Moving from bass guitar to double bass?!

[rtbassist]

Basically, i play standard 4-string 22-fret bass guitar along with standard 6-string electric guitar and classical at the moment, but i'd like to play double bass as well, mainly cause they sound so damn cool, but i need some advice on acoustic/electric, and some good brands, some more affordable brands as i know nothing!

[longfinger]

Originally Posted by rtbassist

Basically, i play standard 4-string 22-fret bass guitar along with standard 6-string electric guitar and classical at the moment, but i'd like to play double bass as well, mainly cause they sound so damn cool, but i need some advice on acoustic/electric, and some good brands, some more affordable brands as i know nothing!

Beginner's Guide to buying a Double Bass - TalkBass Wiki

[RSBBass]

I would also add that you will want to get a teacher. Be aware they are very different instruments in terms of technique. About a year and a half ago I crossed over to the dark side after over 35 years of playing BG, including fretless. I expected an easy transition.

It has been anything but easy. It also has been very rewarding. Without a teacher I probably would have hurt myself. I may have given it up or just noodles around on it instead of learning how to play it.

[Mike Goodbar]

Talkbass is just an endless reservoir of information of the kind you seek. Start doing searches, opening up new threads, paying attention, and you'll learn much more than you could in this one thread.

Best of luck on your new endeavor! I've taught a few "crossovers," and it really does take patience and hard work, but it will be rewarded...eventually.

[Matthijs]

A lot of the advise we can give you will sound discouraging, but it's worth it! I took the step about 12 years ago and have no regrets. The most important advise is: take a teacher. I'm self taught on electric bass, but DB is a totaly different animal and I really needed a teacher.

There's a lot to be read on tb about changing over and on how to buy your first bass. You also asked about going electric, I assume you mean EUB. I would not recommend that. It will only slow you down in learning actual DB technique.

[Andrew McGregor]

Do get a teacher, it will speed things up, and much more importantly prevent injuries. It's easy to hurt yourself with DB by doing things wrong, and relatively easy to prevent that... however, it's impossible to describe how in writing, or photos, or even video, and fairly easy to show in person.

[kevteop]

Just to put a positive spin on the 'potential for injury' responses: If you do it right, DB is much easier on your wrists than bass guitar. I can't really play bass guitar any more - I can't regularly gig it anyway - because of tendon problems, but I can play DB as much as I like and it gives me no problems at all.

But yeah, definitely be strict about your technique and get a teacher at least for a couple of lessons to make sure you know what you're doing. Then maybe go back for some more when you've got your stamina up a bit.

[Frank77]

Hey,

I've crossed over about a year ago, after about 15 years of playing BG. I strongly agree with everyone's recommendation that you should get a teacher. DB technique has nothing to do with BG: I expected a smooth transition too, but it really felt like learning from scratch.

Finding a teacher is the very first thing you should do, THEN find a bass. Your teacher will hook you up with a luthier who in turn will get you a better bass than what you'd typically find in a large music store...(and chances are they'd have to send the bass to the luthier for set up anyway).

Enjoy the journey!

[fingerbun]

Originally Posted by rtbassist

Basically, i play standard 4-string 22-fret bass guitar along with standard 6-string electric guitar and classical at the moment, but i'd like to play double bass as well, mainly cause they sound so damn cool, but i need some advice on acoustic/electric, and some good brands, some more affordable brands as i know nothing!

The electric uprights I've played sound like fretless electrics to me. That 's why I prefer acoustic upright.

It has been sooooooo much fun and sooooooo good for my playing.

[drurb]

Good advice so far, which amounts to:

1) Read the wiki.
2) Use the search function and read up.
3) Get a teacher.

There's little else to say here that hasn't been said in the 5,678 threads that already exist on the topic.

Enjoy! Welcome (almost) to the dark side.

[Jipii]

I gotta say I had the same situation like you (and I still kinda have). I took a leap for it just two months ago and bought me a double bass from my teacher. I've only had two lessons so far, but the lessons left me with good exercises and tips for getting the right technique.

Right now I'm in the Finnish Army playing in a band. I got in with electric bass but I'm going to try start jamming some jazz standards with double bass with the other players to get some band-playing experience with it too. Still a complete newbie with it, but so far playing double bass has felt very rewarding. If you feel you are seriously into it, I say go for it - just don't expect it to be an easy transition.

[crowsmengegus]

We should add an "acoustic" vs "electric" upright bass section in the wiki. This seems to be a question that comes up a lot.

[crowsmengegus]

Okay, I went ahead and did it. Edit freely if you think my advice is off.

Beginner's Guide to buying a Double Bass - TalkBass Wiki