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Double Bass Palatino Megathread part I
- Thread starter Nohandles
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- Status
Well, I played around with the Palatino tonight and the female jack that the guitar cable plugs into fell out, the string buzz on A and D is prolific, and the sound just went away. I took the bridge up and examined the wire going to the pickup and it seemed OK. I wiggled it around some, put the bridge back in and the sound was back. Must be a poor connection. I just hope the one I'm taking this one back for is in better shape. This one was brand new out of the box. By the way, while I had the guitar jack out the sides of this bass DID look like particle board in my low light setting. Anybody know for sure what it is?
I have buzzing on the D and G strings (more prominently on the G string). It seems like the buzzing is coming from the tuning peg area of the bass, not the bridge or tailpiece.
Anyone had this problem? I'm thinking maybe one of the small screws near the tuning pegs is loose and it's causing the buzzing.
Or is it the stock strings? In any case, I already have the rubber modification above and below the pickup, and I'm in the process of trying to make graphite, maple,and plexiglass bridges based on Yvarg's design. Oh, and I'm ordering D'Daddario Hybrid lights for it. Does the 3/4 length work for the Palatino, or is there a different length of Hybrid Lights I should go for?
I'm hoping it's something stupid and not a design flaw.
Anyone had this problem? I'm thinking maybe one of the small screws near the tuning pegs is loose and it's causing the buzzing.
Or is it the stock strings? In any case, I already have the rubber modification above and below the pickup, and I'm in the process of trying to make graphite, maple,and plexiglass bridges based on Yvarg's design. Oh, and I'm ordering D'Daddario Hybrid lights for it. Does the 3/4 length work for the Palatino, or is there a different length of Hybrid Lights I should go for?
I'm hoping it's something stupid and not a design flaw.
I had the same problem! I put some foam in around the truss rod at the top (by tuning pegs) that's what was rattling on mine....
The sodering joint on the stock pickup is a weak one and prone to problems. My solution was to get rid of the pickup and use a Rev Solo. The sound improves and you have one less problem. Maybe Palatino should market the VE500 as a shell that we could buy adn modify as we see fit.
You mean that's not what they're doing right now?
hahah...that's funny.
Palatino should be KISSING our asses...I bought my Palatino pretty much on the recommendation of this thread. I was undecided on whether or not to go with the Palatino or a BSX or Allegro, and the fact that many on this forum remarked that a few easy modifications would make this bass sound comparably pro to the Allegro and BSX was what sold me on the instrument. So far, I've been modifying it here and there, and the sound is improving.
Next mods: check out the "truss rod" and mute it's buzzing, if that's the culprit
2) get Hybrid Lights
3) replace stock bridge with one fromYvarg's design...test out maple, graphite, and plexiglass models to see sound differences. Thank god for friends with Band saws!
I guess you are right the VE500 is a shell with a bunch of crappy parts just ready to remove. Anybody want a " slightly used pre-amp asembly and a bridge with less than 10 hours on it?
There goes that consulting gig I was shooitng for with Palatino USA.......
There goes that consulting gig I was shooitng for with Palatino USA.......
Well, I took the Palatino back and got the one that was on floor display. No fingerboard buzz 
However, the headphone jack doesn't work 
But, between the lesser of the 2 evils.........I won't use the headphone jack anyway. I did like so many of the rest of you. I went to the local grocery store and picked up a scrap piece of that rubbery mat that they use under the produce. It was black so the pieces under each foot of the bridge blended right in. The harshness I heard before went right away with the rubbery material under the pickup and bridge feet. I put a tennis ball under the tailpiece and the rattle went away. I also had some kind of resonating tone on the open D that went away with the tennis ball. I am happy now. I just need to save up now and buy some better strings. I will eventually mount a dressed board on the bar that sticks out from the side for comfort's sake. Nevertheless, I'm ready to gig with it.
However, the headphone jack doesn't work But, between the lesser of the 2 evils.........I won't use the headphone jack anyway. I did like so many of the rest of you. I went to the local grocery store and picked up a scrap piece of that rubbery mat that they use under the produce. It was black so the pieces under each foot of the bridge blended right in. The harshness I heard before went right away with the rubbery material under the pickup and bridge feet. I put a tennis ball under the tailpiece and the rattle went away. I also had some kind of resonating tone on the open D that went away with the tennis ball. I am happy now. I just need to save up now and buy some better strings. I will eventually mount a dressed board on the bar that sticks out from the side for comfort's sake. Nevertheless, I'm ready to gig with it.Well, best I can figure, the headphone jack is in there for when you are sick of hearing the unplugged sounds of practicing, so you just plug your noise canceling headphones in and all the light sounds of thumping low notes magically go away (My headphone jack spits out VERY little sound too =p).
