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05-18-2006, 12:52 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2005 Location: los angeles | | | Ply 3/4 VS Carved 5/8
Hello all.
I have a couple of questions. The first one is out of curiosity. From what I understand, a carved bass is generally speaking louder (or becomes louder as it opens up) than a plywood bass. Could a fully carved 5/8 be louder than a plywood 3/4?
The second question relates to safety. I lay my bass on its side when i take a break from playing. When I "pack" it for the day I put it in its bag and keep it on its side. Would it make more sense to put it in a corner standing up, front facing the wall?
Thanks!
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05-18-2006, 01:13 AM
|  | Supporting Member
Luthier: Bresque Basses, rep: Paulin EUB | | Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia | | | Q1. it could ... and that's about as much as anyone could say I think.
Q2. In my experience a bass on its side gets tripped over and a bass in the corner doesn't. And a bass in its bag get played less than a bass not in its bag, so if you need to steal bass practice time like I do, the naked bass in the corner wins, unless you own a large and clumsy dog, or have young sons ... |
05-18-2006, 01:42 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2005 Location: los angeles | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker Q2. In my experience a bass on its side gets tripped over and a bass in the corner doesn't. And a bass in its bag get played less than a bass not in its bag, so if you need to steal bass practice time like I do, the naked bass in the corner wins, unless you own a large and clumsy dog, or have young sons ... | No big dog or kids but a roommate that is very respectful. I do live in Los Angeles where earthquakes do happen. Not that any of this will help when one hits, you know? As far as bass in bag/bass out of bag... I've always have made a point of "cleaning up" when I'm done. Even in my bands own rehearsal studio that we don't share. Packing up chords, effects etc. So at home I follow the same procedure: The bass gets put in its bag as part of the clean up. But you got a point. I'll investigate  |
05-18-2006, 01:54 AM
| | Supporting Member
Luthier: Bresque Basses, rep: Paulin EUB | | Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia | | | Aaaah earthquakes ... you didn't say that before. Now I'm thinking a reinforced metal cage in the basement, foam bumpers and a coat of epoxy varnish just might protect your bass ... just kidding!
Seriously, if I had to take my bass out of its bag every time I wanted to try something ... I'd never do it. In the corner its there, ready, waiting, engines running, pumps primed, ready to go ... |
05-18-2006, 04:14 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Woodlands, Texas | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by charmicarmicat Packing up chords, effects etc. | hmm... someone is hooked on music theory  
If you have a respectful room mate only, I think you should get a stand. I've known some basses to get some scratches on the frount sides from sitting in a corner (although I also know basses with scratches on the edges from lying on the side (my bass  )
I dunno... |
05-18-2006, 09:47 AM
|  | Oracle, Ancient Order of Rass Hattur | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Connecticut | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by charmicarmicat Hello all.
I have a couple of questions. The first one is out of curiosity. From what I understand, a carved bass is generally speaking louder (or becomes louder as it opens up) than a plywood bass. Could a fully carved 5/8 be louder than a plywood 3/4?
The second question relates to safety. I lay my bass on its side when i take a break from playing. When I "pack" it for the day I put it in its bag and keep it on its side. Would it make more sense to put it in a corner standing up, front facing the wall?
Thanks! | Louder? Well, it might be and it might not. In my experience, the reasons carved basses are preferred, in general, relates to their more desirable "complex" tonal qualities and not to loudness, per se. Yes, a fine, highly-coveted, carved orchestral bass will project a deeper "louder" tone than a plywood. On the other hand, suppose you're playing bluegrass. I dare say that many would judge a good plywood bass set up for this use as being "louder" because such instruments will often produce a more intense front-end "thump" than might a carved bass that would, otherwise, be judged a finer, more desirable instrument. In choosing a bass, "louder" is not necessarily a criterion of high priority for me.
As far as safety goes, why not buy a nice bass stand. Then you can "clean up" but also have access to the bass so that you can PLAY it. |
05-18-2006, 10:57 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2005 Location: los angeles | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by DRURB Louder? Well, it might be and it might not. In my experience, the reasons carved basses are preferred, in general, relates to their more desirable "complex" tonal qualities and not to loudness, per se. Yes, a fine, highly-coveted, carved orchestral bass will project a deeper "louder" tone than a plywood. On the other hand, suppose you're playing bluegrass. I dare say that many would judge a good plywood bass set up for this use as being "louder" because such instruments will often produce a more intense front-end "thump" than might a carved bass that would, otherwise, be judged a finer, more desirable instrument. In choosing a bass, "louder" is not necessarily a criterion of high priority for me.
As far as safety goes, why not buy a nice bass stand. Then you can "clean up" but also have access to the bass so that you can PLAY it. | Louder is not a priority for me either. If you want louder get a bigger amp I guess what I should have expressed myself better. Sorry about that. I realize now that the same question could be asked of a carved 3/4 vs. a ply 7/8. I'm just curious about size differences. In the electric world a long scale bass has more sustain than a short scale so you could say that the long scale is louder; Operative word being "could". Yes, both long and short scale have different characteristics. I was wondering if that could be applied in the upright world. I think you've answered my question but if anyone else is reading this feel free to chime in.
A nice bass stand... I'll check into it. The bass being in its bag really doesn't affect me playing it. I play my bass everyday. I don't play it as often as I'd like but that's the fault of "the man" not wanting to pay me to stay home and play music all day
Thank you all for your comments. |
05-18-2006, 11:34 AM
| | Oracle, Ancient Order of Rass Hattur | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Connecticut | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by charmicarmicat ...I play my bass everyday. I don't play it as often as I'd like but that's the fault of "the man" not wanting to pay me to stay home and play music all day | I hear you! If you find a way to have "the man" pay us while we stay home and play, please contact me immediately! |  | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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