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Double Bass Does size matter?

Marc61

Marc61

Supporting Member
Jul 29, 2007
1,474
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Greater NY Area
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#1
I really wanna get a DB for a Boogie Woogie band I'm playing in. I'm not a beginner but, it
ll be mostly slap (or as I call it, dunka dunka) type playing so, I'm a beginner in that sense.

The use is playing in small clubs and I notice smaller basses go for less money and they're probably easier to carry around

Any suggestions as for size? construction? etc? I don't really have a budget because I'd rather focus on need then figure a way to get the funds
 
#2
Marc61 said:
I really wanna get a DB for a Boogie Woogie band I'm playing in. I'm not a beginner but, it
ll be mostly slap (or as I call it, dunka dunka) type playing so, I'm a beginner in that sense.

The use is playing in small clubs and I notice smaller basses go for less money and they're probably easier to carry around

Any suggestions as for size? construction? etc? I don't really have a budget because I'd rather focus on need then figure a way to get the funds
Click to expand...
Don't really know. I personally like big basses, like 35 scalers but that's just me.
 
#4
35 scaler? as in 35"? Wouldn't that be short? I thought full size DB is 41.

What should the bass be made of? Seems like plywood is frowned upon as cheap but, isn't that what the American Standards, Kays and Epiphones are made of?

Are Chinese basses any good? or are they like the rest of the crap made there?
 
#5
I think I need a six may have wandered into the wrong forum. You want a 3/4 size, and a laminate bass will treat you just fine, especially for that style of music. I assure you that you're not going to get the sound you want out of a 1/2 or 1/4 size bass, you need that longer string length and if you ever decide to sell it, as you've noticed, resale values are terrible. There are good Chinese basses as well as bad ones. Search around the forum and there are lots of threads on buying a bass. The biggest things are not to buy a $600 chinese piece of wood off Ebay and that having the bass professionally set up is quite important.
 
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#9
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#10
Are you talking about a smaller double bass? The average player plays a 3/4 but some guys play a 5/8 and if they amplify it, it seems to work for their needs.

I play acoustic and amplified so I don't want to venture into that realm. I need the bigger body to project when we practice (banjos are loud!).

I bet if you shopped around you could find a loud 5/8 size to meet your needs. I will say though, I play a bunch of places that are pretty tight and my bass still fits.
 

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