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Double Bass Ergo Megathread part I

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#801
honestjohnny said:
Hey guys. I'm from the BG side, but I'm thinking of getting an Ergo 4. I've talked with the owner and he assures me that he can set it up with low tension, light gauge strings, with position markers on the side (I currently play short scale BG's with heavy gauge rounds--.120). Occasionally, I hold the BG's upright and play that way, which I prefer. My question is, how difficult is this switch going to be? I used to play violin, but have not played in years. I'm willing to learn a new technique as long as I don't have to go back to playing Twinkle Twinkle.
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When I bought mine I had Jesse set it up with low action for the same reason. I regret it now. I've put a shim under the bridge to raise the action to URB level. It sounds more like a URB now, and I can switch to URB with no problem now (I bought one a couple of years after I got the Ergo).
 
#802
Showdown--So you think I should go with a regular gauge/action? I suppose you hadn't played DB before? I don't think I'm ever going to own a DB, they're too darn big. So this isn't going to be a half-a**ed bridge between the two.
 
#803
honestjohnny said:
Showdown--So you think I should go with a regular gauge/action? I suppose you hadn't played DB before? I don't think I'm ever going to own a DB, they're too darn big. So this isn't going to be a half-a**ed bridge between the two.
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I don't want to tell you what to do, you know what you want. But in my case I didn't think I would ever buy a DB either (I said the same thing about them being too big), and I had never played one before, so I got it set up as close to the action of an EB as possible. After I played it for a while I got GAS for a real DB (and wanted something that I could play without an amp at beach parties that we were having regularly) and had to go through the struggle of building my muscles to play it, so for me it would have been better to have just started with it set up like a DB.

Of course, YMMV.
 
#804
I am a recent bass guitar to Ergo convert. I had never played DB previous to my Ergo. I went with a medium action and I've been pretty pleased with it. The action would seem sky high on a bass guitar but doesn't seem high at all on an upright. It's a very different feel/attack with a 42 inch scale (compared to 34 on my J bass). I think I would've been disappointed had I went with a low action.

As for adopting from BG to UB, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I was. I was afraid it would take me a long time to figure it out, but it comes pretty natural. It's a whole new instrument, but yet its remarkably familiar. Now keep in mind, I'm not playing the Ergo as my primary bass and I've never played it live. I've used it for a couple jam sessions, and for home recording. I don't refer to myself as an upright player. I'm more of a bass guitarist who dabbles in EUB.

I have a few gripes with the Ergo (I won't go into that now), but by and large I've been satisfied with it. It's a great EUB for the price.
 
#805
Recently, I got my Ergo 4 back out of storage and did some playing on it.

I'd forgotten how much fun it is to play. It's hard on the hands, but it just feels like "bass" - big and powerful. And the upright playing position really is more ergonomically correct and natural.

I went from the Ergo to my Spirit XZ-25, and then down to the SX short scale jazz, just for fun. Quite a contrast.

Even with the newer strings on the Ergo, I'm still not entirely happy with the E string, but it can be EQ'ed a bit on the amp. Other than that, the bass really sounds good. I don't know if it's mellowing a bit because it's a couple years old now, or if it's the usual syndrome of worrying about gear you aren't playing a lot and thinking you need to sell it, then you get it out and play it and remember how good it is and why you bought it. (Long sentence, we need to come up with a term for this syndrome!)

My main issue with the Ergo at this point is not having any gigs to use it on! I've actually played it out three times, at church, but have yet to use it for a musical theatre gig.
 
#806
MichaelVee said:
Recently, I got my Ergo 4 back out of storage and did some playing on it.

it's the usual syndrome of worrying about gear you aren't playing a lot and thinking you need to sell it, then you get it out and play it and remember how good it is and why you bought it. (Long sentence, we need to come up with a term for this syndrome!)
Click to expand...

How about "reflux"? Maybe "heartburn". It comes back up & you get to taste it all over again. ;)

For me, I play it in church all the time. The sounds is more subtle & it works well in the mix for softer songs or for those with latin or jazz rythms.
 
#811
I have gone through all of these posts about Ergo and it is still a little bit hard to decide...some say it's good and some say it's not. I have Aria sinsonido that i bought for practicing at night with headphones so when i put it in a upright position it does sound kind of like an upright bass, so i am thinking if Ergo is not doing anything better maybe i shouldn't buy it? Does anyone have any recording of Ergo? Those on Jesse's page are a little bit strange:hmm::hmm::hmm:
 
#812
I actually have enjoyed the switch from a BG to the Ergo. I find the ergonomics more natural and love the sound. In fact, I play the Ergo more than any of my other basses at this point and the people I play with seem to prefer it.

It'll take some adjustment. You'll sure stretch out your fingers but I like standing up with the instrument at my side (absolutely no weight from the instrument and strap) and don't mind that you're kind of locked into place when you play it (no running across the stage with an Ergo).
 
#813
FodderJohn said:
... and don't mind that you're kind of locked into place when you play it (no running across the stage with an Ergo).
Click to expand...
Unless you install some strap buttons like on the NS.
bassstrap100w.jpg

Not to influence just showing my idea. If you know where the buttons are then that should be good. It 'looks like there next to each other.
 
#814
guidum said:
I have gone through all of these posts about Ergo and it is still a little bit hard to decide...some say it's good and some say it's not. I have Aria sinsonido that i bought for practicing at night with headphones so when i put it in a upright position it does sound kind of like an upright bass, so i am thinking if Ergo is not doing anything better maybe i shouldn't buy it? Does anyone have any recording of Ergo? Those on Jesse's page are a little bit strange:hmm::hmm::hmm:
Click to expand...
Go to the ergo myspace page. There is more there.

Link Removed

FWIW, yes some like it... some don't. You will find that to be true with any instrument no matter what it is.
 
#816
ClaytonH said:
D'Addario Hybrid Bridge heights?

Anyone know what they are? Gona get one for my B-day.
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:confused:
D'Addario Hybrids are strings, not a bridge.
What are you asking for?
The strings height above the fingerboard?
If so, this is not unique to a string brand.
A common DB setup is 5mm at the G string, up to about 8mm at the E string. (with maybe 6mm at the D and 7mm at the A)
This is measured at the end of the finberboard, between it and the bottom of the string, not its center.

Hope this answers your question.
François
 
#818
I'm going to order an Ergo 4 after I sell some of my electric basses.

My question to you Ergo owners is what kind of bow should I get? I'd like to learn how to use a bow, but I need something that'll survive moist summers and dry, cold winters.
 
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