Budget EUB

[JwK94]

Hi there,

I'm seriously considering getting an EUB, I play in a couple of big bands, jazz quartets and pit bands every now and then. And I really think that double bass sound would go a long way. Before anyone says, no I'm not considering a genuine DB, i'm a student with limited space, limited funds and no car! So this EUB will most likely have to be sub £500. The ones i've been considering are the obvious choices of the stagg and the Palatino VE-500, then theres the NS Design WAV4 and perhaps even the Harley Benton one (though I dont know much about that). I'm looking for the jazz upright sound, but something that will be able to produce a decent arco sound too.
Anyway if anyone has any advice/experience on where to go here and which of these options you think is best (maybe including mods to whichever bass) then it would be much appreciated.

Cheers!

[sarah thomas]

Sadly, your expectations may be a little out of step with reality. Unless anyone knows differently ...

[Len_derby]

If you can, get yourself over to next Saturday's Bash Bash at Enderby. (10th May).
There's going to be at least one person there with an EUB.
I'm sure friendly advice and the chance of a try-out with help you.

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/228206-midlands-bass-bash-2014-100514/

Personally I am a very new starter to the upright world having just acquired a Stagg EUB. I'm at least the 4th BCer to have it.
That's about as 'budget' as you can get!

The prevailing wisdom seems to be;
1. EUB's don't really sound like a proper upright (unless you get a very expensive or specialised one)
2. Playing an EUB often results in a bad attack of GAS for a 'real' upright.

Also, I'm not sure many (if any) EUBs can be played sitting-down. If you normally sit down for your pit work and/or other bands that might be a deal-breaker for you.

Len

Edited May 3, 2014 by Len_derby

[JwK94]

Damn, I didnt even know about the midlands bass bash. Unfortunately at uni elsehwere so cant go.

And yeah I know I wont be getting a real upright sound, but just need something ballpark really.

Cheers for the advice

[Maude]

The Harley Benton [i]is[/i] a Palatino.

Mine even came in a Palatino box with a HB sticker over the VE 500 number.

[JwK94]

I did notice a pretty strong likeness in them, didnt realise it was that close! And they are much easier to get hold of

[Maude]

And Thomanns quality control is very good, mine didn't have any of the 'usual' Palatino things that needed addressing. I don't know if the build quality is better now or wether Thomann set them up a bit during QC but I was very happy with mine.

Edited May 4, 2014 by Maude

[Hathernman]

I picked up an Aria SWB Lite from a BC'er for £450 and not looked back. Not under any illusion that it will ever sound like an acoustic DB but with Spiro solos, Phil Jones rig, decent preamp, it sounds great in the context of the acoustic material I play in a couple of folksy/country/bluesy bands.
I'm primarily a BG player and like you, couldn't conceive of dragging an acoustic DB to gigs along with all the other gear, as well as finding house space!
I can't imagine that the Aria sounds hugely better than a well sorted Stagg, and got to say that I was sorely tempted by a rosewood fingerboard Stagg, but I decided to go for what I think is a better instrument all round. A good S/h Aria would be within your budget.
If it's any help, I'm not yet gassing for Eminence or Silentbass etc, after 6 months of ownership though I guess it's early days!

[randythoades]

I got a Bassix EUB from a BC'er for £400. I had to spend about another £70 getting it set up right for me, but with outboard pre-amp and either nylon or Innovation Honey strings it sounds great (and very convenient for late night practice. It has a foldable neck and detachable skeleton frame which is brilliant for transport. Recorded, it sounds pretty much like an acoustic bass, but not quite the same to play... I have to say though, I am in the process of buying (well looking) an acoustic bass now for the full DB experience.

[Mottlefeeder]

From what I have heard, a semi-acoustic instrument will be better regarded in Jazz/Folk arenas than a solid bodied one, but I never reached the point of using an EUB in either situation.

Also the Stagg/Palatino style is longer, and more difficult to transport - the NS ranges have short bodies and longer stands, which makes it easier to fit them in a car, but they do look 'different',

Some of the NS ranges also accept standard DB length strings - the excess length below the bridge goes through the body and fixes into slots on the back, so you are not locked into a limited number of string options.

David

[fretmeister]

I had a NS WAV4.

Didn't sound like a DB, just like a big fretless guitar. No doubt better strings would help though.

If I had the money I'd go for a BSX Allegro. From what I can gather, it's about the closest to a real DB.

I'm in the same boat about space. I have an almost overwhelming desire to study DB but nowhere to put a proper one.

[Marc S]

I have a Stagg EUB
In fact, it's this that led me to have GAS for a "real" DB
but that's no bad thing IMHO

It doesn't sound just like an acoustic DB
but it does sound different to a fretless bass guitar, to my ear

I've said it before, but these Stagg EUBs are a great backup instrument for the money
You CAN play them sat down - I sometimes play mine,
late at night (so as not to annoy the neighbours..... or the wife!), while sat on the sofa
something I could never do with my acoustic DB

I don't play Arco, but I would imagine you could - with the right strings...
I put some nylon wraps on mine, and it gives it a nice, darker, slightly deeper sound
You get what you pay for,
but these go for a little over £200 second-hand
and that's a lot of instrument for that money

..... and they are much more portable than those huge pieces of wood some of us lug about the place too

Good luck with your search - try a couple of different models, if & when you can

[JwK94]

Thanks for all the advice guys, very helpful. I think im just going to wait it out for the time being and see if a great deal comes my way, not really in a great hurry and wanting one is probably half down to GAS anyway.

Cheers!

[Norris]

A second hand Stagg would get you a very affordable EUB that will not lose you any money if you subsequently decide to move it on. If you've never played any sort of DB before it will give you a rough idea & cure some immediate GAS. Personally I'm very happy with mine and currently have no desire to upgrade. It's compact and very giggable as a bit of a novelty.

Shame you couldn't make it to the Midlands Bass Bash ... from the chap that took the EUB!

[Marc S]

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1400068295' post='2450372']
A second hand Stagg would get you a very affordable EUB that will not lose you any money if you subsequently decide to move it on. If you've never played any sort of DB before it will give you a rough idea & cure some immediate GAS. Personally I'm very happy with mine and currently have no desire to upgrade. It's compact and very giggable as a bit of a novelty.

Shame you couldn't make it to the Midlands Bass Bash ... from the chap that took the EUB!
[/quote]

My sentiments exactly