Double Bass BSX Megathread

[BigBeatNut]

Hope that helps. Find a cheap UK phone card and give Dino a call.

Bruce Morris

Thanks, that's what I've done so far (well, I've used skype ...same thing really).

At the moment I've got my hands full with a recently acquired (and old and tatty) DB ... but I think when (if) it comes to wanting to do gigs with an upright it will be an EUB and I may still call Dino.

 

[Suresh]

Hi Guys!I intend to buy anEUB that has shorter scales,and I
really need inputs/advises from fellow bass players .If any of
you guys ever played the Mini Allegro(36") or the Half Notes (38")from BSX please share your experiences regarding the sound,ease of play,spacing,action,etc.Any views would be truly appreciated.
Thank you very much!
Roberto

 

[Oratorio]

Hey guys! Sorry for being the necromancer and raising this thread from it's grave, but I didn't want to start another thread.

I am really considering a EUB, since I don't really have the space / room / transportation for a URB, even though I want one really bad. I think the BSX basses seem good, but the Allegro is too expensive for me at this point. Is the Half-note good? Has anyone played it recently, how do they feel about it compared to the Allegro? Obviously the Allegro is sort of the best of the best I assume, but will the Half-Note be my money worth? Reason I'm asking is because I can't really find that many opinions on this bass. Please tell me what you think! Cheers!

 

[DrMWP]

Anyone have experience with either the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] or [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

What interests me is both the price (well under $2K) and the fact that the neck can be modeled after a URB neck (w/ a heel, I do a lot of reading gigs and need the landmarks, so no NS for me, or is that not an issue?).

I've spoken with Dino @BSX about them(nice guy), but I'd like to hear from you cats. What do you think?

1. Sound?
2. Construction (is is gig-worthy)
3. Other worthy options in this price range (Ergo and Palatino really don't trip my trigger)
4. I'm primarily BG, but am finding that I NEED to play upright for the type of gigs I'm getting (and not getting). I'm currently borrowing an acoustic upright, but want the portability of an EUB.

Thanks in advance!

Mark

 

[DrMWP]

Okee Dokee, no takers on BSX. Well.....

Howsabout
1. Azola stick type basses?
2. NS Wav (does the lack of a neck heel bother you?)
3. Others I should look at?

Help a neophyte out!

 

[danengland]

HI
I currently own a BSX Allegro, Im not sure but I assume the model you are talking about has the same type of neck as an allegro. Its a well built instrument, with a good double bass type sound..The heel is like that of an upright, which helps for navigation when reading..

 

[A.D.]

Roscoe,

I have a BSX ST with the upgraded pre-amp and one pickup per string. I've had it for about 5 years. It is really solid(I've dropped it numerous times), and sounds great. I do use a Yamaha AG-stomp for mic modeling and that does help the sound tremendously. The neck did come with a buzz on the G string at the G#, A, and Bb. That's the only complaint. I've tried the Yamaha and N.S. and they weren't even close to feeling as solid. Definitely worth the money and more.
I did put expensive orchestral stings on it and than also made a big difference.

Alun

 

[Arnold]

I have a BSX (it's for sale). It feels a lot like an upright, sounds great and bows okay. I've never felt like I found an EQ setting that worked for both arco and pizz although I've found good sounds separately. I'm selling mine because it was my practice instrument and I'm looking for an upright to leave at home now. I've enjoyed mine.
Peace.
ASG

 

[Mark Perna]

I have a BSX Allegro as well. I haven't used it in a bunch of years though. It's one drawback is it is a half-size bass. I don't know the mensur but it is around 39 inches which limits your string choices. I used Spirocore Solo gauge on mine without any problems with breakage.

The bass is tough as a tank and sounds pretty good. I actually stuck a Fishman BP-100 in the uncut bridge wings (Underwood style) and shimmed them with saxophone reeds which sounded a bit better than the built in pickup.

mark

 

[DrMWP]

Thanks for the great repsonses!!!!!

 

[bongomania]

I have the Allegro Acoustic. It's a "normal" 3/4 scale, so it uses normal URB strings. One nice thing about ordering a new instrument from Dino is he can shape the neck however you like. I had him make mine a little more slender all around as I have short fingers. But he can make it fairly similar to whatever URB neck you are most comfortable with.

 

[BigBeatNut]

I've recently become the very happy owner of this BSX

Now I've just got to learn to play it

 

[bongomania]

Congrats! I am enjoying (and still learning) mine as well.

Link Removed

 

[BigBeatNut]

Niiiiiice

That's close to my ideal .... antique kind of finish + fingerboard dots. When I first thought about EUBs I would have gone for a fiver too, but having tried to play upright, I've decided 4 is quite enough

 

[jzucker]

has bsx fixed their quality issues? I had an early one and it had many problems and had to be returned several times for various mechanical and electrical issues.

 

[bongomania]

I have only the one experience to go on, but mine has absolutely zero electronic issues (in fact, it's very resistant to ambient electrical/magnetic interference, unlike my other basses and preamps). Mechanically, it doesn't have any failings or problems per se, but the fit and finish are not that awesome up close. That's honestly my only disappointment, is that if you get up close you can see a bit of an amateurish quality to the fit and finish. But everyone who sees it from a few feet away is floored by how nice it looks, so I'm not really complaining. It feels solid and has no creaks, pings, odd angles, or any other sign of mechanical weak spots.

 

[Passinwind]

has bsx fixed their quality issues? I had an early one and it had many problems and had to be returned several times for various mechanical and electrical issues.

What issues, Jack? Mine is nearly 15 years old (it's not an Allegro though, obviously) and its been bomber for me on well over 100 gigs in the three years I've owned it.

 

[sonicnuance]

Congrats! I am enjoying (and still learning) mine as well.

Link Removed

I have an Allegro 4 and love it. Sometimes I wish I had gotten the 5 string due to the scale length and my assumption that it would make a good sounding B... how do you like yours?

 

[bongomania]

Well, I kind of think the low B is not worth all that much on this instrument. It is a lot more difficult to play in the higher registers compared to a 5-string BG, and bowing it is damn near impossible. The feel is tight, but the tone is not massive; although that may be due to me still being a DB noob. Another person commented in a recent thread that a different preamp may bring out the deep lows better than the stock Bart. Aside from liking a low B on my BG's, I mostly got the 5-string BSX because I was able to get it at a deep discount, and I observed that the 5'ers had better resale value than the 4's, in case the whole thing didn't work out for me. However I like the instrument quite well overall, and I'll make the 5th string work for me one way or another as my playing improves.

 

[mccartneyman]

I live in Pittsburgh not far from ALiquippa PA, where they make BSX EUBs. I was wondering if any of you have played both the BSX and the NS WAV4 -- which I now have -- and how they compare. Even if you have played a BSX and not the NS, let me know what you thought of the bass.