been thinking about getting one for a long time

poomwah · #1 12-22-2009, 12:32 PM

And I think I'm ready to take the plunge, but I am worried I will drop a bunch of money and then not use it.
My concern is, I go through stages where I listen to a lot of charles mingus, then I don't listen to it for a really long time.
In my ignorance I'm sure I am being narrow minded in my thinking of a double basses uses.
So please educate me. What do you guys play? Styles, artists, songs, any examples would be greatly appreciated

MDEbass · #2 12-22-2009, 02:15 PM

Don't be worried that this is just a phase. Once you start DB you never go back. I'm totally serious. If you're not convinced, then think of it this way. Being able to play DB will open a ton more gigs for you that you probably wouldn't have had the opportunity otherwise.

mstott25 · #3 12-22-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poomwah

I am worried I will drop a bunch of money and then not use it.

I'm trying to recall accomplishing anything in my past with that approach...nothing's coming to mind.

jon3673 · #4 12-22-2009, 02:57 PM

What MDEbass said has a lot of truth! I’m a converted electric player.
Years ago, I modified my EB in every manner I could think of, in order to make it sound more acoustic.
I also used to go into a club and listen to a friend play a 4/4 Juzek and was just blown away with the sound! It was probably the biggest and ugliest bass that I had ever seen. But, the sound was wonderful! I fell in love with it!
I finally purchased a DB and then immediately got called in as a sub for a group that was doing a six-nighter. After the first night, the leader said to me, “I understand that you bought an upright last week”. I told him that I did, but that I was not comfortable with actually trying to use it on a gig. Well, he suggested that I go ahead and bring it with me the next evening, which I did. I must admit that it was painful, because my calloused hands had not yet been developed, but I never went back to the electric. And, I’ve never regretted it!
Not only do you get a wonderful sound, but you also get the physical vibration and feel from your instrument that makes you think that it has a mind of its own. It’s like getting next to a wonderful being! You can literally fall in love with it!
It’s a feeling of satisfaction that comes real close to another that I could mention . . . . . . .
So, go ahead . . . . jump in there! It can be a wonderful experience!

poomwah · #5 12-22-2009, 03:14 PM

Thanks guys, I'm getting more excited. Is the double bass limited in application? Or will it adequately accomplish anything an electric will? I know there are a lot of things the double bass will do better, but are there areas where it will fall short?

Ike Harris · #6 12-22-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poomwah

will it adequately accomplish anything an electric will?

YOU can. IT can't.

Marcus Johnson · #7 12-22-2009, 04:39 PM

Rent one for awhile.

poomwah · #8 12-22-2009, 05:32 PM

I'm in the middle of nowhere, no place to rent

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Rent one for awhile.

Andrew McGregor · #9 12-22-2009, 11:34 PM

So, the DB is a different instrument to electric, they don't have the same applications (although there is a bit of overlap). So it's not a real question if it 'falls short'; DB simply doesn't work for some things. Many of us play both from time to time (although, I have to admit, I've been considering selling most of my electric gear).

There's the world of the bow, which is a whole universe of things you can do with the DB and electric basses go nowhere near. Although electric uprights split the difference, they're their own instrument too.

sevenyearsdown · #10 12-23-2009, 05:18 AM

There are plenty of genres you can cover with DB. You just have to put forth a lot of effort and practice to accomplish it.

Of course I wouldn't drag my upright out for a funk or punk gig though.

PsychoScout · #11 12-23-2009, 05:25 AM

go go go!

I bought my first DB on pure impulse and haven't regretted it one bit... (yeah yeah, women + impulse shopping)

PB+J · #12 12-23-2009, 05:34 AM

I love the double bass--love it. I started on electric to--now I'm disappointed if it's an electric bass gig.

Like everyone said, there's a lot of overlap between the bass guitar and the double bass, but they just aren't the same. A lot of stuff that works on electric does not work well as on the double bass, unless you really work at. I found you just have to rethink your approach depending on what you're playing , and at this point the last thing I want on the double bass is to sound like an electric bass. But that's just me--others approach it differently, it's all good.

I'd look for a good ply bass and I'd buy it from a luthier, someone who will stand behind it and fix and adjust it as need be. Shen and Christopher are both good names in Chinese ply basses: I started on an englehardt: it paid for itself in a month or two. Avoid the ebay bargain basses.

As far as styles, I play mostly jazz but take pretty much whatever gig comes along. I have a fully carved Shen bass, a honkin big 7/8s willow flatback, and while I love the thing to death I often wish I'd fallen in love with a smaller bass, more like a 3/4, because it'd be easier to haul around

wdnewman · #13 12-23-2009, 06:48 AM

If you start it, you won't leave it. I left it for 45 years and now I'm back and love it more than ever. Beats electric coming and going, and you can still play when the power goes off. 3/4 is the only size to go. Ply can take a beating, both from travel and from weather. Cheap Chinese is for temp use only, and could be discouraging to play if you don't have experience. I'm saving for a Shen 180 from Nick Lloyd, but the Chrisophers are interesting. Oh yeah, you cannot, absolutely cannot, duplicate the upright sound on an electric.

Phil Rowan · #14 12-23-2009, 08:05 AM

poomwah, are there any local double bassists that could maybe show you the ropes and answer some questions you've already asked on here? If there are, it would also be good to keep them in mind to get a few lessons once you do get a bass.

drurb · #15 12-23-2009, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdnewman

If you start it, you won't leave it... Beats electric coming and going, and you can still play when the power goes off. 3/4 is the only size to go. Ply can take a beating, both from travel and from weather. Cheap Chinese is for temp use only, and could be discouraging to play if you don't have experience... Oh yeah, you cannot, absolutely cannot, duplicate the upright sound on an electric.

Ding! All true, IMO. Gee, I started it in the early 70's and never left it.

BassBeamer · #16 12-26-2009, 08:51 AM

I just got a Thompson Hybrid from String Emporium. I cannot tell you how beautiful it looks. The sound is great. I am totally new to the DB. Played my Fenders (Jazz/PBass) for a number of years. Steve is a great guy to do business with. Now onto lessons and the thrill of making music.