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Double Bass - I don't really get it

#241
There's a local store that has a half price rental sales--on the next one I'm considering renting a double bass--and spending most of the time learning a song on it (Finger picked, not bowed)--probably one I write or an offbeat cover.

They had a couple of 3/4 ones he other day and one had the "Frets" marked on the side of the neck & so I played the main bass riffs from BTO's Not Fragile & Deep Purple's Space Truckin.

It was fun & sounded cool.

So maybe I'll try it.

But I'll have to clear some space first.
 
#242
zontar said:
There's a local store that has a half price rental sales--on the next one I'm considering renting a double bass--and spending most of the time learning a song on it (Finger picked, not bowed)--probably one I write or an offbeat cover.

They had a couple of 3/4 ones he other day and one had the "Frets" marked on the side of the neck & so I played the main bass riffs from BTO's Not Fragile & Deep Purple's Space Truckin.

It was fun & sounded cool.

So maybe I'll try it.

But I'll have to clear some space first.
Click to expand...

3/4 is a good jump from bass guitar. If you decide to do this, please let us know how you get on...
 
#244
SteveCS said:
3/4 is a good jump from bass guitar. If you decide to do this, please let us know how you get on...
Click to expand...
Okay--if I rent one I will certainly share that with TalkBass.

Not sure when their next half price rental sale is.

And even used --these are bit out of my price range right now.

Now--how do I arrange things to have a 3/4 double bass here for 30 days?
And can I fit it in my vehicle to get it home?


If I can answer those two--I will most likely go for it.
 
#245
I play in a band that does soul, and other old school stuff, using a Fender P of course. But once in a while I bring my upright and play it on a couple of slow songs (Fever, Summertime). My bandmates alway say it sounds so good I should play it on gigs. I tried it once, but the sound man couldn't get it to stop feeding back - even with my amp volume on 0. But if I can find a place with a better sound man I'll definitely play it, it sounds that good.
 
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#246
zontar said:
Okay--if I rent one I will certainly share that with TalkBass.

Not sure when their next half price rental sale is.

And even used --these are bit out of my price range right now.

Now--how do I arrange things to have a 3/4 double bass here for 30 days?
And can I fit it in my vehicle to get it home?


If I can answer those two--I will most likely go for it.
Click to expand...

LOL. Yes, transport, storage, etc. They are the real issues with DB. I've been thinking about EUB for a while. It solves the logistics but tone wise puts it right back in BG territory, ie dependent on the amp and pickup.
 
#248
zontar said:
There's a local store that has a half price rental sales--on the next one I'm considering renting a double bass--and spending most of the time learning a song on it (Finger picked, not bowed)--probably one I write or an offbeat cover.

They had a couple of 3/4 ones he other day and one had the "Frets" marked on the side of the neck & so I played the main bass riffs from BTO's Not Fragile & Deep Purple's Space Truckin.

It was fun & sounded cool.

So maybe I'll try it.

But I'll have to clear some space first.
Click to expand...

Just FYI, what is called "3/4" is actually a standard-sized double bass.

And you should be able to fit it in almost any vehicle with a little bit of wrangling.

I would recommend at least a couple of lessons--you can't just play it like an electric and expect to play it competently or to remain injury-free. At least get yourself pointed in the right direction, then play around to your heart's content.
 
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#249
Showdown said:
I play in a band that does soul, and other old school stuff, using a Fender P of course. But once in a while I bring my upright and play it on a couple of slow songs (Fever, Summertime). My bandmates alway say it sounds so good I should play it on gigs. I tried it once, but the sound man couldn't get it to stop feeding back - even with my amp volume on 0. But if I can find a place with a better sound man I'll definitely play it, it sounds that good.
Click to expand...
Stand in between the bass and the sound source, usually your amp. Use an fDeck or other HPF to cut the frequencies that cause the worst of the rumbling feedback noises. Move out of the way of the amplifier's path.

