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Double Bass Clevinger EUB megathread

#61
Hello,
I'v trying to use an old Clevinger bass with what appears to be two Piezo's mounted in slits in the bridge. It has a volume and tone control on it. It sounded really bad until I ran it through my Demeter compulator. I'm assuming because of the 1 M impedence of the Demeter. It sounds pretty good but, I get a thump when I engage the string for the pluck and then another when my finger comes to rest on the adjacent string after the pluck. Not to mention my speakers look like they are going to jump out of the cabs! Is my technique that bad? Or, is this thump caused by a rogue frequency. I will say this, it's audible. Possibly bad technique and some sort of infrasonic that needs to be removed? I'm not sure what strings are on it perhaps someone here can identify them. I'll try to post some pics later today. Thanks!
 
#63
reedo35 said:
It sounds like you have a Barbera pickup in the bridge, there might be something wrong with one or both of the piezos. I assume you haven't tried a different pickup on it?
Click to expand...

I dunno, the wires are gray. I have a Bass Max here but the slits in the bridge are too thin to get it in there. I really hope to make this work because the neck on this bass is out of this world!

I actually got to play a couple of the new Clevs a couple of years ago. All I can say is WOW. Seriously nice instruments.

I'll get the pics up later.

Thanks!
 
#66
Man, I'll try and get those pics up like I promised. I don't think the piezo's are cracked. I don't have a switch down there unles it's internal.

The D and G strings are much better sounding than the E and A. Perhaps the E and A strings are just too old and dead/crappy? I'm thinking about trying some Corelli nickel strings on it. And, an Fdeck unit perhaps. I've heard that the high pass filter is effective on the infrasonic speaker jumping stuff. Not sure if it would help with the audible thump I'm getting. But, since I've got two pickups, would I need two of them to buffer both pickups? I have one tone control and a vol. that controls both pickups.

Scott, how old is yours? Is it a keyhole body or the trapezoid shaped? Since you have a switch, does it have some sort of pre built in? Thanks!
 
#67
The oldest one I've got is from 1988. Trapezoid-shaped body with the floating "Diamond-
Sonance bridge. Volume and tone controls with a mini toggle switch for arco-pizzicato.
No batteries so I assume it's either a phase switch or it disables one of the pickup discs.
Martin C. would know how the wiring worked.
 
#68
I had this problem on my Ergo in the beginning. It also has piezos under the bridge, a la Realist pickups. What worked for me (don't ask me why) was to put a piece of cloth between the bridge and the piezo. Removed the oversensitive second thump and gave me more fundamental. The sound from the strings is now even and pleasant.

(I did have to add a simple wire from the bridge to the pickup to make sure it was grounded properly.)
 
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#71
greenbass5 said:
Okay, things have slowed down around my place a little. I'm thinking of trying a Behringer ADI21 or an Fdeck box for this bass. Anyone used one of these (or both)? Which do you guys suggest first? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I have a Fdeck HPF-Pre.
If you lower the bass knob on your amp, does that help?

That said, I've done some experiments on my (Carruthers) EUB recently, with several pickups, and "under the bridge" setups gave me that kind of thump. The HPF won't remove it.

I get the best results with "in the wing" setups.
I strongly advise you to fit the Bass Max first.
 
#72
Does anyone know anything about these basses? I've had a trade offer on Craigslist, and I'm trying to figure out if this is a good opportunity to get back into the upright game (been out for a decade)..

From the trader - it's a 1990 5-string, the model "right before the deluxe came out..stand..side wings..leg rest..xtra backup tuners..xtra shims.. and a Fishman bp100" - because the piezo is weak...

Anyone have any insight? Things/problems to look for? Ballpark value? I'm really clueless when it comes to the value of uprights...

Thanks!
 
#73
i had a clevinger for a couple years, a standard 4 string.
the piezo system did suck, not a very good arco sound.
it did play nicely, though...
and was very well made.
no idea of the values these days, there are a lot of offerings out now by different companies...
mine was a simpler model, black gloss finished body.
i believe i paid under a grand used, the number 750 pops up in my head.... but it's foggy as it was 15+ years ago.
 
#74
For physically simulating a full scale upright there is nothing better IMO. Martin Clevenger was the 1st guy to go beyond the Baby Bass and really created the template used by so many now. They are high quality hand made instruments.

I own a late 90's Opus 4. This is a deluxe model with the piezo and 'holosonic' pickup combination. The piezo is very good, but it is what it is. The Holosonic picks up the whole body and adds a very natural, woody sound when blended in.
They are not retailed and buyers tend to keep them so very few are available second hand. I paid 1/2 the list used, which I considered a good opportunity.
 
#75
Thanks for the responses guys.. Now I just have to convince the guy that he won't miss it after the trade! Hopefully things work out - I've been having upright cravings lately...

FWIW, my part of the trade are two electric basses valued at around $1800 (together)..
 
#80
I will, for sure.. Talked to him on the phone, and he seems like a good guy - he's on here too, so he's probably reading this - hey Dan! I'd imagine that an EUB would be pretty hard to move in SA/Central TX..

That being said, and with my limited experience with upright - what should I look for? Same as bass guitar?
 

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