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Short Scale EUB recommendations?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by kmikey, Jul 17, 2003.

  1. Jul 17, 2003 #1
    kmikey

    kmikey

    Jul 17, 2003
    Austin, TX
    Can anyone recommend an electric upright (5 or 6 string) with a 35” scale? I am an electric player in a Latin Jazz Trio, and I’ve never really studied upright but I NEED THAT SOUND. I’m looking for a bass that can be played in the upright position but has an electric scale. Above all else, it has to sound like an upright, and I’m trying to stay around $1500.

    So far I've looked into the following:

    Zeta Crossover http://www.zetamusic.com/products/display.asp?id=296 (sometimes you can find these on ebay for less than $1500)
    Big KYDD www.kyddbass.com (they make a 30" six string which is attractive too, but i'm thinking the scale might be too small, so I'm looking more at the 35" 5 string.)
    Fish www.fishguitars.com (this guy will custom build an electric upright to my exact specs (even 6 string) for $1700 with gig bag)

    there are a few others (blen, vector profundo, conklin MEU) that are either out of my price range or just not quite right...

    1) what do you all think of the basses mentioned above?
    2) can anyone think of another bass that fits the criteria that I've missed? (35" scale, sounds more upright, easy access to upper register (i'm just not an upright player), in the $1400 to $1600 range)
    4) any other suggestions, info that you think I should have regarding 35" scale electric uprights...

    Thanks for your time everybody, and thank you in advance for any response you have time to give. Keep on doing what you're doing.

    Mike


    PS: I’m putting this in both the DB forum and the BG forum because I’m not sure where it belongs since I’m looking for an EUBthat plays like an electric. Thanks.
     
  2. Jul 17, 2003 #2
    Basso Profoundo

    Basso Profoundo Supporting Member

    Jun 2, 2002
    Indiana
    You may want to check out a BSX Flip Bass or a BSX Mini Allegro.
     
  3. Jul 17, 2003 #3
    kmikey

    kmikey

    Jul 17, 2003
    Austin, TX
    John Files at the Bass Emporium here in Austin, TX suggested BSX also, but he told me to get a regular 42" 3/4 upright. he explained it beautifully, saying that once you train yourself to play in an upright position on a 35" scale, it will make it that much harder to play true upright later... selling myself short so to speak.

    anybody have any thoughts on that?

    Also, does anybody know where to find retail prices for BSX? I haven't looked yet... I'm sure they're out there...
     
  4. Jul 17, 2003 #4
    Basso Profoundo

    Basso Profoundo Supporting Member

    Jun 2, 2002
    Indiana
    The phone number is one their website, just call and ask for Dino, he'll give you a price qoute.
     
  5. Jul 17, 2003 #5
    Christopher

    Christopher

    Apr 28, 2000
    New York, NY
    Full scale will help to transition to a normal 3/4 upright if you so desire, but there's still things about tone production and stance that even a full scale EUB won't provide.

    Of the short scales, the Kidd is probably the best. The benefit of these is portability, so it makes sense to get the one that has the least bulk. Also, the tripod stand is a lot easier to play than an EUB with a peg.
     
  6. Jul 18, 2003 #6
    Bruce Lindfield

    Bruce Lindfield Unprofessional TalkBass Contributor Gold Supporting Member In Memoriam

    Dec 13, 1999
    Brighton, England, UK, Europe
    I play Latin/Jazz and have had loads of compliments about the sound of my NS EUB, esepcially since I changed it over to proper DB strings - Pirastros.

    Every week soembody new comes up to me and says something along the lines of - how does that sound so much like a Double Bass, when there's so much missing!!??

    But my feeling is that it is precisely the 42" scale length that gives it that sound - I've heard a few short scale EUBs and you might as well just be playing a fretless BG ...there's just no point!

    But what I will say - is don't be frightened of the long scale - I found it very easy to go from a 34 or 35" scale bass guitar to my 42" EUB - I was playing them in the shop after about 20 minutes and feeling very much at home.

    After a couple of weeks I was using the EUB on gigs - no problem - it's not that hard!

    Of course real DB is much, much harder - but 42" scale EUB is not that much harder than BG - there are things I can't do that I could on BG and you do have to think differently - play more simply, use more open strings - but most of my friends/fellow band members say they like this - stops me being too 'busy' !! ;)
     
  7. Jul 18, 2003 #7
    kmikey

    kmikey

    Jul 17, 2003
    Austin, TX
    actually, if i could afford it, the NS EUB is what i would get without ever looking back, and i would take the time to learn to play it properly. interesting that you brought it up, becuase honestly, I've wanted one for years and I've NEVER been an upright player.

    i have a strong salsa, bossa, brasilian jazz, latin jazz background but it's always been on fretless bass (or in the case of my current group, I just play my 1306).

    i don't necessarily want it to sound EXACTLY like a DB, i just want a more authentic sound for the latin brasilian and salsa stuff that i play. or even a cross between electric and upright...

    keep the advice coming everyone! i appreciate it.