Double Bass Anyone only ever play EUB?

[Deleted member 409896]

Several times throughout the years, I've considered getting into DB.

Being honest with myself, I don't have the room in my life for one. I have very limited square feet at home, so an EUB would fit in much better than a "doghouse," even a "1/2" size.

Good DBs aren't cheap, and they never fit into my budget. I also don't want to deal with transporting one of the things.

Any heretics here who went straight to EUB, skipping the giant wooden instrument altogether?

Does anyone here play EUB exclusively rather than DB? Never bothered with a bow? 100% of the playing I have in mind would be pizz, so no need for one. Yes, I can appreciate having the versatility, but again being realistic, I only have so much practice time available. Until someone starts paying me to play music for a living, which ain't happening soon if at all.

I do play BG, but of course there are more gigging opportunities if you can play DB. So I've considered expanding the stable.

I do have a fretless BG which I play often, but it's not quite the same thing as EUB. I'm fine with finding intonation without frets. Training my ear etc. I do have some DB playing experience, though I never owned one.

Unless a band specifically HAS to have the appearance of a traditional DB, I don't see why EUB wouldn't fill the role.

Has anyone had a prospective band react negatively, or seem disappointed, because you "only" play EUB and not DB?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

The smaller the band the more the sound difference between DB and EUB matters.

Good EUBs are at least as expensive as a medium quality DB.

At least some band leaders want a DB for look and (on smaller bands) for sound.

If you think getting an upright bass guitar, better stick with your fretless.
DB strings make half of the sound the other half pickup and body resonance.

A vibrating top helps a bit too, but the resonance frequencies are too high to sound like a a DB.

It is easy to learn a wrong DB technique with an EUB. You need a teacher, at least for half a year.

Some DB scale EUBs have a long neck and short body, that is not good to learn DB as the the stop at the neck heel at at the fifth or minor sixth.

Don‘t buy a cheap EUB, you might need to modify a lot and they still sound somehow electric. Even used expect to pay around US$2000.

It might depend a bit on the music style weather an EUB will be accepted or not. Traditionalists wouldn‘t. Latin/Salsa is OK.
In experimental music it might exciting to use the bow (but that’s another chapter).

 

[Deleted member 409896]

Thanks, I won't bother. I don't have time (or budget) for lessons.

 

[Wasnex]

Currently I have an EUB but no upright.

When I was still an active pro I often switched between bass guitar, EUB, and upright. The EUB I bought filled the role of fretless BG. Never had a problem playing in tune on upright, but could never get my intonation to settle on fretless BG, so I got an EUB.

I have demoed a lot of EUBs at big music industry trade shows. The only one I think got close to an actual upright was the top of the line Yamaha Silent Bass. I wouldn't say it sounded and responded like a great upright though. I have not played the current gen Yamahas. Probably even better, but there seems to be a frequent complaint that they are somewhat noisy.

My recollection is the Yamaha's I demoed wanted to spin on the end pin, like most EUBs. Some EUBs have a wing attachment that should mitigate this problem.

The EUB I chose is the 6-string NS Design. The first one I played was a US series. I currently have an EU6 which is almost identical. The pickups and preamp were updated, but otherwise it's pretty much the same. This is a really incredible instrument with it's own unique voice. It does not do a very good emulation of an acoustic upright, and I have no problem with it....as it don't expect it to fill that role.

I actually want to an upper tier student/lower tier pro quality upright. Estimated price window is $6K-$12K, which is a lot of money for most people. The area of the country I live in doesn't tend to providing buying opportunities for the type of instrument I want. Options are a buy over priced crappy bass shaped object (BSO) or do road trip. I have no desire to own a CBSO and I lack sufficient motivation do the necessary road trips.

My suggestion. You don't have to be a cork sniffer like me; at least not right away. If you came across CBSOs in the wild, do a demo. Another option would be to rent. The idea is to determine if you actually have an interest in upright.

You could also demo EUBs.

 

[Lee Moses]

I do play BG, but of course there are more gigging opportunities if you can play DB. So I've considered expanding the stable.

I do not know of too many gigging opportunities that are specifically looking for an electric upright. If they are good with an electric upright, they are probably fine with a standard horizontal EB.

If you are personally drawn to the EUB, I'd say go for it. But yes, it will take some time and dedication to become competent on it.

 

[Jeremy Jones]

I play exclusively EUB because, like you, I don’t have the space for a full-sized bass. I’ve used it primarily for jazz, but I also use it for arco work in musical theater pits. It’s perfect for that because some pits are way too small to even attempt fitting an upright.

