thumb position on EUB???

jzucker · #1 10-12-2007, 08:34 PM

Anyone else have problems with this? The body of my azola makes it very difficult to get the wrist positioned correctly...

chuck1073 · #2 10-13-2007, 10:26 AM

I'll second that ... and raise you "bowing while seated".

Tough having the face of the instrument so much closer to your body. As much as I like playing my bug I sorely miss my DB. Can't wait for my lami to be done (2 months to go)

Can't rush the Upton guys though. It's worth the wait.

daHammer · #3 10-13-2007, 10:28 AM

I don't have a hand position problem in thumb position on my Eminence bass which has a form factor similar to some Azola models, although the thin body (as compared to an acoustic upright bass) makes supporting the bass securely a problem. Smooth, rapid shifts to, from, and within the thumb position are difficult. I tend to resolve this issue by playing in a sitting position whenever possible and using a cello-like approach. On the other hand "Stick" format basses like the NS Bass and Bass Cello (which I also play) usually don't require resorting to the thumb position unless you wish to play complex passages in the upper range using the lower strings (A, E and B on a 5-string).

Mike Arnopol · #4 10-13-2007, 10:37 AM

I play on a new bass called "Volante". It's made by a Luthier in France. The shape pretty much perfectly mimics the double bass. I play in thumb position a lot. The bass is designed so that the heel of the neck and shoulders feel like a regular bass. The one thing that I had added was an extra lower bout piece that is where the bass rests against my left leg so the the balance when standing feels like a regular double bass. There is a top jazz and classical player in Paris who plays sitting. He had a different piece made so that the bass when sitting rests correctly. I've owned two EUB's. The first was the Alter Ego. I thoght this was the best until I played the Volante. It also has all of the ergonomics done correctly. This bass has an adjustable upper bout (g string side) so that it can feel like a high or sloping shoulder bass. The Volante sounds ( and plays) better.

TimoMetzemakers · #5 10-13-2007, 11:17 AM

Hi Mike,

Is it this bass? http://www.acoustic-guitars.com/imag...e_bass_pop.jpg

It's funny; it seems that it's built an hour away from where I live; yet I had to read about it in Talkbass...

jzucker · #6 10-13-2007, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daHammer

I don't have a hand position problem in thumb position on my Eminence bass

what makes it difficult on many EUBs is that you have no place to lay your forearm.

damonsmith · #7 10-13-2007, 12:10 PM

Laying your forearm on the body is poor technique in the first place, the arm should always be free.
I find TP on an EUB easier with the body out of the way.

jzucker · #8 10-13-2007, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damonsmith

I find TP on an EUB easier with the body out of the way.

Maybe because your stick bass doesn't have a body? It's certainly not easier on mine. It's hard to get the body angle right because the bass turns without the thumb support. Part of the answer is a better support rod on the azola. I'm going to look into getting a bigger one.

Kevin Hsieh · #9 10-13-2007, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

what makes it difficult on many EUBs is that you have no place to lay your forearm.

i think the difficulty is not necessarily not having a place to lay your forearm. as a previous post mentioned, it is pretty bad technique, but it is the idea of not having that reference point that tends to make thumb position difficult. in thumb postion on an URB, my forearm is a couple inches above the upper edge of my bass and i know where it is and can reach it at any point, being comfortable with it.

this is one of the exact reasons i'm staying away from purchasing an EUB in the first place and would like to see how other people feel about this.

btw i'm interested in the Wav4 if that's of any help.

salcott · #10 10-13-2007, 07:29 PM

I have a Merchant Vertical Bass and went through a lot of experimentation to get the "wings" on both sides to feel right. The one on the E string side had to be altered to make the bass orient itself properly and the other had to be moved a couple of times as well. Ultimately, it was worth the trouble. If you want your EUB to feel like an upright, it's the Merchant or the Czech-eez, IMHO. As far as the Wav4 goes, I'm having the string spacing on mine altered to conform with my other "upright" axes, and the piece of junk stand that came with it must be dealt with, but other than that, I'm gonna deal with it on its own terms. I might switch to thumb position or not; it gives me the option. The VBass I play like a standard upright.

chuck1073 · #11 10-13-2007, 07:46 PM

The TP problem I notice has mostly to do with the difference in wrist position vs the curve of the arm in TP when on DB. DB always feels more natural to me

Not to say that it's not possible to play in TP on the Azola...it just feels different. My hand doesn't look as relaxed. More tension. Probably as time goes by this will change. Then I'll have to reverse it all when I'm back on the DB full time.

damonsmith · #12 10-13-2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

Maybe because your stick bass doesn't have a body? It's certainly not easier on mine. It's hard to get the body angle right because the bass turns without the thumb support. Part of the answer is a better support rod on the azola. I'm going to look into getting a bigger one.

Yeah, that could be the trouble. My ergo is on a stand, which was very easy to get used to. I could see that being an issue.
I use the Rabbath concept for TP and lay the neck on my shoulder for double bass. Maybe if you try that, it really frees you up on double bass.