• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Palatino Megathread part II

#281
Hello, I am new to this forum and seeking advice on how to make my Palatino UEB play correctly. I recently bought my VE-500 used for $100. I was missing the tubular bout and the endpin locking devices required a pair of pliers to loosen and tighten them. There's a slight crack in the headstock but it doesn't go all the way through and appears stable. I think this bass was either dropped or abused by it previous owner.

I have dealt with most of the issues and following the advice on this forum I got a cymbal stand and it works fine as a stand of the Palatino.

My questions are:

1. how far from the fingerboard are the strings supposed be?
On my E string at the F note the string is 1/8". On the G it's 1/4" and on the A it's 3/8.
On the G string it's about 1/8" - 1/4 and 1/4 respectively

It's playable but since I have no experience on an upright I want to know if this is the normal distance.

2. my A string buzzes at the E note. As I move down the neck towards the bridge the buzzing stops.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated
 
#283
According to my research (being faily new to tinkering with EUBs myself though):

1/ String height at the nut should allow a credit card to just barely stick under the string. String height at the end of the fingerboard should be somewhere between 9-10-11-12 mm to 12-13-14-15 mm depending on string and personal preference.

2/ Buzz appearing somewhere on the middle of the fingerboard indicates a need of planing.
 
#284
lundborg said:
According to my research (being faily new to tinkering with EUBs myself though):

1/ String height at the nut should allow a credit card to just barely stick under the string. String height at the end of the fingerboard should be somewhere between 9-10-11-12 mm to 12-13-14-15 mm depending on string and personal preference.

2/ Buzz appearing somewhere on the middle of the fingerboard indicates a need of planing.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply and the info. I absolutely agree with your assessment.
 
#285
I took my Palatino EUB into a well known luthier in Pasadena and had it's condition assessed by someone who is familiar with this bass. It needed a major fingerboard planing, nut lowering and pro set up with new strings.

I asked the luthier if the bass would play like a new one after the set up. He said it would play better than a new one.

Can't wait to play it.
 
#286
I got my Palatino back from FMI after they worked their magic on it and I am really happy with the sound and action.:bassist:

I found a Ludwig heavy duty cymbal stand on Craigslist for $40 and I am really happy with the way it mates up and screws in just like it was made for it.:hyper:

Now I am considering the NS NXT 4 string.... any thoughts? Your input and advice is appreciated.:help:
 
#288
Hello, I'm new to this forum. I purchased a new pally from Musicians friend about a month ago. I love this bass. I had a Ns Designs 5 string and didn't like the tone, Right out the box the ve 500 sounds better. I did make some mods

Installed a set of Thomostik Spirocore Weich.
Lowered the action on the nut and sanded down the feet on the bridge
Put a little foam under the bridge

I had my first gig with it and it sounded fantastic. The sound engineer recorded the performance and it sounds like I'm playing a true acoustic bass ! The only issue I'm having is with the stock preamp and the anonymous of hiss it produces. I'm thinking about trying the k&k pickup.
I think the palatino is a great bass for the price !
Does anyone know if these Basses have a serial number and how to get a schematic on the preamp ?
 
#291
I had foam under and over my pickup and really liked the stock preamp, the only thing was that if the tone control was turned down much, it lost alot of volume, I kept it all the way up or near that, and I agree they're much better than the price would lead you to believe.
 
#292
Hey everyone,

I was looking at the Realist pickup and thought, what if I disconnected the preamp from the pickup all together and just wire the pickup straight to the jack. The result is OMG what a difference in sound, no hissing, and it sounds more like an acoustic bass now, all I have to do is adjust my amp a little to get the sound I want. It's loud and now I dont have to worry about the battery or anything. Wow !!
 
#294
Jazz 9 said:
Hey everyone,

I was looking at the Realist pickup and thought, what if I disconnected the preamp from the pickup all together and just wire the pickup straight to the jack. The result is OMG what a difference in sound, no hissing, and it sounds more like an acoustic bass now, all I have to do is adjust my amp a little to get the sound I want. It's loud and now I dont have to worry about the battery or anything. Wow !!
Click to expand...

Any pictures?
 
#295
I've had mine now for a few years and have had much fun with it. I've never done a thing to modify it. It's totally stock, right out of the box. I only played a couple of gigs with it here in Los Angeles. A couple of small dings, nothing to say bad about it, but I think I'm ready to sell it due to lacking of space.

Thing is, I'd rather sell it on eBay, but I would hate to ship it. Foolishly, I did not save the original box and inserts. Anyone here ship theirs?
 
#296
Sorry if these have asked before but it's tough making it through these megathreads. I have a VE-500. I'm planning on doing the rubber mat upgrade and replacing the stock strings.

I've played for electric bass for many years and have a Tech 21 Sansamp which I understand can help with the tone. Any suggested settings?

Also, I did some research about the pickup and I understand you can get a great sound from the stock as well as the Bass Max. I was thinking why not both? So does anyone have any suggestions for an A/B switcher pedal? Not sure any old guitar one would dampen the lower end for some odd reason.
 
#297
Not only did I do my best to research my questions within these megathreads but I thought I already posted my questions so sorry if there's just some weird delay and a similar post shows up also.

I've been planning on doing the rubber mat tweak and replacing the stock strings. Additionally, I've found through my reading here that it is the stock pre-amp that is causing most of the hiss. So I was thinking of this plan and was wondering what you guys thought.

1) Bypass the stock pre-amp and have the pickup go directly to the out
2) Add on a K&K Bass Max
3) Send both the stock pickup and Bass Max to a Y combiner and send the output to my Tech 21 SansAmp (which I already own)

Sound good?

If I wanted to get fancy I might eventually replace the SansAmp with the K&K Dual Input Pre-Amp.
 
#298
I am going to get a preamp, the FDECK, for touring. But the Ergo straight into my GK sounds great.
I'd say the key mods are really the strings and stand. Any pick up issues can be solved by using legit double bass technique and amps or a simple preamp.
The Sans amp didn't do much for me - you need a preamp to translate the piezos to a "regular" bass amp, like the fishman or fdeck. If you use an amp for double bass like GK, AI Walter Woods, etc. it is awesome.

bassburner said:
Not only did I do my best to research my questions within these megathreads but I thought I already posted my questions so sorry if there's just some weird delay and a similar post shows up also.

I've been planning on doing the rubber mat tweak and replacing the stock strings. Additionally, I've found through my reading here that it is the stock pre-amp that is causing most of the hiss. So I was thinking of this plan and was wondering what you guys thought.

1) Bypass the stock pre-amp and have the pickup go directly to the out
2) Add on a K&K Bass Max
3) Send both the stock pickup and Bass Max to a Y combiner and send the output to my Tech 21 SansAmp (which I already own)

Sound good?

If I wanted to get fancy I might eventually replace the SansAmp with the K&K Dual Input Pre-Amp.
Click to expand...
 
#299
damonsmith said:
I am going to get a preamp, the FDECK, for touring. But the Ergo straight into my GK sounds great.
I'd say the key mods are really the strings and stand. Any pick up issues can be solved by using legit double bass technique and amps or a simple preamp.
The Sans amp didn't do much for me - you need a preamp to translate the piezos to a "regular" bass amp, like the fishman or fdeck. If you use an amp for double bass like GK, AI Walter Woods, etc. it is awesome.
Click to expand...

I'm new on the slang and upright d doohickies... Ergo?

I already own a sansamp and an Acoustic B200 so I'll give that combo a try after disconnecting the stock preamp. Bonus time is in February so I'll get the additional pickup and strings then.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back