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Double Bass EUB Instead of Doubling for Musical?

stringtapper

stringtapper

Jun 24, 2009
750
914
Denton, TX
www.stringtapper.com
#1
I'm playing a musical next month and after looking at the score I am wondering if using my 5-string NS could be a viable way to get around the issue of switching between my upright and electric. I have reservations about it because some of the lines seem to really need a tight funky sound and while I'm pretty sure I can physically play them on the NS I'm not sure if it will work sonically. My fear is that it won't sound acoustic enough or electric enough for the parts that call for it. Pick-up selection and plucking placement can probably vary things to a degree but I'm not sure if it will be enough.

Has anyone tried going with an EUB to avoid doubling? Experiences?

Thanks!
 
#2
If I had to split the difference I would just take the electric. Most people, sadly, won't miss the sound of the URB but will figure something is up on tunes that definitely call for electric. I don't think an EURB will fool most people. Just my opinion. I recently played a Broadway review with the local orchestra. Got permission to just bring the EB, no problem.
 
#7
Journey55 said:
If you want to try taking just the electric bass you could try using an E-Bow
Click to expand...

Ha! Since I will have to blend with a string section during the arco parts I don't think the MD would go for it. But your suggestion prompted me to dig mine out of a drawer and try it. Way to many overtones come through which gives it an overdriven sound. Yeah the MD definitely isn't going for that. :hmm:

Got some cool sounds out of it though (I only ever used it on Stick in the past)! :D
 
#11
I've done several musicals using only an EUB, and all have turned out well.

I did 4 musicals (Sound of Music, Show Boat, King and I, Spring Awakening) with a BSX Allegro EUB. This instrument has a very good arco sound, and it also nicely covers the rock musical numbers in Spring Awakening, some of which call for bass guitar. The musical directors (and sound engineers) have all been quite satisfied with the sound of this instrument. I run it through the standard G-K combo amp. Some EQ changes on the instrument may be needed during the shows, depending on the individual player and whether the music calls for pizz or arco.

I also did a 5th musical, Big River, on a Clevinger solid-body EUB. The show's book calls for bass guitar, but the musical director wanted something a bit closer to an acoustic sound. (I could have also used the BSX.)

I hope this helps.
 
#14
I am just wondering why you would want to avoid doubling....won't you get paid doubler fee$ if you play more than one axe?

I did the Addams Family tour last year and that was Acoustic Bass, Fretted Bass Guitar and Fretless Bass Guitar. Decent coinage.

The only challenge was some fast switching. I had to wear my electric over my back while playing the acoustic in one or two spots.

Either way have fun, but the closer you play to what the conductor and contractor wants, the more calls you will get!

Steve
 
#17
Glenn Harris said:
so there was no economic incentive to play BG and EUB, I'm sorry to say.
Click to expand...

srbbass said:
Either way have fun, but the closer you play to what the conductor and contractor wants, the more calls you will get!
Click to expand...

That is all the incentive right there; if the conductor wants you to double, then do so. Regardless of getting a doubler's fee, if they want you to do it, do it. If they don't care, use your discretion.

I've been on both sides of that. Like Glenn, I played Big River on an EUB because the conductor wanted a more bluegrass feel (and it's scored for electric). I played Dirty Rotten Scoundrels solely on electric, because the conductor didn't care if I doubled or not.

Conversely, I played another run of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on electric and upright, because the conductor DID care. If they have a specific vision or direction, you need to do the best you can to help fulfill that.

Back to the OP, I use my 5 string NS EUB in pits all the time (in fact, it has replaced my upright bass). It sounds convincing enough that they don't care that it's not an upright; I have Spirocores on it, and bow on it regularly. Last gig I used it was in a 37 piece pit for Beauty and the Beast, and the conductor loved how the tone fit the orchestra. And given the size of the NS in relation to the size of many of the pits I'm in, it is ideal.
 
#18
stringtapper said:
I'm playing a musical next month and after looking at the score I am wondering if using my 5-string NS could be a viable way to get around the issue of switching between my upright and electric. I have reservations about it because some of the lines seem to really need a tight funky sound and while I'm pretty sure I can physically play them on the NS I'm not sure if it will work sonically. My fear is that it won't sound acoustic enough or electric enough for the parts that call for it. Pick-up selection and plucking placement can probably vary things to a degree but I'm not sure if it will be enough.

Has anyone tried going with an EUB to avoid doubling? Experiences?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Take a look at the part, and talk to the conductor. Many of the newer shows like Aida were written specifically for electric bass, but there are exceptions. Andrew Lippa's version of the Wild Party has both. Older shows can certainly be done on a EUB, but for the most part you'll want to talk with the music director. Sometimes it's a cosmetic visual decision that the conductor is concerned with that has little to do with the actual sound of the instrument.


Ric
 
#19
srbbass said:
I am just wondering why you would want to avoid doubling....won't you get paid doubler fee$ if you play more than one axe?

I did the Addams Family tour last year and that was Acoustic Bass, Fretted Bass Guitar and Fretless Bass Guitar. Decent coinage.

The only challenge was some fast switching. I had to wear my electric over my back while playing the acoustic in one or two spots.

Either way have fun, but the closer you play to what the conductor and contractor wants, the more calls you will get!

Steve
Click to expand...
My local high school hired me earlier this year as a ringer to play bass for their Addams Family production. At first I brought all three basses to rehearsals, but when it came time to fit us all into the pit, there wasn't enough room. So I ended up playing the entire show's run on my fretless slab. The AF bass book is pretty challenging, makes me wonder if the bass book came about as a transcription from some NYC bassist who was in the band that helped develop the music, versus written by the composer.
 
#20
Glenn Harris said:
There are Thomastik Weich strings on both the BSX and the Clevinger.

It's also worth pointing out that one of these musicals (Spring Awakening) involved a professional repertory company. The others were community theatre productions.
Click to expand...

I've had the same positive experience with the BSX Allegro w/Spiro Weichs in musicals, pizz and arco. Ask the conductor. I'd rather not have to double because it's more stuff to schlep in/out of the pit. But, if the director insists, that's the gig.

Oh, I'll also mention that the EUB is easier to get into the said pit and less risky (to the instrument) than the upright. Not necessarily the optimum choice sound wise (to me), but the audience couldn't tell the difference. You'll also be able to raise your volume with the EUB without feedback problems.
 

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