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Double Bass Ergo Megathread part I

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#681
Hi, thanks for the responses- its all helpful. I had a violin repair person make me several maple shims- all with the precise dimensions of the bridge feet and in various sizes. I experimented with combinations until I got the right height- then glued them in place. That wasn't a problem- but I suspect that maybe adding that (very slight) additional height made the bridge more susceptible to tipping. I haven't flown with the bass yet.
All best
JS
 
#683
buddyro57 said:
Right, I did have to reposition the elements. How hardy are they? And, what did you do with the foam? I actually tried to trim as much out as possible (don't know if that was good, but the foam actually buffered contact with the bridge feet....can't see that as helping. Finally, what about bridge movement? Are you having problems with that?- I appreciate your advice and have checked out some of your youtube vids-
JS
Click to expand...

I left the foam in, it seems to serve a purpose. This can be frustrating, but once you get it right it seems to be OK. My bridge is not moving, but what was happening is my high F string was pulling it over so the bass side was not getting enough pick up. now it is fine.
It took me some time getting everything right but I am super happy with mine now, I like it just as much as my double bass.

For flying I have been using pack-a-pole case, but it is too long for the airlines not to charge, so I am looking for something else, or looking at modifying it.
They will take it so it is still much less hassle than a double bass coffin.
I got it for flying, but it has become a second instrument I use quite often.
Borrowing a bass is the easiest thing for travel!
 
#684
Here is a photo from my gig last night with my Ergo. I often use it for louder situations but this one was a gig I would have used unamplified double bass for and the Ergo was just great:
 

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#687
I got a hold of a 5 stringer, and I am impressed! The resonance acoustically is surprising, and the amplified tone is a very workable electrified upright sound. Out of my gk200, it definitely has a lot of that 70's bp-100 and an amp sound and considering this isn't the real thing, that is better than hoped for! Can't really get with the arco tone, but I think that is a really tough thing to get right without a larger acoustic body. It plays well too, though the string spacing and radius is quite different than my DB, and it leaves very little room for error with the bow.

however I am real disappointed with these tuners. the stand I can live with even with all that wobbling around, but if I can't get my E string around the damn peg, then something isn't right about the design. My Evah E string is now useless for both of my EUB and DB due to trying to squeeze it in the slot. I shouldn't have to switch out tuning gears just to compensate string diameter... just how I feel.


Regardless, I haven't acutally been able to spend a lot of time with it, so we are still looking at each other from across the room a little. Will report more later...
 
#688
If you twist the knobs more, you can get a nice arco sound, I am getting a real warm sound with my little GK. Also, if it has the stock strings you will want to get rid of them.
The real trouble with the stand is it is epoxied in and if/when it twists you have to re-epoxy it. It is better solved by a tom holder wood screwed to the back.

You can cut the E, and use the thinner, inner string, but super glue or Solder the winding at the place you want to cut it.
 
#689
damonsmith said:
You can cut the E, and use the thinner, inner string, but super glue or Solder the winding at the place you want to cut it.
Click to expand...


OOOhhhhhh thanks for that tip. I have tried various string combos, all of them used DB strings. The Flexocore 92's are the nicest arco string, but just a little too dead for pizz on this thing. I tried some Flatchrome's but I never liked them before, and that won't change. So now it's an old set of Spiro Mittles, which work best especially with the higher tension. My DB has Evahs with a Spiro E, I was going to reverse that and go with the Evah E under Spiros on the Ergo. Don't really have the money for strings at the moment. I am not sure if I am going to be able to get that Evah on at all, since it isn't a steel core that is unraveling.

Oh, and I have a low B string that I need to address, but it really isn't a concern right now. Or I could look for a high C... that might be nice. speaking of which, Damon, you find that GK able to handle a low B? just curious.

As far as the stand, it seems sturdy so far, so I will address that when it isn't anymore. I used a couple very heavy pillows on the feet of the stand to keep it more solid, but the shaft still wobbled around a bit, and I can definitely see that joint coming loose.
 
#690
I will issue a disclaimer at the beginning of this- I should have known better.....having said that, I have an Ergo 6 string with which (whom?) I have had a love/hate relationship since I bought it; LOVE the resonant body HATE the unreliable pickups (and myriad other idiosyncrasies inherent with these things).....I have experimented with several string brands but decided to try a set of Steinberger EUB strings, the flatwound 6-string set. I tried them purely because the lengths are comparable, no weird problems with windings, no solder etc. Sadly, they sound and feel like a set of DAddario half-rounds. Don't waste your money. Maybe they sound OK on Steinbergers, but I doubt it. Oh yeah, see my ad in the classifieds: FT/FS Used NDS 6-string set!;)
 
#691
Gornick said:
however I am real disappointed with these tuners. the stand I can live with even with all that wobbling around, but if I can't get my E string around the damn peg, then something isn't right about the design.
Click to expand...

