since I am the bass player in the family, I guess I got this by default! I don't know too much about it other than it is a five string, white EUB. When were these made? Can I find the year on the instrument somewhere? What did they tend to cost new and what is market value now? If anybody wants to make me an offer, I would definitely consider it as I don't think that this instrument is my cup of tea. It comes with a gig bag.
Thanks!
Cliff

If you want to know about the BSX 2000 just call Dino , it's his bass ,His company.,Who would know more?And what a nice giveing man.Will always answer your questions
Howard Shinedling

 

[ztpbassman]

My biggest problem with strings is the length from the bridge to the tailpiece, especially on the E string. Maybe it's my bass, but the silk on the Labellas I like, the silk goes over the bridge and into the playing space. Cutting the silk back is ridiculous and meticulous work and potentially harmful to the string.

My idea: put a 1 inch or so metal tube/sleeve over the string so that when it passes through the metal tailpiece there will be an inch long piece of string back behind the tailpiece.

To be clear, now instead of the end ball butting up against the tailpiece, the metal tube will be resting on it, maybe with a washer to increase the contact area?

I've had a similar thing done to one of my electric basses to make the B string length a little longer and help it speak better. It seemed to work.

Anyone ever tried this?

 

[VictorW126]

Yes, you can do it. There are some features.
I tried to draw his thoughts. See the figure.

String bass guitar out of the bridge is straight, and the bridge is metal.
At BSX string rotates the tailpiece, and a tailpiece made of wood. The tube is unstable and can damage the tailpiece. See Fig. A.
I advise you to use the shim. See Fig. B.
The best option - it is a wooden cylinder with a hole. You can make it yourself. See Fig. C.

or
Link Removed

I hope that helped you.

 

[Jason Hollar]

Hey there - I contributed to this thread a while back.

I owned an Allegro Acoustic for a year or so. Really liked it a lot, but couldn't get used to it so ended up selling it.

Recently borrowed an earlier version of the Allegro from fellow TB'er Calivox.

Got to say I'm really digging the vibe. His bass plays exactly like I remember mine - but sounds warmer and more "broken in". I'm looking forward to trying it on some outdoor jazz concerts this summer - ones with boomy stages and big PA systems that make my upright sound like mush...

However - the main reason I'm writing is in praise to the Allegro Half Note.

A student of mine is a 6th grade girl - who's great uncle happens to be Dino himself! Her folks got her a brand new Half Note for Christmas and she brought it in tonight.

Fantastic woodwork, beautiful ergonomics, great sound! Plus, she got the slightly reduced scale and it's an absolute dream to play.

In fact, I'm doing a gig for her folks' company dinner this spring and they'd like me to play the bass with my trio.

 

[engedi1]

Howdy y'all. I have been yearning to join the BSX allegro crew for a long time and have finally found a good deal on one! The seller says it is about 6 years old with a serial number of B5070. Does anyone know if Allegro's from 6 years ago have the same features as new ones, in regards to electronics and construction? Also, there is tiny fracture that may just be cosmetic, here is a pic. please advise if this looks ok, just a cosmetic scratch, or something more series. I can score this Allegro for about $1300 including stand and gigbag so I can't imagine a much better deal than this one coming along.

 

[ElMon]

Don't know if anyone on this thread is in the market, but around mid-April I'll be looking to move my Allegro 5 string. Great bass but I'm having a 'real' 5 string upright built for me by Upton Basses.


UPDATE: I"m actually going to hold onto this one for now!!! The tone and form/factor are so great that I'm looking at other axes in the stable to sell!

 

[Francois Blais]

Howdy y'all. I have been yearning to join the BSX allegro crew for a long time and have finally found a good deal on one! The seller says it is about 6 years old with a serial number of B5070. Does anyone know if Allegro's from 6 years ago have the same features as new ones, in regards to electronics and construction? Also, there is tiny fracture that may just be cosmetic, here is a pic. please advise if this looks ok, just a cosmetic scratch, or something more series. I can score this Allegro for about $1300 including stand and gigbag so I can't imagine a much better deal than this one coming along.

I see at least one, maybe two cracks.
But a luthier can fix that easily, I guess.
(maybe a reason to lower the price a bit more?

 

[VictorW126]

Howdy y'all. I have been yearning to join the BSX allegro crew for a long time and have finally found a good deal on one! The seller says it is about 6 years old with a serial number of B5070. Does anyone know if Allegro's from 6 years ago have the same features as new ones, in regards to electronics and construction? Also, there is tiny fracture that may just be cosmetic, here is a pic. please advise if this looks ok, just a cosmetic scratch, or something more series. I can score this Allegro for about $1300 including stand and gigbag so I can't imagine a much better deal than this one coming along.

Hello.
Electronics and design similarities.
Damage is not great. Scratching is not terrible. Dent between the top and side is more dangerous, but I think it is not terrible, because it is not deep, but this place is strong. The picture is not clear. Need a more detailed picture.

 

[engedi1]

thanks for the help victor and francois. I also emailed the pic, (which was provided by the music store and the best one they are likely to provide) to Dino at BSX, who, much to my amazement, replied back within an hour. He said this model has all the fixins, and that the damage to the bottom bout there, is easily fixed with superglue of all things. I must say I am super impressed by Dino's response when he won't make any money by helping me buy a used Allegro. I wish I could custom order one from him with a color I like and cut to my hand size (small) But Ce La Vie!

