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Double Bass Ergo megathread part II

#203
Re strings, I picked up some innovation silver slaps for mine (after a lot of deliberation) - but just found that the wrapping at the bridge end is so long that it extends over the bridge. Has anyone else experienced this? The wrapping on the stock strings (black) is pretty short by comparison and doesn't interfere. All I can think of is to put some kind of extension plate on the back of the bass so the strings sit 3" further (towards the jack socket) but wonder if this will affect the sound in any way?
 
#206
I found an Ergo five string for sale on Kijiji this week and took a look at it yesterday. I've made a commitment to buy it, probably get back today if the weather and my travel permit. It's a five-string. I'm not really a fretless bass player, and I'm only an amateur on electric bass, although I've been practicing these last few months. My main instrument is really the ukulele, with a side of harmonica (I played guitar for 40+ years).

Still, I love upright and always wanted to try to learn one.
Any advice on playing and maintaining the Ergo? Oiling it?

The fretless fingerboard is a challenge. I've considered putting fret markers on while I get used to the scale, fingering, etc. Any suggestions?

Is a five string a good choice for a newbie like myself? Or should I be sticking to four?
 
#208
Hi, ichadwick,

I have a four string Ergo that I use for practice while traveling. I simply wipe down the fingerboard and strings occasionally, no oil.

Mine came with fingerboard markers at all the odd "frets" from 1 to 21, plus the octaves at virtual frets 12 and 24; I believe this is standard, I didn't order it separately.

I don't see any disadvantage to starting with a five string. Do consider taking at least a few lessons to get started with proper double bass technique.

I don't play the ukulele myself, but I play in a band with two (sometimes three) ukuleles, and we have a lot of fun playing old standards; it's a very versatile instrument.

Best of luck with your new Ergo.

Thanks,
Pete
 
#209
Thanks. My Ergo has tiny dots as position markers, but most are along the edge of the fretboard. Until I get used to the spacing and fingering, I think I'll add some stick-on fretboard markers. I can remove them later, once I'm comfortable with it.

I have some hemp oil that I've used for uke fretboards. It soaks in well and seems to help them, although you have to be careful - it can build up a bit of a sticky layer if you over use it.

I have considered lessons, but not sure what's available in my small town. Will have to ask around.
Cheers
 
#211
I'm back in the Ergo club! For those that have been kicking around since the start of the megathread, you may recall I was the guy with one of Jessie's personal 7 strings with lots of customizations. Now that I've been back playing the real thing regularly, I'm a bit tired of lugging it into small, shady venues and having people kicking it during setup and tear down :-) TheSuzie was nice enough to provide a deal I couldn't pass up (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/ergo-5-string-high-c-eub-827226/#post11772460) so I jumped on it.

One of the main bands I'm playing in right now has me jumping back and forth between electric and db, so I'm going to give the Ergo a go again in a live setting. I've got a set of Helicore Hybrids kicking around, so I figured I'll try those out for the time being (need to order a B though). I think I read somewhere on here that they may not be the best choice for the Ergo, but I'll see how they do. I've been playing Corelli 370's on my db for a while, which I like much better for pizz, but I like the bowing action more on the Helicores. I think I'm going to carve another bridge like I did last time and get the action up a bit.

Happy holidays to all!
 
#212
Drove to Chatanooga today to personally pick up my four string! I got number 902, burst finish. Jesse was super nice, and he already had the bass set up for me to test out. It looks gorgeous. He even allowed me to bring a puppy (or not-cat as he called it) into his home for the "factory" tour.

Super pleasant experience, and I will definitely buy from him again when I inevitably want another of his basses. (or guitars! He makes custom guitars, sitars, bass guitars, cellos....)

I've been playing for about two hours straight, can't stop.

I just don't understand why anyone would buy a Palatino or Stagg when these are available for a comparable price.
 
#213
I've been waiting on my Ergo since the first week of October and was told I'd have it in early December. It seems that I haven't had nearly as much good luck with Jesse in the communication department as others on here and have had to make a point of sending a message every week or two if I want to be in the loop... No matter :) I'm just hoping that when I eventually get my bass it's well worth it!
 