I solved that problem by adding a tailpiece about 6 inches up on the back of the bass. This extends the string length so that the cloth part of the string goes into the tuner. I haven't had a problem since.
 
#692
Gornick said:
OOOhhhhhh thanks for that tip. I have tried various string combos, all of them used DB strings. The Flexocore 92's are the nicest arco string, but just a little too dead for pizz on this thing. I tried some Flatchrome's but I never liked them before, and that won't change. So now it's an old set of Spiro Mittles, which work best especially with the higher tension. My DB has Evahs with a Spiro E, I was going to reverse that and go with the Evah E under Spiros on the Ergo. Don't really have the money for strings at the moment. I am not sure if I am going to be able to get that Evah on at all, since it isn't a steel core that is unraveling.

Oh, and I have a low B string that I need to address, but it really isn't a concern right now. Or I could look for a high C... that might be nice. speaking of which, Damon, you find that GK able to handle a low B? just curious.



As far as the stand, it seems sturdy so far, so I will address that when it isn't anymore. I used a couple very heavy pillows on the feet of the stand to keep it more solid, but the shaft still wobbled around a bit, and I can definitely see that joint coming loose.
Click to expand...

The GK does take the B pretty well, and even detuned if it is a real loud gig I use my old H & H combo which is a few hundred watts with a 15. I just use Spriros except for B which is a heliocore that came with the bass, and the high F which is a super sensitive.
 
#693
Showdown said:
I solved that problem by adding a tailpiece about 6 inches up on the back of the bass. This extends the string length so that the cloth part of the string goes into the tuner. I haven't had a problem since.
Click to expand...

the problem is string diameter and squeezing it in the tuner's slots made for much thinner pork chop strings, the cloth makes it worse. I could see the tailpiece giving more tension on your strings though.... the Evah E is much too wide, silk or no silk, with a synthetic inner core that doesn't hold when the outer steel is stripped. I am left looking for other string options. I consider this an bit shortsighted on the manfacturers part, but the price is right. I will work with it.

Had a little jam here at home with my drummer/housemate, some sparse keys and a 5 year old running around doing a freestyle rap/scream fest. A little free-form funk to free improv, the Ergo got it's first workout in a real group setting and really shined, I thought. Electric-y but with it's own unique character... I got to use my DB technique instead of feathering a pork chop, and even broke out the bow and was thrilled with the results. I think the Spiro's with a bow sound better on the Ergo than on my DB, weird, but possibly true!
 
#695
No, Mr. Gornick's bass is a relatively new Ergo that has the current updates. My luthier says that the tuners are a cheaper knock-off of Gotohs which are much sturdier (but spendier)- still they wont help with Scott's problem. I certainly did not care for Bass Bob's approach- putting these ginormous (Grovers?) on and routing out wider holes to accommodate them. I think Jesse should offer a 1000.00 model which includes:
1. a case (for cryin' out loud)
2. a passive tone control like the Stellartone Tonestyler
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3. better tuners that would accommodate wider diameter strings AND most of all
4. A better pick up
Then he would be a serious contender in the market- I mean he's pretty close, but with a few more improvements....just my humble opinion.
JS
 
#696
damonsmith said:
Spiros fit perfectly on mine with no mods, except the low B. You may have an earlier Ergo. Jesse has gotten better and better over the years at making these,so that is something to keep in mind.
Click to expand...

I am about to embark on a month long trip to Mexico City, which is why I pursued this whole thing, and will probably switch out my Spiro E from DB to the Ergo after my last gig, then deal with the rest when I get back. Funny to imagine the Evah E wider than the Spiro but with less tension.
I need to work with the bridge/piezo placement for an even sound across the strings, but I won't mess with that untill I am settled on my string situation.

One solution I could imagine is simply finding better tuners with wider slots for the two lower strings and then leaving the other three as is. But I don't won't to get into routing either, it just doesn't seem necessary.


I agree with Buddyro on the fantasy model with pro tuners, and atone knob. At some point these guys need to understand that a large portion of their market is Double Bass players who need some convenience and are willing to comprimse and not just pork choppers with dreams of crossing over to the dark side... I miss that term around here!
 
#698
Gornick said:
I am about to embark on a month long trip to Mexico City
Click to expand...

Make sure to check out the the great contemporary artist Gabriel Orozco's drawing on a full whale skeleton at Mexico City Library:
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He is more known for small works but he had done drawing on bone and even a human skull, so when they asked him for a large scale work this is what he came up with!
His other work is fantastic as well.
 
#699
Thanks for the bit about the Library. This is my second day and I am blown away with how many museums they got down here. The architecture alone is overwhelming.

By the way, I picked up a Plano Airliner case for the flight, and it was perfect. The stand I disassembled and packed in the suitcase. They did charge 15 for the second bag, but no extra costs on Mexicana for the case.

Spiro E fit perfectly too so there you are.
 
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