 

[engedi1]

Don't know if anyone on this thread is in the market, but around mid-April I'll be looking to move my Allegro 5 string. Great bass but I'm having a 'real' 5 string upright built for me by Upton Basses.

I am afraid I am not man enough for the Allegro 5, or any five string upright. My old DB teacher (dan swain at ASU) used to have a 5 string DB that was so huge you could fit my whole family into it. I am sure your custom Upton will sound amazing.
FYI El Mon, your videos of the Allegro with Garbos is why I want a BSX. I was really torn about the best way to go, but when I heard the tone you were getting, the question was solved. I think the combination of the BSX mojo plus the thumpiness of the garbos, was producing the most amazing upright like tone I have ever heard without being a 10k upright. Good enough for me anyway. Thanks for the inspiration! Did you end up putting Animas on the bass? Did you end up liking Animas better than the garbos?

 

[ElMon]

I am afraid I am not man enough for the Allegro 5, or any five string upright. My old DB teacher (dan swain at ASU) used to have a 5 string DB that was so huge you could fit my whole family into it. I am sure your custom Upton will sound amazing.
FYI El Mon, your videos of the Allegro with Garbos is why I want a BSX. I was really torn about the best way to go, but when I heard the tone you were getting, the question was solved. I think the combination of the BSX mojo plus the thumpiness of the garbos, was producing the most amazing upright like tone I have ever heard without being a 10k upright. Good enough for me anyway. Thanks for the inspiration! Did you end up putting Animas on the bass? Did you end up liking Animas better than the garbos?

Sorry I missed this. I'm still on the fence about letting this one go. The motivation is purely monetary, and that I have some basses being built for me. However, the more I think of it, the more I realize the potential of having an easy-to-amplify EUB in addition to my upcoming Upton 5 string URB. I don't care how great a pickup/mic setup claims to be in getting an acoustic bass up to gig volumes, you just can't get the volume that this EUB can.

I did end up putting Animas on this bass, and the extra bit of lowend growl really opened up the sound. I should get different clips up for comparison, but basically the Animas have more sustain and hi-end presence whereas the Garbos retain more of the gut sound. And yet on a bandstand the Animas still have IME a gut-like vibe to the sound and especially the feel.

 

[engedi1]

Sorry I missed this. I'm still on the fence about letting this one go. The motivation is purely monetary, and that I have some basses being built for me. However, the more I think of it, the more I realize the potential of having an easy-to-amplify EUB in addition to my upcoming Upton 5 string URB. I don't care how great a pickup/mic setup claims to be in getting an acoustic bass up to gig volumes, you just can't get the volume that this EUB can.

I did end up putting Animas on this bass, and the extra bit of lowend growl really opened up the sound. I should get different clips up for comparison, but basically the Animas have more sustain and hi-end presence whereas the Garbos retain more of the gut sound. And yet on a bandstand the Animas still have IME a gut-like vibe to the sound and especially the feel.

Cool, this is good feedback, since I primarily want the EUB for stage work and high volume stuff. I was interested in your comments on the Animas, since I LOVED your video with the Garbo's, a really neat tone. But I have heard bowing Garbo's is almost impossible and the Animas in general seem to be more multi purpose and the garbos not as flexible. Is that a fair assessment? Are Anima's easier on the left hand?

 

[patas75]

I finally got my new BSX Allegro Acoustic in today. I put the order in on Feb. 21. She is a beauty and this being my first upright bass so she seems very easy to play. Hopefully I'll be starting lessons next week but in the meantime I have a Simandl book to start learning to play her. Next on my agenda is a bow. Still deciding whether to go French or German. My teacher knows both so I will be having some good discussions on the matter.

 

[rodsnhawgs]

Super cool! Keep us abreast of how you and she get along. She sure is pretty.

 

[engedi1]

I have found an amazing deal for Eudoxa strings (silverwrapped Gut) These are much loved in the upright bass world, but I wonder if any one has used them, or any other gut string, on their allegro? Please comment.

 

[ElMon]

Cool, this is good feedback, since I primarily want the EUB for stage work and high volume stuff. I was interested in your comments on the Animas, since I LOVED your video with the Garbo's, a really neat tone. But I have heard bowing Garbo's is almost impossible and the Animas in general seem to be more multi purpose and the garbos not as flexible. Is that a fair assessment? Are Anima's easier on the left hand?

If anything the Animas are easier on the right hand with the smaller diameter. Didn't notice much of a difference in my left hand. The added clarity of pitch is what sold me on the Animas.

I have found an amazing deal for Eudoxa strings (silverwrapped Gut) These are much loved in the upright bass world, but I wonder if any one has used them, or any other gut string, on their allegro? Please comment.

I tried some Pirastro Olves on my 5 String Allegro, and while the B string was damn-near unusable the other strings had a nice Paul Chamber's type thump coupled with the Bart EQ in these instruments. Very cool, although for my band (loudish jazz/r&b) the Animas cut through better.

 

[ElMon]

On a side note, my BSX is for sale!!!

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f144/...electric-upright-bass-w-velvet-animas-762572/

This bass ultimately inspired me to get 'the real thing' from Upton Basses, and I'm about a week or so away from a 5 string Standard Laminate strung with Gamut Guts!!!