Purchasing a Doublebass for Home Recording

[JOME77]

I've been a supporting member of TB for many years but never posted on the DB forum.
Over the last 2 years I've gotten really into home recording and would love to have a DB to use on some of the tunes that I write.
I'm considering purchasing an inexpensive DB and after some investigating feel that for what I'm wanting to do a 1/4 size DB would make more sense, since I primarily play a 35 scale fretted & fretless electric.
I'll only being using this instrument at home for recording (and room decor! ) and really have no aspirations of greatly wood shedding my DB skills. My passion lies in the electric bass.
I assume that the smaller 1/4 size would certainly lack some of the overall volume of the larger 3/4 size but is there anything else that I should consider? Would it be awkward to play in a standing position (I'm 5'8" with relatively small hands)?

Any constructive comments would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Even taking all the above into account, I would get a 3/4 bass for the following reasons:

- the DB is a different animal, and I don't think you will gain enough "transferability" of BG technique via the scale length to make up for the sound you will be giving up.

- If you don't want to do much shedding, go with lower string height and lighter strings on a 3/4, and you'll still get more sound than a heavier setup on a 1/4.

- your height is fine. I've had many female students who sound great on a 3/4, all but one of which was shorter than that.

- 1/4 basses are likely to be harder to find in the kind of quality that 3/4 basses are available. Think of BG's that are designed for kids. How many really nice ones are there, really, when compared to nice full scale basses?

- a 1/4 bass won't make nearly as nice of a room decoration as a 3/4 standing in the corner.

[Bass Barrister]

Adding to CF's wise advice:

1. The cost of a decent quality 1/4 size bass with a proper set-up, new or used, will probably be about the same as the cost of a decent quality 3/4 size bass, new or used.

2. Re-selling a 1/4 size bass can be tough, no matter how good it is.

1/4 size basses do look "cute" but they are really designed to be entry-level basses for children. Right now, the market favors buyers, particularly for used instruments. If you keep your eyes (and ears) open, you can snag a good 3/4 bass that I think will make you more happy than any smaller example.

Be sure to check out the TB Classifieds.

[Marton]

So you say that because I'm 5'8" and I have small hands, that I can't play a Double Bass ?

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by Marton

So you say that because I'm 5'8" and I have small hands, that I can't play a Double Bass ?

lol

Absolutely not!

I would never imply that. I'm in totally unknown waters on the DB subject and thought that info might be helpful in obtain sound advice.

Thanks for the well though through replies Chris & BB. I'm sure that I haven't got a clue exactly what I'm getting myself into. I just love the sound of a DB and would like to have it available for my recording.
I guess that I'm really concerned that going back and forth from my fretted & fretless 35" scale electrics and the 3/4 size DB (and it's 41.3 scale) would negatively affect my left hand muscle memory (particularly on the fretless).

[Marton]

Technique is really different on the double bass, so it's pretty much a different muscle memory. But seriously, if you plan to learn the double bass, get a teacher and learn it correctly. It's much easier to injure yourself on a DB if you don't know what you're doing.

[braydensharrar]

Originally Posted by JOME77

I guess that I'm really concerned that going back and forth from my fretted & fretless 35" scale electrics and the 3/4 size DB (and it's 41.3 scale) would negatively affect my left hand muscle memory (particularly on the fretless).

Doesn't seem to have a negative affect on Christian McBride, or any just about any other doubler come to think of it.

I concur with getting a 3/4. Who knows, you might fall in love with DB and want to play it more than you think, it's been known to happen.

~B

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by JOME77

I guess that I'm really concerned that going back and forth from my fretted & fretless 35" scale electrics and the 3/4 size DB (and it's 41.3 scale) would negatively affect my left hand muscle memory (particularly on the fretless).

I hear you, but think of the two as related but very different animals. Like the difference between a motorcycle (BG) and a bicycle (DB). When you get on one, you simply switch into motorcycle or bicycle mode. I wouldn't recommend trying to get a bike that feels like a motorcycle or vice versa. The skill sets are similar in general, but completely different in their particulars.

[JOME77]

OK

You guys have convinced me that 3/4 size is the way to go.

