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Double Bass BSX Megathread

#101
mccartneyman said:
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.
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I own a BSX Allegro acoustic. It is a fantastic instrument. If I were you I would definitely go see Dino at BSX and try out the basses. The electronics are very well done. The ebony board is very nice.

It ain't perfect but I'm quite happy with mine. The soundman at my church always requests that I bring it and not my Fender Precision. I think the arco tone is quite good but the pizz is where it shines. I wouldn't get it thinking it will nail an upright sound, I would think of it as a different instrument from an acoustic upright.
 
#103
I've played a couple of Allegros and own the older BSX stick bass in my avatar. I have only played a handful of BG gigs in the last few years since I got the BSX -- everyone wants me to bring it to my gigs. The only NS I've played was a 5 string CR Double series (w/mag + piezo). No way I'd even consider the Steinbergers. The stand arrangement and the lack of a neck joint both bugged the heck outta me.

Dino's a really cool guy. Go check his instruments in person if you have the chance.

PS: There's an Allegro in the TB classifieds right now, which I played a few weeks ago. IMHO, it's a nice deal if you can live with the cosmetic damage.
 
#104
Passinwind said:
I've played a couple of Allegros and own the older BSX stick bass in my avatar. I have only played a handful of BG gigs in the last few years since I got the BSX -- everyone wants me to bring it to my gigs. The only NS I've played was a 5 string CR Double series (w/mag + piezo). No way I'd even consider the Steinbergers. The stand arrangement and the lack of a neck joint both bugged the heck outta me.

Dino's a really cool guy. Go check his instruments in person if you have the chance.

PS: There's an Allegro in the TB classifieds right now, which I played a few weeks ago. IMHO, it's a nice deal if you can live with the cosmetic damage.
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+1 That bass is tempting but I can't justify another purchase.

I haven't tried a WAV4 but I am glad to hear your opinions on it
 
#105
I have a T bass and I love it. Everyone who hears it loves it. I do use a mic modeler on it as I do a lot of bowing and it takes away that nasal piezo sound. Get the bridge that has a pickup under each string. It is really useful. I ordered the 3 band pre with it as well and that is voiced really nicely. My neck does have a couple of bum notes(G# and A in 1st pos. G string) but if you can actually go there and try some of Dino's instuments then you're all set. I tried the NS and the Yamaha and this blows them away. I suffered with the strings that came with it for awhile but put on Corelli's and have been very happy.
 
#106
I have an older BSX that is pretty nice. I don't play it much because it sounds more like a really nice fretless bass guitar than an upright to my ear. I would rather not have to deal with the larger instrument and the longer scale if it isn't going to sound like an upright.
 
#107
AlunJWDavies said:
I do use a mic modeler on it as I do a lot of bowing and it takes away that nasal piezo sound.
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I'd be interested to hear more about that mic modeler, Alun, the brand name for a start.

I'll go along with a lot of what's been said already about the BSX Allegro. I have the acoustic model and I got it because it was the closest I'd heard to a real upright sound. This was after trying out many EUBs including NS CRs/WAVs, Eminences, an Aria (I think) a Palatino and probably a few more, and not being happy with the sound.

I suspect the Allegro Acoustic has potential for being mic'ed too ... seems to me it has more of an acoustic sound when not amplified or when amplified at low volumes, as opposed to using headphones. (Haven't used it at volume yet).

Andy
 
#108
BigBeatNut said:
I suspect the Allegro Acoustic has potential for being mic'ed too ... seems to me it has more of an acoustic sound when not amplified or when amplified at low volumes, as opposed to using headphones.
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+1, I strongly prefer the ambient sound of mine played un-amplified over the sound conveyed by the pickup, and have been considering attaching a small condenser mic over one of the F holes.
 
#110
Dino is a gem of a guy and it's cool to visit his shop.

I owned a top-o-the-line Allegro Acoustic a few years ago.