Does it produce the exact upright sound? No. But after changing the strings and using a Nano Mute, I can get kind of close. I’m constantly "tone chasing," so I’ve experimented with different IR pedals to bridge the gap. I’ve embraced the fact that an EUB sound isn’t the same as a carved upright, and honestly, not many bandleaders have complained. I will say that from a technique perspective, it’s similar, but definitely not the same.

Gear:

• Bass: NS Design WAV 4
• Signal Chain: Tech21 Para Driver into an RCF HD 10-A MK5

 

[BobKay]

I own and play exclusively a Yamaha SLB 300. That’s after many years playing traditional double basses. Here are my observations:
1. It doesn’t sound like an UN-amplified double bass. When you amplify a traditional upright it comes close.
2. It doesn’t feel at all like an acoustic bass - no physical feedback like you get from the real thing.
3. It’s much easier to play in loud settings. No feedback, lots of volume.

I switched because I couldn’t physically manage a traditional bass. Too unwieldy. If I could I’d still be playing a traditional bass. I play bluegrass, Americana, classic country, classic rock, some blues, and folk. All pizz, no arco. None of my band mates have ever complained. Hope this helps.

 

[Deleted member 409896]

Estimated price window is $6K-$12K

yah that definitely isn't happening for anything music-related. That's about the top of my budget for a car. I'll never be in a position to pay that much for a single instrument.

 

[robert_stuart]

I bought my Yamaha slb-100 used on Facebook marketplace for $1,000 a couple of years ago. IMO the sound is great as well as the feel and appearance. I put Spirocore jazz strings on it and it’s fantastic.

FYI upright strings cost $200-$300. (!) but they last years.

 

[boombloom]

"When I was still an active pro I often switched between bass guitar, EUB, and upright. The EUB I bought filled the role of fretless BG. Never had a problem playing in tune on upright, but could never get my intonation to settle on fretless BG, so I got an EUB."

I've had the same experience! My intonation on the upright is pretty good but I have never really been able to nail the fretless electric. Glad to know I'm not the only one. I do wonder though how this happens, especially as the upright scale is so much longer and there's so much more room for error.

 

[bherman]

First question or two - can you afford $1.5-2,000?, and do you have the time to put in learning how to play the instrument reasonably well? If yes to both, it can be done. I own and play both DB and EUB, but in my main band I only play EUB and it works quite well. I have an Eminence EUB that sounds very close to an amplified DB. They're sometimes hard to find as they are not manufactured anymore, but they pop up used. I've tried fretless on multiple occasions and the only two that I owned that came close was a Rob Allen and a Rick Turner Renaissance. Both are pricey, personally I wish that I never sold the Rob Allen but oh, well.....

 

[Ric Vice]

Currently I have an EUB but no upright.

When I was still an active pro I often switched between bass guitar, EUB, and upright. The EUB I bought filled the role of fretless BG. Never had a problem playing in tune on upright, but could never get my intonation to settle on fretless BG, so I got an EUB.

Agreed,
The flat fingerboard on a fretless electric bass is (at least for me) much harder to intonate than the curved radius of a EUB provided it has one.

I've had the same experience! My intonation on the upright is pretty good but I have never really been able to nail the fretless electric. Glad to know I'm not the only one. I do wonder though how this happens, especially as the upright scale is so much longer and there's so much more room for error.

I'm of the belief that a horizontal neck with a "front facing fingerboard" and a very flat radius is more difficult to play in tune than a vertical neck with
a curved radius. Your hand is always working in opposition to "gravity" on a horizontal neck. That's different from a Double Bass neck where half the time "gravity" is your friend. Just my take however.

 

[learning_towalk]

I have owned 4 throughout the years. Definitely great for gigs when space is limited and rehearsals. No complaints there. Playing in mostly Bluegrass in Americana settings, though, bands tend to ask me to bring my full body along so it doesn’t get the use it should.

I’m actually selling my custom Ergo 5 string EUB in the classified right now.

 

[matthewbrown]

I played EUB for years before I got an URB, after playing fretless EB for decades. I started with a Big Kydd 5-string, then moved to an Azola Acoustic Baby Bass -- another five-string, but with a high C string. I liked it, especially the 39" scale, so I got an Upton Bohemian five-string with the same scale (it was a 1/2 size or 5/8 size, I'm not sure). I had an NS Design EUB and hated it. Now I play an Ibanez SRH500f fretless when I need to come close to an URB sound. The Azola sounded great, just like amplified URB. The Upton was awesome, but I never fell in love with it or got much work with it that I wanted to do. I'd suggest an Azola or an Eminence for what you have in mind, although there are lots of options.

