Double Bass YAMAHA EUB Megathread

[haku]

What solo? I kept cueing to from different points from the end. Then I realized I downloded "Man in the Moon". Idiot

Very nice indeed, but what a tease...it left me hanging wanting to hear more! I hope that it's because the song clip is an edited sample. If that's the final piece, then shame on the engineer who did a lousy fade out.

That's it, I'm putting on the Hybrids as soon I get the chance. Before I do that though, I'll record some tracks with the stock strings so I can do a A-B comparison and perhaps post the results.

 

[maxito]

I saw Honolulu, and couldn't resist slippin into some pidgin. I lived Makiki side in my teens. Miss it fo real. Someday I'll make it back.....

Yes, the solo on "Tomorrow" is a fade, and meant to be a teaser - and Ginny said to tell you to buy the CD to hear the rest

In the studio, the onboard settings during the recordings for the most part were treble @ ~11:00, and bass @ ~1:30/2:00. I have found that the higher the bass is set the more thump you get, but it sounds less like an upright, so live I keep it flat or so, and tweak the eq on the amp to suit the room.

As a special favor to my colleagues on TalkBass, I posted 2 tunes for your enjoyment, located here:

http://maxbass.com/SLB-200Samples.htm

They are different styles than the other clips, and I thought you might enjoy hearing other settings.

 

[playanaco]

I am new to this site and logged on to your afrobop clips and enjoyed them very much. There isn't much live latin music where I live so it was enjoyable to hear something new. Good job. I am also new to the eub world. How low do you set your strings. I recently purchased an svb 200 and would like to take them down but don't know how far I can go.
Have a great day,
Playanaco

 

[maxito]

The string height is .. . . . . medium...
How's that for a "technical" answer?

If they are too low, the bass feels (and sounds) too much like an electric bass - and I want my EUB to feel like my upright.

I don't measure string height, but can tell when it feels right. If I place the side of my index finger on the fingerboard (where I play most), and my fingertip on the string, the string should land at about the middle of the pad. That's what works for me, but everyone's a little different. Experiment until you find what gives you the best combination of sound and comfort.

 

[playanaco]

Yes , I was affraid that might happen if I set them too low. I have been an electric player all my life so this eub stuff is all new to me and there's no one up here to talk to about it. Would your E string be much higher than the G? Did the sound change much after you changed the strings(from factory ones) and in what way?
Thanks for the input.

 

[maxito]

Up here? Where are you? Your profile doesn't really tell your story - perhaps you could fill in some of the blanks about your location, age, performance situations.....

The short answer to your string height comparison question is no - they are roughly the same height off of the fingerboard - however, because the E string is thicker than the G it will feel a bit higher.

I believe the bass came with D'Addario Helicore Orchestra strings - not sure why though. I switched to the Hybrids and that made it possible to growl a bit more, and have more sustained pizz.

Your question leads me to make an observation. It's an interesting & fairly common situation where bassists that are mainly electric players make the shift to upright bass by going directly to the EUB. IMHO the expectations are different from those type of players (and that seems to include yourself) as opposed to predominantly acoustic upright players that are looking for a bass that is easier to travel with - whether that travel is on the subway, cab or plane.

The main difference is that bassists that come up on acoustic bass have already learned how to get "their sound" organically.

If it's at all possible, find an acoustic bass to play. There is a need to understand what it takes to elicit a sound from an acoustic instrument. Experience first hand how the response is different depending upon how you articulate the string. The reason I suggest this, is that if your goal is to have your EUB sound like an acoustic bass, your goal will be easier to achieve if you first intimately understand the mechanics of acoustic sound.

Even though the S(L/V)B 200 has an acoustic chamber, is does not give you the same type of instant feedback about your technique that a real bass will.

This is probably more than you were looking for, but I hope it helps you!

mAx

 

[playanaco]

Thanks for the response. I played upright many years ago but the money to be made was on electric. I live about an hour north of Toronto and there are only a couple of upright players up here. It is not an easy task getting it to the downtown core these days so most of us avoid it unless giging there. Some musicians don't even play downtown unless the money is really good. The store where I bought the bass has really no idea, and I haven't been able to reach the only player I know that has one. The reason I am so concerned about the action is I have relatively small hands and a nerve in my little finger is starting to bother me from I guess so many years of playing. I think you are right about the strings, but to me they have a heck of a sustain. Especially the low strings. As far as profile goes, I am just a working musician that now has more time to persue a new project like eub playing. I play an F bass through an eden set up. I guess I am more interested in the challenge of learning to playing an upright rather than gigging with it. Although I am sure I won't turn down the opportunity.
Nice talking at ya.

 

[john flipcycle]

Thanks to everyone for contributing to this thread. I have been following it closely since it started.

I have played electric bass for over 10 years but have recently really been hankering to get started on an upright instrument.

Instead of getting a very entry level 3/4 acoustic bass which would take up a collosal amount of space in my flat and probably sell on in a few years I have chosen to get started on the yamaha. Short of paying the extra cash and buying a NS bass it seems to offer the best value and sound at the pricepoint.

To cut a long story short I ordered one yesterday! Maxito I would email yamaha and offer them to use your soundclips as demos on their website! They sound terrific! I cant wait to recieve my bass and start learning!

 

[James Kenneth]

For those who already own one, what are they external dimensions of the SVB-200 gig bag?

What do you use for a hardshell case for flying? Hardshell golf cases can be used for some EUBs; does that work for these as well? I sent an email to Yamaha a few weeks ago inquiring after these issues, but they've neglected to respond.

I'm hoping to have a co-worker bring back one of these basses from his trip back to America this Christmas and I would need to have the exact right flight case (golf case, ...) shipped to his door along with the bass in order to avoid creating hassles for him and therefore problems for the both of us. Thanks.

