Setting for jazz...

[Dr Stankface]

Ok. Here's a little a preface. I haven't been an active upright player in a few years but decided I really would like to get back to it. After playing for a few minutes, I realized why I stop. I absolutely hate the way my bass plays. It's set up for arco playing and to be quite honest, a bow just isn't my thing. Being mainly an electric bass player, i'm much more comfortable and prefer the sound of finger style. My bass is in Engelhardt EC1. Here are a few things i've noticed about the bass...

1.) There's an obnoxious rattle with the endpin no matter what I do. Any recommended fixes or is a new endpin my best solution?

2.) Stock strings. They're reasonably tense and don't have a very pleasing pizz sound. Any suggestions on some pleasant low tension strings?

3.) Action. My strings are considerably high for what I want to do. Slightly over an inch at the end of the fingerboard. Would an adjustable bridge be my ticket or am I way off the mark?

Thanks in advance cats and kitties!

[drurb]

Uh-- there is no "action" on a double bass-- it's string height.

With that out of the way, my advice is simple. Take the bass to am reputable luthier and get a full setup including new strings. It may cost you a few hundred or so but it will be well worth it!

I and others around here have often said that the value of a good setup cannot be overestimated. It is of paramount importance.

By the way, strings slightly over 25 mm off the fingerboard is certainly not a typical setup for arco. It sounds like virtually no setup at all.

[riverbum]

the only person i know in your immediate area was mac mccormick over in columbus. he was a super good guy and a fine luthier but he passed away a year or so ago. gruhn has one of mac's mando/guitars for sale that has 2 necks. lol.

the next place to check is the guitar shoppe in auburn. mark, the owner, is an upright bass player and he may can help you out or recommend someone. his store is in the Glen-Dean Shopping Center in auburn.

good luck.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by Dr Stankface

1.) There's an obnoxious rattle with the endpin no matter what I do. Any recommended fixes or is a new endpin my best solution?

On my bass, the portion of the peg reserved for those who are seven feet tall, was resonating with one or two notes. I took off an arbitrary amount with a hacksaw, and the problem went away.

2.) Stock strings. They're reasonably tense and don't have a very pleasing pizz sound. Any suggestions on some pleasant low tension strings?

It's worth waiting until your string height issues are settled before worrying about strings.

3.) Action. My strings are considerably high for what I want to do. Slightly over an inch at the end of the fingerboard. Would an adjustable bridge be my ticket or am I way off the mark?

This is of a magnitude to raise concerns about something wrong in a structural sense, thus a trip to the luthier is warranted. Something ain't right.

Edit: Is your sound post standing?

[Dr Stankface]

Originally Posted by riverbum

the only person i know in your immediate area was mac mccormick over in columbus. he was a super good guy and a fine luthier but he passed away a year or so ago. gruhn has one of mac's mando/guitars for sale that has 2 necks. lol.

the next place to check is the guitar shoppe in auburn. mark, the owner, is an upright bass player and he may can help you out or recommend someone. his store is in the Glen-Dean Shopping Center in auburn.

good luck.

Ah I miss Mac. He was a great friend and an asset to the community. I wish I would have had jumped on the guitar we had for sale at the shop I work at.

I've had this bass worked on before as the joint between the neck and the body was absolutely demolished a few years ago. It was given a good setup for what I was doing at the time but at this point, I have no need/use for a bow.

Is anyone aware of some reputable luthiers in the ATL area?

[riverbum]

get in touch with paul greene down in phenix city. he plays bass for eastwind bluegrass. i remember him showing me all the setup work done on his new bass about 7-8 yrs ago at a festival we were playing. i'm sure he may know of someone close by.

if i couldn't find someeone close by, then i would take it up to williams fine violins in nashville. dennis crouch recommended dustin williams and i am very happy with the work he did for me. he is the real deal. and with gas at a buck/50, go ahead and make the drive. a proper setup is priceless.

[Dr Stankface]

A proper setup is what the bass needs and I basically live in Phenix City. There's a couple guys here that may be able to give some good names.

[wdave]

Is anyone aware of some reputable luthiers in the ATL area?

Tom Thoreson has worked on my basses and I highly recommend him. Give him a call @770-973-9845
Dave Little

[Dr Stankface]

Thanks, i'll give him a call shortly. I'll make sure to tell him you referred me.