Double Bass "Alternative" Basses

[RoadRanger]

So, where you live what's the acceptability of other than 3/4 acoustic DB?

I played for a short time with an old-time group on bass uke last year, and recently joined up with a bluegrass group. They tell me the more snooty gigs require at least an EUB but the more casual ones aren't a problem as long as it's not an EBG. Their last player had this which I thought was pretty cool but I guess not "authentic enough" - I beleive it has a standard 34" scale EBG fretted neck:

 

[BobKay]

You might search - there have been others threads on this topic.
The people I play with are more concerned with sound. Personally I would never play an instrument like the one pictured because I'm not interested in being the "novelty" on stage, regardless of how it sounds. I have a lot of respect for all the bassists in bluegrass, and I try to earn respect from others by taking my role, and instrument, seriously. For me, that means upright, but many successful bands use bass guitars.

 

[turf3]

I do not have experience seriously gigging in bluegrass. In my experience at jams and loosely knit "friendly bands" the upright is preferred but I have seen people playing bass uke, acoustic bass guitar (can't hear it), stick basses (EUB), and the occasional electric bass guitar. I think the bass uke and EUB are the most accepted. I have brought a bass guitar when my upright was in the shop, and was not reprimanded, but: 1) I made it clear why I was playing a Fender bass; 2) I have my Precision bass set up to sound as much like an upright as possible, and I played the exact same kinds of patterns I would play on an upright for bluegrass.

Of course if electricity is not available (as in festivals where you may be playing in a parking lot, and where you almost certainly will be moving around a lot), the upright is kind of the only way to go, unless you have a battery-powered amp.

 

[neddyrow]

here's the most recent discussion on what i think you are asking about...

pretty good points and insight

What is it with Bluegrass players?

 

[RoadRanger]

The bass uke would be my first choice and I do have a battery operated amp or two. I've done a few folk duo gigs with the bass uke. And can definitely "dial it back" for bluegrass. I think I'll actually start another thread about gut bucket basses...