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Double Bass Clevinger EUB megathread
- Thread starter C.Veltman
- Start date
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
It looks a little beat, but could be sweet! Even if you had to send it back to Martin for a going over it seems a great deal. I was going to post it on 'Hot Deals' but I see they don't allow eBay listings.
I think this one was made during the brief period when he had a biz 'partner'.
I think this one was made during the brief period when he had a biz 'partner'.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
Not any more its not!!! I got that puppy!!! Traded in my 4 string Moses Graphite KP-4 for it! I am now officially a hypocrite!!! After all my meanderings about ERB players masterbatory tendencies I go out & get a freaking 6 string EUB!!! I reveal in the irony!!! lmao!!
The MG is a great bass, but the Clevinger has always appealed to me more coming from actually playing acoustic upright. The appeal was so great that I would actually deal with those other two strings to have it!! ;-)
Funny thing is, I used to think that you could 'ignore' the other strings on an ERB.. Much to my dismay, I found this to not be true.. ;-) My upright right hand technique seems to solve the 'ringing' problem I had on bass guitar.... Oh well, back to the woodshed!!
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
About two year's ago after not being satisfied with the Realist and the Fishman Pro-EQ Platinum I ordered the Clevinger Natural Presence. To me it's by far the best pu for upright. And no special pre-amp needed. Straight into the AI-focus and it sounds wonderfull.
I think the problem is that all Clevinger instruments are too expensive for people to try and stir up a viral curiosity among other bassists. Why plunk down $3000-4000 dollars when you can buy the real thing for less or get something that is way more up to date in terms of feel, looks, and playability (WAV4, Yamaha SLB series, etc), also for less money.
And I did play one once... and old Clevinger. I certainly wasn't impressed but it was like 8 years old at the time (I think that was like 3 years ago too). The new Clevinger, like the Chimera seem interesting, but Azola offers a similar bass for a thousand less. On top of that, we dont' see Clevinger actively marketing their products, so there's no visibility.
I assume that Martin Clevinger isn't a stupid guy and knows exactly what he's doing. Why they're not being marketed more? I have no idea.
And I did play one once... and old Clevinger. I certainly wasn't impressed but it was like 8 years old at the time (I think that was like 3 years ago too). The new Clevinger, like the Chimera seem interesting, but Azola offers a similar bass for a thousand less. On top of that, we dont' see Clevinger actively marketing their products, so there's no visibility.
I assume that Martin Clevinger isn't a stupid guy and knows exactly what he's doing. Why they're not being marketed more? I have no idea.
Bard2dbone...
Out of curiosity,what seems to be the EUB of choice that you have been noticing on your local scene?
There is a cat (James Simonson) here on my local scene that uses a Clevinger.And he just kills with it.
I noticed that James,has just recently started to post here on TB.Maybe he'll chime in about the Clevinger he uses?
Out of curiosity,what seems to be the EUB of choice that you have been noticing on your local scene?
There is a cat (James Simonson) here on my local scene that uses a Clevinger.And he just kills with it.
I noticed that James,has just recently started to post here on TB.Maybe he'll chime in about the Clevinger he uses?
I've seen a few Baby Basses, one vintage Ampeg, the others Azolas. I've seen a couple of NS's, One guy still plays a Clevinger locally, and another national act that I see often (Trout Fishing In America) uses one, as well. Other brands that show up are less recognizable. There are two guys with the same model bass that I thought was a Clev, until I got closer and saw it was from BSX, but I think those are old models. One has an EUB that I still haven't figured out the maker. And just last week I saw a kid playing a Stagg. I talked to him and he was pretty happy with it. Turns out he got it from the guy who sold me my bow. His store is carrying them now with a gigbag for about what I'm paying for my WAV4 without a stand or gigbag. I'd like to hear him without the band to know if it's really as good a deal as it sounds.
