Marc S

It may be that the EUB you first played wasn't particularly well set up. Or it was set to its' owners preferences.... The type of string you use will also have a bearing on the set-up, feel, sound and playability of an EUB And string types are a whole subject in their own right I started in the upright world, with a Stagg EUB. Now I know they aren't the best. But IMO, they're a great starting point I think I got back exactly what I'd paid for it when I upgraded. But the strings it came with were awful They were very hard to play, with a lot of "drag" on the left hand - possibly because they weren't well polished / finished The Stagg has an adjustable bridge, so you could change the strings, and adjust the action yourself Of course, if you buy 2nd hand, it could be that the previous owner already changed the strings. As has already been said, you need to treat it like a different instrument really. But I really enjoy playing DB and EUB It's an exciting venture, and I honestly haven't looked back. I'm just glad I started with my Stagg Though it has long gone, it taught me a lot about DB's, playing and sound, action, strings etc etc Good luck with your search. Is there a DB player / EUB player near you who would help, or let you have a go on their EUB or DB? Worth asking...... EDIT: Thinking about it - every EUB I have seen has had an adjustable bridge I've seen a Stagg, Aria, and now own an Eminence - all these had adjustable bridge - can't recall if the NS does or the Harley Benton......

[size=4]Maruszcyk basses look absolutely lovely! Though I've never played one myself, there's a lot of love for them on here and it seems you get a lot of bass for your money, given that you are specifying exactly what you want, and they're high quality parts. However, that can still be a lot of money for a student (or anyone else with not too much cash tbh) I have a US P, and it's a lovely bass, so I know what you mean. But I also have a Squier Classic Vibe 60's bass, and that is lovely too Now I know some will baulk at my comments here, but I honestly can't see, feel, or hear much difference between the US P and the Squier CV !!! if anything, the US is very slightly lighter in weight, with very very slightly more well defined tones, esp at the lower end - but there really isn't much in it In fact, I had a Squier CV 60's P bass, and sold it to make way for my US P - instant regret! So, after a few months of pining for it I bought another - and you know what? I'm glad I did So, my advice if you aint got loads of dosh, is to seek out a CV 60's P second-hand (the newer CV 70's P is also absolutely stunning BTW) and maybe upgrade the pickups - Entwistle PBXN's are great, and cheap! Or you could get someone to rout out the body, and put an additional pickup in, eg. P/J or MM stlye, again, using Entwistle pickups [/size] [size=4]You'd have an awesome bass, for not too much outlay, and not have to feel so precious about gigging a grands worth of instrument. Good luck, and let us know what you decide. You could, of course order that Maruszcyk, and be poor - but make me jealous lol EDIT: I know - I ignored the "slabbed body" comment really [/size]

How very generous of you biro Though we have never met - that's such a kind gesture, I'm sure you are a truly good person Wish there had been someone as kind as yourself when I was first looking for a bass I started with a real piece of cr@p - that bass you are kindly offering looks half tidy

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1447247088' post='2906054'] No.8, have you checked the bridge & tuner screws as well? Do you have the option to "lock" your bridge saddles (like the G&L saddle lock type thing - a grub screw in the bridge which pushes the saddles together)?...... [/quote] Hi No 8 - I was going to suggest this too Other than set-up being way out, loose tuners, or the bridge or its' saddles being able to move - I can't understand why this is happening.... Just out of interest - what's the bass? Good luck sorting it anyhow

I've had 2, fitted to different basses. One was fitted to a Fender Mex PJ (which I've since sold, but kept the tuner for another bass) It was tricky to set up, and took a while to settle, but then worked perfectly every time. I didn't notice other strings going out of tune when using it - so maybe you have a neck / set-up problem No8 Wire? I also have a D-tuner fitted to my Ibanez Electro Acoustic bass. However, this one doesn't work quite as well as the other D-tuner did They're both Hipshot tuners, and I was equally careful setting them up, so I don't quite understand why this should be? The bass holds its' tune very well when not using the D-tuner, so I don't think it's the bass. It could be that the phosphor bronze strings don't like being D-tuned, I suppose? Maybe they're lower tension, or are less tolerant to tension changes? Fitting a D-tuner can be really useful. I kept the one which was on the bass I sold - it's going on another bass soon, as I miss it

Hmm, I can't picture this. If you could post a photo, demonstrating your idea that would be great I don't play a Thunderbird myself, but my son does. He loves the look of the bass, but like several others, doesn't like the neck dive

Haven't tried this particular brand, but I had a set of black nylon wound strings on my Stagg EUB (sold some time back) They were nice strings (sadly, I can't recall the make, as I bought them slightly used) They were lower tension and much easier to play pizz than the Stagg stock strings, With a nice "dark" sound a low growly tones But very difficult to bow, without "rolling". Bear in mind that I don't really play with a bow - but as I was trying to learn to play with a bow, it was quite off-putting...... Thanks for posting that link, as this seems a good price for those wishing to try nylon wound strings

