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Double Bass eub - playability comparision

J

jadkam

Oct 13, 2012
4
0
Chicago
garagebandu.com
#1
I have a Juzek upright that is extremely comfortable to play. I bought a Palatino & the neck is like a log. Does anyone know which eub's have either really slim/comfortable necks and/or thick uncomfortable necks? I know someone who is selling an Ergo, I haven't tried it out, it's a bit of drive to his location. Do they have easy playing necks?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.
 
#3
I saw something interesting at the Copenhagen Bass2012.
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These are called "semiacoustic". Very light, and have more of the feel of a real bass than any EUB's I've played before. Would be a great practice bass for apartment dwellers too. Very expensive, though.
 
#4
in chronological order:

BSX original
Eminence (not removable neck)
Azola Bug
NS-CR4
Ergo 4

Stay away from the cheapies - I've tried those too - unplayable (although the lower priced NS-NX?? might be okay)

closest thing to a real feel was the Eminence - there are tons of them on the 'Bay' all the time but they are overpriced and I didn't keep mine long, if that says anything.

I think the best value and quality is the NS - doesn't feel exactly like the real thing but then again, it's not. The fingerboard is right though and that's important for bringing over your DB chops - and, not spoiling them when you go back to DB.

the Ergo is a slightly different animal, good value and more towards a Kay type feel.

the downside of almost all of them is that they sound like a BIG fretless EB - I only have piezos on my NS and that seems to add a little air. Any mag pup and you're back to fretless. Good luck!
 
#6
I recently picked up a Yamaha SVB-100 and it feels just like playing my german bass. The neck is not like a log but neither is it thin like my Kay. It is a great instrument for practice. I'm not in love with the sound but I didn't buy it for that. I've played a few other EUBs and the yamaha feels the most like an acoustic bass to me. It has an identical string length (41.5") to both of my basses. This one has the solid mahogany body so it even weighs the same as my uprights.
 
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#9
I have owned several and the Eminence is the only one that feels like (and actually, is--it is hollow, with a soundpost), a real acoustic instrument. To me, if sometimes feels kinda like a skinny cello that plays bass notes, if that makes any sense. To answer the OP's original question though, the neck plays very nicely--MUCH more easily and more like the real thing than the Palatino (which I also own).
 
#10
I know everyone is cost conscious these days but these low-end EUBs are aweful for the most part

the lower end NS is probably the best value - at least the dimensions will be fairly familiar
 
#13
The Yamaha's have a pretty thick neck when compared to all the others mentioned. I've owned the Ergo and now have an Eminence Fixed Neck and tried the others and quite frankly nothing comes close to the Eminence for feel and the sound is as close as you will get to a regular upright if you have the right setup and equipment.

I use the eminence for recording as well and it works great, mic the f holes and line out and you get the best of both worlds in the studio....

Looking for a removable neck Eminence now as we are traveling quite a bit and they have a new travel case for the RN model that works far better on planes.
 
#14
I play the Ergo EUB, its neck reminds me of my old 1960s Framus double bass... it also reminds me of an old Kay we had at school. I never played any other double basses, so sorry if my experience is limited. I currently play the Ergo both pizzicato and arco, and I find the tone and playability to be absolutely wonderful. Bought the Ergo EUB for $700 brand new.
 

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