We had a Clevinger 5 string in the USAF Band when I was stationed in Alaska. It was absolutely the worst sounding bass I have ever played. When I moved to the USAF Band in DC we had one there too. It was the second worst sounding bass I've ever played. Both of these basses were brand new, not used and abused. They just sounded so bad that no one wanted to play them. I'm not sure what models these were but they were both built somewhere between 1988-1993. I bought a BSX which sounds more like a fretless than an upright but at least it sounds good enough to play on a gig. The Clevingers that I played weren't even worth taking out of the case, much less to a gig. I know Clevinger must be better than this or they wouldn't have stayed in business all of these years. I guess I just got a hold of two dogs.
B2db,
Yeah,seems like a real cross-section selection there!
Same sort of thing I see here on my local scene.
There is allot of great gear out there to choose from now day's...
The Ampeg was a good idea,but the technology just wasn't there to fully realize the potential of the design.
Until Clevinger,came out with his vision-and by then there was technology in electronics,transducers,pick-ups that really helped to make the Clevinger viable.
To answer your original thread question..."Does Clevinger still get any respect?"
My response would be yes!
Simply by reviewing the fragments contained in this thread alone-from what I gleaned it seems like the majority of folks that still use the Clevinger's are working and touring Pro's.
To me that is just about the best form of respect that can be offered.
Right from the get go when Martin Clevinger,started putting his instruments out there,I always felt that he had the working pro's best interest in mind...really seems like that was the main impetus for his initial concept to begin with?
That his instruments still "work" for the working and touring pro's speaks more than what I can try to impart here.
BTW...Jonesy,...thanks for posting up a pic with your Clev,I checked out your space,and you sound strong.Listened to "Tale of more" and heard some meaningful Clev,arco happening there
B2db,
like has been mentioned...the cost of the Clev's really seem to be the limiting factor as to why they are probably not so widely seen much anymore...Although there are entry level Clev's for the price points there remains the availability and recognition issues.
As for me...well...long story short back in 90'-91 I needed a break-so I completely retired from the scene,sold off most of my gear at that time and called it a day.Fast forward to now...and here I am starting to make the scene once more (another long story) and I have to gear up again.
I'm currently in the market for a EUB,I would really like to get a Clevinger...but my local Godfather of gear...Lowdownsound,is making me an offer I'm finding hard to refuse on a BSX Allegro...
Thanks for wondering out loud about Clevinger...
Maybe I won't cave in to the "Don" after all
~
The one I see used the most is the one Keith Grimwood (of Trout Fishing In America) plays. I see them five or more times a year and have been doing so for around twenty years. He gets amazingly authentic arco tones out of his.
I am probably setting myself up for disappointment, because when I get my WAV4, THAT'S the tone I want out of it.
Try to find a mp3 or something of Trout Fishing doing 'Eleanor Rigby'. It's darned impressive.
I am probably setting myself up for disappointment, because when I get my WAV4, THAT'S the tone I want out of it.
Try to find a mp3 or something of Trout Fishing doing 'Eleanor Rigby'. It's darned impressive.
right on man, thanks for checking out my tune.
The Clev can really be seen/heard on my band Telesma's song "Penumbra" on our myspace: Link Removed
I'm not a well known touring prof. but i still need a good bowed bass tone, that won't feedback onstage....and that's just what the Clev gives me
The Clev can really be seen/heard on my band Telesma's song "Penumbra" on our myspace: Link Removed
I'm not a well known touring prof. but i still need a good bowed bass tone, that won't feedback onstage....and that's just what the Clev gives me
B2db,
Yeah,seems like a real cross-section selection there!
Same sort of thing I see here on my local scene.
There is allot of great gear out there to choose from now day's...
The Ampeg was a good idea,but the technology just wasn't there to fully realize the potential of the design.
Until Clevinger,came out with his vision-and by then there was technology in electronics,transducers,pick-ups that really helped to make the Clevinger viable.
To answer your original thread question..."Does Clevinger still get any respect?"
My response would be yes!
Simply by reviewing the fragments contained in this thread alone-from what I gleaned it seems like the majority of folks that still use the Clevinger's are working and touring Pro's.
To me that is just about the best form of respect that can be offered.
Right from the get go when Martin Clevinger,started putting his instruments out there,I always felt that he had the working pro's best interest in mind...really seems like that was the main impetus for his initial concept to begin with?