Nohandles, you were right when you said that. I kept getting a bad sound like my bass amp speaker was trying to blow. I got one of my bass guitars and really cranked it and the speaker sounded fine. Then, I plugged the Palatino back in and got that same scary sound. Then, I remembered what you said about the volume settings and bingo. It cleared right up. Do you suppose the preamp was being over-driven or something when I really plucked the strings hard with the volume on the bass set high? At any rate, there's another worry taken care of. By the way, Yvarg, my headphone jack just started working. Go figure.......?
I think the preamp is probable not the top of the line Ha! My Michael Kelly had a cheap preamp in it and it did the very same thing. I ended up bypassing it and going with an external unit and installing a K&K under the top. With the Palatino being my first electric instrument ever, I spent great time exploring all if the acoustic fixes I could find to get the most out if it the way it came. Now with that said I did not have any of the problems that have come up here lately. As it sits there are no elecrtonic modifications. The only thing extra is a K&K bass max pick up stuffed in the bridge I made for it. It does sound better than the stock but with the Teck 21 unit I use I can do pretty much anything I want with the sound with either pick up. I think the single biggest difference was the new bridge. By the way I do run the bass/ treble all the way to the bass side and control that with the preamp.
I've been offered a reeeeeally old looking thing called a HH valvesound head. 100 w. It looks like it's in good condition and it sounds good but i don't know if the 70 quid (ye olde english poundes) he's asking for it is too much. Anyone know if it's a good deal?
I would ask on one of the regular bass threads but i feel like i have special rights to this one since i have a palatino that i've had to reattach to it's neck twice. It's like being in some weird cult. Cover your ears if you're a proper purist, but the second time i took no risks and used two big stainless steel coach screws and lots of glue. It looks a little like frankenstein now, but it sounds alright, and i don't have any concerns about it falling apart on me again. Nothing could break it now. I'll definitely be making the mods to it you lot have mentioned. Anyway, about the amp... good deal? Or no.
I would ask on one of the regular bass threads but i feel like i have special rights to this one since i have a palatino that i've had to reattach to it's neck twice. It's like being in some weird cult. Cover your ears if you're a proper purist, but the second time i took no risks and used two big stainless steel coach screws and lots of glue. It looks a little like frankenstein now, but it sounds alright, and i don't have any concerns about it falling apart on me again. Nothing could break it now. I'll definitely be making the mods to it you lot have mentioned. Anyway, about the amp... good deal? Or no.
Hi folks,
Been a while since my last input!
Glad to see most of you tried the rubber inserts and have had some resonable results from it. It seems we still haven't achieved that ultimate accoustic sound that we all long for, Not yet anyway,but some help is on its way!!!
However, this time I'm going to leave you with the idea, but I want you to come up with how the best way to do a good job of it.
Firstly be VERY VERY Carefull when you try out your various ideas, make sure to use strong and good materials, and that everything is double knoted and secure with no sharp edges that can cut through the materials you use. You have to keep in mind the incredible tension that is involved when the strings are fully tuned, easily hundreds of pounds preasure!!!!!!!!
Okay..... I have removed the metal wire tailpiece, but leaving the metal holding plate that secures to the body, by removing the three holding screws,( allowing the tail piece to come out) and then using the exsiting wooden block, just threaded about a 12inch piece of platted gut rope through one of the holes, making a double loop knot at the top end, then thread the rope through a 2inch piece of plastic tubing which will sit under the lip of the holding plate, (to protect it from being cut through by the sharp edges of the plate),refit the plate, then back upto and through the otherside hole of the wooden block and tie off again. At this stage make the distance from the metal plate to the wooden block the same distance that the wire tail piece use to be, but allow for some stretch in the rope.
Now when you carefully retune the bass keep on checking that the knots are not slipping, as for reasons in paragraph 2!!!!!!!!! As I don't know what kind of damage to life or limb and the ceiling, should it slip and giveway under preasure. This will give you at least a way of finding out if this is the sound you are looking for. It is for me!! I love the sound I'm finally getting out of it.VERY ACCOUSTIC!!!!, and alot softer to pull the strings now and with wounderful sustain.
So this is where you guys come in, if you like the sound. You will notice that the wooden block sits at an unusual angle so this needs to be looked at.
You need to experiment with the length of the rope to give best sound, shorter or longer? Will someone come up with a design for a tailpiece or would it be best to just buy a commercial tailpiece and rope, but which one , what length?
