Double Bass Ergo megathread part II

[Mark Gollihur]

OK, apparently I'm not great at reading packaging, LOL. My set is actually the NL350A for EADG, for a 100 cm scale, then a 376M for the B string. I checked my order with Gollihur, it was indeed for the 370M set (sorry, mistyped that as 350M earlier, just to make it more confusing...) and the site notes he will automatically substitute the 370F for the low B. Not to ask @Mark Gollihur for customer support in a public forum, but I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt that it was a deliberate substitution based on what you know about the dimensions of Ergos?

I'm a little confused with the above, but as I recall, when we figured it all out, we decided that the 350A set (for 1/2 size bass) was the string length that would work. However, since there is no 1/2 size low B string, we pulled the 370F (3/4 size, Forte gauge) B string and added it to the set to give you a low B, knowing going in that you'd have to "peel back" some of the silk. There's only a 370F version of the Low B string (it's used to make the 5-string set for the 370M and 370TX as needed, since those gauges don't have a dedicated low B) so that's the one you got. Does that clear it up? Let me know if you need further clarification.

 

[KPopOnBass]

Does that clear it up? Let me know if you need further clarification.

It's all good @Mark Gollihur and I think your recall of how it went down is correct. I caused the confusion myself by looking at my actual order which still says 370Ms. I was not surprised at the 370F for the low B, and the 350A set does fit great for EADG. I'm not experienced enough with "real" uprights to know how the tension compares, but they've got more tension than the original set on my Ergo, that's all I know. Probably better for arco!

The silk, at the ball/bridge/tailpiece end of the 370F low B string, fit just fine on my Ergo, no peeling was necessary. It was only the tuner end where it's very thick compared to what the electric bass tuners were designed for. Perhaps a bit of a design flaw in the extended-range Ergos.

 

[tiz_1]

Kentclark....

you had basically my experience. Although I actually received the 370m 1/2 scale set and mark stated the low b would be a 3/4 scale string. So I knew that, but thought I could trim/unwind the b which I could not.

sorry for any confusion but my daddario $9 low b fit just about perfect, but normal cost seems to be about $45 on amazon. I don’t know why it was $9 for me.

the strings are stiffer and deader than what was on there (likely original). They sound fine but different. More acoustic to me.

If I could find one I would buy a used cr5m or possibly a nxta-5 upright. Don’t want an Omni. But I am happy to use the ergo until I find one.

—Kevin

 

[eli]

I think after hearing these two experiences, if I ever need a new set of these strings, I will likely buy the D'Addario NS Orchestra (41-1/2") set. My Ergo is a 6, and I've already changed the high C, used a D'Addario (blue tail silk w/gold spiral).

 

[tiz_1]

FYI I managed to find a reasonably priced CR5m NS designs EUB so my ergo is for sale. Listing is in upright bass classifieds here on TB.

 

[gtlover]

My Ergo arrived today!

According to the seller, it’s a 2005. Haven’t been able to do much with it as the cymbal mount into the back arrived in 2 pieces; looks like the casting cracked and finally gave up. I figured I’d do a tom mount anyway.
The one @KentClarkOnBass has is a Pearl BT3 but I’ll see what the local shops have.
Pizz tone isn’t bad running straight into my PF500 but I’ll try running through a preamp as well. Arco is a no-go without the stand but that doesn’t matter since my bow needs to be re-haired.

 

[eli]

The piezos definitely seemed to be better on the older ones. Looks good, and good luck with the stand. And welcome to the club!

 

[KPopOnBass]

The one @KentClarkOnBass has is a Pearl BT3 but I’ll see what the local shops have.

All right! Enjoy the Ergo. I think I posted complete details on my tom mount earlier in the thread, but let me know if I can help with anything.

 

[gscroggin]

My Ergo arrived today!
View attachment 4063041
According to the seller, it’s a 2005. Haven’t been able to do much with it as the cymbal mount into the back arrived in 2 pieces; looks like the casting cracked and finally gave up. I figured I’d do a tom mount anyway.
The one @KentClarkOnBass has is a Pearl BT3 but I’ll see what the local shops have.
Pizz tone isn’t bad running straight into my PF500 but I’ll try running through a preamp as well. Arco is a no-go without the stand but that doesn’t matter since my bow needs to be re-haired.

Congrats! Having had Ergo's with Pearl, Tama, and PDP stands and mounts, I feel they're all even for this purpose (and of course much better than the stock one of years ago). I mention this as there's likely a price difference. Re: the PF500 I don't know the input impedance but I've had great luck with the Fishman B-II in front of everything. It has a 10 MOhm input impedance and is relatively cheap.

 

[gtlover]

Re: the PF500 I don't know the input impedance but I've had great luck with the Fishman B-II in front of everything. It has a 10 MOhm input impedance and is relatively cheap.

The PF has 1 MOhm and “tolerates” piezos. MXR M80 is 2.2MOhm and even that makes a difference. I may get a Fishman pre as well, not only for the Ergo but also my ABG.