Very good example Chris (bicycle/motor cycle)! It think that I had my mind too wrapped around the neck scale (only) and didn't really consider everything else involved.

Thanks for the direction guys. 3/4 size it is.

[PMF1]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

Like the difference between a motorcycle (BG) and a bicycle (DB). When you get on one, you simply switch into motorcycle or bicycle mode.

yes, thats a really good comparison and description

[nicechuck]

I'll tell you my experience. I too record at home, alot, I write songs and record them, I play all the instruments and sing all the vocals. Tho alot in this forum would warn you against it, I got a Cecilio CDB-100 off ebay. They now run about $500. I got Corelli 380M strings (light tension, low price) filed the nut slots and found a bridge that fits the bass perfectly, the one that comes with it is Really huge and has to be replaced or cut down alot. If you can do that and set the soundpost or know someone who can, it's a very nice bass, esp. for the price, sounds and plays very well now and I've had no problems with it at all. The problem of course is that you can't play the bass before you buy. I have been in contact with another guy who got the same bass and got the same results from it. There are also some EUB's that aren't badly priced but I would not want one that has a flat fingerboard like an electric bass. Whatever you decide, best of luck to you, I'm sure you'll enjoy and you'll be surprised how much of a rewarding challange it is to play upright.

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by nicechuck

I'll tell you my experience. I too record at home, alot, I write songs and record them, I play all the instruments and sing all the vocals. Tho alot in this forum would warn you against it, I got a Cecilio CDB-100 off ebay. They now run about $500. I got Corelli 380M strings (light tension, low price) filed the nut slots and found a bridge that fits the bass perfectly, the one that comes with it is Really huge and has to be replaced or cut down alot. If you can do that and set the soundpost or know someone who can, it's a very nice bass, esp. for the price, sounds and plays very well now and I've had no problems with it at all. The problem of course is that you can't play the bass before you buy. I have been in contact with another guy who got the same bass and got the same results from it. There are also some EUB's that aren't badly priced but I would not want one that has a flat fingerboard like an electric bass. Whatever you decide, best of luck to you, I'm sure you'll enjoy and you'll be surprised how much of a rewarding challange it is to play upright.

Thanks for the suggestion Chuck. I'm definitely looking to start out with an inexpensive model. This thread has narrowed it down to a 3/4 size and now I need to find something for ~$1000.
I'm a fairly well seasoned luthier but most of my experience is with electric guitars and basses. But with the guidance of a couple very experienced DB playing friends and online help I hope to be able to fine tune what ever I end up with into a playable state.
I'll definitely check out the Cecilio CDB-100 model. I've actually been really looking closely at the Cremona SB-2 model too.

[nicechuck]

There are actually reviews of some Cremona basses on this site, some good, some bad. I can't find any reviews of the Cecilio basses, just from the one guy on another site that has one. For me, I couldn't be happier. Mine even fell over from vertical right onto it's side on my hard floor and all it did was scar the outer front bout, so I feel the neck is attached well etc. If you can look at and play a bass first, it would probably be best, but being unemployed at the time, I took a chance on what I could afford and looked good and was very fortunate.

[JOME77]

Well I heeded all of your advice and changed my order to a 3/4 size bass (within hours of my original order for the 1/4 size) and low and behold they delivered the 1/4 size anyway!

I ordered on a weekend when they (Instrumentalley.com) were closed and sent an email within hours of the original order and left a voice mail too but apparently they just ignored them all. I even got a confirmation message from a guy on their online chat system stating that they received the change and that everything would be taken care of.

Oh well, between return shipping and their restocking fee I'm going to just keep it. The good news is that after spending a few evenings setting the bass up (Cremona SB-2) and after installing some decent strings & a pickup (Corelli 350B strings & Bass Max) I'm totally smitten! Definitely lots of new challenges but I'm loving it. I think that this bass will work fine for the recording that I plan to do.
I suppose that I'll either continue to advance and eventually migrate to a better 3/4 size instrument or I'll cool down and just be content to play this one. Time will tell.

[nicechuck]

As long as you're happy and the bass inspires you to keep playing, can't see how that can be a bad thing. Glad you like the bass