Double Bass Can I play an EUB for Bluegrass

[billm67]

I would love to own an Eminence...but it just comes down to the dollars. I can get an NXT5 for about 1275

 

[speedster]

I HEAR YA

 

[MR PC]

More important than the brand of bass is to hear the sound of the bass part and translate it to the music. That could mean listening to everything about bluegrass bass you can, absorbing the essence of a great part, and attempting to bring it to the music when you play.

Eminence is a popular choice, since it sounds and plays well. The visuals don't ruffle the feathers of the Bluegrass Police as much as seeing something more space age looking, such as the Steinberger, IME.

A good bassist who knows the music can make either instrument work, acoustic or electric.

 

[speedster]

Well said MR PC

 

[nicechuckh]

I agree with the last post, it isn't the instrument as much as what you play. I have played a lap steel in a bluegrass group (didn't have a dobro) and most EUBs can be made to sound similar to an upright, tho most have more sustain. Some purists would probably complain but I'd think that most listeners just want to hear good music.

 

[zoonose]

I've used an NS WAV4 for bluegrass; it got the job done nicely.

 

[dukeorock]

My brother played bass in a successful gigging bluegrass band for years using a Fender Jazz bass with coated strings. He played well above the neck pickup (sometimes over the fretboard itself) to get an open, hollow sound.

His main instrument is banjo, but he also plays guitar, piano, and just about anything else with strings.

The band played a festival that did not allow "amplified" instruments. He borrowed an upright bass and played all their sets with it.

It's a shame that some bluegrass people are so closed minded. Wonder how long it took before the upright bass was accepted over the washtub bass or blow jug?

It's 2011. Play electric.

Umm...blow jug? I'm not trying to be a snob...play electric and upright and LOVE both...but bluegrass is acoustic music and sounds better with an acoustic bass...I dunno, like I said...Not a purist by any stretch, but upright basses are a blast to play and sound so much better for bluegrass, rockabilly, western swing...heck, even blues as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Nohandles]

I have both uprights and EUB'S. I see nothing wrong with either. But for festivals there is usually no power available at the jams so playing electric isn't really an option. One thing about an EUB is that on little stages it makes more sense than an acoustic. Before you go electric you should try someones in you vehicle to see if it will fit. In the long run acoustic will serve you better than an electric.

Note my avatar. Eminence # 68

 

[Elrend]

You can play anything for anything.

 

[nicechuckh]

I have both EUB and DB but to me, just feeling those notes on an acoustic just adds something.

 

[anightintunisia]

I haven't read this thread, but I've seen Bryon House and Ben Kaufmann play EUB's. I had one for a year, didn't really like it. Like my Kay to much. Although it's so much easier to travel and tour with an EUB. I have even played my Fender Jazz bass once or twice. I'll admit I've had fun playing bluegrass on an electric bass. It really depends on what sound you're going for and what gig you're playing.

 

[learning_towalk]

For portability and sound, check out Ergo eubs. Its a 2x4 w/ strngs, but its easy to lug around and sounded tons better than the palatino eub that I had. I sold my ergo and have kicked myself every since

 

[bassicsax]

the bass player from yonder mountain string band uses an eminence...

 

[funkydanbass]

Barry Bales often plays his Azola Baby Bass...

 

[Stick_Player]

... Plus EUB sound awful.

Awful? Riiiiight....

Dude, you need to get out more often.

 

[HLJ]

Bump! This is an old post and I practiced last night so what the hey...I'll respond.
A lot of bluegrass "picking" is gonna be picking "in the rough," beside the stage, behind the stage, and at whoever's RV has the best musicians--which makes a EUB useless. AND, an EUB might be easy to carry, but the amp won't be. You'll need to supply an amp for most bluegrass events. Add to that, most bluegrass musicians will need medication in order to play with an a$$ kicking bass amp behind them. BTDT!
A 3/4 bass will go into a king cab or 4 door pickup. Another option that's cheaper than an EUB and amp is get a cap for your truck. It'll be far cheaper than going electric. Or buy a good used Astro...that's cheaper yet. You'd be surprised where a double bass will fit with a little thought. I could get my 8900 Meisel in a Ford king cab by laying the pax seat forward. That creates a problem if you have passengers. Cap is still good. Just be careful in wet weather. A very large plastic bag will protect the bass from whatever gets into the bed. Used to play at Paramount Carowinds and the bag thing was very useful after they stopped musicians from driving into the park. Always keep some sort of "raincoat" close by for the bass when out jamming.
I'm all for electrifying an upright bass, but if you're going to play bluegrass music, you'll need to find a way to use a 3/4 bass and transport it. A 3/4 upright will fit into a lot of cars that you would never guess...Honda Civic (neck will be over the shifter, but it's driveable), VW Jetta wagon (my present transportation), any van or station wagon. I have an RX300 that the bass fits in with one rear seat upright. This allows 2 pax to ride. Great for local jams. Our Jetta Sportwagon will also accomodate the bass with one rear pax seat upright.
BTW, Cadillac Sky's bass player, "Panda," as often as not, plays a full sized bass. I suppose it depends on whether he's flying to a gig, or driving. He's like Byron House...he'll play anything with bass strings...and do it extremely well. I'm a big fan of electric bluegrass, but typical bluegrass bass players got to have a DB. A lot of venues won't allow electric basses....generally. Bet they don't turn Doyle Lawson away!
JR