how many of you play upright as well as electric?

[nonsqtr]

Recently I got an upright, a cheap Chinese version. Mainly it was intended to develop "finger strength", and it's doing a great job in that regard.

How many of you play upright, as well as electric?

[OriginalName]

Not me, but I would like to.

[Marty Forrer]

I do. Although in the last two years my gigs have been 95% upright. I've played slab for about 26 years, and upright for about 15.

[Eli M.]

I play upright, but not as well as I play the bass guitar.

My intonation is fine but I just can't get past the huge spacing and the feel of the instrument. I guess I'm "proficient" on it but not great. So I don't play it much except in my folk duo (which doesn't play very often) and for the occasional recording.

One of my future purchases might be a five-string EUB, which might encourage me to play more often.

[peteroberts]

I got an upright about 3 years ago and used to play it a lot. I've pretty much stopped, though. Physical issues plus I just don't have the time to invest.

[Passinwind]

Probably 90% of my gigs in the last year have been on EUB, everybody around here seems to want it over fretless BG. I'm still a good bit more proficient on BG, but ya gotta run with what people want, no?

[Nadav]

I would -really- like to get into upright, but unfortunately it's way too expensive right now.

[bassteban]

I play DB, but certainly not 'as well' as BG- my intonation is off, my bass needs work & my bow should be forcibly removed from my hand. Bah-dum- Psshhht. But I do play both. Thanks- good crowd.

[nonsqtr]

Mine cost about 500 bucks. Got in on eBay. And the seller, is right around the corner in Pasadena. I might have lucked out, he's a great guy. He did the setup for me too, all inclusive, with a carrying bag, a bow, and a little chunk of rosin. Not that it's the greatest bass in the world (like I said, "cheap"), but it works fine. No snags, the fingerboard is nice and straight, and it especially sounds good at really low volumes, with a pickup on it (actually I use a mic, an old Swedish Pearl PML-EC-73, all you have to do is clip it onto the bridge). So far I'm pretty enamored with this arrangement. Although, I'm already starting to figure out what's good and bad about it (it's been about four months or so now, and the last month I haven't been playing it all that much 'cause I've been pretty sick). It's basically a "student bass", is all. But it's a full-on upright (3/4 size), with nice solid construction (laminated), and a decent tone. I can't get much volume out of it, without a mic, so I use a mic to "reinforce" the sound. Not bad for 500 bucks though.

[Nadav]

Originally Posted by nonsqtr

Mine cost about 500 bucks. Got in on eBay. And the seller, is right around the corner in Pasadena. I might have lucked out, he's a great guy. He did the setup for me too, all inclusive, with a carrying bag, a bow, and a little chunk of rosin. Not that it's the greatest bass in the world (like I said, "cheap"), but it works fine. No snags, the fingerboard is nice and straight, and it especially sounds good at really low volumes, with a pickup on it (actually I use a mic, an old Swedish Pearl PML-EC-73, all you have to do is clip it onto the bridge). So far I'm pretty enamored with this arrangement. Although, I'm already starting to figure out what's good and bad about it (it's been about four months or so now, and the last month I haven't been playing it all that much 'cause I've been pretty sick). It's basically a "student bass", is all. But it's a full-on upright (3/4 size), with nice solid construction (laminated), and a decent tone. I can't get much volume out of it, without a mic, so I use a mic to "reinforce" the sound. Not bad for 500 bucks though.

Good to hear. The folks over at our DB forum aren't too fond of the ebay chinese basses, but I guess you get a good one occasionally. What was the name of your seller?

[nonsqtr]

I think he's called "stringking" on eBay. I can't find the transaction anymore, it's probably been too long. If you e-mail me, I can probably send you his phone number though.

[hateater]

Well, if you want to get into DB, and you are only playing pizz., chinese basses should do the trick. I play on an old 50's German flatback, and the action is HORRIBLE for jazz, but classical is a breeze. If you guys really want to work on your left hand strength, forget Jaco... classical music KILLS!

[paintandsk8]

I'm a doubler. I picked up "the doghouse" in jazz ensemble, from there I have built to EUB's. I don't foresee myself ever playing it more than electric, but I'm warming up to it.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

I studied double bass with a Polish master. I learned German bow and did the typical classical double bass stuff: Dragonetti, Koussevitzky (not the concerto but the miniatures: Valse miniature, chanson triste...). I also have an electric upright which I use with my tropical music band. In general terms, my intonation and endurance with the instrument are OK, but the bowing is suffering because I'm not playing with the bow so much nowadays. Right now I'm rehearsing for playing the Suite For Flute And Jazz Piano Trio by Claude Bolling. We're going to play that in two weeks at a very important auditorium in my town. BTW, I've just seen the "Brian Setzer Orchestra Live In Japan" video and the double bass player (Mark Winchester) is a killer! I've never seen that double bass slapping before. No idea that rockabilly has to be played like that. I want to learn that technique. Pretty cool!

[Minger]

I'm considering switching vrom Viola to the DB - cept I forgot how to read bass clef after all my piano years and I'd have to relearn a whole new instrument pretty much.

[Don't_Fret]

I just started, and I love it. There's nothing like it. I'm still looking for a teacher in the NJ/NY area if anyone is interested.

[stingray5bbx]

I play upright 98% of the time in the Purdue Jazz Band. Its awesome.

[Mudfuzz]

Been playing DB for 7 years now, BG for 13.

[Pacman]

I double also. I picked up upright about 3.5 years ago, and I've already done one CD with it. (Check the DB side recordings forum) GET A TEACHER!!!! If you picked up upright to develop finge strength (were your fingers not strong enough before?), you absolutely need a teacher. It will save you time, heartache and quite possibly injury!

Did I mention you should get a teacher?

[Brad Barker]

i played upright for school musicals twice. i got to the point where i was adequate. at least adequate enough for the audience not to notice!

i've been havin' a hankerin' to play it again.