That his instruments still "work" for the working and touring pro's speaks more than what I can try to impart here.
BTW...Jonesy,...thanks for posting up a pic with your Clev,I checked out your space,and you sound strong.Listened to "Tale of more" and heard some meaningful Clev,arco happening there
B2db,
like has been mentioned...the cost of the Clev's really seem to be the limiting factor as to why they are probably not so widely seen much anymore...Although there are entry level Clev's for the price points there remains the availability and recognition issues.
As for me...well...long story short back in 90'-91 I needed a break-so I completely retired from the scene,sold off most of my gear at that time and called it a day.Fast forward to now...and here I am starting to make the scene once more (another long story) and I have to gear up again.
I'm currently in the market for a EUB,I would really like to get a Clevinger...but my local Godfather of gear...Lowdownsound,is making me an offer I'm finding hard to refuse on a BSX Allegro...
Thanks for wondering out loud about Clevinger...
Maybe I won't cave in to the "Don" after all
~
I might mention that I run my Deluxe 5 through a Demeter HBP-1 tube preamp (the one with the parametric EQ) and it sounds really nice!
I use my 6 string Clevinger Deluxe 8 shows a week with the national production of The Lion King. I bow most of the show. The show is the best selling in the nation. It's been on the road non-stop for over seven years and still continues to sell for 2000-4000 people 8 shows a week for 4-9 weeks depending on the city.
While I don't have Martin's most progressive model, I simply love using this bass and so has anyone who has mixed the bass. It's tone and feel are unlike ANY EUB out there. With most EUB's, I feel they are made to suit electric bass players who don't want to commit to the big doghouse. What separates the Clevinger is that Martin's basses are made to work for the discriminating dbl. bassist who can't travel with the upright. The weight and feel is totally upright and the sound is sonically HEAVY. Acoustic, yes, but, in it's own way, an improvement on the original dbl. bass. Passive, acoustic concepts combined with real choice woods set Clevinger basses beyond. Bowing low C's on this bass is earth shattering and is killer during the show. This just wasn't possible with an acoustic upright. The "real" upright bass would just rattle apart next to all the heavy African drums. It was a nightmare for the sound men. The Clevinger never has feedback problems. It fixed all the headaches. As I see it, the "real upright" was a "real" pain in the ...
The fret board on my six string is an unbelievably large piece of solid black ebony. You wouldn't believe it ... and no ... it does not sound like a fretless bass.
The saddles are the pickups combined with a transducer in the body. The bass also has a passive tone roll off.
The company, now has an empty David Gauge hard shell case that they have no use for. All my gear, 3 electric basses, a Tele, Acoustic Image head, 1x12 Aguilar cab, Clevinger, and pedal board fit in a single 3' x 3' x 6' trunk.
Martin's basses are expensive and rightly so. If you A-Bed his basses against the competition you'd easily notice the difference.
I feel this is the "true" electric bass if Leo Fender had not been trying to invent an electric bass for guitar players. While there are earlier versions on the market, Martin refined it and really made it happen.
As far as I'm concerned, Martin is the father of the EUB and deserves all the respect a bassist could offer. He's committed his life to this invention and his latest models are better then ever.
Like Walter Woods or Wal basses, Martin is the person who does most of, if not all, of the build. With his wife Jennifer, they keep it simple and small. The wait is worth it.
Get yourself a "real" bass. Get a Clevinger.
While I don't have Martin's most progressive model, I simply love using this bass and so has anyone who has mixed the bass. It's tone and feel are unlike ANY EUB out there. With most EUB's, I feel they are made to suit electric bass players who don't want to commit to the big doghouse. What separates the Clevinger is that Martin's basses are made to work for the discriminating dbl. bassist who can't travel with the upright. The weight and feel is totally upright and the sound is sonically HEAVY. Acoustic, yes, but, in it's own way, an improvement on the original dbl. bass. Passive, acoustic concepts combined with real choice woods set Clevinger basses beyond. Bowing low C's on this bass is earth shattering and is killer during the show. This just wasn't possible with an acoustic upright. The "real" upright bass would just rattle apart next to all the heavy African drums. It was a nightmare for the sound men. The Clevinger never has feedback problems. It fixed all the headaches. As I see it, the "real upright" was a "real" pain in the ...
