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Double Bass Help me Switch to EUB

sidonbass

sidonbass

Supporting Member
May 27, 2006
332
186
Santa Fe, New Mexico
#1
I want to purchase an EUB. I have never played one and I play in a Latin band. Obviously the upright sound will lend itself nicely. The dilema is do I purchase a 34 inch scale like an Azola Gypsy or NS design Bass/cello or go to a full 41 inch scale. Because I dont live near any major stores I will not be able to try one first. I am tempted to get the shorter scale because it will be more familiar. I do play a fretless but it is lined. THANKS for your help...sidonbass
 
#3
My view is that a big part of getting closer to a Double Bass sound is the scale length - this also means you can use "proper" DB strings - which made a big difference to the sound when I switched strings!

So if you are not bothered about getting a DB-like sound, then go for 34" and BG strings - but to get closer to DB sound you really need full scale, proper DB strings!
 
#4
I don't think you'll get a significantly different sound from the short-scale EUBs than you do from your fretless. If you want to stay with short scale, you might try more thumpy strings on your current fretless instead. I used the Rotosound 88s on my Dean Pace. This will give you a vaguely upright sound.

You'll get a more realistic upright sound from the full 41+ length EUBs. On the other hand, you'll have some adjustment in fingering due to the longer scale.

I moved from the Dean to the Eminence to get the better (to me) sound. I don't regret all the time I've put into moving over.
 
#5
sidonbass said:
I would be willing to drive to see and play an Azola Gypsy or NS design Bass/Cello in the Carolinas, Georgia, Tenn area. Anyone have one???
Click to expand...

Check out Atlanta Bass Gallery, they dont have the bass/cello but they do have the CR4 and 5M. http://atlantabassgallery.com/basses.php?cat=0&cond=N

I have been looking for a EUB for a while and I have found that most DB players perfer the sound of the hollow body and 41+ scale. It sounds obvious, but the only thing that can reproduce that DB sound is something as close to a DB as you can get. Even though I haven't yet played one, I am pretty sure that I will be getting the Eminence. Nothing but good reviews and I prefer the look.
 
#7
OH, one more thing - re: the fact that you play latin music. I also have in my possession a BabyEGO - it's a solid body AlterEGO bass with the same electronics as the Acoustic instruments. The one I have is a 5-string with Velvet strings on it but I think with some Spirocore strings or something with a bit more umph to them, this instrument could be unbelievable for latin music. The possibility exists for the thing to sound very much like the baby bass, but also it can sound very much like a double bass (somewhere between a fretless and a double bass, in this case). Since the body design is so similar to the acoustic instruments, it still feels pretty fantastic to play. Just a thought.
I hope to get a review posted one of these days, but it may take some time...
Thanks again,
Rick
 
#8
If you want an acoustic upright sound then go for a hollow body with long strings. I have a fretted solid bg, a fretless solid bg and an acoustic bg with flatwound black Rotosound strings. The acoustic sounds the most like my double bass but you can tell the strings are short. They don't have the sustain of longer strings.

I'm now building an EUB 'cos I don't like packing and travelling with my DB. The EUB has a hollow body and 41" DB strings. It already sounds closer to the DB than anyhing else I've ever tried, and it hasn't even got the back on yet :) .
 
#10
Bruce Lindfield said:
My view is that a big part of getting closer to a Double Bass sound is the scale length - this also means you can use "proper" DB strings - which made a big difference to the sound when I switched strings!

So if you are not bothered about getting a DB-like sound, then go for 34" and BG strings - but to get closer to DB sound you really need full scale, proper DB strings!
Click to expand...

I went from a double bass to an electic acoustic guitar and had no trouble with the transition. I think you will have no problem going the other way and it will give you the sound you are after.
 

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