Double Bass Stagg EUB megathread

[GrapeBass]

Hey guys, just got a dark brown Stagg EDB-3/4RDL with a Pau Ferro fingerboard (I can't seem to find references to Stagg using Pau Ferro). The bass was bought from a youngin' whom bought last year. The bass is in pristine condition and works rather well. I may attempt to adjust the internal trim pots to dial down the overall level (which is way too hot) but probably won't for a while. I may also consider the shielding or I just might leave it alone. I placed a small piece of foam near the tail piece which helps with unruly resonances and I also swapped in lower profile 'marked' knobs.

So far it's been a hoot, I haven't played an upright in about 35 years (high school). Gonna bring it to my semi-acoustic jazz/blues/rock trio practice tomorrow to see how it goes, wish me luck! I think I'll call it "Il Bastone.

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[doppelganger]

Good luck with it. It’s not going to sound like an upright, but closer than a fretless. The padding by the tailpiece is a smart move.

 

[delta7fred]

I have to report that I have sold my Stagg, it served me well and got me started playing upright.

I replaced it with a luthier built EUB 2 or 3 years ago Link Removed and about a year ago picked up a used Chinese DB for almost pocket change (it's a slippery slope, I keep looking at more expensive DBs but until my playing improves am trying to resist spending more cash).

 

[GrapeBass]

Of course I brought 'Il Bastone' to work today... shielded the preamp cavity (which cleared up the notorious hum) and also added some additional heatshrink to the inside part of the endpin to help eliminate knocking and/or rattling.

Also, decided to start using the attachments.

 

[VictorW126]

"Error - The requested attachment could not be found" for me...

 

[GrapeBass]

"Error - The requested attachment could not be found" for me...

I'm confused why, but here they are

 

[VictorW126]

I'm confused why, but here they are

Thanks! All is well now!

 

[happygilmour]

I have a black Stagg with black finger board. That pau ferro looks awsome! Have never seen one like that.

 

[GrapeBass]

I have a black Stagg with black finger board. That pau ferro looks awsome! Have never seen one like that.

I can't seem to find any reference documentation to back up the 'pau ferro' claim from the guy I bought it from. I don't think he had reason to lie, was a 16-year old kid whom bought it last year. Plays sweet, took it to practice last week and I'm definitely picking it up enough to play a few songs in front of people LOL. Since it's been 35 odd years, it's been a challenge. Played it at my b'day party last night with the jazz/blues trio and sounded awesome!

 

[Timothy Taylor]

Hello, I am new to the thread (and bass for that matter.) I played (with) guitars for years but recently purchased a Dean Edge for $75 and the bass bug bit me rather hard. My girlfriend's brother said he could teach me upright, so of course I started looking for one. I had no idea how expensive they are! With reluctance, I ordered a Stagg EUB from ebay two days ago that I found new for $479 and it arrived today. Upon opening it, I noticed it had a significant crack in the back where the neck and body are joined. Luckily, the crack is on the outside of the screws so it could have been worse. I took it to Guitar Center and their tech agreed with me that the structural problem could be remedied with some Titebond glue administered with a syringe and clamping. Their quote was $150 and it'd be ready Tuesday (today is Wed.) I am somewhat of a woodworker so I think I can fix that, but I was a little disappointed to say the least. I got it for a couple hundred less than for what they are listing (avg. new-$699/$500-$650 used.) I justified that you get what you pay for and didn't really want to send it back. After returning from GC, I thought I would plug it in, tune it and noodle a bit but I couldn't get any signal! Not even the light on the interface came on. Battery was brand new and had charge. I took off the back to see if anything obvious would catch my attention. There are a couple exposed wires in the long foot cavity that are touching the foil shielding, but I thought that might be for grounding. I really don't know what I'm doing with the electronics so I called a local luthier and left a message. At this point, I think it may have to go back. Depending on what's up with the electronics, my cost may end up pushing close to that of a new instrument. If I am going to pay $700, I think it might be better to have something with higher resale value, but again I really don't want to send it back. To make things worse, I also bought a Harley Benton HBZ-2005 that arrived about 4 hours after the Stagg (Merry June Christmas to me!). Put in the 9 volt (active bass), plugged it into my amp...nothing. I just got back from Guitar Center again and they are going to check it over and call me tomorrow. Hopefully the luthier also calls tomorrow, and the seller returns my email as well. So here I sit, in a pile of cardboard boxes and no new bass to play, debating whether I am going to have to bite the bullet and get a full priced new Stagg. But I still have my Dean, and the bass goes on.

