I need some double bass advice!!!

attackbass · #1 07-16-2007, 06:49 PM

Hi,

I'm an electric player usually but have been asked to perform on double bass in a jazz quartet for a residency in a hotel in my town. I'm familiar with the upright from lessons i had when i was younger and i own an upright... this is where advice is needed!

The bass isn't the greatest in the world and it needs new strings, bridge and a bit of repair to the fingerboard around the thumb position area. Is it worth spending the money on these things for a, lets be honest, shoddy upright or is it worth investing in a new upright?

I've been looking into the various possibilities of an electric upright. I can't afford £1000s but have seen a few nice models such as the aria and the ns design wav which are affordable. Does anyone know of anymore similar makes?

I basically want an investment in the instrument I buy. I don't want to buy something i will replace in a couple of years you know.

if anyone can offer any help it would be much appreciated!

thanks

RD · #2 07-17-2007, 02:11 AM

Your best bet is to take your bass to a reputable luthier near you and get an assessment of it and the likely cost of bringing it up to snuff. May cost a little bit, but it will be valuable info.
Also, search your own goals to figure out if this will be a life pursuit for you or not. Anyway you slice it, double basses require a significant investment, at least initially.
RD

John Sprague · #3 07-17-2007, 07:31 AM

Hi Attack,
Why don't you go ahead and add your location to your profile, and we can let you know who is close to you. RD's advice is best, about having a luthier look at it first hand.

attackbass · #4 07-17-2007, 05:19 PM

I'm based in the UK.

I think I'm going to go the electric upright way for it's portability and versatility for crossing iover into the rock/sessions i do. Saying that I haven't tried one yet so I will find a music store close to me that sells them and see how comfortable I feel with it.

Bass is something I'm intending to play for my entire life so some investment now will hopefully pay off in the future if i get more work from being able to double up. Thanks for the advice!

Dave Whitla · #5 07-17-2007, 05:55 PM

If you're in the UK, check out http://www.bassix.net. Alan makes these great sounding EUBs in his shed and they're very reasonable for how good they sound. And there are loads of luthiers around to get advice from on your bass, particularly in London. Roger Dawson has a very good reputation...

Dbassmon · #6 07-17-2007, 06:02 PM

Attackbass sounds like you have your heart set on EUB which is totally cool. Be aware, they don't really have the sound of DB. Close but no cigar. You may find with a set up, some new strings that your bass sings. If it does, you are gonna be thrilled. Don't give up on it quite so easily. BTW, I don't think going with EUB is gonna get you more gigs. If you can make a beautiful sound on a DB, it has mojo a EUB will never have. If you are serious about playing rock on it, check it with a Pick up and Gut strings....nasty. FWIW

attackbass · #7 07-21-2007, 06:49 PM

Hey, thanks for all your advice. I'm kinda in two minds about what to do!

I think what is most likely going to happen is I'll get an EUB as well the upright set up correctly. Then use the upright for practice and for any gigs where it has to be a double bass.

I think the portability of an EUB will help me out a lot. My car is small, train rides with an electric bass are hard enough etc.. could you imagine getting on a tube with a double bass! ha ha

I've been looking at an ARIA EUB - does anyone know much about these?!

MingusAmongUs · #8 07-21-2007, 10:07 PM

While transporting a DB is cumbersome, consider that there are many gigs where you can get away without using an amp. Can't do that with an electric anything. Just a thought. I'd rather carry a DB than an amp any day.