Double Bass EUB to cover all basses or EB and DB

[CS]

Please give me opinions and stories of using an EUB to cover all music styles and sounds as opposed to a EB and DB combo.

That's the short version. Long one...

I want a double bass. I did 10 years of unlined fretless and borrowed a DB years ago. I've been playing a number of NS NXT's and I like them but the band I am playing with is very much an Indy guitar type deal. Am I asking for trouble using an EUB? I currently use my Ashbory 50% of the time and borrow a Squier Precision for the rest. I would rather own 1 or 2 instruments and have them set up how I like than rely on others. My problem is that I can see advantages for either way. The problem with the EB DB route is that the DB would come second in time and quality, whereas the NS would be IMHO a good instrument ( I like them).

Thanks

 

[daveevans35]

I think the db is difficult as being a fretless player moving over to db. The notes are the same and that's where it stops. get some lessons and learn to bow.

Amplification in a band is v difficult, If you get standard pick ups and go through a
General bass amp you will feed back and sound a bit like an electrical bass combo.

If you get a good quality dbass the case if hard is expensive and big. I have an old db and Carry-it around in a 7 foot hard case!

So if you still want a db with a band go through the pa, consider a good condenser mic in, I use a number of electrostatic mics that putty to sweet spots I also mic via a pizzo glued to the bridge and a David gauge which is sandwiches into the foot of the bridge.

My main amp has 3 specific amps. All deal with different frequency needs, I also use a 2nd but its s slave

I use 3 pre amp ins for the contact electrostatic mics and this goes into Two schertler 6" with 2" horn powered cabs and these sit on poles over two dedicated 10" power subs.

Every gig is different and feedback with schertler is not a problem as the dyn b 'S have a twist switch which deduces the common feedback frequencies. It may sound elaborate but it works.

I plan to get a fretless Taylor or Martin acoustic as I think it will be a great acoustic rich sound.
Enjoy and achieve the sound you want. For me it's low volume wide presence like silk with any sound.

Cheers. Dave

 

[chuck3]

Go for your own style. It could work - I know I'd love a nice EUB. But for me, I wouldn't want to play just one bass. I think DB, fretless and regular BG are each a basic food group and I need all of them.

 

[fingerbun]

The EUBs I've played sound more or less like fretless electrics. They don't have the air of a double bass, and they are not as easy to play as a fretless.

(Caveat I am better on electric than upright by a long way, and been playing fretless for 30 years, and this might have coloured my opinion. But an upright is comparatively hard work).

So for me, I would choose a good fretless as my single instrument before I would choose an EUB.

That might change if I was considering something like an Eminence or a Czech-Ease, but I am assuming you are financially constrained and could probably have a reasonable ply upright with pickup plus an electric for less money.

But really, to me the upright and the electrics are quite different instruments, and I like to have the option of both.

 

[abaguer]

I'm a little confused. You say you use your ashobory 50% of the time and borrow a squier rest of time. Is the Ashbory you're referring to the silicone string mini bass guitar? And is the Squier your fretless? If that is the case then you're playing two electric basses on your gig. Is this correct?

But your intention is to have an EUB (NS NXT) cover the whole gig? Is that right?

I'll assume that's the case for the time being, you can correct me if I've misunderstood.

When I go on the road I like to only take one instrument if possible. If I do, I don't expect to play the things on EUB that I would on BG. And the bandleaders also realize that. The two instruments are completely different and respond differently. EUB doesn't speak as quickly as BG and obviously your technique would be different. If you really want to get an NS, I would say go for it if that's what you want. But you shouldn't expect to play the NS the way you play your fretless BG. If you're cool with that, then go for it. Oh and DEFINITELY get a teacher. You could hurt yourself doing things the wrong way. Good luck.

 

[CS]

I'm a little confused. You say you use your ashobory 50% of the time and borrow a squier rest of time. Is the Ashbory you're referring to the silicone string mini bass guitar? And is the Squier your fretless? If that is the case then you're playing two electric basses on your gig. Is this correct?

But your intention is to have an EUB (NS NXT) cover the whole gig? Is that right?

I'll assume that's the case for the time being, you can correct me if I've misunderstood.

When I go on the road I like to only take one instrument if possible. If I do, I don't expect to play the things on EUB that I would on BG. And the bandleaders also realize that. The two instruments are completely different and respond differently. EUB doesn't speak as quickly as BG and obviously your technique would be different. If you really want to get an NS, I would say go for it if that's what you want. But you shouldn't expect to play the NS the way you play your fretless BG. If you're cool with that, then go for it. Oh and DEFINITELY get a teacher. You could hurt yourself doing things the wrong way. Good luck.