 

[John Le Guyader]

Hello, I am new to the thread (and bass for that matter.) I played (with) guitars for years but recently purchased a Dean Edge for $75 and the bass bug bit me rather hard. My girlfriend's brother said he could teach me upright, so of course I started looking for one. I had no idea how expensive they are! With reluctance, I ordered a Stagg EUB from ebay two days ago that I found new for $479 and it arrived today. Upon opening it, I noticed it had a significant crack in the back where the neck and body are joined. Luckily, the crack is on the outside of the screws so it could have been worse. I took it to Guitar Center and their tech agreed with me that the structural problem could be remedied with some Titebond glue administered with a syringe and clamping. Their quote was $150 and it'd be ready Tuesday (today is Wed.) I am somewhat of a woodworker so I think I can fix that, but I was a little disappointed to say the least. I got it for a couple hundred less than for what they are listing (avg. new-$699/$500-$650 used.) I justified that you get what you pay for and didn't really want to send it back. After returning from GC, I thought I would plug it in, tune it and noodle a bit but I couldn't get any signal! Not even the light on the interface came on. Battery was brand new and had charge. I took off the back to see if anything obvious would catch my attention. There are a couple exposed wires in the long foot cavity that are touching the foil shielding, but I thought that might be for grounding. I really don't know what I'm doing with the electronics so I called a local luthier and left a message. At this point, I think it may have to go back. Depending on what's up with the electronics, my cost may end up pushing close to that of a new instrument. If I am going to pay $700, I think it might be better to have something with higher resale value, but again I really don't want to send it back. To make things worse, I also bought a Harley Benton HBZ-2005 that arrived about 4 hours after the Stagg (Merry June Christmas to me!). Put in the 9 volt (active bass), plugged it into my amp...nothing. I just got back from Guitar Center again and they are going to check it over and call me tomorrow. Hopefully the luthier also calls tomorrow, and the seller returns my email as well. So here I sit, in a pile of cardboard boxes and no new bass to play, debating whether I am going to have to bite the bullet and get a full priced new Stagg. But I still have my Dean, and the bass goes on.

I bought a Stagg EUB on ebay with a similar crack issue that was advertised as stable, but it was not. It could be moved rather easily. So, after I got a further discount in view of the false disclosure, I took off the neck, bought some epoxy and epoxy syringes on Amazon cheap. I opened the crack gently with a small screwdriver and squirted epoxy into the crack the best I could and immediately clamped it. Be careful not to shoot too much in. Was rock solid after that. Easy fix. Take it slow and think it through...you got this grasshopper....

 

[Timothy Taylor]

Thanks for the reassurance, jleguy! I am hoping the pickup issue is an easy one so I can keep this thing because it is beautiful! I finally tuned it up and messed around with it in the bathroom where I could hear it. The ebonized hardwood fretboard left some black on my left hand and fingertips, I think I have read that this decreases with time. How much of a discount do you think something like that warrants? I don't want to the seller to be in the hole, but I definitely need something done as it was sold new in the box.

 

[Timothy Taylor]

In my searching, I found a website named lownine.com that has the Stagg EUB listed for $69.99?! Anyone know what the deal is here? Usually, listings like this are for a part and they put the full item thumbnail up trying to deceive you into buying at what you think is a ridiculous discount. Their homepage looks like they sell shoes, are based in Oregon and an in-site search for the Stagg comes up with nothing. I avoided this as I know this is too good to be true but would love to know what their scheme is.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Timothy Taylor]

Nevermind. Looked them up in Oregon, review says they are thieves gathering CC info. BEWARE of things too good to be true

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Since the electronics are defect and the mortise is bad, making a crack, I would immediately return it. I doubt that you get enough money back to solve the electronic problem.

And I always prefer the rosewood fingerboard, it can be dressed if needed and is nicer to play.

The Stagg is OK with a few simple modifications for pizz, but the bridge and fingerboard curvature is too low, like playing a 5-string DB, when bowing.

I wouldn't select is a primary instrument, but as a backup and travel substitute it is acceptable.

For a closer to DB EUB an MK Studio (to keep the cost low) or perhaps a used Yamaha are better. A good EUB is expensive and often still not a real replacement for a DB.

 

[Timothy Taylor]

Update: I took my Stagg back to GC to look at the electronics. He couldn't see anything out of place (the exposed wires I had seen were ground wires.) All of a sudden, it started working. He said sometimes you just need to move things around. He removed the aluminum shielding tape in the lower rear cavity that served only to keep the wires out of the way for the retractable endpin. The wiring was just randomly crammed in and taped down. I noticed that the cavity has routed channels on the sides cut down for the wiring so we straightened out the "rat's nest," put it down in the channels and held it in with gaff tape. He did not charge me. This thing plays great, even if I can't! I have been in continuous contact with the seller today. Very friendly and understanding. Apologized and gave me a partial refund to cover the repairs. They will definitely get a great review from me!
As far as what I have read about this instrument compared to my experience:
The side fingerboard markers are exactly where they are supposed to be on mine. I checked them both by ear and by tuner. The stock strings seem perfectly fine to me. I play D'Addario flat wounds on my Dean and these feel very similar. My endpin, luckily is rather sturdy. My Stagg has not exhibited the notorious hum so many have mentioned. The pickups present a good, full volume. Earlier posters were correct: turning the sub bass down (counter-clockwise) will give you a sound closer to an acoustic upright. I will say that I am not a fan of the neck profile. It's not a C shape or D shape, more the shape of Pepto Bismol tablets. Excuse my analogy, but it is almost triangular and quite bulky. The "ebonized hardwood" is not exactly a bad surface, just kind of cheap feeling. It also makes for a somewhat slow neck as the friction is high. I'd try sanding it, but don't want to bite off more than I can chew. I am a beginner at upright so I think it's better to learn on a challenging instrument. Like my drummer friend who used to practice death metal with jogging weights on his wrists and ankles. When he would take them off and play he was unstoppable! In summary, this is a great low price option for getting into the world of upright bass. If I had the money I would say it is worth the $699 for a new one. Unless you luck out and find a good, inexpensive acoustic somewhere, you're not going to get one in this price range. As long as you remember it's not a Rolls Royce, more like a Toyota. I hope that mine serves me until I am good enough to justify spending $1000+ on a better one, or a smiling corpse with heavily calloused, black-stained fingers. For those on the fence about buying one I would say that mine was an excellent purchase, and I got a broken one!

