Double Bass Ergo megathread part II

[okcrum]

Similar, yes, but you probably know that no EUB will be the same as a DB. My Ergo neck profile below roughly thumb position is rather elliptical (think of an ellipse cut in half through the narrow part). If your fingering hand thumb is centered on the neck, no problem. There's a tendency to slip off or play with more of a hooked thumb a la some bass guitar players if you're not careful. Above thumb position the neck is rectangular.

Many of us use standard DB strings on our Ergos. With the E string and below, you may have to modify the string or tuner to get it to accept the larger string. Various techniques are described around this megathread. The stock Ergo tuners are standard small bass guitar tuners.

You could add an endpin stand, though it seems you'd also want to add a side arm for stability, like the Framus/Warwick and some other EUBs. I've found that if I orient the standard tripod cymbal stand so the Ergo will lean toward me at about the same angle as a regular DB, I'm happy.

The best (and most expensive) case option is a Calzone or Anvil type road case with separate padded compartments for the neck and stand. At the moment, I wrap the neck in a moving blanket with bungie cords. I carry the stand separately. I've been looking at the longer multiple fishing rod cases that others have used to carry the wrapped neck.

A dirt cheap, minimal option is a speaker stand bag. It won't give much in the way of protection unless padding is added.

My Ergo is about 54" long. Minimum inside case length would be about 60" to allow for padding.

Others here can no doubt add to what I know.

 

[Sleedo]

Just checked my tracking # and my new(used) Ergo is OUT FOR DELIVERY!!!! Woo freaking Hoo! I haven't been this excited to receive a new bass in a long time. Hoping the transition to Upright playing will spark a new passion and get me out of the doldrums I'm currently experiencing on the EB side. Haven't played Upright since grade school and that was a long time ago so I plan to take it slow and enjoy the journey.

Psyched

 

[derg]

I use the fishing rod case for mine... I first wrap it in a flannel sheet. More than enough protection for my needs.

 

[Altitude]

The best (and most expensive) case option is a Calzone or Anvil type road case with separate padded compartments for the neck and stand. At the moment, I wrap the neck in a moving blanket with bungie cords. I carry the stand separately. I've been looking at the longer multiple fishing rod cases that others have used to carry the wrapped neck.

A dirt cheap, minimal option is a speaker stand bag. It won't give much in the way of protection unless padding is added.

When I just need to throw my Ergo in the car, I use a soft case for a longbow, which you could get cheap on Amazon. That doesn't hold the stand, however; it has to ride separately. No big deal.

When I need to check it for a travel gig, I have a SporTube hard case for skis. The Ergo, in its longbow case, along with the cymbal stand and a bow wrapped in a towel, fit very snugly in there; works wonderfully.

 

[noetical1]

I use a Neet recurve bow case for the Ergo 4-stringer. It's a real nice soft "gig bag" made of canvas and with foam padding inside.
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[Sleedo]

Thanks for the link! this is the best price I've seen, just placed my order.

 

[lakefx]

That bow case is what my Ergo came with. I put the stand in a rolling SKB golf case along with speaker and mic stands. It weighs about 80lbs, but rolls into the gig all at once.

 

[noetical1]

I am looking for a good set of "hybrid" style strings for the Ergo 4-string. I currently play about 75% pizzicato, 25% arco. I prefer a medium to heavy string. Any recommendations on strings that fit and sound good would be appreciated.

 

[jmcgliss]

This is my first post since buying an Ergo5 from Jesse in 2014. I have parts to install for the stand mod, and am considering a string upgrade. Thanks to everyone who has posted photos and recommendations.

Amps I've tried include Eden heads into a DNA DNS112N for stage use, Eden WTDI to PA, and a Fender Rumble 100 for rehearsal and ambient monitoring at a large church where we use IEM's on Sunday. I'm into one-trip load-ins these days.

Recently I added a Zoom B1on for its mute-to-tune feature, and to boost the signal into the Fender Rumble. But, I had to connect the Zoom B1on to the Effects send and return because the Ergo output was too weak to drive the tuner. One thing with the Zoom pedal is to ignore the preset effects. I created new clean patches for each of the class Amp-Cabinet emulation choices (Fliptop, Polytone, Aguilar, SWR, Bassman, acoustic, Eden, SVT, etc.). This gives me enough voicing options and editable parameters to shape the EQ (reduce treble, engage a "shape" mode or "ultra low" switch). There is minimal hiss if you dial back the treble in each patch and avoid the high-gain/high-distortion presets. Having the Amp-Cab choices will be handy if I start doubling on the Ergo and electric bass.

The first public appearance with the Ergo5 was a huge success. Fellow musicians and members of the congregation went nuts over the sound, and the visual impact of the Ergo being played - I was getting into it also!). The best part was adding a Columbian percussionist in place of our drummer. You can imagine how much fun I was having compared to using a bass guitar that day. We played a 40-minute set, twice (two services) and I felt no fatigue compared to wearing a 10 pound Lakland 5-er on my shoulder all day.

