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Distortion, nylon and bows

Discussion in 'Electric Upright Basses (EUB's) [DB]' started by cvrator, Jan 13, 2009.

How are the nylons, the cheap bow and the effect pedals going to work out?

  1. Great! Sounds really interesting.

    8 vote(s)
    26.7%

  2. Could be okay, I guess...

    4 vote(s)
    13.3%

  3. I don't think cheap nylon will work with a bow...

    6 vote(s)
    20.0%

  4. Why the heck are you doing this? Idiot.

    12 vote(s)
    40.0%
  1. Jan 13, 2009 #1
    cvrator

    cvrator Guest

    Jan 13, 2009
    I got my first EUB (Palatino) a bit ago, hoping beyond hope that it would sound good through distortion, among other effects. In my own grateful opinion, it most certainly does. (maybe this isn't exactly desireable to most of the community here,) Moving along, I've always wanted to play with a bow, so I just purchased a cheap-o german bow that I've not yet received, and although I know that you usually get what you pay for, it's the strings I ordered that I'm worried about. Thankfully, they were extremely cheap. They're nylon "Slap Happy Weed Wacker" strings. Obviously I'm not going for a clean, refined sound, but I would like input about what kind of potentially hellish time I'm going to have making this combo work at all. Yeah, yeah, I'm a double bass noob. Maybe I should have just gotten that fretless bass guitar, but the upright was so alluring...:smug:
     
  2. Jan 13, 2009 #2
    The BurgerMeister

    The BurgerMeister musician.

    Apr 13, 2006
    Big Bear, CA
    i'm mostly a bass guitar player, but i was playing upright for years in the past... and i love effects. :)

    as far as the type of strings... can't help. start with the cheap ones and hope they work, i guess.

    regarding distortion... just remember that arco is much louder and "higher output" than pizzicato, so you may want to turn down the "gain" or "drive" knob on your pedal when bowing. unless, of course, you're going for an over-the-top type of sound, in which case get a fuzz. :smug:

    also: you may want to wander over to the Effects forum in the BG area. LOTS of fun there!

    sorry i couldn't be more help on the string question...
     
  3. Jan 13, 2009 #3
    Mudfuzz

    Mudfuzz

    Apr 3, 2004
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9btkeN05-8
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9btkeN05-8
    If you have the the bow and the strings try it, You might want to try rosin that is really sticky like Pops or Jade.

    As for FX, I see no reason it wouldn't work.