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Double Bass Ergo Megathread part I

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#581
I used alcohol and mild thinner to cure the varnish as mine had that problem initially as well with being sticky.

I like the idea of sanding the neck bare, I bought an Eminence and the neck came unfinished on the playing area's making it much faster.

The string issues are not that hard to get around folks, I measured out the E & A strings for approximate length and then tied a single knot in the ball end of the string. In that way you use the thin part of the string (reguar end that fits through the tuner hole).

I never cut them I just tied them behind so that if needed I could rob it for my regular 3/4 size in the future.

Also this prevents any chance of the string unwinding and becoming an expensive fishing line ......

Cheers
 
#582
I'd like to see a pic of the know that you tied in your string. I would think that it would cause the string to unravel because of the sharp bend (just like the bend on the tuner).

I would like to use the appropriate thinner part of the strings on the tuner, but I'm not much on adding a "tailpiece" behind the bass to make the string length.

Are there a shorter string length that would work (like a 1/2 scale string)?
 
#583
Fishface said:
I'd like to see a pic of the know that you tied in your string. I would think that it would cause the string to unravel because of the sharp bend (just like the bend on the tuner).

I would like to use the appropriate thinner part of the strings on the tuner, but I'm not much on adding a "tailpiece" behind the bass to make the string length.

Are there a shorter string length that would work (like a 1/2 scale string)?
Click to expand...

When got my bass I asked Jesse how to modify the fat strings to fit... Jesse's email to me described how he modifies strings to fit and prevent unraveling so I'm pasting it here.


"Lastly, I put the string on the bass, pull relatively taught, and mark the area I don't want to pull the outer winding of the string of past with a Sharpie.. Then, I solder at the Sharpie mark being sure I get a good amount of 'penetration' so that the solder 'holds' the inner windings as well, and is able to bond all around the outer winding... Then I highly recommend you let the string cool back down for a bit- after the solder sets, you can 'psst' the soldered area with a partially wet paper towel (wiping any water off the string with the dry section) to cool it.. I then hold the string in my right hand, clip it to length (I like a good 3" longer than the appropriate tuning key), and grab the outer wrap that's left with a pair of needle nosed pliers.. Here's the fun part- Holding the pliers in your left hand securely on the outer wrap only, and holding the string taught at the solder point with your right hand, pull your arms away from each other.. This will 'spin' the outer wrap off; obviously stop pulling once you get to the solder point, then just snip the wrap wire off, and install it on the tuner, and crank it up to 'playing tension' (not to pitch, but taught enough so that it's not going to slip out of the nut slot, or anything)- as an added precaution, I like to keep a good grip with my right hand at the solder point until the string is up to tension.. The idea here is that some strings may not be wound very tightly inside, and rely on the outer wrap to hold everything in place... Once the threat of unravelling further is stopped by the nut with the string under tension, I feel better about letting go of it..... It's REALLY simple= MUCH more so than changing acoustic strings which often have to be changed one at a time, and tied on the tuner!.."


So.... thats what Jesse has to say about the fatter strings....

Enjoy!
David
 
#584
I did do the "solder" thing, bit id did not work to well with the Corelli's that I'm using (but I still got it to hold).

I was curious about the post that said he tied a knot on the ball end to take up some length. I would think that would cause the unraveling problem.
 
#585
No unravel or problems at all, I use Thomastic Spiral Core (reds) on my bass's and they never gave me a problem.

I actually took one off and used it back on the 3/4 bass when I broke and A string on it one night. Had to rob the Ergo at the time until I could get a new one.

You tie the knot in the area that has the extra covering of thread or cloth covering (the coloured area) just above the ball.

Not difficult ............. I like to keep it simple !
 
#586
I just got to play one of these at a local college. 4 string model, new as of middle of last year. One thing I noticed was that the A string was very honky and louder than the others. I recall reading that was common, but don't know if anyone had a solution. I'm considering getting one, and want it to always sound good.
 
#588
...in the Northwest Detroit area that they'd be willing to let me try? I used to play DB in a couple jazz bands a few years back, but then had to get some quick cash:rollno: Now after hearing some of the Ergo recorded samples, I am interested again. But I don't like to buy sight unseen (heard!), so if anyone out my way has one, I would be eternally grateful if I might have a chance to play one. :help:
 
#590
Hey everybody, I just bought a 6 string ergo off ebay, thanks to this thread and all the great responses in it. You've all been very helpful! It should be here in few days, but I'll need a bow and rosin. I saw that pops rosin was recommended, as well as a wood bow with real horsehair, and was thinking of getting this bowLink Removed
along with the pops to start off with. Does this look like a good starter bow?
 
#591
Upton Bass sells a nicer bow for about twice the price.

One of those cheap bows came with a chinese bass I bought and it is heavy, the windings came undone, the adjuster would stick under tension, and most importantly it didn't produce good tone.

I use Nyman rosin.

I bid on that six string which you won when it was around $250...
Because I didn't win it, you've forced me to buy a brand new one from Jesse...

Enjoy!
David
 
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#592
ha, sorry about that. Look at it this way, now you can get a new 8 string instead of a boring old 6. I was thinking about the uptons, but then I saw others recommend the gollihur brazil for just a little more, and then there's the pernambucos for not too much more either... where does it end? :smug:
Was it the lasalle that you had, or a different cheap brand? I saw that its all wood and real unbleached horsehair for 50, so it seemed like a good deal, unless it's very poorly constructed like yours was.
I'd heard that stickier rosins are better for dry climates, so that's why I was thinking pops, do you think nymans would work well here in the desert?
 
#593
I also like the cheap carbon bows you can get on ebay. They were a bit rough with my cheap amp, but with the GK they are great.
Pops is the best starter rosin - it is standard and other choices are best measured against it.
I will have to get an 8 string sometime, but my 7 string is beautiful I am happy enough playing it.
One thing I do for the high F is put a plastic and a felt washer right when it comes out of the whole, it makes a less sharp angle and reduces tension.
I stopped breaking them when I did that.
 
#595
MikeT said:
ha, sorry about that. Look at it this way, now you can get a new 8 string instead of a boring old 6.
Click to expand...

I'm getting a 4 string actually, a second bass in case anything happens to the first 4 string I bought a couple months ago.

I was only bidding $300 on the 6 string to try to get a deal :) When it went above that I emailed Jesse to talk about buying another 4 string.

Let us know how it works out for you.

Enjoy!
David
 
#598
I'll be joining the EUB ranks when the Ergo 5 I bought from jeffjones (from the TB classifieds) arrives next week. I'd like to thank you all in advance for this thread; there's a lot of good information here for upright newbs such as myself. I'm familiar with the search features so I'll try to keep the dumb new guy questions to a minimum! :D
 
#599
MikeT said:
There are a few different carbons on ebay, Damon, do you know which one you'd recommend specifically? I'm also strongly considering getting a ksb domenico. I can't wait to start messing around with this bass, I'll definitely let you guys know how it works out for me.
Click to expand...

I would go for the cheapest one that promises real horsehair. I have a gig with my Ergo tonight.
 
#600
MikeT said:
There are a few different carbons on ebay, Damon, do you know which one you'd recommend specifically? I'm also strongly considering getting a ksb domenico. I can't wait to start messing around with this bass, I'll definitely let you guys know how it works out for me.
Click to expand...

I forgot to mention that unless you have strong reason (your teacher or if you played violin, viola or 'cello) I would say to get a German bow.
Both bows are great but the French grip takes a long time to get together.
The German also takes time but it is much easier to get started with.
 
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