My question is... has anyone ever decided to play double bass after years of feeling, well... inferior playing electric? I used to play an R&B gig 4 sets a night, 7 days a week, 360 days a year in Spain for 3 yrs. There would be frequent power losses which left me standing there holding an "inaudible" lump of wood. I started wondering "gee, since the power is off, what's the point if there's no hope being heard?" I also hated the fact that even though I could play jazz, people wanted to "see" a double bass. The EB "looked" too easy. A former drummer with Oscar Peterson said to me, "I want to hire (bassist), but he plays electric. The clubs don't care if he's good or not.." Hmmm.. I feel better playing both, and must admit, lately I keep seeing guitarists and drummers gigging on the EB as a sideline. Even though they don't "play" like an experienced bassist. I aso noticed that IMO, a lot of guitarists are nervous having me behind them. I've been playing EB since 1977, so I can get around on it ok, but guitarists are more intimidated having somebody behind them that has more technique than they do. A kind of fear of what you "could" do if they let you cut loose. On records and gigs I don't play more than what's needed, but at jam sessions when told to solo, I'm thinking Charlie Parker, 3rd's and 7th's, chordal and tritone. Overall, I love playing four to the bar on the double bass! Knowing and applying harmony is exciting whatever the tempo. I feel better and less self conscious playing both... Any similar experiences? I was pondering. 
