I'm a bass guitarist (2 years exp) but for the last year or so I've been getting more and more into jazz. But as I do so, I can't help but be infected with this overwhelming desire to play an upright! The musicians who play on some of these songs are just phenomenal! It gets worse when I actually come into physical contact with an upright, be it at school or in a store. The most recent occurance was some old, 3/4 size blue sponge-painted (it was obviously painted a LONG time ago, it's chipped, scratched, and beat up all over) with a p-bass pickup haphazardly rigged up under the strings, extending off the fretboard with some ridiculous excuse for a preamp literally duct-taped to it.
The question I have isn't so much as "how do I get started" or even "is it worth it", because I have both of those covered (I have a teacher that also plays upright and regular access to the school's bass during school).
See, the issue is at home practice. I won't be able to get to far on a DB without actually having one at home, and I can't exactly steal the school's every night. And yes, I already plan on familiarizing myself VERY well with a bow ;).
My question: should I get an electric upright bass, or a regular double bass?

General things to know:
-When I play BG, my strings are set low and have loooow tension so I might find an EUB a lot more comfortable to play
-I'm not -- repeat, NOT -- looking for something that sounds like a fretless BG. I already own one for that purpose! :p
-I'm on a tight, TIGHT budget. As in, less than $1100 CAD would be ideal. I won't be buying one for a while, as I can actually sign the school's bass out for the summer (but not during the year -- yes, I know, there's a phenomenal lack of logic there) but I don't have a summer job yet.
-What are some companies that if I go either way would be good for me? I'm familiar with NS Design and Azola, but as far as I know, they don't make anything that's even CLOSE to my price range.
-Space isn't an issue.
-Noise isn't an issue.

If you want to play the bass, then get a bass. If you're short on cash, then you'll have to save some. The EUB is not generally any cheaper than a decent ply bass, and often more expensive.

As far as action, it's going to take a while to get your chops up. The more regularly you priactice, the faster you'll get it together.

Make sure you read the newbie links in the basses forum. There is good information in there regarding some of the basses (Engelhardt, Christopher, etc.) in your price range.

My real upright is much easier to play than my stick bass. I'm working on experimenting with the EUB, but it will never sound or play as good.

Alrighty, guys...I'm still in the market, and after finally actually starting DB (on an actual DB, about 2 weeks ago), the action thing isn't really an issue anymore. I mean, yeah, I haven't fully adapted, but I'm noticing building endurance. I'm just using the school's for now, and I'm (hoping to god that I might be) getting a job soon, so I'm doubling the budget -- $2,200CAD, not including taxes.

I'm still looking for an EUB, because I've seen and heard of too many people's basses getting knackered in ye olde Canadian winters, but if the right 3/4 size DB came 'round my way, I'd pick it up instead.

Criteria for EUB:

Normal DB scale (41"/42")
Bowable
Decent DB simile

That's about it. Full scale length, bowable, and a decent simile of a DB tone. $2,200CAD or less!

you want to try www.messengerbass.com

you want to try www.messengerbass.com
CAD$2200 is about US$1500.
Are you sure he can get a Messenger for that price?
(at least not new!)

I bought my Azola Bug II for about $1500 USD, slightly used. I have seen them for that price at other times as well.

CAD$2200 is about US$1500.
Are you sure he can get a Messenger for that price?
(at least not new!)

oopps!!! :D

i did get mine for 1350 used, but you're right, new they are about 2500+

:)

I recently picked up a basic Azola Bugbass for $900 used but excellent condition. I've been playing upright for 13 years. While I like the Azola and play it often, it is no substitute for the woody, 3D tone of an acoustic upright. At higher volumes with the amp cranked the Azola does a nice aproximation of an amplifed DB but in any kind of acoustic or semi acoustic situation the DB sounds much better. IMO you should get a DB. A decent plywood bass is not more expensive than a decent EUB.

I had an Azola and liked it alot. I now use a good old upright with a K&K Bass Max pickup. There is no substitute for that upright sound.