Awesome instrument in how it plays...I just couldn't get used to the tummy rest. I wish it would have been on a tripod actually! This was a pretty big instrument...and heavy too.

I also briefly owned the NS. Great feel for such an inexpensive bass -- fun to play -- but the electronics sounded terrible to me. No preamp or amp combo I tried worked for me.

I will say I am still looking for a smaller, more portable EUB for flights & travel. BSX does have some interesting mini-models. If I get the cash I will pay Dino another visit at least.

I really hope to visit CA someday and try out all the Clevingers and see what they are all about...

I've also read good things about the Azolas.
 
#111
I use the Yamah AG-Stomp. It is a mic modeler made for acoustic gtrs with a feedback exterminator and has delay/chorus and verb. It also has four band parametric eq.
There are three mic choices and a choice between close and distant micing.
This box transforms the sound from the usual nasal piezo to a more airy sound.
The essence of the bass still comes through and it does respond to your playing.
It's not like having a synth pedal that does "acoustic" at all. Does it sound just like an acoustic bass? No. Somewhere in between, but it does the greatest good when bowing.
The bottom octave with fingers still sounds like an EUB. Just a very expensive one!
This thing is also a great pre-amp and I use it for my electrics as well.
They don't make them anymore but Zoom does make a pedal called the A1 that does a similar sort of thing. I haven't tried it but I'm sure they are available at GC.
I've never seen anyone else using one. They were expensive(650). It is also built like a tank. Worth looking out for.
 
#112
AlunJWDavies said:
I use the Yamah AG-Stomp. It is a mic modeler made for acoustic gtrs with a feedback exterminator and has delay/chorus and verb.

{SNIP}

They don't make them anymore but Zoom does make a pedal called the A1 that does a similar sort of thing.
Click to expand...

Looks like Invalid Link Removed is the latest version. Anyone know if it's going to be as good ?

I must have an experiment with my boss AC-2 too ... though I think that's just EQ rather than mic simulation.
 
#113
My guitar player uses it and it does sound good. I haven't tried it back to back with mine yet but I might borrow it tonight and get back to you. He says it is difficult to program although you can do it by computer but he has a mac and that doesn't work.
PC presumably will. I had the same problem with my J-Station. Bad mad support.
Both these pedals do ad appreciable noise btw. It's part of the "air" that is created around the sound. Presumably the process is the same.

Alun
 
#116
I'm finding the following helps for a more upright jazz acoustic pizz sound:

1) medium high to high action
2) playing high on the neck (closer to the nut)
3) using "arco" strings like Corelli 380s
4) eq'ing the bass by pulling back on mids and a bit on treble
5) getting more of my hand/arm into the plucking

I'm using an Allegro Acoustic

Any other setups work for y'all?
 
#119
Took delivery of a used Lefty Allegro hollow body removable neck version. I am in the middle of designing/building a lefty EUB for my own use, but this was too good to pass up..... All set up and all strung up, it is very nice, plays like a charm. There is some minor hum/buzz in the preamp, but I'll get that sorted fairly soon. Just played it through my Demeter VTBP in my studio through the studio monitors. I am a lazy bastard, and tried playing it without the pole extended, played it sitting down, very comfortable though my leg brushes against the controls on the back once in a while. If I have a grouse it is the location of these controls.

Anyway, I am impressed, and the in the midst of building my own EUB, I will redesign my removable neck joint. This one has a simple bolt, no dovetailed woodwork, seems to work very well. I was going to cut a dovetail neck joint slot for added 'security'. I suppose my EUB project can take a while longer .....
 
#120
I've been playing a BSX Series 2000 for years and years now - not my primary axe but from time to time I use it extensively. Another nod to Dino, who went thru it for me recently and even installed a new 'bullet' pickup for me, no charge - above & beyond.
My question - I need a good stand for it - I saw one mentioned way back - is it Mr. Passinwind? - any ideas gratefully accepted.
thanks
 

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