What kind of electric double bass would you recommend? And would you even consider getting one just because it is light/portable and to be able to practise quietly?
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Double Bass Electric Double Bass
- Thread starter Julius
- Start date
These instruments are widely known as Electric Upright Bass (EUB) and there are lots of discussion threads here in the TalkBass/Double bass (TB/DB) forums about them.
Generally, yes, people do get them for the reasons you've mentioned, as well as for many other reasons. And there are lots of variations of the EUB concept to select from.
EDIT: here's a link to the TB/DB/EUB forum area.
Generally, yes, people do get them for the reasons you've mentioned, as well as for many other reasons. And there are lots of variations of the EUB concept to select from.
EDIT: here's a link to the TB/DB/EUB forum area.
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I know this will get moved, but...
I bought an EUB for a few reasons:
• Quiet practicing
• Better portability
• Almost no concerns about feedback at loud volumes
So far, so good. To be more precise, it fits easily in my car and none of the neighbors have said anything. At least, not to me directly....
As to recommendations, that depends entirely on your budget and familiarity with DBs. IMO the Yamaha SLB300 series plays and sounds the most like an amplified DB, but it's pretty spendy.
Thus, critical questions include:
What's your budget?
Are you looking for 34" or 42" scale?
Do you plan to play arco or just pizzicato?
Do you care what the musicians you play with might think?
I'm just helping bumping this post because I am also interested. Is there anyone EUB that is identical to the fretboard and feel of an upright bass to help with just simple pizzicato at the late hours of the day? I know it shall never be perfect but I like to know as well.
I play a Knudson Messenger bass as an adjunct to my DB. My DB is a Shen with the thicker neck I personally prefer. My EUB has nearly the same neck profile and feel. My only wish is a 42.5” string length to match my DB. Does it really matter? No. I go back and forth pretty fluently now. Different EUB’s have different feels, sizes, but ultimately are more portable, set up in any venue is quick and the ability to take it on vacation or play late at night when I can’t sleep is great. Does it sound like an DB? Sort of, but I don’t consider them to be the same. In the group mix, no one will notice, the real test. The don’t balance the same as a DB but you get used to it or use a stand. With no affiliation to the seller, there is one in TB classifieds for good price and great condition.
There's always controversy when choosing the "best" of anything, but I can highly recommend the Yamaha SLB300 based on my own experience. There are a couple of threads in the EUB forum about it. It seems some recent buyers have encountered some quality control issues, but Yamaha customer support has been very responsive. The "SRT Powered System" acoustic simulation is remarkably good. My only serious complaint is that they chose to power it with two AA batteries with no provision for using an external power supply.
Strumenti - Contrabbassi Elettrici MK
eubesmk on eBay
Plays and feels exactly like Double Bass
You might also want to have a look at this thread below. Most of it is about the above linked bass (MK Studio EUB)
Thoughts on the Yamaha SVB-200SK?
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I performed regularly with an amplified upright. The only advice I will offer here is a bass that is very resonant may be great for acoustic playing, but the resonance can be problematic when you need to use an amp.
I also performed regularly with an NS Design US series 6-string EUB. The current EU6 is essentially built to same spec.
I bought the EUB to facilitate maintaining my upright technique. I was playing primarily in a cover band at the time. I used the NS Design for jazz trio background gigs as well. Explanation: I use Simandl 1,2,4 fingering on upright. On bass guitar I use one finger per fret. So the idea was to maintain fluency with the Simandl fingering system. Eventually I expected to need it...and I did.
I chose a 6-string EUB because I was playing a 6-string bass guitar, and thought it would be cool....and IMHO it was.
This model sounds and responds more like a fretless bass guitar than an acoustic upright. However because the mensure is 42", it produces a really strong fundamental...and I mean really strong. The B-string was mind blowing. It has really long sustain and almost zero thump at the front end of notes.
When I first got the NS Design, I tried some experiments with foam to try and mute the strings and get a more upright feel. What I found was that if I got one range of the bass sounding fairly good, other ranges would either sound artificial or awful. After a short while, I embraced its awesome and unique tone. I did lots of concerts where I switched between 6-string bass guitar, 6-strung EUB, and amplified upright bass. I chose whichever I thought was best for the arrangement.
On important feature regarding the NS Design's ergonomics. The US and EU6 has a concave channel that runs the length of the neck (on the back). This is claimed to make it easier to play, but I found that it changed my hand shape enough that it forced me to use different muscles. I had to play it regularly to keep my hand conditioned, otherwise it would wear me out rather quickly. This was challenging as I usually played bass guitar and upright far more the NS Design.
If you want an EUB that sounds and feels more like an actual acoustic upright, my belief is the Yamaha SLB300 is by far the closest you can get.
So first priority IMHO, decide what you actually want. Do you want an authentic upright experience. If yes, consider getting an acoustic upright. If there are limiting factors such as size, weight, or the need to practice silently, consider the Yamaha. The Yamaha and NS Design are sort of at opposite poles of a continuum. The rest of the EUBs on the market will fall somewhere along the continuum between the Yamaha and the NS Design.
What @Wasnex said about NS Design instruments. If you go that way, don’t try to use it as a silent acoustic upright, embrace that it is its own instrument, which is meant to be electric.
It sounds like you’d be happier with a Yamaha, but if you do get an NS, go all-in. Get some effects pedals. Shape your tone. Dial in your own reverb. Get a pitch shifter. Have fun and take it some place new.
It sounds like you’d be happier with a Yamaha, but if you do get an NS, go all-in. Get some effects pedals. Shape your tone. Dial in your own reverb. Get a pitch shifter. Have fun and take it some place new.
I have had an NS NXT for eight years playing bluegrass and jazz, like other solid eub’s it benefits greatly from synthetic core strings which tame the excessive resonance of the solid body, I use Obligatos, it has some weaknesses but overall I have been very happy with it, plus it fits in a Miata
I like the NS Design Wav 4 EUB as it is mounted on a tripod stand and therefore there is no weight on my neck or shoulders. I am not trying to keep the bass form turning and don't have to balance it while playing. This worked very well in my church and everyone on the praise team loved it. 
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This is probably a very old-fashioned sentiment, but I think the white finish must look amazing in its full worship setting. Yes, I’m probably thinking Christian worship, I realize that other cultures have different associations between colours and the practices of their faith.
Agree with this - I've been using an Eminence with the same scale, strings, and pickup as my full-size Shen. Hardly ever take the Shen out on gigs anymore, its much easier to dial in a good sound on stage, and we're always through a robust PA so no feedback.
