Marc S

I have searched for ages for a portable, EUB type upright that sounded and felt like an acoustic upright for ages. I've been round the houses, and had settled on my Ibanez Upswing.... although it doesn't sound that much like an acoustic upright, and didn't feel like one either. Interestingly though, I quite like the way it sounds, and band mates and punters alike have said the same... I've really enjoyed playing it, and it certainly has been portable. Funnily enough, I've always had questions, comments and compliments whenever I've gigged it. Last Friday, 6 or 7 people in the audience came to chat to me afterwards. But just the other day, this bass came up - and they don't turn up 2nd hand very often. So I took the trip and tried it. Straight away I could tell I was going to like it, and now, at last, I have a portable upright which sounds and feels like a true acoustic DB. The controls are good, and make the sounds from it really flexible - volume, treble, middle and bass. And I'm liking what I get at home through a small amp or headphones. Can't wait to put it through a big amp, at a venue. Unplugged, it's loud enough to practice along to a youtube video. My only decision now is whether to keep the Ibanez Upswing - because I've rather grown to like it.... doh!

Travellin' Man - The Dead South

Accidents will happen - Elvis Costello & The Attractions

I'm doing the same thing - doubling up with bass guitar and upright (usually my EUB these days). I had an "A-B BOX ABS-520" for a while. It's like other ABY pedals - but it has separate level contols for each input. Of course, EQ may be quite different for each instrument. However, it's tiny & lightweight, so may be OK for some scenarios. I recently bought an EBS Micro Bass pedal from this very forum. It's an ABY, but with a built-in pre-amp. This seems ideal - but there are lots of dials & buttons on it, and it'll take a wee while to get used to. (I keep setting the wrong EQ to the wrong channel - Doh!) My favourite solution though, was getting my MarkBass EVO1 head. It has 2 separate channels, with separate EQ controls, plus some pre-set amp tones, and I really like it. The only downside for me is that it lacks illumination on the control panel, and tweaking the controls on a dark stage can be challenging. This solution for me though, is my favourite. The EBS Micro Bass pedal is my reserve plan, or for when I'm travelling light, or without an amp.

Down in the tubestation at midnight - the Jam

Telephone girl - Eddie & The Hot Rods

Hanging on the telephone - Blondie

Walk like an Egyptian - Bangles

Definitely worth the wait and the effort. Stunning result, and like @pedI'm surprised the paint has checked so soon. Love that dark wood board, Oly White and red Tort place combo! Definitely a keeper

I don't use mine much anymore - since getting myself a Bose S1 battery powered mini PA. I considered selling the Micro Cube, but I also like the sound. It's got quite a range of input sounds & effects too, plus the built in drum machine. I've also used it to amplify CD's / MP3 files at a garden party, and it sounded great and much louder than expected. I hope they replace it with something similar. EDIT: I did some busking, where a guitarist plugged into the Micro Cube too - it did a damn good guitar sound.

Hold me now - Thompson Twins

Which compressor is it @JimmyN2? Always interested in improving the sound from my Upswing.

Glad to hear the surgery went well. It really is a tricky operation, as there's so much "in the way" as it were - not least of all some large main vessels! But that went well - so that's the worst part over. Sorry to hear about the DVT - but at least that's treatable with drugs. Fingers crossed that everything goes well from now on. Keep us posted, and all the best for a speedy recovery. Take care. Marc

I haven't got a photo, or the Bouzouki to hand - but it's one of these... https://www.musicroom.com/ozark-bouzouki-flat-back-oza2222?glid=gb&CAWELAID=120075890000279149&gclid=CjwKCAiAleOeBhBdEiwAfgmXf_D1k-0AlN0iRyZ37d4QVK2CJSpokHSf2ZVgf4KpbHZkw5GvvrwJqhoCXJEQAvD_BwE EDIT: The shop where I bought it weren't aware of whether it's a Greek Bouzouki, but I do recall the description as being "Flat Back" I only just remembered it's an Ozark branded instrument.

I really must play my Bouzouki more. One of the acoustic bands I'm in would really suit the Bouzouki on a couple of songs. My Bouzouki was fairly cheap, and didn't come with one fitted - however, although it was inexpensive, I really like it. I've played on some more expensive ones with pickup fitted... but didn't like them as much as my own. What I really want is at least a volume control on the pickup, and I'd rather not go cutting holes in the body at this stage. I spotted a Shadow pickup that might just fit the bill https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/guitar-pickups/shadow-sh-nfx-ac-nanoflex-acoustic-pickup-preamp-for-guitar?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&gclid=Cj0KCQiA8t2eBhDeARIsAAVEga3-IvCfbFg42fNTPGnlPDSl26We9_TdLpBWR5ihnSahr0wHSuNGxv0aAllzEALw_wcB has anyone on here used these on a Bouzouki or other acoustic instrument? Or if you play Bouzouki or Octave Madolin - what pickup do you use? Cheers all

I fancied playing mandolin for ages, and as soon as I got one, I also found space to be very tight for my left hand - I just couldn't stop my bass players fingers from straying into areas they shouldn't... there just simply wasn't enough space to form some chord shapes. So I did exactly the same thing, and bought a Bouzouki (though I don't think it's an Irish Bouzouki - it seems longer scale length) anyhow, that is also tuned to GDAE. I did that so I could play the same chords as I was learning on the mandolin. Now what I really need, is time to persist with it, and a decent pickup.