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East Tennessee Talkbass
- Thread starter Michael Vee
- Start date
I sent Rusty an email Friday asking for recommendations, that's awesome if he gives private instruction!
It is a little of that, plus being self taught on EB for 30+ years, I want to go back and learn the instrument proper....I imagine very little will carry over from EB to UB, but what I learn in the coming months and years on upright can only make my Dingwall sound better!
Go, Jeff. That's a good-looking upright. Five strings! Again, what brand instrument is it?
I encourage you to take lessons to develop good classical upright technique. Although, with your ear and musicality, you'll get the hang of "just playing" it, especially pizzicato or plucked. I think that bowing is something that is much harder to learn, due to the fact that it exposes intonation problems. But I'm guessing you probably will be using it mostly in plucked mode.
Rusty Holloway is always mentioned in the context of upright bass in the Knoxville area, and rightfully so, but he is hard to access for lessons from the general public as he maintains a packed schedule. However, there are a number of his former UT students in the area that do instruction, so he'll most likely refer you to one of them.
The principal double bassist for the KSO, Steve Benne, is a very good contact to make, and a nice guy. I'm sure he also maintains a busy schedule, but try him as well. I have a couple email addresses for Steve, so PM me and I'll pass them along.
How is the action on this bass? Will it be visiting Jonathan for any fine-tuning setup?
I gave upright a try a while back, in the form of an Ergo EUB. I found that to play the 42" string length with classical technique, utilizing the formal positions, a player has to have a certain hand size and span between the tip of the index finger and tip of the pinky. I wasn't blessed with large enough hands for proper techique , so after struggling with the Ergo for a few years with too much hand movement to compensate, I had to move on.
I use some of the bass guitars I have to simulate the tonality of upright, which works well for my applications. The Zeniths, for example. However, in doing this, I know that none of these really sound quite like an upright.
I encourage you to take lessons to develop good classical upright technique. Although, with your ear and musicality, you'll get the hang of "just playing" it, especially pizzicato or plucked. I think that bowing is something that is much harder to learn, due to the fact that it exposes intonation problems. But I'm guessing you probably will be using it mostly in plucked mode.
Rusty Holloway is always mentioned in the context of upright bass in the Knoxville area, and rightfully so, but he is hard to access for lessons from the general public as he maintains a packed schedule. However, there are a number of his former UT students in the area that do instruction, so he'll most likely refer you to one of them.
The principal double bassist for the KSO, Steve Benne, is a very good contact to make, and a nice guy. I'm sure he also maintains a busy schedule, but try him as well. I have a couple email addresses for Steve, so PM me and I'll pass them along.
How is the action on this bass? Will it be visiting Jonathan for any fine-tuning setup?
I gave upright a try a while back, in the form of an Ergo EUB. I found that to play the 42" string length with classical technique, utilizing the formal positions, a player has to have a certain hand size and span between the tip of the index finger and tip of the pinky. I wasn't blessed with large enough hands for proper techique , so after struggling with the Ergo for a few years with too much hand movement to compensate, I had to move on.
I use some of the bass guitars I have to simulate the tonality of upright, which works well for my applications. The Zeniths, for example. However, in doing this, I know that none of these really sound quite like an upright.
So that's the Atlanta one Jeff? The pic looks great, in person it must be fantastic. Just gorgeous. She'll bring out the best in you, and vice versa with a little study.
Yes, I made an "emergency" trip to Atlanta last week!
There were a couple of 4 stringers available locally I was interested in, but they were out of my price range.
As all my four string EB's were relegated to the closet after switching to five strings, I made the leap in logic and pounced on the only five string UB in the area.
My faith in getting the five string was confirmed when the seller demonstrated the low "B" bowed. Even un-amplified, it rattled the floor!
Go, Jeff. That's a good-looking upright. Five strings! Again, what brand instrument is it?
I encourage you to take lessons to develop good classical upright technique. Although, with your ear and musicality, you'll get the hang of "just playing" it, especially pizzicato or plucked. I think that bowing is something that is much harder to learn, due to the fact that it exposes intonation problems. But I'm guessing you probably will be using it mostly in plucked mode.
Rusty Holloway is always mentioned in the context of upright bass in the Knoxville area, and rightfully so, but he is hard to access for lessons from the general public as he maintains a packed schedule. However, there are a number of his former UT students in the area that do instruction, so he'll most likely refer you to one of them.
The principal double bassist for the KSO, Steve Benne, is a very good contact to make, and a nice guy. I'm sure he also maintains a busy schedule, but try him as well. I have a couple email addresses for Steve, so PM me and I'll pass them along.
How is the action on this bass? Will it be visiting Jonathan for any fine-tuning setup?
I gave upright a try a while back, in the form of an Ergo EUB. I found that to play the 42" string length with classical technique, utilizing the formal positions, a player has to have a certain hand size and span between the tip of the index finger and tip of the pinky. I wasn't blessed with large enough hands for proper techique , so after struggling with the Ergo for a few years with too much hand movement to compensate, I had to move on.
I use some of the bass guitars I have to simulate the tonality of upright, which works well for my applications. The Zeniths, for example. However, in doing this, I know that none of these really sound quite like an upright.
Hi Michael,
It's a Christopher Busetto five string hybrid (solid carved spruce top). Action is very low and consistent, ideally (I am told) for a beginner like me.
