Double Bass Ergo megathread part II

[kozmikyak]

Has anyone tried using a strap system like the one offered by NS? Or an endpin setup?

Yes. My Ergo cello was built with a socket for the NS Design shoulder strap system. All you have to do is have him epoxy a 5/16 threaded brass insert into the instrument, and any of the NS Design mounts will work with it. You'll have to decide how high up the instrument to put it, and depending on which peripheral you want to use you might need some neoprene washers.

 

[Kragnorak]

I felt I should post because Jesse built a gorgeous 7-string bass for me. As others have said, his communication and ideas speak of a wonderful person, let alone builder.

My goal tone to get is a Tony Levinesque singing warmth, as on early-90s King Crimson. And this does pretty well, although I will be getting preamps soon as I want to be able to tweak more.

I do have some issues which are keeping me from using the instrument more:
1) I'm currently not in a band experimental enough that I can do my multi-instrumentalist schtick which is nobody's fault but my own.
2) I move when playing music. A lot. So I have the usual issues with the stand when I apply vibrato and am too chicken to try to fix it yet. The part I don't understand is that if I make the teeth on the two round parts mesh, the instrument is either 100% vertical or horizontal. When I try to set it at a comfortable angle, the teeth don't mesh perfectly. I've actually had the instrument start to swing towards the floor a couple of times, which is terrifying! Any tips on that?
3) I'm not sure I have the strings tuned as intended. I tried tuning from F# on up, but they were too floppy. So right now I have the instrument tuned like a giant 7-string guitar, one octave lower. Musically I enjoy this because I can practice bowing these giant flamenco arpeggios. But the fact is that I can't tune the two thinnest strings much higher as they are very taut! (The bottom 5 strings feel fine in this tuning) For those people that use C and F strings above the G, what kind of strings do you use and what gauge?

I did ask Jesse some time ago about the thinner strings and I think they are some sort of extended scale cello strings but even he was fuzzy on the details and possibilities, which is why I came here.

 

[kozmikyak]

If you need custom flatwound strings, it's always worth talking to the folks at octave4plus. They manufactured a low F and Bb string for my E-cello.

It'll cost you, but it's not entirely out of reach for the average person. I think about $25/string for 1-3 research iterations (you mail the strings back after trying them) then expect to pay the kinds of prices you would for upright bass strings (around the $50 range per string).

Mine work well bowed, they're not just for plucked use.

 

[flyingmarcel]

Hi All,

Just wanted to post a quick message regarding my new Ergo. This is my second Ergo Bass, the first was a 4 string bass purchased around 2008 (sold about a year later). This time around, I opted for a 6 string instrument - thought I'd branch out a little. My main instrument is acoustic double bass and when I needed an option for an electric instrument (for both home practice limitations and travel) that would closely match the feel of my main bass, I thought immediately of ordering another Ergo..

The main point of my post is that for anyone considering putting in an order for an Ergo, I really can't say enough good things about the craftsmanship put into these instruments. What became immediately apparent to me was the huge jump in quality between my earlier instrument and this one - Jesse is really turning out great quality instruments these days! I think when considering the quality to cost of these instruments, they simply cannot be beat! From the time of order submission to receipt was just over 2 months and Jesse was great through the entire process - I would absolutely recommend him to anyone looking for an electric upright bass option.

Not sure if I made the right choice with the extra strings yet (its only been about a week, but after 2 decades of playing strictly 4 string instruments, this thing feels pretty alien!), but that's a whole other story....

cheers,

fm

 

[kozmikyak]

When the proprietor officially sends me the "bill" with the exact amount, I'll be ordering a second "identical" 7-string electric cello. "Identical" is in quotes because, as these are handmade, it won't be exactly the same. But the root measurements (scale length, number of strings, bridge width, position of NS-Design shoulder mount socket) should be functionally similar.

Looking forward to finally having a backup instrument after all these years.

 

[kozmikyak]

Have to make some measurements to make sure this one is similar to the previous one.

 

[DeanT]

I ordered a four-string from Jesse about two weeks ago. He had a couple of "bodies" ready to go and was just waiting for someone to buy them. I ordered one in trans black. Jesse has been keeping me updated on its progress with emails and photos along the way. It should be done in a week or so, he says. I'm looking forward to it.

By the way, I found a bag for it that I think will be perfect. It's a Gator large speaker stand case that is divided into two sections. One side is perfect for the Ergo and the other will fit the stand. I ordered one but it's a special order and I'm waiting for it to be shipped.

It's cheap too, about $30. Hopefully it'll be a perfect fit. From the specs it looks like it will be.

 

[OGSoundGuy]

I just received my 4 string sunburst from Jesse this week and its awesome. The wait (9 weeks or so) was so worth it. And Jesse was great to work with all along the way. I'm glad it came after my wife's birthday and our anniversary, or else she may have been feeling a bit ditched!