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1447151610' post='2905229'] What would I do? I'd take the bass back to the seller and ask for my money back, as it is clearly unfit for purpose. What did the seller say when you contacted him? Did you tell him you wanted to return the bass? His 'not knowing' about the problem doesn't alter the fact you have essentially been sold a dud. Easy to say in hindsight I know, but I always ask if the truss rod is working when I buy a bass. [/quote] This.Good luck, and let us know how you get on EDIT: If he refuses to give you a refund, threaten to report him to ebay (might work)

I've got a 500W rig, for bigger gigs (i.e. halls, and outdoor gigs). But I also have a 200W combo (Carvin). The 200W combo is ideal for more acoustic type gigs, especially when I'm playing Double Bass, or when I'm playing bass guitar, and the venue has its' own PA. It's also big enough for many pub gigs. The 200W Carvin is a godsend sometimes - especially when also lugging a DB around, or town centre venues, where parking is tricky or non-existant. It's usually plenty loud enough for most situations. I recently saw a local Gypsy-Jazz outfit, where there DB player played through a Phil Jones Briefcase he was plenty loud enough, and the venue was an old church. The PJ amp is only 150W, I think? Again, loudness and wattage depend on all sorts of factors. But I can assure you, if you were playing DB, plus carrying a backup BG or EUB, and a couple of 4x12 cabs - you'd need a roadie and a van! As you get older, smaller, lightweight, portable amps are a must - I wouldn't be without my 200W amp

Hi Rich, Just listened to that and thought it sounded great I've not seen a Farwest EUB, and if I saw one come up 2nd hand anywhere near me I'd be tempted to try it out, having seen & heard that video You're quite right, EUB's don't usually sound like (or feel like) a "proper" DB I started out with a Stagg, which really just sounded like a big fretless bass guitar - though it was a good introduction to DB Now I have an Eminence, which sounds very like a DB - with some EQ'ing From sound clips I've heard, the Yamaha Silent bass also sounds really good, and very DB-like Can I ask, how much are those Far west EUB's? EDIT: Nice sound & playing on that video too mate

I'd still like to hear whether anyone has tried / bought one of these It's a very tempting idea.....

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1446710329' post='2901572'] The Stagg is a very cheap introduction to upright playing. I'm very happy with mine although I don't play it nearly as often as I should. If you buy second hand you won't lose out if/when you decide to move it on. It's not quite the same as a real DB but still makes a very passable sound. [/quote] Norris is absolutely right. A Stagg is a great introduction to playing upright. Buy a 2nd hand one from the marketplace here, and you'll easily be able to sell it on again if / when you choose, and even more - you'll get back pretty much what you paid for it.I'm sure it WILL get you GASsing for a DB though, as Bilbo says. When I was looking for my first "proper" DB, a few people advised me to look to hire one. Although I couldn't find any for hire near me I'd say this is also good advice, and something you could consider. Then you'll be more proficient with a DB, and know more when it comes to looking to buy your own. I find playing DB is very different to playing bass guitar. At first I was trying to play the same stuff I had been playing on BG but it's a whole different approach. I find I had to reign-in my playing, and hold back a lot more But I do find that sometimes the tone, sound and resonance of just a single note can sound awesome, in the right band setting It sounds like you've already made your mind up to go down the DB route Good luck - it's a wonderful adventure!

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1446566873' post='2900370'] The problem with Ashbory basses seems to be the white rubber strings - I'm told that stringing them with the black strings from a Kala is a marked improvement. [/quote] Yes, I must say, I absolutely hated the strings on the Ashbory. They felt odd, and there was an awful lot of drag. The instrument is supplied with a substance not unlike talcum powder. Using this on your hands improves the drag, but makes a mess. The black rubber strings on the Kala also feel odd, as they're very low tension, and can tend to "roll" - But I found them much better and easier to get used to than the Ashbory strings Also, the Ashbory's E string has a tendency to pop out of the slot in the nut! And mine didn't need particularly aggressive playing for this to happen. I wrapped a rubber band around the headstock, just the other side of the nut - this worked well, but looked a bit odd, obviously. The Kala doesn't seem to suffer from this. I sold my Ashbory after a few months - but my Kala is going nowhere. Though I don't use it loads, it's fun and great when you need portability EDIT: I also played another Ashbory which was strung with Aguillar Thunderguts, and they seemed very similar to the Ashbory's original strings. You could try an Ashbory with the strings used on a Kala. These may also be made by Aguillar - but they're not thunderguts