Double Bass Travel touring EUB

[Marcus Willett]

Did a search, but with less than stellar results.

I'm finding myself in need of an EUB for a traveling gig I'm doing these days. There's a few options out there, the Eminence being the most obvious choice but wanted to see what other ideas TBers might have.

Needs to be full scale and bow-able. Ideally collapsible too. The other snag is I would only use it on maybe 25% of the show so I just can't justify dropping $5k on something.

So it seems like a used NS Wav or Eminence or something along those lines.....small enough or collapsible so I'm not killed with overage fees from airlines. Also it must be able to be mounted so I can walk up to it and play with an electric slung over my back, some quick transitions needed.

Suggestions?

TIA

 

[LouieV2]

With what you're describing, looks like you'll most likely be looking at a "Stick" bass as opposed to an EUB that more closely resembles an upright. (For example, the Eminence... generally these are more expensive)

To play with a BG slung over your neck it would have be on a tripod or stand of some sort so there's that.

I think an Ergo or NS is what you're looking for.

 

[Marcus Willett]

Yeah, thinking so too just wanted to see what options might be out there.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Haven't played an Ergo, but the non-ebony fingerboard doesn't inspire much confidence for its' use as a serious working bass. The Czech-made NS I checked out earlier this year did nothing for me...it neither felt nor sounded like a "real" bass.

Bill Merchant makes a folding bass that comes with an ATA-approved travel case and a Mooradian bag for $3400. I have one of the older, non-folding models and I love it. Full-scale, bowable and it actually sounds and feels like a real bass. Not to mention that it's handmade in the USA by a real bass luthier. The neck can be custom-carved to match the feel of your current bass, and I doubt it would be too hard to rig up a stand like the one you're looking for.

 

[jthisdell]

I have an NS 4 eub and have been pretty happy with it. I use it on a tripod and have an A/B switch so I can change quickly between it and a BG, but I've never tried to play with the BG still around my neck, would probably work if you slung it around your back (or had really long arms!). The NS 4 is full scale and can take standard DB strings. There is an NS Designs megathread for more comments.

 

[Marcus Willett]

Thanks, that's what I'm leaning towards.

It might not be essential to be able to play with an electric slung over all the time but it definitely needs to be mounted so I can quickly walk up to it and play. The NS designs seem best suited for this.

 

[Marcus Willett]

UPDATE

Bought an NXT from korngold, just used it on my first gig last night. Overall, went well and I think I can justify getting a case for it for travel. Definitely a quality instrument, think this will work out well for not too much $.

Thanks for all the tips & advice.