Standing on an upright bass like the Tielman Brothers?

[shawofspades]

Weird question: How can I make sure I choose a sturdy enough bass to support someone standing on it?

Like this: Youtube link

I'm in a rowdier band and was thinking of getting a cheaper bass to have some fun with.

It's frightening sometimes just hauling my $3,000 DB to shows, let alone letting anybody stand on it (or really do anything to it besides play it). Should I look at fiberglass options? I know they hold better in varying weather conditions.

Would a cheap bass just mean cheap construction and therefore I'm stuck unless I want to take chances? I wonder what kind of bass the Tielman Brothers used?

Just curious for some outside input. I am a longtime lurker to these forums, but finally have a legitimate question/contribution.

[drurb]

That's easy-- just affix one of these to the bottom of each C-bout:



Seriously, I don't know of any bass on which it's safe to stand. What you're looking for is more of a stage prop that doubles as a double bass.

[Jsn]

After I got through cringing at the very thought, I remembered that Upton offers a "reinforced build" option that addresses shenanigans like standing on the bass:

http://www.uptonbass.com/BASS-ORDER-...nforced-Build/

Hope this helps.

[Bass]

Yeah but the Upton bass with re-inforced build would be approaching $3000 wouldn't it? Which the OP says is too expensive to stand on.

Eberle basses from Ideal music are a good choice for an inexpensive sturdy bass.

[shawofspades]

Originally Posted by drurb

That's easy-- just affix one of these to the bottom of each C-bout:



Seriously, I don't know of any bass on which it's safe to stand. What you're looking for is more of a stage prop that doubles as a double bass.

A playable stage prop, yes.

[shawofspades]

I'll have to look into the options.

I like the idea of a reinforced build, especially since the page specifically addresses standing on a bass. Too bad it would be expensive.

An Eberle bass was something I was looking into. They are supposed to be built like tanks. I haven't seen any used ones nearby, though.

[james condino]

Get an old Aluminum AlCoA bass from the 1930s- perfect for rowdy bands with heavy stage theatrics. They are indestructible. I once did a band photo shoot with four people standing on the sides of the instrument with no issues at all, and I've heard of a player installing a custom endpin on one that worked just like a real pogo stick, so they could stand on it and bounce around....

j.

[forester]

short show if it's fiberglass...it'll fold like a cheap suit.

[LeslieD]

Originally Posted by Bass

Eberle basses from Ideal music are a good choice for an inexpensive sturdy bass.

I know I'm the weirdo that LOVES Eberle basses. I'd NEVER recommend standing on them.

THIS is the bass you should stand on:

Custom bass project

[uprightben]

The guy in that video was able to let the guitar player stand on his bass because he supported it with his crotch.

[Rebop]

I just bought a Palatino bass to do this kind of stuff with. It's the model with the ebony board so not bottom of the barrel as far as CCB's go; but pretty junky.
It had been pierced with a forklift while on a palette from the factory and then patched up fairly good by one of my distributors when they got it. I paid $400 for it and can stand on it, lay it down and have the guitarist stand on it. Flip it in the air, you name it.

Any bass can be stood on. The question is whether you'd want to.

Get a cheap plywood for it and move on with your life...

[Andrew Hamilton]

I believe Donovan Stokes had an instrument specially made so that he could do things like this.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/donovan...7622731464277/

He probably also has some insight into it on his website.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Rebop

Any bass can be stood on.

...at least, for a few seconds.

[Bass]

Originally Posted by shawofspades

...An Eberle bass was something I was looking into. They are supposed to be built like tanks. I haven't seen any used ones nearby, though.

According to Simon from The Peacocks, "Built like a Tank", yes. It is my understanding that he owns one / has owned one and has probably dragged it all over the world many times over and probably stands on it very often.

I own an Eberle and 2006 European Upton. I don't like the thought of standing on the Upton, it doesn't feel quite as sturdy with the solid ribs.

Conversely, the Eberle feels very sturdy and I don't have any reservation standing on it whatsoever.

If you want a real bass (not a CCB) at a reasonable price that is built sturdy enough to stand on, I would once again recommend an Eberle.

[shawofspades]

I know this response is late, but thanks for all the input.

Not much in the Tallahassee area but Cremonas, etc. where people got ripped off and are trying to make their money back on them. If I'm going to get a crap bass, I want it to be super cheap. If I am going to put some money down, I think I will go towards some of the recommendations on here.

[Will Wolfgang]

As a street performer I have stood wooden basses for about 8 years now. If you weigh less that 150 lb, the dammage will be minimal, provided the bass is not plywood, But i have a Better option. I play a MAD Crusher bass. Can't break it, just not possible, I have tried.
Below is me and the formentioned bass

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Will Wolfgang

...If you weigh less that 150 lb, the dammage will be minimal, provided the bass is not plywood...

I would think that would be provided that the bass is plywood. I think the damage would be far more substantial if you tried it with a carved DB.

[MarTONEbass]

My first post in the DB section to say this: contact Jack at Upton. He used to be in the Amazing Royal Crowns out of Providence, RI and he stood on his Kay during every show. He's on the smaller side, but he'll steer you right!

[Will Wolfgang]

It was no grammor error. My carved (owned since i was 8) has held up to my abuse just fine. What I meant in reguards to dammage is that the worst you will see (or should see) Is some scratching or flat wood on the bottom of the bass from prolonged pressure. A plywood you will see some soft spots, followed by cracks, followed by some body warping, then you fall through. May take a while, but Ive been through two of em'

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Will Wolfgang

It was no grammor error. My carved (owned since i was 8) has held up to my abuse just fine. What I meant in reguards to dammage is that the worst you will see (or should see) Is some scratching or flat wood on the bottom of the bass from prolonged pressure. A plywood you will see some soft spots, followed by cracks, followed by some body warping, then you fall through. May take a while, but Ive been through two of em'

I don't think your experience with your carved bass is representative at all. In general, I believe, based on a raft of evidence and opinions, that standing on a well-made carved bass will yield far more damage than standing on a plywood bass. A plywood rib, for example, is generally substantially stronger than a maple one.

I warn any readers considering using their carved basses as a stage-prop in such a manner, that the following statement simply does not represent what is generally accepted on the basis of a large base of experience:

Originally Posted by Will Wolfgang

...If you weigh less that 150 lb, the dammage will be minimal, provided the bass is not plywood...

If we're talking about decent carved instruments, then we're talking about DBs valued in the multi-thousands of $$$. Anyone is free to do what he/she wants with his/her own property but, IMO, anyone who would stand on a nice carved DB is, well, a fool.