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Double Bass bass stand needed for quick change between DB and BG during a musical

Darth_Linux

Darth_Linux

Oct 12, 2002
256
227
56
Spokane, WA
www.youtube.com
#1
Hey everyone

I'm playing a musical that has frequent changes from DB to BG and back and I'm looking for some way to support the DB when I'm not playing it that is super quick, but also super secure. I'm talking 4 measures to make the switch, so a big stand is too clunky and slow. I literally need to just put one instrument down and pick up the other, but I'm worried about damaging the instrument.

Any suggestions? Been using a padded chair with big armrests for practice in my studio, but there's not a lot of room in the pit - and I'm not bringing a chair, lol.

thanks in advance.
 
#2
Darth_Linux said:
Hey everyone

I'm playing a musical that has frequent changes from DB to BG and back and I'm looking for some way to support the DB when I'm not playing it that is super quick, but also super secure. I'm talking 4 measures to make the switch, so a big stand is too clunky and slow. I literally need to just put one instrument down and pick up the other, but I'm worried about damaging the instrument.

Any suggestions? Been using a padded chair with big armrests for practice in my studio, but there's not a lot of room in the pit - and I'm not bringing a chair, lol.

thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Look up “The Bass Bar”, Golihur carries them and I use it regularly on gigs. Takes up more space than the big stand, but about the same as a chair, more stable, and portable.
 
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#3
Tell the stage manager you need a sturdy chair to be able to do your job. If there's not room in the pit, ask the MD to decide which bass he/she prefers for the whole show. Unless the tempo is largo, 4 bars to switch is asking a bit much. Few composers/orchestrators are aware of bass logistics like switching from pizz to arco or from BG to UB.
 
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#9
Darth_Linux said:
Hey everyone

I'm playing a musical that has frequent changes from DB to BG and back and I'm looking for some way to support the DB when I'm not playing it that is super quick, but also super secure. I'm talking 4 measures to make the switch, so a big stand is too clunky and slow. I literally need to just put one instrument down and pick up the other, but I'm worried about damaging the instrument.

Any suggestions? Been using a padded chair with big armrests for practice in my studio, but there's not a lot of room in the pit - and I'm not bringing a chair, lol.

thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I second the recommendation of the K&M stand. I've been using them for years.

Have the stand close to you and just lift the bass so the endpin is in the cup at the bottom, and lean the bass back into the arms. With a little practice, you can move your bass in our out of the stand in about 3 or 4 seconds.

(Tip: Put a piece of white duct tape in the bottom of the cup of the stand so you can see where your endpin goes in a dark pit)

The fastest change I've ever had to make was at the end of Evita, upright to electric during a blackout. I accomplished it by playing the last note on upright while it was on the stand, putting the bow down, and pulling the electric that was slung around my back into playing position. (strap locks!)
 
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#10
I absolutely love my Hercules stand - it folds up nicely and travels well and I can switch between my Thunderbird and my Kay DB very quickly. I also love the fact that I’m not laying my bass down and damaging the edges anymore either. It’s an awesome DB stand.
 
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