#215
here's a photo of how Rabbath strings his bass: I wonder if this would work on the Ergo to take up any "slack length" using 42" strings?

40116824.jpg
 
#216
Beautiful. I need to get an 8 soon. My 7 string is serving me so well, I just haven't bothered, but I really should.

Rhythmicons said:
Heres a picture of the evolution of the bass thusfar since theres not a lot of pictures on the net of these instruments and some pictures from the earlier posts in the megathreads were long since moved.



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As you can see, Jesse took the first 5 photos, and I took the rest. It's an 8 string uncorsed with a natural finish with a build time of twelve weeks and three days from the confirmation to delivery....some of that time was waiting to be restocked on the heavier duty stands to properly contain this monster of a bass.

I will be posting some youtube videos in the future demonstrating the tone of the instrument pizz and arco.



Eric
Rhythmicons
Click to expand...
 
#217
Beautiful, yes, but ultimately, it was a huge pita.

Im not trying to flame the man here, nor can i speak to the manner in which he has dealt with his previous and current customers, but while everything was going well during our transaction Jesse was great to deal with. We were both excited about the project, and I felt like he was living up to the stellar reputation that precedes him with these two megathreads.

My bass arrived broken however, and to make a long story short, when I informed him that I decided to request a refund, he became very defensive, hostile, threatening, and accusatory towards me and left me with the impression that there was a possibility that I might never receive a penny and that there was nothing I could do about it.

I was eventually paid, but not in full and not by him. Im am grateful that his business associate was honest.

Again, Im not trying to flame the man, but people who are considering doing business with him should have the benefit of an informed opinion. Jesse has shown himself to me to be a dishonest businessman who put his losses off on me and who was willing to go to great lengths to try to screw me over if I took him to court.

After reading all of the posts on the megathreads, I ordered with great confidence of his integrity but I wish that I would have never bothered at all.

My advice to anyone considering purchasing anything online from a business that consists solely of an “individual” is to do so only if you reside within the same state and can reasonably drive to the county in which they operate to represent yourself in small claims court should you find yourself disenfranchised.

I hold no malice towards Jesse and I do not wish to engage in troll-like behavior, but I chose to publicize my experience so that it does not happen to anyone else in the manner in which it happened to me.
 
#219
Did Jesse send you a broken bass or did UPS break the bass? If - as I am sure is the case it was UPS you have to deal with them - that sucks but that is how life works. No corporation or individual is going give you a full refund for something the shipper breaks. Ever.

I have had nothing but good, quick dealings with him and have had a reliable instrument for YEARS now - I'd have bought an 8 by now if my 7 wasn't so awesome.
If He didn't send you a broken bass I'd suggest taking down that post. You realize most of the money is his labor, right? He spent his time making that bass for you, that is what you paid for.

A full refund isn't really reasonable unless his labor is the issue - and it's not. I'd probably be pissed, too if someone was trying to get money back for my hard work because a shipper broke something. UPS breaks things. They need to pay you.
 
#220
Rhythmicons said:
Again, Im not trying to flame the man, but people who are considering doing business with him should have the benefit of an informed opinion.

I hold no malice towards Jesse and I do not wish to engage in troll-like behavior, but I chose to publicize my experience so that it does not happen to anyone else in the manner in which it happened to me.
Click to expand...

I had a similar situation. My bass finished and shipped to me in July/August of 2009. We had a very hot spell during the days when the bass delivered to me. We are last on the UPS delivery schedule, so the the bass spent a good 6-8 hours in above 100 degree heat. The finish heated up so much that it took on the impressions and textures of the bubble wrap that it was encased in.

I contacted Jesse who, at my request, tried to provide me with a way to buff it out out here in California. When I couldn't get it like I wanted it, he said to just ship it back and he'd take care of it. He did so at no charge and shipped it right back to me where I have it to this day with zero issues.

So there is another informed opinion.

I would tend to agree that if a shipper broke an item, then that it is a shipping issue and not a manufacturer issue unless they failed to insure the package. That cost should have come out of UPS's pocket, not Jesse's.
 

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