The fret board on my six string is an unbelievably large piece of solid black ebony. You wouldn't believe it ... and no ... it does not sound like a fretless bass.
The saddles are the pickups combined with a transducer in the body. The bass also has a passive tone roll off.
The company, now has an empty David Gauge hard shell case that they have no use for. All my gear, 3 electric basses, a Tele, Acoustic Image head, 1x12 Aguilar cab, Clevinger, and pedal board fit in a single 3' x 3' x 6' trunk.
Martin's basses are expensive and rightly so. If you A-Bed his basses against the competition you'd easily notice the difference.
I feel this is the "true" electric bass if Leo Fender had not been trying to invent an electric bass for guitar players. While there are earlier versions on the market, Martin refined it and really made it happen.
As far as I'm concerned, Martin is the father of the EUB and deserves all the respect a bassist could offer. He's committed his life to this invention and his latest models are better then ever.
Like Walter Woods or Wal basses, Martin is the person who does most of, if not all, of the build. With his wife Jennifer, they keep it simple and small. The wait is worth it.
Get yourself a "real" bass. Get a Clevinger.
Attachments
James,
Great post. Looks like you got all the facts straight. I hope you sent Martin and Jennifer a copy. Don't know if they read TB. I used to see them on the occasion of NAMM. Martin would take an extraordinary amount of time to tell you all about his basses and what thought goes into their design. He doesn't exhibit at NAMM any longer. Smart man.
I play bass for the brother of the guitarist that gigs with Jennifer so I get to keep somewhat up-to-date with them. It's a great success story. I could never understand the dissing his instruments received from posters in this forum. Sort of reminded me of golfers who are always buying new clubs looking for something better. They rarely find it and some eventually learn to play better with the ones they have.
Great post. Looks like you got all the facts straight. I hope you sent Martin and Jennifer a copy. Don't know if they read TB. I used to see them on the occasion of NAMM. Martin would take an extraordinary amount of time to tell you all about his basses and what thought goes into their design. He doesn't exhibit at NAMM any longer. Smart man.
I play bass for the brother of the guitarist that gigs with Jennifer so I get to keep somewhat up-to-date with them. It's a great success story. I could never understand the dissing his instruments received from posters in this forum. Sort of reminded me of golfers who are always buying new clubs looking for something better. They rarely find it and some eventually learn to play better with the ones they have.
FYI ... I have a Clevinger Bennett Bass that could use a new home. It has both pickups (see their website for details), a padded gig bag and hardshell case. I only used it for rehearsals with a jazz big band so I would not have to drag my Prescott.
I can not speak for other Clevinger basses, but his one sounds just like my double bass with a Realist pickup, and is MUCH easier to transport.
Retired from active gigging about 5 years ago and it has been collecting dust since then.
I can not speak for other Clevinger basses, but his one sounds just like my double bass with a Realist pickup, and is MUCH easier to transport.
Retired from active gigging about 5 years ago and it has been collecting dust since then.
Clevinger EUBs are wonderful. I met Martin at the NAMM show in 1987. He was very kind and had a lot of information about all of his basses. I stopped by his booth again at NAMM in 1991, and spent a long time there playing a couple of his newer basses of the day.
Fast forward to today, I am playing a Clevinger six string Imperion EUB as part of the other basses that I play in the current band that I'm in. That bass has a great pizzacato sound, an easily adjustable neck, and an excellent arco tone.
There is also a DIN to MIDI connector on the bass that allows for some more fun exploring with sound modules and more.
Thank you Martin and Jennifer.
Fast forward to today, I am playing a Clevinger six string Imperion EUB as part of the other basses that I play in the current band that I'm in. That bass has a great pizzacato sound, an easily adjustable neck, and an excellent arco tone.
There is also a DIN to MIDI connector on the bass that allows for some more fun exploring with sound modules and more.
Thank you Martin and Jennifer.
