Looking for first Double Bass.....need help!

[keb555]

I've decided to try a Double Bass since my Takamine disappointed me.... it just really wasn't loud enough to go with the setting. i mean the acoustic guitar completely drowned me out. but since my band's been playing some swing charts, i figured a double bass was the obvious answer. especially for the small club setting i've been in lately.

but i need know what i should be looking for in this style of bass. I don't seem to know the difference between a double bass and an upright?

and what the difference is between a 3/4 and a full? quality-wise that is

[pat1151]

Hi there,

There is actually no difference between a Double bass and an Upright bass. They are the same instrument, just different names that people call it.

Also, as far as I know, there is no difference in quality between a 3/4 size bass and a full size bass.

The majority of basses you will encounter are 3/4 sized basses and it is pretty much the standard. Full size basses are actually quite rare and would actually be more difficult to play due to the extra long string length.

Hope I helped!

[dustdbass6]

I too am debating starting the world of upright bass playing and wonder what brands/models are good starter basses? I don't even know what to look for in an upright, but I don't need one of these $10,000 guys. Just something to learn on and play some jazz standards or bluegrass. Any info would be much appreciated, thanks!

[tranehead]

Dependent on height I would recommend a 5/8 to someone below 5'10" who had never played b4. 3/4 is a pretty standard size, but there are many variations on shoulder sizes and dependent on how long you're deciding on keeping it and how much solo work....... Well, these are things you'd probably figure out in time on your own. Main thing is find something that has an adjustable bridge, find a luthier who is competent who can set it up for HOW IT WORKS BEST FOR YOU!, and remember that a great luthier can make any sound as well as it possibly can and you don't have to spend a whole lot of money to get a good sounding bass. eventually, if you decide to stick with it, you might want to upgrade, but by then you'll know better what you want and how you want it to sound. MOST IMPORTANT- Find a good Double Bass teacher in your area (maybe a grad student at a university or a great player you meet at a gig somewhere) and study with them. Proper technique is CRUCIAL as you can quickly ruin your hands doing it the WRONG way. I teach Double Bass at a University and I see too many students come in with poor technique that will ruin their hands in a few years if I don't get them straightened out.

Hope that helps.

[CamMcIntyre]

Check out the Newbie Links guys. There's a lot of really good info that will give you guys a nice start.