 

[yodedude2]

...

If you think [about] getting an upright bass guitar, better [to] stick with your fretless.
...

pardon my asking, but would you please elaborate on your reasoning as to why you would suggest this?

 

[logdrum]

The Yamaha silent bass is pretty good. If I am not able to have a DB like work or housing situation changes then sure, I'll get the Yamaha


There's something about the sound radiating from the body of the instrument. Something about this resonant chamber. Also really hard to duplicate that sound and the visceral experience --- I will probably get 2 upshot speakers, one in front of me and one behind me if I have the Yamaha.. I'll probably get an IR loader to sweeten it further. Not sure if a ToneDexter can be set up to capture the sound of another bass .

I know it will not be accurate but I'll live with it.

I did have one of the first BSX when they use magnetic pickups, I also played a model made in 2000 , NS and an Azola, The NS is the most fretless bass sounding of them all, the 2000 BSX was really decent, But then when I played this Yamaha like 4 years ago, I was very impressed by the sound even though it did not have the body aesthetics,


I did go straight to an EUB because it was affordable and that BSX was B-Stock and discount6ed. My teacher in NYC was a rock and roll guy but man he can do the classical solo pieces even on my BSX, I think at that time he did not have a fancy bass and probably had a plywood bass but he can play and he told me later that his bow was an expensive one. He taught me classical pedagogy right away and I used the bass for a Latin band that id Slasa. The BL got me an Ampeg Baby bass ( on loan ) but often times unless it is a dressed up gig, I used an EB. Later I did get a proper bass, but moving around, starting a frailly, let that go but I can never get back to an EUB again and instead got me a Plywood bass loaned to me by my friend who was renovating his house. For him it was furniture, Once he got it back I got myself a proper carved bass, a good bow and I have been fulfilled ever since. I have 2 upright now and after being worked on by bass builder Hannah Mayne, they are the best they could be. I really owe it to my first teacher the love for a bowed upright bass and this is the reason why I will try my best to always have one.

 

[Pings Bass]

My first DB was an ampeg baby bass. I've got a BSX now but only for rehearsal. A good EUB costs more than an entry level plywood DB (new Shen or used Kay) as others have said, and it's not nearly as satisfying to play an EUB in my opinion. If you really want to play DB, get a real one, that's my $.02 worth.

 

[trevcda]

I went straight to EUB a couple of years ago. I'd been considering both, but decided that due to the size, they I would rarely drag a DB as I'm usually loaded down with sound and lights already. I needed something that could I force myself to play at every gig regardless of loading situation or stage size if I were to have any chance of knowing my way around the instrument and performing in front of a crowd. I ended up with a mid-price NS Designs 5 string and it goes to every show. I did not want an electric bass with an end pin. And I even ended up buying a couple of bows and playing it arco on a couple of songs.

 

[badgrandad]

I play electric bass 30+years and fretless EB exclusively for last 3 yrs. I wanted to get an EUB because I wanted to bow melodic parts and play electric fretless parts (pizz) so an electric upright was the right choice. I would love to have chosen an acoustic upright but just couldn’t handle the bulk/transportation and fragility.
I’d prefer the look of the acoustic upright and know the bands I would play with would be more comfortable with one, but in the end I’m glad I got the EUB.

I got a 5 string which was good for pizz, but it has complicated bowing which was fully 60-75% of the reason to get it.

I find fretless bass much easier to play because of the narrower string spacing and flatter radius of the fingerboard so I guess it is just what the majority of your experience dictating which is “easier” to play or get good intonation on.

I have the Ibanez EU 805, my brother has a traditionally styled EU with a tighter radiused fingerboard, 3/4scale and traditional bass strings.

It behaves more like an acoustic upright

 

[Ric Vice]

‘Unless a band specifically HAS to have the appearance of a traditional DB, I don't see why EUB wouldn't fill the role.”

“Has anyone had a prospective band react negatively, or seem disappointed, because you "only" play EUB and not DB? Since I have had the same issue as you I purchased a Kolstine Busetto Travel bass. It’s worked great for everything but it’s a downsized Double Bass it wouldn’t solve your issue.”