Total newbie, does size matter?

[BigDalBass]

Hi all! Now this may be the most ridiculous question you've heard so please forgive my ignorance and be gentle with me. I am completely new to upright bass and am going to be playing rock & roll/rockabilly. I bought a 3/4 size bass to learn on. I'm 6' 3" tall and have to have the peg fully extended to get the bass at correct height for me. Should I have bought a 4/4 full size bass? Someone told me that to rockabilly players 3/4 IS full size and that only classical players play 4/4 basses. Is this true? Thanks i advance. Darren

[Jake deVilliers]

Hey Darren, 3/4 is the most usual size for DB players, whether rockabilly, jazz, classical or bluegrass. You'll do fine with it.

That said, there is no hard and fast "3/4 size" - DBs are very individual creatures and vary widely. Its always a good idea to play as many as you can before deciding.

In your case you might want to have the endpin replaced with one with a longer pin better suited to your style.

Have fun with it!

[BigDalBass]

Thanks alot Jake very helpful. I absolutely love playing the thing. I play in a 50's rock n roll trio and it was the piano player's idea to be honest. However, I've started my own band just so that I can play the DB more. Check us out at www.goldstarrockandrollband.com again be gentle though! lol I had only played the DB about a month when we did the demo. Didn't do any slapping on the demo but I'm trying to get my head around that technique. Watched a guy called Mark Winchester playing with Brian Setzer... I couldn't even figure out what he was doing half the time, didn't seem even physically possible! lol he is an amazing player. Any tips greatly appreciated.

[Bass]

I have a hard time believing that represents a months playing! Good stuff, be sure to drop by www.rockabillybass.com for more info on slap technique.

[BigDalBass]

Well I've been playing electric bass for a long time but honestly I'd only had the DB a month when we did that recording. Thanks for the feedback though. Wish I could get my head around the slap technique a bit quicker, it's like starting all over again. Good fun though! lol

[Feral Feline]

I'm 6'5" and had to replace my bass' old endpin. It was too short and then the set screw stripped anyway.

I now have an extra long carbon/graphite endpin (extended 10" while playing) on my bass. I believe it is a 3/4 bass.

Hang on, grabbing the measuring tape...

Height
Full: 73" (6'1")
Body: 44"
Mensur: 42.5"
Scroll to Shoulder: 29"

Width
Upper Bout: 19"
C Bout: 14"
Lower Bout: 25.5"
Rib: 8.25" (tapers to 6.5" at the neck heel)
Nut: 1.75"

Since I'm at it...

Weight: 24 lb

Soft Case (w/tuner, music, spare strings etc): 15 lb

So, I guess my bass is a 7/8 and not a 3/4 like I thought.

[KeepEmThumpin]

There should be a tall bass players' club, I swear.... I'm 6'2, myself, footwear aside, which is usually constituted by a pair of Dr. Martens. So I know about the endpin issue. I bought mine off an unusually tall Korean guy, so the endpin was pretty long in the first place. One thing I notice among psychobilly players is that in order to keep the endpin length down, they tend to straddle the bass (Take a look at the Reverend's bassist) and take a very 'Lee Rocker' type approach to their fingering. The classical guys will rip on you for it, but they're obviously not 'billy players

As for slapping, it's not so tough. This guy is good at showing you the basics. It's all mechanics from there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF1uCvVo0z0

and once you feel comfortable with that,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF1uCvVo0z0

Happy slappin'!

[SuperB23]

BigDalBass Lee Rocker has a great video where he teaches Rockabilly slap bass. I found it very helpful!!! I learned a lot from it. The key is to loosin up from what I found and just go for it!!!!

[BigDalBass]

Thanks guys for all your responses, very helpful. I have now bought the Lee Rocker DVD and it is very good. Just practice, practice, practice now...