One thing I haven't tried is using a tennis ball stuffed into the space between the tail and top of the bass or under the end of the fingerboard. I have seen in done by a couple guys playing rockabilly. I saw one guy with two soundposts, both of them screwed into the bass from the back. I'm not sure what that does, but my understanding is that it's another feedback killer.

So far, I have been able to tame the feedback reasonably well using a combination of EQ, the HPF, moving around on stage, and so on. It's usually pretty well amplified, and I rarely have FOH support. That makes the whole process even more challenging. The big, ugly upright bass feedback growl/groan/rumble sure wakes everyone up when it happens!
 
#251
Freebase said:
I like to play jazz standards for fun and have often toyed with the idea of joining a small trio. At the risk of being a jerk, not sure why anyone would play one of those. Cause it looks cool? Often the sound is so dull most will not be able to tell if the player is a half step off a chord tone on beat one.
Click to expand...

It's a good thing you didn't post this in the DB forums.
 
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#253
image.jpeg
 
#254
Gaolee said:
Stand in between the bass and the sound source, usually your amp. Use an fDeck or other HPF to cut the frequencies that cause the worst of the rumbling feedback noises. Move out of the way of the amplifier's path.

One thing I haven't tried is using a tennis ball stuffed into the space between the tail and top of the bass or under the end of the fingerboard. I have seen in done by a couple guys playing rockabilly. I saw one guy with two soundposts, both of them screwed into the bass from the back. I'm not sure what that does, but my understanding is that it's another feedback killer.

So far, I have been able to tame the feedback reasonably well using a combination of EQ, the HPF, moving around on stage, and so on. It's usually pretty well amplified, and I rarely have FOH support. That makes the whole process even more challenging. The big, ugly upright bass feedback growl/groan/rumble sure wakes everyone up when it happens!
Click to expand...

Actually I had a tennis ball behind the tailpiece, and my amp was off, no bass in monitors, only in FOH. I had no control over EQ or anything else - basically just DIed. Soundman was a jerk and not interested in trying to control the feedback. I was also unable to move around as it is an 8 piece band and we took up the whole stage. I have no idea why it had so much feedback, other than it is a very live room - all glass and smooth floors and walls. I think with a good soundman it might have worked. This is Hawaii, and there are many Hawaiian bands with upright, so I'm sure I'm not the first guy to bring one.
 
#256
Lee Moses said:
Just FYI, what is called "3/4" is actually a standard-sized double bass.

And you should be able to fit it in almost any vehicle with a little bit of wrangling.

I would recommend at least a couple of lessons--you can't just play it like an electric and expect to play it competently or to remain injury-free. At least get yourself pointed in the right direction, then play around to your heart's content.
Click to expand...
It is definitely a different feel to it...
 
#257
Showdown said:
Actually I had a tennis ball behind the tailpiece, and my amp was off, no bass in monitors, only in FOH. I had no control over EQ or anything else - basically just DIed. Soundman was a jerk and not interested in trying to control the feedback. I was also unable to move around as it is an 8 piece band and we took up the whole stage. I have no idea why it had so much feedback, other than it is a very live room - all glass and smooth floors and walls. I think with a good soundman it might have worked. This is Hawaii, and there are many Hawaiian bands with upright, so I'm sure I'm not the first guy to bring one.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear it. That just sucks.
 
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#258
Freebase said:
At the risk of being a jerk, not sure why anyone would play one of those. Cause it looks cool? Often the sound is so dull most will not be able to tell if the player is a half step off a chord tone on beat one. (Mic'd on stage is a bit better but seems rare)

I know I've pissed someone off by writing this.
Click to expand...
Well at least you admit to it :D

Quite frankly, nobody should have to help you get it. You either like it or you don't. But if you can't tell what note someone is playing on it, I would consider that a personal problem, because I have no problem at all making my notes on the upright clear, and I'm not even that good.
 
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