Double Bass Stagg EUB megathread

[ErikvanD]

I will have a look at the piezo connection. The newer type Stagg has the piezo cables looped in the holes for the bridge feet. Which is a good thing because the bridge does not try to tip over as much as on my old Stagg. See picture.

My old Stagg, with the straight piezo cables, did not have any notch in the underside of the bridge feet.

Strange thing is that while playing pizzicato everything is just fine. But as the piezo connections is about the last place I can look I will do that and report back. The electronics have to come off anyhow as one side of my headphones is starting to fail (or at least is a lot less loud). TBC

 

[richardg1952]

A couple of photos of my Stagg setup that I've had for about two months. I've been playing jazz guitar for about a decade but have always wanted to play upright bass - I do so enjoy a good walking line. The Stagg was in my local store for ~375 including the Stagg stand. Couldn't pass it up.
Purchased a set of LaBella 7710's and had the luthier I use for my guitars plane the fingerboard. Shielded the electronics cavities (Thanks Mateybass for the excellent Flickr tutorial!) and found the bottom of a heavy duty music stand to use for temp stand when on stage. I cut the main tube down to size with a standard pipe cutter. When collapsed, the stand fits in the bow pocket of the gig bag. Something the Stagg stand could never do.
The little, tiny fella sitting next to it is a PJB BG-75 Double Four. The white box is a PowerAdd Pilot Pro which provides 4.5A at 20V so I can use it anywhere on battery power. I also own a couple of Acoustic Image amps that I favor for my guitars, but were really designed for bass so I'm in good shape if I need more power than the PJB can provide.
I didn't show the back, but the strap is attached with a Schaller Strap-Lok.
Now I just need to develop some decent chops. Off to the wood shed!

 

[ErikvanD]

Nice! And a wonderful combo, the Stagg and the double four! Nice stand, I guess is it just for putting the bass away or also for while playing? The Stagg stand is very sturdy but also pretty bulky..

 

[richardg1952]

Not for playing as it stands straight up. just an easy place to set the bass when away from home so that I don't have to lay it down and worry about someone (me) tripping over it.

 

[fchazz]

Hey everyone, Nubi on this forum but been playing upright for a while. I've had my Stagg for a couple weeks now, done of the mods, put on some Superior Bassworks Kevlar Greys and enjoying the heck out this thing. And lookie there. I dipped my bridge and tailpiece into some Fornbys for about 60 seconds and the black is gone and beautiful maple is showing!
Got to love it!

 

[butterfingers]

Just swapped the black control knobs for these chrome ones with black pearloid inserts. They will certainly be easier to see in gloomy conditions! Believe it or not, the Allparts stand at the London Acoustic Guitar/Electric Live Show was giving these knobs away as freebies, so I grabbed a couple for no obvious reason, and today I decided to put them on my bass.

 

[ChuckReidBass]

Hey All,

I just received my Stagg EUB upright today and noticed that it seemed to have a pretty low output (have to turn my amp up pretty high relative to my other basses). Is this normal or has anyone else had this issue? I swapped out 2 batteries and will buy another new battery tomorrow just to be sure. Also are there any other mods that you find helpful to making this thing play better? Different pickup, bridge, etc? Just curious.

Thanks,

Charlie

 

[ErikvanD]

The only thing I notice on my Stagg is that the output on the E string side seems a bit lower (especially when playing arco). But this might be corrected by adjusting the potmeter a bit for this pickup (just never made time so far to experiment with the settings). Both my Staggs have a pretty decent output signal, my amp itself stays at a pretty low setting.

Is the output over a pair of headphone ok?

And modifications to make it better.. Mwah... Just read the Stagg megathread and/or have a look at my website...

Cheers,
Erik

 

[Paolo T.]

Hi Gang, I searched the forum, but obviously I've not been able to search enough. I just received my EDB 34 (your fault: you were very convincing in this thread - not only for the instrument per se, but for the great support from other players), and have an odd doubt:

"What you use the soft case's internal pockets for?"