The Ashbory is mine and it’s a mini scale fretless solidbody with a piezo pickup. I have Kala U Bass strings on it. The Squier is a fretted Precision and owned by another band member. A brief playing history is as follows

1980 started playing fretted BG
1992 borrowed a ¾ ply DB for 6 months, did one gig
1997 owned a fretless 4 and a fretted 5 BG
2005 sold all my basses, took up guitar
2007 started jamming with friends, used the Squier Precision
2010 bought the Ashbory
2011 got yearnings for a DB

The ‘band’ has been 4 of us improvising in a rehearsal room. This year it looks like we are going to be an actual band with set roles and I’ll be the bassist. My heart is saying get a DB whilst my head is saying get a BG.

 

[abaguer]

Sounds like you haven't had much experience in the upright dept. If You've been playing an Ashbory and a Squier since returning to bass, I would say that's miles away from an upright and all the stuff that comes with it. I'm just saying that to get to the point of even sounding listenable, it's going to take a good chunk of commitment on your part. From your playing history you seem to have moved around a bit instrument wise. It is a goal that can certainly be achieved but it won't be easy and it's expensive.
I wouldn't switch instruments unless the music calls for it. If it does then do it and really do it.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

I have done it all until last year I got a fretless U-bass. Then I got another and another. Now I play U-bass on 75% of my gigs. It can sub for both electric and upright very well. It has more "air" than an EUB, but is smaller and can be played like a vintage P or J and get something close to those sounds too. Go to YouTube and check out my channel: Watsontbass. I cannot overstate the versatility of this little thing. You may have to explore and work with your rig like you would with an upright and at least get an acoustic-friendly preamp. But only taking that little thing in and playing the whole gig with it is awesome!

 

[CS]

Thanks for all the comments and the pictures, however I am now gassing for some cowboy boots and I live in suburban England...

I should add that I have played NXT's in different shops for as long as I could get away with.

 

[Matthijs]

I gig on URB and do rehearsals on EUB. That is already quite a difference. Sometimes, when I'm lazy, I bring my fretless EB to rehearsal. Every time It amazes me how different an instrument it is. It completely changes my rhytmic role, position in the mix and the whole feel of the band.
I'd stick with fretless and change over to EUB or URB when the whole band and the music is ready for that step. It will also take a lot of time before you can last a whole set with eub or urb. It's not an easy change, but it is worth the effort.

 

[NickyBass]

The NS will certainly be easier to amplify and transport in a band setting. I've done my share of 'crammed in the van' gigs and real estate is valueable. I guess it all comes down to what you are looking for from the instrument. If you are mainly going to play it in the indie band, the NS would be a good choice. I don't think it would be out of place at all. However, if you are looking to explore the DB and use it outside of the band, then the NS might not completely fullfil your desire for an acoustic upright.

 

[CS]

However, if you are looking to explore the DB and use it outside of the band, then the NS might not completely fullfil your desire for an acoustic upright.

This is where I came in. Thinking about it the DB will be for me and the BG for the band.

Realistically I am not going to be able to gig on an EUB in the timeframe and therefore own an NXT and end up gigging with the borrowed squier.

I think that a BG for out and a DB for home is the answer.

Thanks to everyone for the input.

 

[jon3673]

CS,

I understand your desires. Several years ago I played only EB. Out of desperation, I purchased a fretless Ampeg lap bass that had the same type mechanical pickup (pre transducer era) as the Ampeg Baby Bass. I could play it with gut strings, which gave more of the acoustic UB sound that I wanted.

Well, I finally bit the bullet and purchased an acoustic UB and, just a few days later, I got a call to sub for a couple of weeks in a group whose regular bass player was not available.

I went out on the first night with my Ampeg EB (which I amplified with an Ampeg B15N) and the leader suggested that I bring my new UB to the next gig, just to see what it would sound like. Well, on the second night, I was told that this was the sound that they wanted, so I finished the contract strictly using mu UB. AND, I WAS HOOKED!

I didn’t go back to using an EB until the 5 string became popular. I then carried both a 5 string EB and a 4 string UB to gigs, but soon got tired of moving around a semi-trailer full of equipment (at least it seemed that way!) So, I had my 4/4 size UB converted to 5 string and went exclusively that way.

Life got even better when the Acoustic Image Ten2 came out, and I’ve been able to downsize to a 7/8 size 5 string UB. But it sounds like I was playing an acoustic UB that was 12 feet tall! Or, at least like this: Octobass @ the Musical Instrument Museum - YouTube

All of that being said, I suspect that the gigs you work are going to be the deciding factor regarding the ax you use. So, go ahead and get an acoustic UB! This will satisfy your inter desires and occasionally you’ll actually get to perform with it.

Jon

 

[what the pluck]

My heart is saying get a DB .

That would be enough for me to make the decision.

 

[chuck norriss]

Go for your own style. It could work - I know I'd love a nice EUB. But for me, I wouldn't want to play just one bass. I think DB, fretless and regular BG are each a basic food group and I need all of them.

If you look closely at the third photo you'll notice a nice pair of boots.