I'm hoping that with everyone that has a Palatino bass around the world, that if this works for you also then some of us may just come up with some great input.
Let us know the results and any constructive criticism, you come up with, and also if we still need to use the rubber under the bridge, as maybe all the harshness was the result of the metal tailpiece.
Looking forward to all your ideas.
Good Luck......regards Luke.
Been a while since my last input!
Glad to see most of you tried the rubber inserts and have had some resonable results from it. It seems we still haven't achieved that ultimate accoustic sound that we all long for, Not yet anyway,but some help is on its way!!!
However, this time I'm going to leave you with the idea, but I want you to come up with how the best way to do a good job of it.
Firstly be VERY VERY Carefull when you try out your various ideas, make sure to use strong and good materials, and that everything is double knoted and secure with no sharp edges that can cut through the materials you use. You have to keep in mind the incredible tension that is involved when the strings are fully tuned, easily hundreds of pounds preasure!!!!!!!!
Okay..... I have removed the metal wire tailpiece, but leaving the metal holding plate that secures to the body, by removing the three holding screws,( allowing the tail piece to come out) and then using the exsiting wooden block, just threaded about a 12inch piece of platted gut rope through one of the holes, making a double loop knot at the top end, then thread the rope through a 2inch piece of plastic tubing which will sit under the lip of the holding plate, (to protect it from being cut through by the sharp edges of the plate),refit the plate, then back upto and through the otherside hole of the wooden block and tie off again. At this stage make the distance from the metal plate to the wooden block the same distance that the wire tail piece use to be, but allow for some stretch in the rope.
Now when you carefully retune the bass keep on checking that the knots are not slipping, as for reasons in paragraph 2!!!!!!!!! As I don't know what kind of damage to life or limb and the ceiling, should it slip and giveway under preasure. This will give you at least a way of finding out if this is the sound you are looking for. It is for me!! I love the sound I'm finally getting out of it.VERY ACCOUSTIC!!!!, and alot softer to pull the strings now and with wounderful sustain.
So this is where you guys come in, if you like the sound. You will notice that the wooden block sits at an unusual angle so this needs to be looked at.
You need to experiment with the length of the rope to give best sound, shorter or longer? Will someone come up with a design for a tailpiece or would it be best to just buy a commercial tailpiece and rope, but which one , what length?
I'm hoping that with everyone that has a Palatino bass around the world, that if this works for you also then some of us may just come up with some great input.
Let us know the results and any constructive criticism, you come up with, and also if we still need to use the rubber under the bridge, as maybe all the harshness was the result of the metal tailpiece.
Looking forward to all your ideas.
Good Luck......regards Luke.
So it really makes that big a difference? I guess an all wood tail piece should really help then. I have an old ebony tail piece from an acoustic laying around I will refashion it to fit the Palatino and get rid of the metal all together. For mine it will get aircraft cable for the attachment method. This is what I have used on 3 Englehardts so far and it works reall well for me. I will let you all know my results as soon as I get it done.
Are you sure it is a BASS Amp Head? HH were great guitar amps in their day, but you have to remember that valve amps have natural distortion when the volume is driven past half way, that's why jazz guitarist love them, they give that full warm fuzzy sound. Is that what you are looking for in your sound.
Also check that this amp is suitable for Bass, as it's getting old make sure it has rubber feet under the case or you will rattle the internals loose, re solder joints, valve seats etc.
You may get some reviews if you go to the website as follows:
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/HH
Hi Nohandles,
How you be? We are still all here, great hey!!
As I said experiment with different materials, my only concern with the aircraft cable is that you will be placing metal back into the equation. I know it will be strong but if you look at the web sites that sell spares for acoustic basses they seem to use a rope type material. I'm just concerned that we are replacing a metal wire tail piece with wire again. I used a strong nylon rip cord which has worked great but will replace it with the ones they use on acoustic basses as they are designed for that purpose!
I just haven't had the time to source at the moment.
That's why if different people experiment and report their findings we might just find a solution.
Regards ..Luke
Hi Bassbob,
Thanks for your interest.
Won't get a chance till the weekend, it's nearly midnight here, gotto sleep,and it's Friday tomorrow so gotto work, may get a chance to take photos tomorrow night.
....Luke
The only difference is the cable is braded not solid. It is also covered with heat shrink tubing. I had a buzz on my ES9 Englehardt and replaces it with aircraft cable and fixed it right up. The wire that I replaced was solid formed wire. Braded wire is a known practice on acoustic basses so this should be fine on the Palatino. If not I have a couple of nylon tailpiece holders in stock here.
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