I'm sure they can receive the two supports and the cable(s) and key(s). Is there a preference of yours? Putting both supports in the upper pocket, and the cable(s) and key(s) in the other? Or one support for pocket, with cables and keys mixed, to avoid damage to the bass and case?

My bass was set up at the shop, and seems to be quite buzz-free (playing the half-position on the E string obviously requires care). The main output is extremely strong and clean (by using a good cable of mines - I don't know with the supplied cable yet).

The phone minijack hisses like crazy when listened with Sony walkman-style in-ear headphones. Listened with my 75 Ohm AKG K270, there is just a very far hint of hiss, lower than leaves rustling. The sound is sound and solid.

As of now, there is no hint of hum. Either mine is a recent model, or I've yet to encounter the triggering case.

Paolo

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Upper pocket: body support and cable, lower pocket: left support, battery, ...
This is how I got the instrument and also easy because I only need the stuff from the upper pocket every time.
Clean 1/4" output, hissy 1/8" headphone. Haven't tried it with my AKG yet.
Having a good battery is important, sound will degrade with an nearly empty one.

 

[ErikvanD]

I'm sure they can receive the two supports and the cable(s) and key(s). Paolo

Hi Paolo,

You've got me puzzled here.. what do you mean with "keys"??

I only use the top pocket for the body support. The LH side support is somewhere in a box as I do not use it. I usually put the cable loose in the bag under the neck. Or between the FB and the bass body. When I take my amp with me too the cable goes in the amps gigbag. And of course a spare battery somewhere (and a spare set of strings when needed).

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I think he meant the hex tool for the truss rod by key.
A stiffer cable goes as well between body and fingerboard.
The problem with the LH support is the rubber coating. The arm will stick to it when trying to move it in thump position. I thought about removing the coating or put something around it where the arm and clothes will glide easily over it, but never tried it yet. It's less work simply not using it.

 

[Paolo T.]

DoubleMIDI, thank you very much for your great information and hints. Your solution seems very logical. And Erik is probably right when saying that the hand support can stay on a shelf and be forgotten.

As DoubleMIDI says, by 'key' I intended the hexagonal/Allen key, and any other maintenance tool you whish to keep with you.

Paolo

 

[ErikvanD]

In my opinion you can leave the Allan key on the same shelf... On both my Staggs the trussrod was just ornamental and did absolutely nothing... A clip on tuner might be a nice tool to replace it with in the gigbag

 

[butterfingers]

I was on the Thomann website and I noticed that they now sell a replacement neck for the Stagg, for €144 (£114.75). This is the version with the integral fingerboard, but with the revised and strengthened pegbox design. So if your Stagg has got damaged or worn, or if you are concerned about its fragility, there is hope. According to the customer reviews, it may be a bit tricky to install since it comes with no screw holes, but it is a direct replacement for the stock neck.
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[AG42]

This is good news, but I think Stagg is missing a trick here...it'd be better to sell the rosewood neck so you'd have current users upgrade their basses to the better neck rather than just aiming at folk who want the strengthened pegbox...I'd buy one of the rosewood necks in a heartbeat to be able to get rid of those little ripples in the fingerboard...

 

[ErikvanD]

When I was looking to buy my rosewood version Stagg I asked my local dealer if he could supply me with a rosewood neck. That was no problem, costs would be around 200 euro and he could have it in 2-3 days. So that might be the same in your neighbourhood.

 

[AG42]

Who's your dealer? I did try a year ago but my local Stagg dealer said they're not available... I think I'll try again...

 

[dc-upright]

I have the older Stagg, I have a chance to get the newer model with the different headstock. I can get it for my Stagg and 200.00. Is the upgrades on this newer model worth the additional money?

 

[ErikvanD]

I also sold my old Stagg and bought a new one. I think the much improved fb, headstock and body supports well worth the extra money.