Help for a noob rockabilly

barroso · #1 05-04-2005, 05:18 PM

Hi guys,

i play the electric bass in a touring rock'n roll rockabilly power trio.

I would love to start to play the double bass, the upright.... the doghouse.

Sincerely i have a GAS for King double bass, but i am not able to play at this stage so i would consider a cheaper bass.

which models and maker to look for?
i live in italy so eurpoean or euro available makers are welcome.

remember that i will use the beast for a rockabilly band. no jazz. no classical. just old school rock. so i think i would need a reliable one.

thanks a lot

mpoppitt · #2 05-04-2005, 07:03 PM

The King would be a great choice; they look boss too! Stay away from the cheap chinese basses, it's not worth the headache. I don't know of any decent, inexpensive European basses, and have no idea how much it would be to ship one from US to Italy.

The SlapKing is pretty affordable, if the shipping doesn't kill you.

Check out Norton, and Upton as well, they know what rockabilly guys want.

No substitute for a proper upright when playing rockabilly!

Brent Norton · #3 05-04-2005, 07:09 PM

Also be sure to check out www.rockabillybass.com. The message board there is all about - you guessed it - rockabilly bass. Basses, strings, music, technique, players, etc. Great resource.

ZuluFunk · #4 05-04-2005, 07:09 PM

Definitely check out Upton bass.
They will hook you up with great advice.

However, shipping from CT to Italy....?

Also, look at Bob Gollihur's site.

I really like my Engelhardt ES-9 Swingmaster and it seems there are a great number to rockabilly slappers who use the Swingmaster.

www.rockabillybass.com also has advice.

I don't play rockabilly really...I just started on DB too.

rick123 · #5 05-05-2005, 10:04 AM

Hey Barroso
If you haven't done so already, take a look at Brent Norton's website. He puts together some of the coolest basses, customized to your specific needs. Brent knows Rockabilly and ships all over the place,

PlayRecord.Net · #6 05-05-2005, 10:52 AM

once you get one of those monsters in a cardboard box ready for shipping, you're looking at a massive parcel. shipping will cost a small fortune!

http://www.playrecord.net

UK's Online Bass Guitar Shop

01943 872090

contact us

hofner · #7 05-05-2005, 03:22 PM

yep...on rockabilly bass forum you'll find all you need, or you can drop me a line, i'm in Europe too and play rockabilly ..

Frank D. · #8 05-05-2005, 05:06 PM

As for European basses I would definately check out Strunal from the Czwch Republic. They are available in various price ranges, models and sizes.

**Chef** · #9 05-08-2005, 12:07 PM

My personal advice is several fold:
1) If you can't afford a King Slapking, you can't afford an upright. Stay away from cheap unplayable junk
2) Stay away from King. Search this board for posts by me in the repair section, I won't go thru all that again.
3) Read a lot here, then talk to Brent Norton, The Upton guys, or any of the other *reputable guys here* who can lay a killer setup on a reasonably priced instrument. Don't buy a cheap piece of junk and expect a setup to make it a long lasting playable instrument that you can beat up and down the road in a rockabilly outfit. Also, don't expect to be able to "surf" anything that would be called a real instrument.
4) DO IT! Playing upright is challenging, fun, and rewarding in ways that electric isn't. Don't expect to buy one and take it right on stage, there will be an "acclimation and adjustment period required."

JimmyM · #10 05-11-2005, 12:23 AM

My adjustment period lasted a month. I probably could have used another month, but screw it...it's only music...nobody dies if you screw up.

barroso · #11 05-11-2005, 01:34 PM

thanks a lot for posting guys. for surre I'll do it. maybe it will take some times since i have to collect money. the shipping thru the ocean from usa to italy is really high.

my quest is just started...

Marcus Johnson · #12 05-11-2005, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

My adjustment period lasted a month. I probably could have used another month, but screw it...it's only music...nobody dies if you screw up.

You obviously have never played with Dionne Warwick.

**Chef** · #13 05-11-2005, 01:44 PM

You mean like...in her band...???...

For some "rockabilly instruction," you might look for these two videos:
The Ungentle art vidoe:
http://www.elderly.com/videos/items/60-V250.htm
Lee Rocker's video:
http://www.elderly.com/videos/items/300-V180.htm

Paul Warburton · #14 05-11-2005, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

You obviously have never played with Dionne Warwick.

I heard that!

hdiddy · #15 05-11-2005, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

I heard that!

Dionne Warwick? What's this all about? Hmmm????

JimmyM · #16 05-11-2005, 07:46 PM

No, I never have...but I've played with Lesley Gore, and she's pretty hard on musicians, too. Fortunately she loves me

Marcus Johnson · #17 05-11-2005, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

Dionne Warwick? What's this all about? Hmmm????

Care to fill him in, Paul? You survived her boot camp.

Doug Ring · #18 05-12-2005, 04:44 AM

...or James Brown who used to fine musicians for mistakes, or Frank Zappa, who used to record everything and play your mistake back to you afterwards...

Paul Warburton · #19 05-12-2005, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Care to fill him in, Paul? You survived her boot camp.

You do it Marcus...i'm afraid. Joe Kloess is still alive!

Frank D. · #20 05-12-2005, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barroso

thanks a lot for posting guys. for surre I'll do it. maybe it will take some times since i have to collect money. the shipping thru the ocean from usa to italy is really high.

my quest is just started...

Barroso, if you really want a King bass you should contact Brinks Musik in Sweden. They are Kings' European distributor. Ask King about their contact info.