Double Bass how to improve playability

[houblon]

I have a bass for trial that sounds great. The downside is the playability. It puts much more strain on my left hand compared to my old German hybrid, both for pizz and arco.

String height is not much different, and I have the same strings. The new bass has shorter string length and a narrower fingerboard, but about the same neck depth.

Can I assume that with a good setup, the playability can be improved? Or is playability an intrinsic property of a bass?

 

[JtheJazzMan]

Do you mean the strings are harder to deflect with the left hand?

Is the nut too high?

 

[Plays_For_Dog]

The narrower fret board is causing your hand to articulate in different positions then what its used to. With time, you'll probably get over it and your hand will get used to the positions. But, then anatomy of your hand may simply work better with a slightly wider fret board.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

If the problem is due to the physical/design difference of this bass compared to yours, I would pass. While you may be able to get used to it, you can also injure yourself badly. I've been there. Pruneface has a recent thread describing similar problems with his two basses.

 

[powerbass]

That is an interesting article Eric about your injury process, thanks for writing it.

 

[vejesse]

Check the amount of relief or scoop in the fingerboard. My guess would be that the nut is too high and there's way more relief than necessary.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Great blog, Eric. That time you mentioned is right about the time we me in French Lick, IN on some gig where we were in different bands. I remember that you played my bass and sounded great but gave it back shortly because you were experiencing some arm/hand issues. At the time, I hadn't yet dealt with any of that. Now, years later, I know exactly what you mean... which is why my office bass is a copy of my main bass.

Back on topic, it may just be a matter of time, or it may be that if the pain doesn't go away that you should pass. I sat in on one of Jeremy Allen's basses a year or so ago and while it sounded great my arm hurt for a week after just a couple of tunes. Sometimes these things happen.

 

[fdeck]

When I bought a new bass, I had hoped to keep the old one as a spare / outdoor / winter bass. I'm not a pro, so I don't have a full time schedule to contend with. This gave me time to get myself acclimated to the new bass. But now, I find the old bass to be almost unplayable.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

I sat in on one of Jeremy Allen's basses a year or so ago and while it sounded great my arm hurt for a week after just a couple of tunes. Sometimes these things happen.

I had a similar experience sitting in on Chicagoan Dennis Carroll's bass. Two tunes and I could barely open my left hand for two days... Dennis subsequently had to lay off double bass for nine years or so because of tendonitis. His bass was just a bear to play, and needlessly, IMO. DC is fine now and his bass has a much easier setup.

Chris, I think your choice of two LaScalas was a good way to handle this.

Vejesse' comment about relief in the FB, is right on. After my blog article was written, I had a new, FB with little or no scoop put on my troublesome bass, and it made a huge difference in playability.

 

[houblon]

Is "relief" the rate at which the fingerboard dives down from the nut? This seems to be different from my old bass. Also the nut might be a bit high. I'll check.
On the other hand, wouldn't a flatter fingerboard increase the fingerboard noise and force me to increase the string height?

Thanks for all your input.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Is "relief" the rate at which the fingerboard dives down from the nut? This seems to be different from my old bass. Also the nut might be a bit high. I'll check.
On the other hand, wouldn't a flatter fingerboard increase the fingerboard noise and force me to increase the string height?

Thanks for all your input.

If you have a lot of scoop, the string height is higher off the board as the board scoops. Makes it harder to play. I have no problem with FB "noise" (not sure what that is) with a flat board.

 

[Vic Koler]

If you have a lot of scoop, the string height is higher off the board as the board scoops. Makes it harder to play. I have no problem with FB "noise" (not sure what that is) with a flat board.

Eric, I'm interpreting this to mean there is no scoop whatsoever in your fingerboard. Is that correct or do you mean to say is has a very slight scoop? Just curious.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Eric, I'm interpreting this to mean there is no scoop whatsoever in your fingerboard. Is that correct or do you mean to say is has a very slight scoop? Just curious.

If there is any, it is very slight. The space between the string and fingerboard when the string is depressed at both ends is maybe 1/16" consistant top to bottom, from what I can see, but I'm no expert on this. Don't forget, when tension is applied to a neck, there can be some bowing from that, expecially if the board is thin.

Cincinnati Basscellar installed the board and I'm sure they would answer your questions.

 

[Matthew Tucker]

Is "relief" the rate at which the fingerboard dives down from the nut?

If "dives down from the nut" accurately describes the relief on your bass , then I suspect it's too much, and that's making the bass hard to play. It can be as simple as that.

 

[Vic Koler]

If there is any, it is very slight. The space between the string and fingerboard when the string is depressed at both ends is maybe 1/16" consistant top to bottom, from what I can see, but I'm no expert on this. Don't forget, when tension is applied to a neck, there can be some bowing from that, expecially if the board is thin.

Cincinnati Basscellar installed the board and I'm sure they would answer your questions.

Thanks Eric!