Thoughts on this bass / Returning to Upright

'JC' · #1 12-14-2009, 04:14 AM

I think this may be the first time on the DB part of the forums.

Anyway after attending a friends concert tonight and support from others, I've decided I want to make a run at returning to playing upright since it's been on my mind a lot.

It's been nine years since I played upright regularly and I don't have one anymore. I played a Kay throughout high school. I feel very out of touch though as I'm not aware of brands or how to accurately assess quality/price/materials/workmanship at this current point in time and am looking for some general advice as well as thoughts on a particular local bass for sale.

-My short term goal is to find a model I can practice on and get back into "upright shape" with. I would like to use it on jazz gigs but still want to audition with a community orchestra with it if possible.

-I've come to deal with my wrist/carpal tunnel issues but upright always aggravated it more than electric ever did. Thus I want as thin a neck profile as possible.

-I'm a student who has to deal with the crappy economy too. I plan on dipping into some savings to fund this, but want to spend as little as possible. Under $1K is ideal including a german bow.

-What are some good bow resources? What should I look for in a bow?

-Finally - I found a seller looking to get rid of a "Czech made laminated top bass" (attached) which I will go check out later. The Czech made is confusing. I normally associate Czech with origin, not brand and usually being old and priced above the 5K range which this is not. What exactly is a "top bass?" It's in my price range which is why I'm interested. Can anyone provide info on this bass?

I'm still going through and searching old threads so I apologize if I asked a lot of general FAQ-like questions.

Thank you all.

Fletcher Lanning · #2 12-14-2009, 04:39 AM

As far as your wrist is concerned, a slimmer neck profile might actually exacerbate the problem. If the neck is to thin, you won't be able to arch your fingers around properly without collapsing your grip which will force you to use pressure from your wrist and fingers to hold the strings down instead of relying on the weight of your arm, eventually causing undue strain. It seems counter intuitive but it's what I've experienced and I've had it re-affirmed by a number of great players here and elsewhere.

'top bass' is not a separate part of the phrase. It is a 'laminated top bass' which means the top of the bass is made of some sort of laminate\plywood (I would also assume that the rest of the body is laminates as I've never heard of a bass with a laminate top in which the back or ribs were carved).

AMJBASS · #3 12-14-2009, 08:01 AM

Its probably a Strunal(Czech made). Solid, well made laminate bass. If it is set up well it should be a good bass to get you back into playing.

RustyAxe · #4 12-14-2009, 08:56 AM

I agree, the bass may be a Strunal laminated. I have one, model 50/4 in a "blond" finish, ebony fingerboard, tailpiece, and saddle. I wouldn't trade for any other laminated bass, I don't think there are many that are significantly "better". But she's new, and hasn't had time to give me much trouble yet. From what I read, she won't.

Find out where the bass was purchased, whether the owner had any work done it (all basses require some adjustment after delivery) and maybe find out who did the work. Strunals are sold by Sam Ash (click here) without any setup.

D McCartney · #5 12-14-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flanning

'top bass' is not a separate part of the phrase. It is a 'laminated top bass' which means the top of the bass is made of some sort of laminate\plywood (I would also assume that the rest of the body is laminates as I've never heard of a bass with a laminate top in which the back or ribs were carved).

I have a bass with laminate top and back with solid ribs.

hdiddy · #6 12-14-2009, 10:22 AM

+1 on the neck thickness. I'm sold on thick necks - they're easiest to play. Thin necks take more effort to play. I have one of both, and I can't play the thin necked bass anymore.

buffalobillh · #7 12-17-2009, 11:25 AM

I've had a Kay for 20 years. I love the thump, but 4 hour dances and shows are hell on my hand and wrist. I love playing festivals like Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, etc., but by the last show on the last day at SacJazz this year, my left hand got so numb when I played that it felt like it was on fire. That, my friend, AIN'T healthy.

I'm seriously considering an Upton Standard, or if I win the lotto, consider the Deluxe laminated bass. Because of the nature of frequent travel (in a pickup, a band trailer, flight case, etc.) Texas dancehalls, bandstands of various ilk all over the place, indoor and outdoor gigs year round, and people's carelessness, I do not want a carved bass. In addition, I like the thump of laminated basses, and it is best for the music and places I play.

Find what works for you, but if you will play a lot, you might avoid skinny necks. Save that for slab bass. ;-)

mje · #8 12-17-2009, 12:46 PM

Ditto on the desirability of a thick neck. Also, a good teacher will show you how to hold the bass so you don't have to squeeze the neck between your fingers and thumb- you use the weight of your arm or the bass. Makes a huge difference in comfort and the ability to play for a long period without aggravating injuries.

mjt0229 · #9 12-17-2009, 01:21 PM

I hope I can encourage you to start playing again, even after the time away. I've been playing seriously for the last 4 years after having taken about a 4 year hiatus from classical playing, including about 1 year where my bass never left its bag.

After that time away, I feared that returning to the instrument would be depressing and my technique would have frittered away, along with my finger strength.

It's true that my technique was a little rusty, but I also found that many of my bad habits were less, well, habitual. And, I think that after my time away I had much improved practice discipline. With the better discipline and with less deeply-ingrained bad habits, but still a pretty clear idea of what good technique looked like, I started out with simple exercises: Bille (roughly equivalent to Simandl) and Sturm, plus scales.

After a few weeks, I felt comfortable finding a teacher and taking a few lessons, then I joined an orchestra, then another. I think that it's safe to say that I'm now a much, much stronger and more complete player that I ever had been, even after having played and taken lessons through middle school, high school, and much of college before stopping.

In the process, I've returned to a hobby that has brought me years and years of enjoyment, and one that I can keep for decades to come.

Maybe some of this sounds familiar to you (even if you weren't a classical player), and I hope that you find that playing the bass again to be just as fulfilling as you remember. Don't fear to start again: if you loved it before, it's not too late to love it again.

(Apologies for not helping with bass buying advice, but other people covered that already.)