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Double Bass How to make Sendel Travel EUB sound like Ampeg?

N

newto914s

Sep 15, 2012
12
0
#1
Hi guys, new to the form, but I've been reading up on some of the Mega threads. I can't find any specifics on the Sendels.
Title says it all. I'm only into playing Salsa, and was planning on getting an Ampeg BB-5 but I found a great deal on a Sendel Mini travel bass and got it thinking it would sound like an Ampeg.
It doesn't :( it's a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, but sounds like a fretless BG.
What can I do to get that classic sound out of this haus?
 
#3
How about some simple adjustments like left hand hand muting, high action and turning down the treble on your eq. A more expensive option might be investing in some some strings that have a more fundamental oriented tone.
 
#5
I'm fine spending a little money to get that sound. I'm working my way through the Mega thread, but 41 pages and very few posts with hard info, it's quite time consuming.
What I've found so far How to set up the Ampeg pickup properly for the man Steve Azola.
Only problem is, I'm not sure this has the same type of pickup.
Second, try making a new pickup, but I'm not sure this will give me that classic sound.
Third, get new strings. I see Thomastik and D'Addario Helicore recommended a lot, but which would be best. Again, I'm only looking for the Salsa Thump.
Thanks for your help guys.
 
#7
eub_player said:
May I ask again if you have some DB technique?
Plucking the strings the same way as a BG won't help to get that thumpy tone.
Click to expand...

Have to agree wth EUB player on this.... if you use a right hand DB technique, and then mute a little with the left, you can get close to a DB sound.... Have to remember that a lot of the sounds that come out of an amp or instrument are made with our fingers, hands and different pressures we use on the strings....
 
#8
Heres an idea i saw a while back...its a string mute well ..hair clasp actually...

6368680677_1f3367eac3_b.jpg


6368679389_7e275e2a9d_b.jpg


And the Azola Mamba mute ...

attachment.jpg
 
#9
Put simple no! I have no DB technique. I also consequently have no BG technique ether. I did take a string methods class in college a decade ago, but don't remember any of that.
I'm a horn player mostly. I've been learning the instrument by ear. I transcribe and play along with recordings. I practice on a 3/4 DB and feel I can get a decent sound out of that and figured the Sendel would be easier.
I'll try making that mute. The strings do ring forever on the Sendel. I'll also try to get some detailed pictures so you know what I'm working with.
Thanks guys

Also, I broke the G string. So I am in the market for string(s) what would be the best option
 
#11
Spirocore solo gauge seems to be the string of choice. That is what I have on my Ampeg. Strings will make a huge difference. If you post pics, we may be able to determine what is on there now.

I have found that using a preamp with the Colombian basses works well. Does it have a wooden or metal bridge? A metal bridge with a rubber topper can help reduce the sustain.

I have a Sendel for sale in the classifieds with, what I believe, is an original Ampeg pickup. It sounds very close to my Ampeg.
 
#12
All depends on what you consider the "classic baby bass sound". I have a '64 Ampeg Baby Bass that doesn't really sound like what I hear on recordings or youtube videos of other peoples BB's. It sounds thin, weak, and twangy - even with the tone knob down and the pickup adjusted per the Ampeg manual. My solution was to install a magnetic Schaller pickup off the fingerboard and add some foam muting between the strings and the metal guard that goes over the bridge. Now it thumps like I expected it to.

babybassparts035.jpg
 
#13
Wooden Bridge, Thanks for the advice NickyBass. Your band sounds good, do you have any more links I could check out? Your sound on those recordings is exactly what I'm looking for.
I saw your white Sendel in the classifieds, if I had spent more time on these forms before I bought mine, I probably would have been very interested. The pickup on your looks very similar to mine. I'm sure mine has the same strings as your Sendel, they look alike, what ever they are.
I'll keep an eye out for some Spirocore solo, what would be similar in the D'Addario, cause they are more in my budget?
I really think strings are going to make a huge difference.

Stiles72 that stinks you didn't get that thump out of yours. You even have the B-15 amp. I've heard that's the $hit. I'd love to find a deal on one of those.
I'm going to try building a Fishman style pickup as per the Link above and the mute trick before spending on a new pickup, but good to know it helped.
 
#14
Im mot sure about the DAdarrio strings, but Thomastik SuperFlexibles are nice too. Invalid Link Removed

You can also find used sets in the classifieds. They might have dents because your bridge placement might be different though.

Which amp are you using? Cab? I am using a Hartke VX215 that i love. Its discontinued, but they show up on ebay for around $200. I found that the Colombian basses like more power, or a preamp, since their output is lower.

Thanks for the kind words. I will dig up some youtube clips when im at home.
 
#15
The Thomastik Spirocore and Superflexible have a rather long sustain (the Superflexible probably a bit less but still too much for your taste, I assume).
You might want to try some strings for the classical (arco) player, since these are more damped and with less sustain.

Or you use these nice hair clip dampers, you can also use a less wide hair clip if the wide one damps too much. That way you can have two different sounds on your bass with the same set of strings.
 
#16
Hmm, orchestra strings might help in this particular situation. On the right bass, I think Spirocore solos have that classic salsa tone, but, yes they have more sustain. On my Ampeg, sustain isnt an issue, and the Spiros work perfectly.

Check out the strings forum here. Most view auditioning strings to be an expensive expieience. ;)
 
#17
Oh, did you try adjusting the pickup height? You can use the two screws next to the pickup to raise and lower the pickup. One way is to plug in, and raise the pickup until the sound stops...then lower it just a bit. Just make sure that the pickup doesnt start raising the bridge. Then adjust from there.
 
#20
Oh, I forgot to mention something. You have to turn the tone knob all the way down. You can't get the salsa tone with the knob up.

Another thing to try is to put a peice of surgical tubing on top of the bridge, so that the pressure of the strings hold it on.

It might be worth upgrading to new pots, cap and output jack. They look pretty corroded.

You are probably getting more sustain because it is a solid wood instrument. The originals were filled with foam which dampened the sound. Even still, I know that Tony Banda is/was using an Azola Bug bass and he sounds great.
 

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