Are EUB easier on the hands

DocBop · #1 09-12-2007, 01:08 AM

I started playing DB a month or so ago and even after playing BG for ages DB is tiring my hand and fingers getting real sore. I can practice it only for hour or so and have to stop or go practice BG. I've never played a EUB and wondered if they are any easier to play so I could switch to EUB when my DB starts wearing my left hand out?

DonBox · #2 09-12-2007, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBop

I started playing DB a month or so ago and even after playing BG for ages DB is tiring my hand and fingers getting real sore. I can practice it only for hour or so and have to stop or go practice BG. I've never played a EUB and wondered if they are any easier to play so I could switch to EUB when my DB starts wearing my left hand out?

I find my 3/4 size DB with obligatos is strictly easier on my hands than my NS CR5M with superflexibles.

The neck on my CR5M is meatier so my left thumb doesn't the leverage I get on my "normal" profile DB neck.

WRT the right hand, the higher action on my DB gives me more leverage when I dig in.

I could imagine a different answer with a different pair of instruments to compare. Bottom line is it's pretty subjective.

DB

DocBop · #3 09-12-2007, 09:20 AM

Thanks Don, your my mentor again.

Guess I was thinking guitar world where electric instruments are lighter than acoustic. Maybe I should talk to my bass shop and see if i can get some lighter tension strings till I build up some endurance?

tornadobass · #4 09-12-2007, 10:47 PM

My BugBass EUB with light Helicore Hybrids is much easier on my hands than my American Standard URB with Permanents.

Easy to get low action on the Bug and the neck fits my hand better than the AS's chunky neck.

DocBop · #5 09-13-2007, 01:01 AM

Chunky necks from my slab days, chunky necks don't tire hands as much as thin necks over the course of a night.

Guess going to have to find a shop with some EUB's and try them out.

DocBop · #6 09-13-2007, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBop

Chunky necks from my slab days, chunky necks don't tire hands as much as thin necks over the course of a night.

Guess going to have to find a shop with some EUB's and try them out.

I got to play the high-end NS EUB today at GC, boy it was comfortable to play real fast neck. Strings definitely were easy to play. Sounded good too. But no body was tough for me to gauge where I was on the neck. The dots are on the face of the fingerboard so they weren't much help.

Now i have a good idea what EUB's are about and can see getting one in the future.

**Francois Blais** · #7 09-13-2007, 08:23 PM

Don't judge all EUBs in regard with the NS.
To me, an EUB must be similar to an AUB in feel and playability.
So my answer to your question would be: no.
But there are plenty different EUBs on the market, and some may be more easy to play.
But it all depends on the setup; fingerboard scoop, string height, top nut setup, string choice.
Some AUBs are easier to play than others.

There's no absolute answer to your question!

MacDaddyBass · #8 09-13-2007, 09:14 PM

If you're not ready to make the plunge on an EUB yet, I recommend trying some low tension strings. Obviously it'll change your sound and such, but for me spirocore weich's help a ton as far as wear and tear on my hands. Give it a shot.
Also just the other day my teacher used some string cleaner stuff on my bass and it helped a ton. Felt like brand new strings.

DocBop · #9 09-13-2007, 10:00 PM

Thanks for the comments. No, I don't plan on buying any gear for awhile, but was thinking strings could help a lot. I will check out those spirocore weich strings.

As for the NS it was nice but I would definitely want to check more out EUB's when the time is right. I think would like something that has some faux body or something for familiar reference points.

BigBeatNut · #10 09-14-2007, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBop

As for the NS it was nice but I would definitely want to check more out EUB's when the time is right. I think would like something that has some faux body or something for familiar reference points.

How about one of these ?

BSX Allegro bass

Brian Bromberg on BSX Allegro

It's got the neck heel as a reference point ... Spiro Weichs are fitted as a recommended upgrade ... loud enough for personal practice without being plugged in ....great tone ... I love mine.

Andy

TheSuzie · #11 09-14-2007, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonBox

The neck on my CR5M is meatier so my left thumb doesn't the leverage I get on my "normal" profile DB nect.

Please do not use your left thumb for leverage, you will cripple yourself in the long run. The force for fingering a DB comes through the weight of your arm, not the clamping force of your hand. Hope this helps.

S

damonsmith · #12 09-14-2007, 02:28 PM

I find EUBs to be harder work, if you want a nice, woody, percussive tone similar to double bass. The refference points do not matter as much as you would think in the end.

Christopher · #13 09-14-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBop

I started playing DB a month or so ago and even after playing BG for ages DB is tiring my hand and fingers getting real sore. I can practice it only for hour or so and have to stop or go practice BG. I've never played a EUB and wondered if they are any easier to play so I could switch to EUB when my DB starts wearing my left hand out?

Not really. It all depends on how the instrument is set up. Did you get your DB properly set up?

DocBop · #14 09-14-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

Not really. It all depends on how the instrument is set up. Did you get your DB properly set up?

Yes. Action is a hair high according to my teacher.

I had my first lesson with a new teacher yesterday and we talked about it. He said my endurance is good for this stage of development on DB. So guess I'm comparing to my BG playing too much.

funkybassplayer · #15 09-14-2007, 04:05 PM

the NS CRT, as i think they are called, comes with a small brass brad in the back of the neck to help find your self on the neck. they are also set up a bit differently as to catter to classical-ish playing

WoollyMammoth · #16 11-27-2007, 08:26 PM

answering an older post. You should NOT just use the thumb for leverage on urb but use your arm body and back to create the force needed. That said some necks are more confortable than others for sure

Bruce Lindfield · #17 11-28-2007, 03:40 AM

As people have said - they are all different!

So - NS basses are easier to play than DB - but do have their own problems.

I have found now that I have both - that when I go back to my NS CR5 , having got used to getting my fingers under the strings on DB and pulling through the string - that I am stumbling with the CR5's lower action and making mistakes until I have got used to that again!

But I have tried other EUBs in shops that I found stiffer and harder to play than my real DB!!

Bruce Lindfield · #18 11-28-2007, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBop

Yes. Action is a hair high according to my teacher.

I had my first lesson with a new teacher yesterday and we talked about it. He said my endurance is good for this stage of development on DB. So guess I'm comparing to my BG playing too much.

It takes a while to get any endurance on DB - so I had played BG for over 20 years, then EUB for a couple - but when I came to real DB I was struggling to get through one fast-tempo Jazz tune without aching so much I wanted to stop!

But after a year or so, I never wanted to stop playing!