Any input on whether college jazz programs will allow EUB's? Im not sure whether to invest in an NS EUB or wait for a plywood DB.
Thanks
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Double Bass College Jazz
- Thread starter FretlessAddict
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EUB is not a substitute for a double bass, if that's what you're asking. So if you're hoping to be a jazz double bassist, don't buy an EUB just to save money. It doesn't really work that way.
If you want to be an electric upright bassist, or a bass guitarist/EUB-ist, then by all means go that route. I know that at Indiana University, where I teach, I would not hesitate to admit a student who played BG and EUB but not DB. But that student, once admitted, would eventually also become a double bass player, because the school has loads of instruments available and everybody would be asking the student to get a double bass for straight-ahead settings and all of my students are encouraged to play both string bass and bass guitar anyway, in order to maximize their musical breadth and earning potential.
I remember asking the exact same question when I was a young feller and couldn't scrape together money for a decent string bass. And I got the same answer I just gave.
If you want to be an electric upright bassist, or a bass guitarist/EUB-ist, then by all means go that route. I know that at Indiana University, where I teach, I would not hesitate to admit a student who played BG and EUB but not DB. But that student, once admitted, would eventually also become a double bass player, because the school has loads of instruments available and everybody would be asking the student to get a double bass for straight-ahead settings and all of my students are encouraged to play both string bass and bass guitar anyway, in order to maximize their musical breadth and earning potential.
I remember asking the exact same question when I was a young feller and couldn't scrape together money for a decent string bass. And I got the same answer I just gave.
I thought about the same thing when applying to Florida State. I had been using rental basses till then. It's not aloud there. An EUB is nothing like learning on a real upright and I discovered that very quickly. I later invested in an Eminence for travelling but only use it when necessary.
I'd recommend looking for an old Kay, King, or Epiphone. 40's-60's. Great jazz basses and you can find one for anywhere from $1,800 to $3,000. Just make sure there's no seperation, sinking, or other damage.
I'd recommend looking for an old Kay, King, or Epiphone. 40's-60's. Great jazz basses and you can find one for anywhere from $1,800 to $3,000. Just make sure there's no seperation, sinking, or other damage.
there were guys who used them while i was in school. sure, it got them through school. however let me add that none of them play anymore, at least in a DB role(straight ahead, classical, etc.).
EUB's are cool, and some even sound pretty convincing, but if you want to be an upright bass player, theres really no substitute for the real deal. thats not to say you cant have an EUB as well for convenience sake (when you are financially able, of coure). but if you're only going to have one, make sure its the ply. you'll be lad you did.
EUB's are cool, and some even sound pretty convincing, but if you want to be an upright bass player, theres really no substitute for the real deal. thats not to say you cant have an EUB as well for convenience sake (when you are financially able, of coure). but if you're only going to have one, make sure its the ply. you'll be lad you did.
I'm not trying to be snarky at all, I was just wondering what the giant difference is, I've never played an acoustic upright, so I figure it might be the feel, but please enlighten us newbs.
A humongous piece of ancient, seasoned wood with several square feet of air inside of it does very different things from a tiny slab of solid wood when a string attached to it is plucked. The difference is best appreciated in person, after dedicating time to each instrument and learning how to pull the best tone from each one.
Think of the difference between a classical acoustic guitar and a solid body Fender Strat, or between a grand piano and a Fender Rhodes. All are beautiful instruments in their own right, but the response and the feel under the fingers is unique to each of them.
For classical bassists, of course, an EUB is not even an option. But some jazz players have good luck with them; the amplified sound is often not that dissimilar from the inevitably crappy sound of a double bass amplified with a piezo pickup. For me, the difference in feel is huge; an EUB does not have the "thump" of the Helmholz resonance when you pluck it, and the sensory feedback from the huge vibrating totality of the double bass is missing.
But of course an EUB is a wonderful instrument in its own right, and many artists have made it their voice. Everything has a place and there's a place for everything.
Think of the difference between a classical acoustic guitar and a solid body Fender Strat, or between a grand piano and a Fender Rhodes. All are beautiful instruments in their own right, but the response and the feel under the fingers is unique to each of them.
For classical bassists, of course, an EUB is not even an option. But some jazz players have good luck with them; the amplified sound is often not that dissimilar from the inevitably crappy sound of a double bass amplified with a piezo pickup. For me, the difference in feel is huge; an EUB does not have the "thump" of the Helmholz resonance when you pluck it, and the sensory feedback from the huge vibrating totality of the double bass is missing.
But of course an EUB is a wonderful instrument in its own right, and many artists have made it their voice. Everything has a place and there's a place for everything.
If you really intend to double on electric and upright, get the doghouse and learn to play it, if you can possibly afford it. You'll learn how to bow, how to get a good sound, etc, provided you get a decent instrument that's properly set up. I took upright lessons on a school upright that was such a POS that it turned me off to the instrument entirely, and I missed the boat. I wound up playing EB, mainly fretless, and really didn't get to play much jazz as a result. I now play EUB, I'm glad I do, but wish I'd mastered URB when I had the chance. I was being overly thrifty. No regrets, though, about the EUB I play now, an Azola Acoustic Baby Bass.
Well said. And also, that EUB can work well in jazz; I've found that true, too.