 

[maxito]

For those who already own one, what are they external dimensions of the SVB-200 gig bag?

What do you use for a hardshell case for flying?

The gig bag measures 57" long, 10 1/2" wide & 5 3/4" deep. It weights about 16 lbs.

I had a case made for it, using the dimensions I just mentioned. The case fits inside snugly, and I don't worry about it at all in transit. My case weighs ~ 55 lbs with the bass inside - most of the time the folks at the ticket counter just let it slide without extra charge. A lighter case is available, but I opted for more protection.

There are MANY case makers to choose from, I used Case Technology in MA, USA. The turnaround time (order to delivery) was just under two weeks.

Something that has always puzzled me about Yamaha Corporation..... they make these instruments that are perfect for travel, and don't bother to make their own road case...?...!....!? I had the same problem with the SLB-100 bass - had a case for that one built - actually still have it, in case anyone needs it - [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Good Luck!

 

[James Kenneth]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The above link is to the Yamaha webpage that lists the specifications for the SVB-200. The dimensions given are:

Dimensions (with the frame attached and End Pin Fully contracted)
1,692 (L) x 456 (W) 330 (H) mm

66-5/8” (L) x 17-15/16” (W) x 13” (H)

Now, looking at the pictures of the bass, it wouldnt appear that adding the frame would add to the length of the bass, yet it gives the length as over 66", whereas Maxito listed the length of his gig bag as 57". Has a typo been made somewhere? Is there something I'm overlooking? I certainly don't want to order the wrong size case. Thanks.

P.S. How does the optional extension bout (SVB-BEF2 Extension Frame) differ from what comes stock on the instrument?

 

[maxito]

Not sure that the "official" info is a typo or not. The dimensions listed on the website must be for the bass when it is assembled with the endpin attached. The endpin does not retract fully into the bass, so it is removed and stored in a velcro sleeve inside the case. The dimensions I listed previously are the dimensions of the outside of the SLB 200 case with the bass inside.

Here are two pics for reference:

Here is a photo of the
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. It is a 2nd piece that attaches to the stock frame with two bolts. For everyday use I leave the frame attached, and it fits in the gig bag fine. In the hardshell, I do remove it and store the piece inside the gig bag - it just makes it easier to close the flight case.
Unless Yamaha has changed the size of the bass or the case, you can use the measurements (57" long, 10 1/2" wide & 5 3/4" deep) to order a case. (If you want to leave the extension attached, change the 5 3/4" measurement to 6 1/4")

Hope this helps.

 

[James Kenneth]

Very helpful, yes. Thank you.

 

[maxito]

Maybe I should have started another thread - but this is all tied in I guess....

I just installed a Fishman Full Circle on my Silent Bass, and the bass has really opened up - it's pretty dramatic! The bass sounded good before, and now it has more depth, punch, acoustic sounding "air", and much more dynamic range - meaning that I can play quieter and then dig in hard and explode, and the complete spectrum comes through. When I am able to get some recordings of the bass with the FC posted, I will so so

 

[James Kenneth]

This just keeps getting better.

 

[James Kenneth]

By the way, I'm curious to know how you mounted the Full Circle jack on your bass, as I'm assuming it can't be mounted in the same way as it would on an acoustic. Post a picture when you get a chance. Thanks.

 

[Cairobill]

Just to say that I saw Mike Stern play with Chris Minh Doky (fantastic Scando/Viet bassist) at Ronnie Scotts last year. He played the entire gig (apart from a couple of numbers on electric..a Celinder...tasty) on the SLB200. It sounded very good. It's clear that it's aimed at giving you db tone and feel without the huge body of a db. I'm quite interested in trying one.

Doky's new solo album even has the SLB200 on the front cover...

C

 

[maxito]

By the way, I'm curious to know how you mounted the Full Circle jack on your bass, as I'm assuming it can't be mounted in the same way as it would on an acoustic. Post a picture when you get a chance. Thanks.

Thanks for asking, Lin.
I had tried a Revolution Solo Pickup briefly, and already had the jack mounted on my bass. It has the same connections as the FC jack, but attaches behind the tailpiece using a small plastic ring through which passes the G string. It is much the same as the Realist mount. Since the dimensions are smaller than a DB, this seemed to be the best solution - even though the holes on the SLB200 tailpiece are countersunk, with a little nudging, it finally settled in.

Looking at the FC jack, it looks like it's possible to remove the string clip and buy a mounting bracket - similar ones are available at most hardware stores.

Another alternative might be to attach using a couple of zip-ties through the g-string hole......?

 

[maxito]

OK, the camera is up & running, so here's two photos of my do-it-yourself bent endpin on the Yamaha Silent bass.

I have modified it a litle since my last post, and there is more of a pronounced bend at the bottom than before. It is not as radical as a Laborie, however the mass of the EUB is not the same as a DB. I erred on the conservative side, however you could probably make the angle more acute without compromising structural integrity.

One thing worth mentioning is that the effect can be adjusted by tightening the pin with the bend pointing at slightly different angles....

 

[bass-me-up]

thanx maxito !!!

that looks interesting. i have a friend make me a hinge (knuckle, joint or what ever you wanna call it) so i can adjust the angle. i will post some pics as soon as i get it (may take another couple of days).

the rubber on your endpin looks different to mine. have you replaced the original one? mine is just a cheap black plastic cap that slips all the time. so when i sit down and play my bass keeps slipping away. which is one of the reasons why i was thinking about a bent endpin.

cheers

steffen

p.s. what strings do you use? and does the body extension of the slb help? (i only got the knee thing)