 

[Altitude]

^ the conversation these basses create is astounding. I can carry a $4500 boutique electric bass into gigs for a year - maybe one or two people will say anything, invariably bass players. This Ergo, as soon as I pull it out of the bag, everyone wants to know about it.

I don't do gigs to talk with people about gear (OK, maybe a little), but people really like these Ergo basses. And they do sound great.

 

[jmcgliss]

^^^ No kidding! People were coming up on stage to ask about it. The pastors were also fired up by how the percussionist and the upright created such an organic vibe that people responded to. Usually they want to downplay the music versus the message.

 

[Sleedo]

I use a Neet recurve bow case for the Ergo 4-stringer. It's a real nice soft "gig bag" made of canvas and with foam padding inside.
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Thanks for the link! this is the best price I've seen, just placed my order.

Just an update on my experience with the case above; I've found the case convenient and protective enough for casual travel. However, I recently left my Ergo in the bag for a little over a week in my home and when I removed it I found that the finish had stuck/fused to the inside. It wasn't too bad, just a 6-8 inch stretch on the treble side down near the bridge picked up some texture from the fabric. Next time I won't leave it in the bag after a return home. As always, YMMV but I figured I would give a heads up to the group.

EB

 

[derg]

Just an update on my experience with the case above; I've found the case convenient and protective enough for casual travel. However, I recently left my Ergo in the bag for a little over a week in my home and when I removed it I found that the finish had stuck/fused to the inside. It wasn't too bad, just a 6-8 inch stretch on the treble side down near the bridge picked up some texture from the fabric. Next time I won't leave it in the bag after a return home. As always, YMMV but I figured I would give a heads up to the group.

EB

Perhaps wrapping it in a soft sheet before putting it in the bag would keep that from happening.

 

[okcrum]

Thanks. I was getting ready to make a recording, and finally thought to try shimming one string at the nut to check. Voila - so I just have to raise the nut a bit.

In fact, it turned out the the whole nut was cut low. Drilling out (no hide glue here) the old nut and making a new ebony one was the answer.

 

[jmcgliss]

+1 to the Neet bow case, with a nylon bed sheet to wrap the bass in. Band mates did get a chuckle that I used Jesse's cardboard box as a case for a few weeks - with some of his funny comments written on the outside.

I also upgraded to the Pacific CS800 stand which is much more stout than the CS700.

 

[J Posega]

Just messaged Jesse on Facebook in regards to the prototype he just posted; it's got a bridge held in place with studs, similar to a hollow body guitar, and thumbwheel adjustable. Depending on the price, I might pick it up.

 

[J Posega]

Just messaged Jesse on Facebook in regards to the prototype he just posted; it's got a bridge held in place with studs, similar to a hollow body guitar, and thumbwheel adjustable. Depending on the price, I might pick it up.

Figured I should update. Jesse was super nice, and the bass seems really cool, if you're into the color of Army green. It's not really my thing, plus going into my final year of university, I know I won't have the time to dedicate to learning good upright technique like I want to, so I'm gonna hold off on picking up an Ergo unless an incredible deal on a used one comes my way.

EDIT: Also saw on his FB that he would retrofit all current Ergo's with the bridge system for $20 to cover parts and labor, but owners would have to get the bass to and from him on their dime.

 

[thmsjordan]

I just picked up one of these at a Music Go Round in Columbus Ohio for $400 used just after the holidays. It is a Six string. Sounds crazy but has anyone ever converted one of these to a four/five string? Would that even work with the figerboard profile? I like the six but I don't need that kind of extended range, a four or five might be better for me. I suppose I could adjust.

 

[J Posega]

I just picked up one of these at a Music Go Round in Columbus Ohio for $400 used just after the holidays. It is a Six string. Sounds crazy but has anyone ever converted one of these to a four/five string? Would that even work with the figerboard profile? I like the six but I don't need that kind of extended range, a four or five might be better for me. I suppose I could adjust.

You could take the extra strings off, but you might have better luck trying to trade it for a 4 string.

 

[gscroggin]

I just picked up one of these at a Music Go Round in Columbus Ohio for $400 used just after the holidays. It is a Six string. Sounds crazy but has anyone ever converted one of these to a four/five string? Would that even work with the figerboard profile? I like the six but I don't need that kind of extended range, a four or five might be better for me. I suppose I could adjust.

If you are handy with wood working then yes, you most likely can. I previously carved a few new bridges and a new nut for an Ergo. The bridge is pretty straightforward on most models, the nut varies. You'll of course be left with more string through body and tuning peg holes than you need, but not a big deal (you could always fill them). Like TheEmptyCell mentioned, if you like the general feel of the Ergo, it will probably be easy to offload it here on TB for a 4/5 string.