 

[GrapeBass]

Update: I took my Stagg back to GC to look at the electronics. He couldn't see anything out of place (the exposed wires I had seen were ground wires.) All of a sudden, it started working. He said sometimes you just need to move things around. He removed the aluminum shielding tape in the lower rear cavity that served only to keep the wires out of the way for the retractable endpin. The wiring was just randomly crammed in and taped down. I noticed that the cavity has routed channels on the sides cut down for the wiring so we straightened out the "rat's nest," put it down in the channels and held it in with gaff tape. He did not charge me. This thing plays great, even if I can't! I have been in continuous contact with the seller today. Very friendly and understanding. Apologized and gave me a partial refund to cover the repairs. They will definitely get a great review from me!
As far as what I have read about this instrument compared to my experience:
The side fingerboard markers are exactly where they are supposed to be on mine. I checked them both by ear and by tuner. The stock strings seem perfectly fine to me. I play D'Addario flat wounds on my Dean and these feel very similar. My endpin, luckily is rather sturdy. My Stagg has not exhibited the notorious hum so many have mentioned. The pickups present a good, full volume. Earlier posters were correct: turning the sub bass down (counter-clockwise) will give you a sound closer to an acoustic upright. I will say that I am not a fan of the neck profile. It's not a C shape or D shape, more the shape of Pepto Bismol tablets. Excuse my analogy, but it is almost triangular and quite bulky. The "ebonized hardwood" is not exactly a bad surface, just kind of cheap feeling. It also makes for a somewhat slow neck as the friction is high. I'd try sanding it, but don't want to bite off more than I can chew. I am a beginner at upright so I think it's better to learn on a challenging instrument. Like my drummer friend who used to practice death metal with jogging weights on his wrists and ankles. When he would take them off and play he was unstoppable! In summary, this is a great low price option for getting into the world of upright bass. If I had the money I would say it is worth the $699 for a new one. Unless you luck out and find a good, inexpensive acoustic somewhere, you're not going to get one in this price range. As long as you remember it's not a Rolls Royce, more like a Toyota. I hope that mine serves me until I am good enough to justify spending $1000+ on a better one, or a smiling corpse with heavily calloused, black-stained fingers. For those on the fence about buying one I would say that mine was an excellent purchase, and I got a broken one!

I was lucky enough to pick up a slightly used Stagg EUB with a Pau Ferro fingerboard and have been generally pleased. The previous owner said it was Pau Ferro. I found a few of the issues that previous owners had and addressed them. The hum that you mention is dependent on where you're playing and the electrical interference in the vicinity. I dod NOT detect a hum/buzz while at home but when I brought it to work to test a new bass amp, it was definitely audible. What I had done to help elevate it was to remove the control panel and shield the cavity with metal tape making sure it grounds to the plate when reinstalled.

I'm extremely pleased with the sound and portability. I have not used a bow on the Stage yet but will hopefully trying one soon... I know the neck and strings are not quite the same as an acoustic but hopefully will be workable. I've change the knobs (smaller and have a position mark) as well as put felt around the shaft to 'stiffen' it as they rotated to easily.

Good luck to you!

 

[Timothy Taylor]

Man, that fingerboard is gorgeous!

 

[Timothy Taylor]

I found on the Stagg website that the exposed wood fingerboards are the models marked with RDL. It lists the fingerboard as dark rosewood. If that model was made after the Cites 2017 restrictions, they probably replaced the now-protected rosewood with pau ferro. I was wondering what the RDL signified.
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[GrapeBass]

I found on the Stagg website that the exposed wood fingerboards are the models marked with RDL. It lists the fingerboard as dark rosewood. If that model was made after the Cites 2017 restrictions, they probably replaced the now-protected rosewood with pau ferro. I was wondering what the RDL signified.
Invalid Link Removed

I purchased my Stagg EUB from a kid whom bought it a year ago but is now focusing on electric. As for myself, I hadn't played an upright in 30 odd years. As for the fretboard, I have not heard any reference other than rosewood but the 16-year old kid specifically said pau ferro... the kid didn't strike me as particularly knowledgable about such stuff. This wood is quite light compared to any rosewood I've seen, so I do believe it is Pau. Regardless, it is a beautiful piece of wood. I guess I could enquire at the store where he purchased it (Cosmos in Richmond Hill - Canada), they may have more info.