EUB: Harley Benton, Stagg or Gear4music's own? Which one should I go for?

[Ironsocks]

Hello all,
I'm about to make a small transition from bass guitar to EUB and I'm hoping you can help me choose my first. I don't have a great deal to spend, probably about £600 and these are the ones I've found that meet that range:

Harley Benton EUB 500 BK - £305.76
[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_eub_500_bk_electric_upright.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_eub...ric_upright.htm[/url]

Stagg EDB 3/4 H - £314.28
[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/stagg_edb_34_h.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/stagg_edb_34_h.htm[/url]

Electric Double Bass by Gear4music - £565
[url="http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass-Strings/Electric-Double-Bass-by-Gear4music/8HS"]http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass-S...-Gear4music/8HS[/url]

I'm not quite sure what to look for other than 4 strings and stands up on its tip.

Does anyone have any of the above or can anyone translate the descriptions and advise on which is best?

Any help will be greatly appreciated

Many thanks guys

Joel

[bythesea]

I have a Stagg which I like - not got too far with it yet but am enjoying learning. I haven't tried the others, but I am pretty sure the Harley Benton is a rebadged Palatino. I believe HB is Thomann's "own brand" though I could be wrong.

Worth looking through the Double bass/EUB section here (try searching on the names of the basses). Also worth looking at Talkbass as they have a large number of users and have discussed the Stagg and Palatino alot. Not sure about the Gear4Music one as that is another rebadged bass I suspect.

As with most basses, you are going to find people who like one over the other but often it is subjective. Not always easy to try them out (not many people seem to keep them is stock round here) but if you get the chance then do so.

Probably also worth mentioning what type of music you intend playing on it as this may make a difference.

And it might also be worth checking out second hand - A new NS Wav isn't too far over your budget and that starts to be thought of as a level higher than the ones you mentioned.

lots of questions and not many answers!

[bythesea]

PS - whereabouts are you? There maybe someone not too far from you who would be willing to let you try theirs. Basschat is good like that

[Ironsocks]

[quote name='bythesea' post='544765' date='Jul 19 2009, 05:02 PM']PS - whereabouts are you? There maybe someone not too far from you who would be willing to let you try theirs. Basschat is good like that [/quote]

Thanks for that, really appreciate it! I'll have a look at Talkbass see what comes up.

I must say, the Stagg has been given a lot of good reviews which is a benefit, especially when there aren't any reviews anywhere for the other two.

I play in a local function band in the Guildford, Surrey area and we do a lot of blues and are trying to work in some Jazz so I aim to try it out on stage eventually. Do you use your Stagg for blues or walking bass lines? If so does it feel comfortable to play in that manner?

Many thanks
Joel

[EdwardHimself]

I would probably avoid the G4M one, it doesn't look as if it's that much better than the other 2, and it's like £250 more.

[bythesea]

I must admit - I bought mine on the strength of more good reviews than bad.

TBH I don't do an awful lot on it yet. Have only come back to bass recently and playing my Overwater most of the time. Haven't played the Stagg a great deal, more playing around at home so far. I am starting lessons this week and the tutor also plays DB so I am going to try and fit a few pointers in there as well

I am on the south coast (Bognor) so if you ever get down this way give me a shout and you can try it out.

Cheers,

Brian

[Ironsocks]

Thank you both! I think the Stagg is looking better and better by the minute, everywhere likes it and only a few slates which are usually productions errors and are soon sorted.

I appreciate your offer, Brian, though with your advice I think I'm gonna go straight for the Stagg. Good value for money I think. Also, I've been reminded that a year ago or so, I played on one for about an hour in a music shop. Its got to be....

Thanks again!

Joel

[lemmywinks]

See if this one's stil available:
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=52048&hl=eub"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=52048&hl=eub[/url]

Also Phlebas off here had a mate who was selling a Stagg one in black for £240, worth seeing if that's still available


I bought my Stagg after trying one out, sounded impressive straight away. I read that the Palatino/Harley Benton ones need money and time to get good results and i definitely didn't want to spend more than i had to. Got mine from Soundslive for £299 but i believe they have put their prices up

[Mottlefeeder]

Another point in favour of the Stagg is that it is known, and there is a market for it.

If it doesn't work out for you, a Stagg would be a lot easier to dispose of.

[slobluesine]

im selling my Bespoke Superlight if your interested

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=51894&hl=superlight"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...p;hl=superlight[/url]

Edited July 20, 2009 by slobluesine

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

If I was in the market for a first EUB I'd go for the harley Benton and do the minor customisations as outlined on the talkbass palatino thread.

I have an NS CR5M now, but my first EUB was a dean pace. I found that the piezo sounded excellent when I used a £20ish Behringer ADI21 acoustic modeller/driver pedal - it really sweetened the tone & would probably work well with any of the basses listed.

I had to throw in my original ADI21 when I sold the pace to seal the deal, but I've recently aquired another which I use with the NS as well as when recording my stratacoustic.