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BGRA: Azola BugBass Electric Upright
| Manufacturer |
Azola |
Model |
BugBass Electric Upright |
| Reviewer |
T.J. Hill |
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| Experience |
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Item owned |
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| Review Date |
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Price paid |
$1,495 (US) |
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Neck Type | Maple, # 1, bolt-on |
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Fingerboard | Pau-Ferro, position dots/fretless |
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Body Type | Alder, 1 piece |
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Finish | "Iced Tea" Sunburst |
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Pickup(s) | Passive Barbera multi-piezo bridge pickup system |
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Controls | Volume, Bass Boost |
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EMail :
I absolutely LOVE my BugBass! Got it in 1996 and haven't looked
back. It was my first introduction into upright playing and it's been
a blast! The very first day i owned it I was playing it at a gig. I
was a little scared to just wing it such a radical new instrument (for
me), but it was awesome! I used it on about 6 tunes that night. The
BugBass was very easy for me to play and my bandmates totally dug the
sound. Lots of growl, clarity and fat, woody tone!
My BugBass has a solid body of Alder, Pau ferro fingerboard (with
marker dots) and a passive Barbera multi-piezo bridge pickup
system. The Barbera pickup was an upgrade by Azola over the 'standard'
pickup system (well worth it as it gives me a load 'o chutzpah and the
ability to rock when the band gets pumpin'). My BugBass also has a
tripod stand which I prefer because I can simply walk up to it and
play it, walk away and not worry about setting it down between
sets. (I'm primarily an electric bassist) I usually play the Bug with
it just free floating in my hands, but sometimes I'll play it locked
in position on the tripod. (especially if I'm using it in combination
on a song with my electric bass thru a multi-input box) Either way the
balance is great! The tripod was an option for my BugBass as they're
standardly equipped with a snazzy endpin. My Bug has what I think
Azola calls an "Iced Tea" sunburst. The tuning machines are similar to
a P Bass tuner and there's plenty of room for my fat fingers in there!
I use Thomastik strings 'cause that's what Azola had on it when i
bought it. I hear they're some of the best strings for uprights, but
I'm new on this. (I believe Azola offers Thomastik and LaBella
strings). Bowing the BugBass is lots of fun, but this is something I'm
still learning. Bowing is an whole 'nuther ballgame! But I'll bow the
Bug on open notes, or to just give an intro/outro of a song a cool
bed. It can really, and I mean REALLY make a room rumble! When I get
the bowing thing right, it's a very cool addition to the sound.
Another veeery cool thing about the Azola BugBass is it's
portability. It's small, thin body makes it so much easier to schlep
around. But don't think for a minute that you lose the 'big'
sound. You don't! I've had several people (including studio engineers,
players and producers) ask for the BugBass on a session 'cause it's
tone is ALL THAT! I usually tote it around in a very hip codura gigbag
with a shoulder strap, handles, outside 'junk' pocket and bow
pocket. But when I went to Europe a couple times Steve Azola hooked me
up with a dandy road case. (thanks Steve!)
I know that a BugBass isn't the 'answer' for a lot of URB cats out
there. Most 'purist' URB players scoff at EURB's. Especially ones with
pared down or thin, futuristic bodies. But for me (and others I'm
finding), these basses are just what the doctor ordered. My BugBass
was affordable ($1,495), portable and grooved me into a world of the
bass I'd not known. The BugBass's 'simple' practicality was exactly
what made it possible for me to own it. And it's expanded my sound,
making me a better, more complete player (I hope) .>
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| construction |
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| playability |
| (100%) |
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| appearance |
| (95%) |
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| sound |
| (95%) |
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| value |
| (100%) |
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| overall |
| (99%) |
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