Clearly, the scale is meant for you to just continue using your bass guitar left hand technique. I love the bass guitar and I don't think it is "stooping".
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Double Bass 34" Scale EUB - 1-2-4 or one-finger-per-note left hand technique?
- Thread starter stringthrough
- Start date
Just try both techniques and see what sounds best. Lot of electric bass players use 124 in the lower position and 1234 for the rest. Since this EUB has the exact scale length as a normal electric or fretless bass I see no reason to use another left hand technique than what you would do normally. Only you might want to use thumb position technique when going beyond the 12th 'fret' (or maybe higher) because of upright physics.
I think 1-2-3-4 is going to make more sense, think of it as 'cello technique, and yes use thumb position. If you have this thing and still use 1-2-4 then really is a waste, isn't?
A shorter scale should at least provide that.
A shorter scale should at least provide that.
Not really since many electric bass players use 124 in lower positions. 34" is much larger than a cello which is about 27.5".
It's not inefficient. It's common electric bass technique. I agree that it inefficient if you do that in the medium or higher positions. But it has it benefits in the lower positions and I don't consider it as inefficient. One way of using it for example is playing octaves or R-5-b7 patterns, pentatonic patterns or patterns that span only three frets and so on. Also it can help with muting and slapping can be easier with 124 (also because of muting). You normally don't use it for fast scalar runs. Even Gary Willis or Jaco and many other pro electric players use 124 lot of the time (besides 1234). I agree that you have to be able to do both so that you are flexible.
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You can get away with that with frets. On fretless you will have intonation problems (unless you just have big hands) until you reach the 2nd position.
Well, someone tying to use a short scale EUB as a work around for learning double bass technique is headed for nothing but intonation problems. However, a 34 inch scale should be no trouble to use 1234 and in fact that is the only point to it. If you have to use double bass technique then a short scale is only giving you less sustain.
I don’t know why I’m going to jump in the fray, but, as 45+ yr EB player and a many years less DB player, I’ve found that “whatever is working for you, your style of music and whether you can keep intonation” are really the important questions here. @damonsmith makes good points, but his views are hardcore, “ learn the proper technique first on the proper instrument.” I won’t disagree at all, IF, DB is your eventual goal. If you’re looking for a new sound and style, play what floats your boat. This is not a DB. Will never sound like a DB. If you learn the classic techniques of left hand, there is a chance it could “feel” like a DB line in the song, but that’s about it. No disrespect to the OP. I have a 39.5” EUB. I love it when my back is killing me and don’t want to lug around my DB. It’s wonderful for rehearsals and is always in my car for gigs as my backup DB. But it won’t fool anyone. It does get a lot of inquiries when on stage though. A little ego boosts for me 
The 34 inch Scale EUB is what's known as a "Mini EUB" & I use that term because it's an EUB made in a reduced size.