Funny you mention Jonathan, I called him a while back regarding my search for an upright. He laughed and said "good luck" and that was gist of the conversation! I don't blame him, he's probably had more than his share of unplayable junk come through his repair shop over the years....
My intention is to approach this as a good opportunity to learn a musical instrument properly. If you put a gun to my head, I couldn't read a sheet of music anymore, so why not start over at the beginning?
My main objective will be pizz work, but I want to learn arco as well, I can see that being quite useful for worship music right away.
That worries me a little regarding finger span, I don't have very large or very small hands, but I'm hopeful training can overcome any deficits there.
Thanks (to everyone!) for all the instructor recommendations, I think I have found the right person, but won't mention him by name to keep from jinxing it!
Hi Michael,
It's a Christopher Busetto five string hybrid (solid carved spruce top). Action is very low and consistent, ideally (I am told) for a beginner like me.
Funny you mention Jonathan, I called him a while back regarding my search for an upright. He laughed and said "good luck" and that was gist of the conversation! I don't blame him, he's probably had more than his share of unplayable junk come through his repair shop over the years....
My intention is to approach this as a good opportunity to learn a musical instrument properly. If you put a gun to my head, I couldn't read a sheet of music anymore, so why not start over at the beginning?
My main objective will be pizz work, but I want to learn arco as well, I can see that being quite useful for worship music right away.
That worries me a little regarding finger span, I don't have very large or very small hands, but I'm hopeful training can overcome any deficits there.
Thanks (to everyone!) for all the instructor recommendations, I think I have found the right person, but won't mention him by name to keep from jinxing it!
Well, this proves my theory that if I exercise patience, I can find a steal. I have been looking for about 6 months. Really want a 50's Kay, King Mortone, or an Epi for a steal. Pricing has not been kind. Sooner or later one will show up.
Grats on the new doghouse !
Likewise, Scott. As I said earlier, I really enjoyed your playing. It was kind of a messed-up day with the Star of Knoxville being out of commission, but the highlight for me was listening to Alien Love Charm and watching you alternately tearing it up and holding it down in a trio, which is never an easy thing. Your guitar player (Brian David Lee) is a pretty amazing talent as well.
Another plug for Link Removed. Go hear these guys play!
Back in March, I stumbled onto another [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] by accident. It's a XS-1FPA Custom in Trans Amber. Actually, it was a dumb winning bid on eBay that I shouldn't have placed, as I don't need any other basses! Not to mention, I already have a Trans Blue XS-15FPA! Oops! At any rate, it was fortuitous and at a good price.
And wow, this Synapse is quite a performer. I used it for a recent theatre show. It does growling P-bass-type tone pretty convincingly when dialed to the EMG pickup side, and thundering smooth operatic-epic hi-fi bottom on the piezo side. What a tone when blending the two! It plays very well with the Genz Shuttle 6.2/12T combo. I have the amp set pretty much straight up ("flat") with the tube set to the hot side. I haven't changed the roundwounds that were on the Synapse on arrival, as they are still very bright. I did check the setup and flattened the neck adjustment, and raised the D/G string side of the bridge, which was easy to do. Very nice player.
And wow, this Synapse is quite a performer. I used it for a recent theatre show. It does growling P-bass-type tone pretty convincingly when dialed to the EMG pickup side, and thundering smooth operatic-epic hi-fi bottom on the piezo side. What a tone when blending the two! It plays very well with the Genz Shuttle 6.2/12T combo. I have the amp set pretty much straight up ("flat") with the tube set to the hot side. I haven't changed the roundwounds that were on the Synapse on arrival, as they are still very bright. I did check the setup and flattened the neck adjustment, and raised the D/G string side of the bridge, which was easy to do. Very nice player.
Attachments
His son is the lead guitarist for the Dirty Guv'nahs, but you probably knew that.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Thought I'd throw in a link.
Anybody here know Justin Hoskins, the DG's bass player?
In West Knoxville Rik's is holding free live music and coffee in its new cafe starting at 3 today.
Thanks!
Alien Love Charm this week:
TH 5/2 at Barley's Taproom in the Old City
FRI 5/3 opening for Soulfinger at Preservation Pub, 10pm, with special guests the Soulfinger horn section. = FUNK
Come on out ...
Scott
Looks like my main band might be splitting ways soon as my drummer got offered a gig with the Black Lilies (https://www.facebook.com/theblacklillies?fref=ts) and will be joining them on the road for at least three months (and potentially longer). As such, I'm in the market for a new gig!
I'm not too genre specific and am willing to do anything from classic rock, to folk/bluegrass, to hip hop/RnB, to funky jammy type stuff, to country, and everything in between. If anyone has any leads on a band needing a bassist/backing vocalist please feel free to shoot me a PM
Here's some stuff I've done if it helps!
Also check the Soundcloud in my sig!
I'm not too genre specific and am willing to do anything from classic rock, to folk/bluegrass, to hip hop/RnB, to funky jammy type stuff, to country, and everything in between. If anyone has any leads on a band needing a bassist/backing vocalist please feel free to shoot me a PM
Here's some stuff I've done if it helps!
Also check the Soundcloud in my sig!
Jetglo Rick on Knoxville CL for 1,100 bones if anyone has that itch. Been there, done that. Ricks are like Corvettes. Everyone should own one at least once in their life just for the experience.
