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Double Bass 1/4 DB VS 3/4
- Thread starter Joe Tully
- Start date
I play a 1/4 size bass tuned in 5ths, octave lower than cello, with amplification, as part of our string quintet. It is a nice little carved bass with a pleasing sound, but exhausting to play at any volume without the electronic support. Here are the plusses: 1) we can fit it, a cello, 2 violins and a viola, and the associated people, into a single station wagon, 2) I can play using cello fingering and don't have to learn a whole new schema at my age, 3) it provides a nice bottom to our group, 4) it's an easier schlep, and 5) it is kind of pretty. The only minus for me is the lack of presence without amplification. I would never use it as a solo instrument, but it is a great supporter.
And the beat goes on...
Thats worlds away from my application but
I do appreciate what other people in the world are doing with their DB and DB like things. My 3/4 fits in my Juke along with amp, music stand, bass stand, Fender bass and me.
Thats worlds away from my application but
I do appreciate what other people in the world are doing with their DB and DB like things. My 3/4 fits in my Juke along with amp, music stand, bass stand, Fender bass and me.
I will have to dig up my invoices. It has been a while since I bought them but I will let you know.
Okay! Took a bit of digging, because my strings are 2.5 years old. The cellist part of my DNA could never go that long on a set of strings, but that is neither here nor there with regard to basses.
Thomastic-Infeld Spirocore 1/4 sized G string (3874,2) tuned to A
Thomastic-Infeld Spirocore 1/4 sized D string (3874,3) tuned to D
Thomastic-Infeld Spirocore 1/4 sized A string (3874,4) tuned to G
Thomastic-Infeld Kunstler Seil-Saiten 1/2 Size B/H string (2883.6) tuned to C
The C string is the least satisfactory, but as I had mentioned, I always amplify for rehearsals or performance, and stay close to the bridge on the C for the best sound and response.
These are all still available, even after 2.5 years. Probably time for me to replace them!
@Ludwig
I tried to DM you but could not. I did answer your question in post #46. This setup works for me!
In a way, though an octave lower than cello. So everything I play on it is in the bass register, just with cello fingerings.
Edited to add: if I used the top 3 strings and the matching fourth of the Spriocore 1/4 set as intended, it would just be a plain old 1/4 sized bass, needing amplification to be satisfactory.
Edited to add: if I used the top 3 strings and the matching fourth of the Spriocore 1/4 set as intended, it would just be a plain old 1/4 sized bass, needing amplification to be satisfactory.
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