New Bass Day - Thompson RM-100

Grizzly700 · #1 02-12-2011, 08:55 PM

Hello everyone,

I am an electric bass guy converting over to this side, and last week I placed my order for a Thompson bass from The String Emporium. I do not believe the transaction could have went any more smoothly, I called Steve (the owner) and we talked on the phone for a good while, he was very willing to talk through every part of the purchase with me, and he was a great help to me, with this being my first upright. I called him I believe last Friday night, and he had the bass set up to my exact needs (we talked about set up for a while too) by yesterday, overnighted it through Southwest Airlines Cargo, and I picked it up from the airport in Nashville.

First Impressions:

The bass was packed very well. The finish on this is gorgeous, and there is some nice figuring in the top and on the back of the neck. The action is AWESOME. This smoked the Engelhardts I had played in my price range, as far as playability and finish goes. The build quality as far as I can tell is superior also. I have not had the opportunity to try it out amplified, but will get back to you on that Monday. I am very satisfied with my purchase.

Pros that I have found so far:

Price
Set Up
Customer Service
Quality

Cons so far:

Not very loud.

I will get back with some pictures and video soon.

EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7Uhe...e_gdata_player
Forgive the intonation and technique issues. This is my first upright.

Herbie 80's · #2 02-12-2011, 10:03 PM

The comment you will get is get a teacher.

Take the advice!

PS: Nice bass. When I was first starting, I thought of those as well.

Jsn · #3 02-13-2011, 12:12 AM

She's beautiful. Enjoy!

Also: thanks for the video. I know you're just getting started, but I'll mention this because you commented on the bass' volume. You'll get much better volume (and tone) if you don't pluck the strings horizontally, but dig into them with the sides of your fingers. Try pointing your index and middle finger to the floor and lay as much flesh as possible alongside the strings, then experiment from there.

Melik · #4 02-13-2011, 12:53 AM

Dave Irwin · #5 02-13-2011, 05:37 AM

Congratulations on a nice looking bass. Great post too. I don't see too many YouTubes attached to "got a new bass" posts. Very cool.
Regarding the volume you're getting out of it as you're pizz technique develops. You look like you're afraid of hurting it right now

. Just start digging in with more the side of your fingers with your finger more vertical with the string. (check out other players on youtube until you get to a teacher)
Otherwise, using a bow can help open up the sound on the bass. I read a post on here some time back about bowing minor 2nds (example open A and Ab on the E string at the same time). The idea is the dissonance gives the wood a good shaking and loosens it up. I can't prove it works but it seems to with mine.

Good luck and enjoy.

forester · #6 02-13-2011, 06:19 AM

congrats.
darkside worthy.

drurb · #7 02-13-2011, 11:22 AM

Congrats on your pretty new DB! Seems you made a wise choice for yourself. I absolutely agree with the comments about your pizz. style. Once you learn to stop playing your DB like an overgrown vertical EB (no offense intended by that

), you'll experience, not only the true joy of your acoustic instrument, but how loud it will be! Couldn't see what the left hand was doing but hope it was fingering 1-2-4 and not 1-2-3-4, as on EB.

In any case, please do yourself a favor and get, at the very least, a few lessons with a good teacher. Not only will this set you on the path to more rewarding technique, but it will help you to avoid bad habits and injury to your hands. The potential for injury may be greater than you think.

Welcome to and enjoy the dark side!

Jazzdogg · #8 02-13-2011, 11:32 AM

Nice bass!

Here's an example of pretty good DB technique:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Qaz...x=0&playnext=1

Grizzly700 · #9 02-13-2011, 12:02 PM

Thank you all for all the nice comments and technique help! I'm trying to find someone from either the University of Tennessee or the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for lessons. Other than those resources there are pretty much only bluegrass players around here.

Will Yager · #10 02-14-2011, 07:08 PM

You need to contact Rusty Holloway at UTK. I can send you his phone number if you're interested. I know some other good teachers too, but Rusty is the man to see around here.

thirtyhz · #11 02-16-2011, 10:24 AM

I know I'll probably get flamed for this but when I first switched from EB to DB (the first time) and learned right hand pizz technique I realized I needed to build up calluses more on the side of the fingers which takes a while. A trick that got me through that painful period when I had to play, but was sore, was to apply supper glue to the contact areas on my fingers. It does effect the feel and sound somewhat by also allows you to play when you normally can't due to soreness. If you worried about toxicity try Liquid Band Aid.
Flame away!

Jsn · #12 02-16-2011, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thirtyhz

I know I'll probably get flamed for this but when I first switched from EB to DB (the first time) and learned right hand pizz technique I realized I needed to build up calluses more on the side of the fingers which takes a while. A trick that got me through that painful period when I had to play, but was sore, was to apply supper glue to the contact areas on my fingers. It does effect the feel and sound somewhat by also allows you to play when you normally can't due to soreness. If you worried about toxicity try Liquid Band Aid.
Flame away!

No flamage here. What you're suggesting is pretty common practice among DBers.

Now, if you suggested using a pick!

Rocky · #13 02-16-2011, 11:03 AM

Nice looking bass! Best of luck with it.

TroyK · #14 02-16-2011, 12:17 PM

For what it's worth, Super Glue made things A LOT worse for me when I tried that in desperation once. It seemed to stick to my fingers and then pull big chucks of skin off with it as I played.

Nu Skin or Liquid Band Aide, helps a bit and doesn't seem to have that downside.

Nice bass, you may find that it's capable of more volume than you think, as others have said. Having a teacher or an experienced player play on it for you will give you an idea.

Grizzly700 · #15 02-19-2011, 05:00 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkN21mXESYw

Here's a video from week 2. I am trying to convince my parents to get me lessons, but for now I have TalkBass and youtube.

Looking at this video I think the flaw in my technique is that I shouldn't be putting all the pressure from plucking a string on 1 finger. I feel that the my intonation and volume is greatly improved from the first video.

Herbie 80's · #16 02-19-2011, 05:11 PM

You need a good teacher, bro.

TroyK · #17 02-19-2011, 05:16 PM

That's good improvement for a week.

Stay after your parents for lessons. Even if you could only get one a month with a good teacher, it would your practice time more productive.

Say things like "...really want to avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as a result of bad technique..." to them and maybe they'll come around. Fear sells, just listen to politicians and newscasters.

salcott · #18 02-19-2011, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will Yager

You need to contact Rusty Holloway at UTK. I can send you his phone number if you're interested. I know some other good teachers too, but Rusty is the man to see around here.

I'll second that-Rusty is a fine player and the ONLY person I ever loaned my Olde Tyrolean to.

Grizzly700 · #19 02-19-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salcott

I'll second that-Rusty is a fine player and the ONLY person I ever loaned my Olde Tyrolean to.

He has been contacted. I am going to try to pull the "we are getting our tax return soon we can useit to fund lessons!"

Jsn · #20 02-21-2011, 10:27 AM

Hey, just wanted to say I hope you'll continue to post regular (if not weekly) progress videos. That would be very educational for a lot of people, as it would show them how ability accrues, with persistence and patience.

One thing about the double bass--it's one of the most beloved instruments. I can hardly play a gig without at least one person coming up to me, looking at it lovingly and saying they always dreamed of playing one someday. But it's also a very intimidating instrument. When I encourage them to give it a try, they take a few timid plucks, register the difficulty, and back away. Might be nice to show some of those dreaming people the ramp of progress.