Hello All,
Last Wednesday I received my new Ergo 6-string, tuned F#-B-E-A-D-G:
I am totally new to double bass so I don't have much to compare it too, but as far as I can tell, this is an amazing instrument! Pictures don't do it justice, as I was very pleasantly surprised when I took it out of the box. Don't know how else to say it, but it looked much cleaner than I had anticipated.
I am in a Heavy Metal band and wanted the Ergo primarily to learn and play arco for something totally different, and I am not disappointed! Even played without an amp, arco notes are clearly heard and well defined. I cannot stop playing this EUB, even if I'm just practicing playing open strings F# up to G and back again, I just can't get enough. It has really inspired me to up my game and I've been practicing every spare moment since receiving it so that I can try and do it justice.
I primarily play 5-string electric bass but have always been enamored with the double bass. Seeing as I can't really afford a traditional upright, and also due to the style of music I'm playing, I feel like I got exactly the instrument and sound I was looking for. Not only that, but Jesse Blue (builder) was a pleasure to deal with and was always available to answer any questions I had.
I was finally able to bring it to the practice space last night and plug it into my Carvin rig (BX1200, 4x10, 1x18), which I've been waiting to do since the day it arrived. Played pizz sounded great, kinda like a cross between a fretless and an acoustic double bass, but I believe that to be because of the technique I'm using as I'm not digging in really hard with my picking hand and basically playing it the same as i would my electric. But played arco, it is absolutely gut-wrenching and can move some serious air. The two guitarists in my band both play seven strings with a low B, and I thought it would be nice to be able to play a few notes below them to keep things interesting, thus the 6-string with low F# tuning.
I know it may take a while, but once I get my chops up to par, I will try and get a decent recording of me playing arco with the band so you can get an idea of the sound.
Something about the Ergo just clicks with me and I feel like I've found a long lost friend that I never knew I had. It is beautiful in it's simplicity of design and also it's sound. Even my wife (a complete non-musician) remarked on how sexy it looks.
Anyways, sorry for the long post, just very excited/proud to finally be an owner of an EUB. If anybody has any questions about the bass, just let me know.