 

[gtlover]

1. Got the stand pretty well dialed in.

It’s the Tama BT3 tom mount, sitting on a cheap arm from some .com music store, with a Tama quick clamp I found on Reverb, all hooked up to the PDP cymbal stand the Ergo came with.

2. Santa got my bow re-haired. When I was doing some scale exercises tonight I caught a faint whiff of what I can only describe as an orchestral smell. That mix of wood, glue, varnish, rosin and old sheet music - took me back to high school instantly. Not quite as strong a smell as a real URB but enough to trigger the memory.

 

[eli]

Nice. Looks like it's possible to tilt the head of the bass to the side as well as to the back (like back in high school orchestra). Do you do that?

 

[gtlover]

Nice. Looks like it's possible to tilt the head of the bass to the side as well as to the back (like back in high school orchestra). Do you do that?

Yep, I’ve been experimenting with finding the right angle. Not quite the same as sawing away on the ol doghouse but better than other EUBs I’ve tried.

 

[M baggs]

Has anyone tried using Hipshot Ultralites on an ergo? Would they fit right in like they do on the NS basses, or would they require reaming?

 

[J Posega]

I know this thread has calmed down in recent years with Jesse having retired from building Ergo basses and other manufacturers bringing affordable EUBs to market.

But, after wanting an Ergo for the past 18 years or so (since I started playing bass in high school and the local college where I was in a jazz ensemble had an Ergo), I finally bought one.

I'll be rereading the megathread for tips and tricks. The seller pointed out that his stand has a MacGyvered repair, so the tom adapter mod will be in order, and I'll definitely need a preamp to get the best sound out of my pedalboard and Fender Rumble.

 

[Francois Blais]

Curious to read your further comments!
Subscribed.

 

[gscroggin]

I know this thread has calmed down in recent years with Jesse having retired from building Ergo basses and other manufacturers bringing affordable EUBs to market.

But, after wanting an Ergo for the past 18 years or so (since I started playing bass in high school and the local college where I was in a jazz ensemble had an Ergo), I finally bought one.

I'll be rereading the megathread for tips and tricks. The seller pointed out that his stand has a MacGyvered repair, so the tom adapter mod will be in order, and I'll definitely need a preamp to get the best sound out of my pedalboard and Fender Rumble.

Good luck! There's lots of good ideas in this giant thread, but let us know if you're not able to find them. I've done a few write ups (I think in this thread) on Ergo mods.

 

[J Posega]

Good luck! There's lots of good ideas in this giant thread, but let us know if you're not able to find them. I've done a few write ups (I think in this thread) on Ergo mods.

Thanks! Reading back, I've read posts from myself over the last decade from times when I nearly bought an Ergo. I'm glad to have finally done it.

Once the bass arrives, I'll be able to better plan my order of operations, but current thinking is:

1. Tom mount mod and a new stand,
2. Preamp: possibly a Zoom A1 Four since it's designed specifically to handle mic'd or piezo acoustic instruments, is affordable, can be powered from an outlet, and can provide some effects while not marrying me to my entire EB pedalboard,
3. Possibly strings. Not sure if it will need new strings, but I'm fully prepared to mount an old bridge plate to the back so I can use longer strings that wouldn't normally fit without cutting/gluing/soldering or tying knots. Does anyone care to remark as to what strings are around today that fit an Ergo 4 with zero mods?
4. Maybe get a bow. Why have a bass that can be played arco and not at least try, right?

Unrelated to the function of the instrument itself is to collect up some good learning materials as well.

 

[Francois Blais]

3. Possibly strings. Not sure if it will need new strings, but I'm fully prepared to mount an old bridge plate to the back so I can use longer strings that wouldn't normally fit without cutting/gluing/soldering or tying knots. Does anyone care to remark as to what strings are around today that fit an Ergo 4 with zero mods?

The instrument was originally fitted with Super-Sensitive Red Label strings that were cut, but maybe only the E string, I'm not sure.
You'd to tell use the lenghts of the instrument.
This one has the strings through the instrument:
Link Removed

The lenght to the bridge seems standard:
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The scale of that instrument is about standard at 41.5 inches.
At the headstock, we see:
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Apparently, the E and A were cut and tied to thinner string lenghts.
My guess is that D'Addario Helicore strings in regular lenght (3/4) would probably fit as is.

 

[KPopOnBass]

On mine (a 5-string but similar to Francois's in the previous comment) only the original B string from Jesse had the tuner end stripped down like that to just the inner core, with a dab of solder to keep the rest of the outer winding from unraveling. See pic below.

FWIW after having the original strings for many years, I tried upgrading to fancier ones (Corelli Tungsten 350A, 100 cm vibrating length) and I didn't like them! I went back to the original Red Labels. The Corellis were fabulous strings and I was able to re-sell them after just a couple hours of play, but I just couldn't get used to the stiffness. YMMV.