• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Are EUB easier on the hands

DocBop

DocBop

Feb 22, 2007
2,412
38
Los Angeles, CA
#1
I started playing DB a month or so ago and even after playing BG for ages DB is tiring my hand and fingers getting real sore. I can practice it only for hour or so and have to stop or go practice BG. I've never played a EUB and wondered if they are any easier to play so I could switch to EUB when my DB starts wearing my left hand out?
 
#2
DocBop said:
I started playing DB a month or so ago and even after playing BG for ages DB is tiring my hand and fingers getting real sore. I can practice it only for hour or so and have to stop or go practice BG. I've never played a EUB and wondered if they are any easier to play so I could switch to EUB when my DB starts wearing my left hand out?
Click to expand...

I find my 3/4 size DB with obligatos is strictly easier on my hands than my NS CR5M with superflexibles.

The neck on my CR5M is meatier so my left thumb doesn't the leverage I get on my "normal" profile DB neck.

WRT the right hand, the higher action on my DB gives me more leverage when I dig in.

I could imagine a different answer with a different pair of instruments to compare. Bottom line is it's pretty subjective.

DB
 
#3
Thanks Don, your my mentor again.

Guess I was thinking guitar world where electric instruments are lighter than acoustic. Maybe I should talk to my bass shop and see if i can get some lighter tension strings till I build up some endurance?
 
#4
My BugBass EUB with light Helicore Hybrids is much easier on my hands than my American Standard URB with Permanents.

Easy to get low action on the Bug and the neck fits my hand better than the AS's chunky neck.
 
#6
DocBop said:
Chunky necks from my slab days, chunky necks don't tire hands as much as thin necks over the course of a night.

Guess going to have to find a shop with some EUB's and try them out.
Click to expand...

I got to play the high-end NS EUB today at GC, boy it was comfortable to play real fast neck. Strings definitely were easy to play. Sounded good too. But no body was tough for me to gauge where I was on the neck. The dots are on the face of the fingerboard so they weren't much help.

Now i have a good idea what EUB's are about and can see getting one in the future.
 
#7
Don't judge all EUBs in regard with the NS.
To me, an EUB must be similar to an AUB in feel and playability.
So my answer to your question would be: no.
But there are plenty different EUBs on the market, and some may be more easy to play.
But it all depends on the setup; fingerboard scoop, string height, top nut setup, string choice.
Some AUBs are easier to play than others.

There's no absolute answer to your question!
 
#8
If you're not ready to make the plunge on an EUB yet, I recommend trying some low tension strings. Obviously it'll change your sound and such, but for me spirocore weich's help a ton as far as wear and tear on my hands. Give it a shot.
Also just the other day my teacher used some string cleaner stuff on my bass and it helped a ton. Felt like brand new strings.
 
#9
Thanks for the comments. No, I don't plan on buying any gear for awhile, but was thinking strings could help a lot. I will check out those spirocore weich strings.

As for the NS it was nice but I would definitely want to check more out EUB's when the time is right. I think would like something that has some faux body or something for familiar reference points.
 
#10
DocBop said:
As for the NS it was nice but I would definitely want to check more out EUB's when the time is right. I think would like something that has some faux body or something for familiar reference points.
Click to expand...

How about one of these ?

BSX Allegro bass

Brian Bromberg on BSX Allegro

It's got the neck heel as a reference point ... Spiro Weichs are fitted as a recommended upgrade ... loud enough for personal practice without being plugged in ....great tone ... I love mine.

Andy
 
#13
DocBop said:
I started playing DB a month or so ago and even after playing BG for ages DB is tiring my hand and fingers getting real sore. I can practice it only for hour or so and have to stop or go practice BG. I've never played a EUB and wondered if they are any easier to play so I could switch to EUB when my DB starts wearing my left hand out?
Click to expand...

Not really. It all depends on how the instrument is set up. Did you get your DB properly set up?
 
#17
As people have said - they are all different!

So - NS basses are easier to play than DB - but do have their own problems.

I have found now that I have both - that when I go back to my NS CR5 , having got used to getting my fingers under the strings on DB and pulling through the string - that I am stumbling with the CR5's lower action and making mistakes until I have got used to that again! :p

But I have tried other EUBs in shops that I found stiffer and harder to play than my real DB!! :hmm:
 
#18
DocBop said:
Yes. Action is a hair high according to my teacher.

I had my first lesson with a new teacher yesterday and we talked about it. He said my endurance is good for this stage of development on DB. So guess I'm comparing to my BG playing too much.
Click to expand...

It takes a while to get any endurance on DB - so I had played BG for over 20 years, then EUB for a couple - but when I came to real DB I was struggling to get through one fast-tempo Jazz tune without aching so much I wanted to stop!

But after a year or so, I never wanted to stop playing! :)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back