Yeah they have a classical shop that specialises in violins, violas, cellos and basses so they know their stuff. I'm just not certain as to the depth of their knowledge on bass and I should've asked to speak with the bass guy if they have one.
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Double Bass First bass help needed
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Also are d'addario strings any good for double bass. I know they are superb for guitar as that is what I've used religiously for around 8 years for both acoustic and electric. I'm just not sure about their performance on the bass.
So, in general, forget everything you know about guitars, guitar/bass guitar strings/amps etc. It doesn't transfer. A of of BGist come to double bass and want Rotosound or DR strings or something, just let that go. The strings shop likely deals in Pirastro and/or Thomastik strings and they are the standards for stringed instruments. Innovations have their following and are made in the UK, so they might be cheaper for you.
That said D'Addario is the one string that mostly carries over to both worlds. They're not usually argued to be the best (though the D'Addario rep may be along any minute now...), but they are perfectly good and some people prefer them. They tend to be cheaper here in the US, so they are a good option for us idiot yanks, but they may not be for you.
At any rate, if you choose D'Addario strings, it shouldn't be because you like their guitar strings, it just doesn't translate that way.
Ask the shop what is on the bass and report back any answer other than "I don't know, whatever came with it", in which case take a photo of the silks at both ends and post it here. Then ask them what they recommend for your style of playing.
That said D'Addario is the one string that mostly carries over to both worlds. They're not usually argued to be the best (though the D'Addario rep may be along any minute now...), but they are perfectly good and some people prefer them. They tend to be cheaper here in the US, so they are a good option for us idiot yanks, but they may not be for you.
At any rate, if you choose D'Addario strings, it shouldn't be because you like their guitar strings, it just doesn't translate that way.
Ask the shop what is on the bass and report back any answer other than "I don't know, whatever came with it", in which case take a photo of the silks at both ends and post it here. Then ask them what they recommend for your style of playing.
Thanks just new to the world of double bass and need a lot of help haha. I will have a lot to ask the guys at mattchets when I go back in, boy are they gonna hate me haha. It'll be grand. Looking forward to having a bit if craic whilst learning this monster of an instrument haha.
PS, craic does not mean crack, it means having a laugh, just letting all you yanks know before the FBI comes breaking down my door haha
I'm sure even the FBI is afraid to muck around in Northern Ireland! 
They won't hate you, they'll appreciate what you're going through and be happy to have a new lifetime customer...if they are the right kind of shop.
They won't hate you, they'll appreciate what you're going through and be happy to have a new lifetime customer...if they are the right kind of shop.
Yeah the guys are a good laugh and very helpful, at least they are in the rock shop, don't have much experience with the classical shop but anytime I've been there they've been very helpful
And the FBI have nought to fear, it ain't the 70s anymore although I did have to take the long way home as there was a bomb scare :/. Boy that must sound really weird to someone not from belfast haha
Takes a little bit of time to learn how to play an upright, don't underestimate that.
You can find someone online who teaches and they may have some recommendations. I burned through dollars and db's till I went to the right store (Stein on Vine). Owner assessed me correctly and matched me with a variety of basses over a range of dollars.
Easier to start on a bass that's easy to play, and if it has some tone at least, you're good,
You can find someone online who teaches and they may have some recommendations. I burned through dollars and db's till I went to the right store (Stein on Vine). Owner assessed me correctly and matched me with a variety of basses over a range of dollars.
Easier to start on a bass that's easy to play, and if it has some tone at least, you're good,
Yeah I shan't be underestimating the amount if time it'll take to learn as it is a completely different beast haha. I have around 10 years experience with fretted stringed instruments which may help a little but not enough to make a huge difference. I have also had a chat with my old music teacher and he is willing to teach me the bass as he has played for around 10 years so that will help a lot with intonation and such .
Also I didn't think anyone outside of Northern Ireland knew who SLF were haha. They're like local legends around these parts and they actually started the band in my old school so they were always in and out of it and I think they even took a few music classes once or twice haha
.Also I didn't think anyone outside of Northern Ireland knew who SLF were haha. They're like local legends around these parts and they actually started the band in my old school so they were always in and out of it and I think they even took a few music classes once or twice haha
Oh, there are plenty of us who are well aware of Stiff Little Fingers. Still my favorite band name ever, after KMFDM. 
I just didn't expect anyone from the US to know about them haha and it is a pretty tongue and cheek name haha
Still have some LPs, may spin them up today.
"Gotta Get Away" was one of my first bass transcriptions.
"Gotta Get Away" was one of my first bass transcriptions.
I really need to brush up my bass clef haha was looking at some Beethoven scores and struggling to read them :/. I should also mention that I'm looking to do some jazz and veer into some classical music on the double bass. Maybe that will help with suggestions as to if the bass is right for me
Can't tell by looking at it. Most basses are capable of both jazz and classical to the level that you're talking about. Strings are usually better at one or the other, but most are actually also okay for either until you really get specific about preferences or application.
Awesome, hoping to run into town on Saturday and head to machetts to inquire further about the bass . I will see what strings it comes with then and talk about possible upgrades if they we sub par
. I will see what strings it comes with then and talk about possible upgrades if they we sub par