I have also sat in with a piano player (acoustic grand) doing standards at a fancy restaurant here in town. All I did was bring my bass - no amp, no nothing. It was great. With the EUB, it would have been more to haul and not as cool sounding - or looking - for that matter.

People I play with always comment on how nice it is to hear someone playing "real bass" in combo and big band work.

Yeah, it's a pain to haul around, but in the end I think it's worth it.

I have also sat in with a piano player (acoustic grand) doing standards at a fancy restaurant here in town. All I did was bring my bass - no amp, no nothing. It was great...

People I play with always comment on how nice it is to hear someone playing "real bass" in combo and big band work.



Well that's right - if you can hear it - over the drummer and the noise of the club, tills ringing people chatting loudly etc. etc. ;)

Bruce Minefield, you're a gem.

Why agonize over this ? Just get both ! ;)
I use my BSX on gigs, being a BG player as well I had all the amps and cabs already. And I have the plywood baby at home, workin' on chops and arco. All for about 2K. It can be done on your budget, get shoppin' ! :D

Why agonize over this ? Just get both ! ;)


Keep up!! ;)

The original poster updated us a while ago and has now started on DB, but would like to buy an EUB as well - presumably why this is now in the EUB forum !! :)

Keep up!! ;)

The original poster updated us a while ago and has now started on DB, but would like to buy an EUB as well - presumably why this is now in the EUB forum !! :)
OOPS . . . :)
Sorry, I should pay attention to the dates in the post . . :smug:

Any more reccomendations? I'm buying an EUB because I'll have regular access to DB's for 11 months out of the year for the next five and a half. After schooling is all done, I'll be picking up a DB and moving to NY. Until then, I need a serviceable electric upright.

Once again...criteria are:

Bowable
41-42" scale
Decent simile of an URB tone.

It doesn't have to come with a bow (I'm thinking about using the school's until I can pick up one of those carbon fibre jobbies) but it would be kinda nice.

The Eminence EUB should fit the bill nicely!
:)

I'm really nuts about the Alter Ego, but it's more pricey.

The Eminence does look pretty swanky, but it's $2,800USD new. Even used, that's far and away above my budget.

What's the site for Carruthers basses? I've heard great things about them for the price.

No website AFAIK. (and John Carruthers didn't answer to two emails and a fax I sent last year, so I wouldn't recommend...)
Dave Freeman from Club Bass (Toronto) was selling them but he switched to Azola EUBs about a year ago.
Did you go at Club Bass?
http://www.clubbass.ca
I got my Carruthers from Dave about four years ago.

How often do Azolas come up on the used market? I looked at them AGES ago when I first started playing and heard about EUBs. Snazzy looking buggers, aren't they? I always thought that everything they made was WAY out of my price range. I guess not :D.

Francois, he HAD a site. I found links to it from other pages and I got a 404 on every one...maybe something's funky with the business?

I've never been TO Club Bass, but I've seen their site before. I also noticed they don't have any EUBs in stock, and don't have any plans to have some for long time. I want to check out the store anyway (Ken Lawrence and Sadowskies! WOO!) but I don't think there's anythign there EUB-wise. I do remember Steve's having a couple Kydd's, but I also recall none of them being full scale. Thanks.

I've never been TO Club Bass,

Sorry for my mistake. Still have a lot to learn to get a better english!

I also noticed they don't have any EUBs in stock, and don't have any plans to have some for long time.
I went on (or is it TO?) Club Bass website and it says they have a NS Design CR5 in stock.

François

Sorry for my mistake. Still have a lot to learn to get a better english!

I went on (or is it TO?) Club Bass website and it says they have a NS Design CR5 in stock.

François
Indeed they do. By the by, your english is fine -- better than a lot of the people in my grade ;). Unfortunately, there are a few things about the NS that I don't like -- the position markers, the lack of a body rest, and the price. Way too much. I don't really want position markers -- if I have 'em, I'll look at 'em. A point of pride for me is that I've never used any markings at all for upright and my intonation's actually really good considering how long I've been playing it (about a month.) I'm not going to say no to a bass with 'em, I can just cover them up. Body rest is preferable, but not ENTIRELY necessary (one can be added.)