Azola Ultracoustic BugBass

Five-string version with high C
Tru-Acoustic piezo bridge pickup system with active 3-band EQ
Fully carved arched figured Maple back
with bent figured Maple sides
Fully carved arched Spruce top with bass bar, soundpost and f-holes
Lightly figured Maple tilt-adjust neck
Optional modern scroll headstock
Dark Macassar Ebony fingerboard
41.5" scale length
Position markers
Thomastik Spirocore strings
Black hardware
Adjustable bout & endpin
Optional anti-swivel endpin attachment
Comes with display stand and soft gig bag

My main gig right now is touring with a rock/folk trio out of Atlanta and we average about 200 shows a year. The shows average about 1,000 fans in attendance so the venues are anywhere from large clubs to theaters and outdoor shows. We run everything direct with in-ear monitors so no monitor speakers are used on stage at any time.

I've played the bass for 3 shows now and everyone is raving about it. Soundmen are coming up and saying they can't believe how much clarity and power comes out of this bass. Fans are telling me they can hear me clearly for the first time. There hasn't been one bit of feedback and we're playing loud as hell, even when I use extreme effects like overdrive, envelope filters and reverb. Pizz and arco are balanced and even. I don't have to adjust tones between playing styles. What a pleasure it is to have a punchy pizz tone that still sounds smooth when you switch to the bow, with no volume jumps or dips. The spirocore weich strings sound really good stylistically for the music we are playing, but I think I need a stiffer string to accommodate my technique. I???m going to try some superflexibles next week and see what happens. I???m also learning how to play with a high ???c??? string. I???ve been able to fake it so far, however I can???t wait to put in some time learning how to really play it. It really sings!

I???m blown away by its earthy, woody tone, but at the same time having a forwardness and a punch to the note. It certainly blows away what I could get with my amplified Shen, that???s for sure. Is it going to sound just like a doublebass with a microphone, no, but for my situation I wouldn???t be heard if I tried to do that. This bass still produces enough acoustic quality to the sound that it comes through in a mix with the other instruments. The flexible 3-band eq also allows for a tasteful adjustment of that sound as well. The bottom line is that the Azola has a distinctive tone that is very pleasing to the ear.

Top notch craftsmanship all the way. Beautiful woods, sleek design and a perfect setup. Luthier Steve Azola is an artist at blending form with functionality when it comes to electric upright basses.

I really feel for the first time that I have an upright bass that is as tough as any bass guitar I would use on the road. No special treatment needed. Steve really does overbuild his instruments and the attention to detail is astonishing. He and his wife Jill really put a lot of love into these instruments.

Because I special ordered this instrument I spoke to Jill many times about what I wanted. Jill is really cool and fun to talk to, and she answers all the questions you may have. You really feel like you're getting personalized service. I spoke to Steve as well after the bass was in my hands, and it was a pleasure to hear the master himself talk about his passion for what he does.

The bass comes with a written one-year warranty but with Jill and Steve at the helm I look at it like a lifetime warranty. I hope someday to see their shop.

I've been playing professionally for 20+ years. I've owned an Eminence EUB and Moses EUB. I currently own 3 upright basses (Prescott, Shen, unknown Czech) and several bass guitars too. I've also tried out the NS and AlterEGO EUBs. I was never able to try out an Azola bass before I ordered mine. I went on reviews like this one, correspondence with other owners, and faith. This is the by far and away the best electric upright I've ever played. It has exceeded my expectations and has also been the best bass buying experience I've ever had. Well worth the wait and money. I just wish other players interested in electric uprights could have a chance to play the Azola at their local music store.