 

[DeanT]

Went to check the mail this morning and sitting there at the front door was my Ergo - Blackie (Jesse actually called it that). It's Trans Black but looks more brown to me. I actually like the color better than the black. This bass is amazing. It's comfortable to play and sounds awesome. Jesse is a true artist.

It's been just short of 4 weeks since I ordered the Ergo. Jesse had some "bodies" made and ready to be put together, apparently I ordered mine at a good time because the wait wasn't too long.

In a previous thread I mentioned a Gator speaker stand bag I bought that should be perfect. If it ever comes in stock I'll know for sure.

Here are two crappy cell phone snaps of Blackie.

UPDATE: Blackie developed a buzz on the A string at the third fret. Jesse says it probably has to settle down from shipping. I'm thinking it needs the bridge raised a bit. Anyone know how to do this? Jesse says use ice cream stick because they're Spruce. Might work, but I don't have any ice cream around.

 

[whbjr]

UPDATE: Blackie developed a buzz on the A string at the third fret. Jesse says it probably has to settle down from shipping. I'm thinking it needs the bridge raised a bit. Anyone know how to do this? Jesse says use ice cream stick because they're Spruce. Might work, but I don't have any ice cream around.

Well, I'm inclined to not help you, because you got the trans-black that I'd hoped to get! (More on that in a week or so...) But just to show you how nice I am - any craft store will have popsicle sticks. Hobby Lobby (yuk) or Michael's are popular around here.

 

[DeanT]

Sorry for stealing your trans black Ergo. But I'm sure Jesse will make you one that is spectacular. The wait will be worth it.

 

[DeanT]

Just to update anyone who cares–and to rub it in for Win a little more – I've isolated my A string problem. The nut was cut a bit too deep, so the A string sits on the fingerboard. Raising the bridge probably won't help much. I contacted Jesse and he suggested using Super Glue in the nut slot. So I'm going to attempt not to screw it up this afternoon. It won't take much to raise the string, so I don't think even I can screw it up.

Wish me luck!

 

[whbjr]

DeanT - Yay! I can stop being jealous, because my Ergo arrived (after several wordy emails from Jesse), and I've now used it in two gigs, where it was much loved by the crowd, the band, and most especially by ME! Count me in as a happy customer, and looking forward to many more gigs with a well-crafted instrument.

 

[DeanT]

Congrats! Play the heck out of her. It is more fun than it should be. Great instruments. Jesse is a pleasure to deal with. Ergos are well worth the price you have to pay for them.

 

[youlovetravis]

Hey-o Folks!

So I have an Ergo five-string and I'm running into a problem with string tension. Maybe you've already covered this in the mega-thread, but I was thinking about using 1/2 scale bass strings instead of 3/4 to accommodate for the lost string length from not having a tail piece or peg box. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Also, does anyone know when I can find a five-string set of 1/2 scale strings without getting customs from thomastic? Thanks everyone!!

 

[CTForde]

so - i am playing a cello that i've converted to basically a shortscale (i.e. circa 28 inches = cello scale) upright bass.
does anyone have an ergo cello with strings below the cello's C?
how doe they feel/ sound?
thinking about a 5-string cello from Jesse w/ bass tuning and a high C string on top...

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Since it makes no sense to put a low B on an acoustic 1/2 size bass (it even sounds less good on most 3/4 than on a 4/4), I doubt there is a 1/2 size low B string.

But you should ask Jesse how to get strings for his instruments. Maybe he knows it better.

 

[kozmikyak]

Yes. I had a 28" scale Ergo cello built, 7 strings. It has low F and B-flat strings. I had them custom manufactured by octave4plus. You could try ordering some of those from them, as they list them on their website. How well they work would depend greatly on how the tuners and bridge are positioned. You could always have them customize a set for your instrument's spacing using mine as a starting point. It will cost you (a fair but moderate amount) and they're slow due to the bulk of orders they handle for companies that have higher volume of business with them.

 

[CTForde]

i am actually good on strings.
i use a cello C string as my D, a cello G as my highest string - G.
for EADG - the two lowest strings are 3/4 Thomastic Bass strings that obviously have way lower string tension on the 28 scale - but feel and sound great on my cello.

for a five string EADGC i would use a cello D as my highest C string.

i was just curious how the lower strings sound on an ergo 28 scale and am encouraged hearing about the Bb! : )
do you have any recordings of the instrument?

 

[vondran]

I would be interested in peoples experiences with using either of these cases or others with an Ergo. Also, do you need to remove the stand bass from the Ergo to put it in the case, or are you able to leave it on and just fold it up?

This works great for my 4-string (with a little padding), and I would think it would work for a 5-string... you might need to cut out part of the neck-rest bit:

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note: I put a small weight at the foot of the case because the Stagg bass is longer than the Ergo, and the case tended to tip forward when I carried it.

I used one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Jumbo-A...9&sr=8-1&keywords=Plano+Guide+Series+Airliner