That doesn't mean that it's "the standard." You generalized inappropriately. In addition, the other numbers you quoted couldn't have been determined with a tape measure. Please fill out your profile.
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Double Bass I know this has been covered to death but...
- Thread starter Matt R.
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That doesn't mean that it's "the standard." You generalized inappropriately. In addition, the other numbers you quoted couldn't have been determined with a tape measure. Please fill out your profile.
I don't agree with Jake. I don't think you're a troll. I checked you out at 8 posts. Now you just finished #11.
What's up?
drurb has been trying to help noobs on this site for a long time and you come in trying to mess with him (and others).
I must admit that I'm fascinated.
Theres nothing misleading, the string length is 43.25 and I dont need any charts because I am smart enough to use a tape measure and don't go around repeating everybody else. You people are rude and arrogant to think I don't even know how to take string measurments. So if youre so smart YOU tell ME the size of my bass. Did you ever try to measure one before calling people names. What do YOU call a 4/4 bass? I don't know if you can actually play but you have the personality of a skunk. Why do you doubt my string length? I never had to look at any chart. I am around enough instruments to a lot about them. What misinformation?
Just for the record, string length doesn't mean a lot in terms of the size of a bass. Body Length(top length) does... You can buy full size(4/4) basses with 42" string lengths, and 3/4 or 5/8ths with lengths over 43".
What numbers can't be determined with a tape measure? Make yourself clear. No it is NOT standard. But neither is shoe size. I don't believe there IS a standard. I am going by what basses I have run across. I saw one bass that the bridge was set at40.5 by the player because his hands were small. The bass I have is 2 inches longer than one my friend plays. His is 3/4 size. Why would I lie to you? Just about anybody will let you measure string length. I havn't measured any other dimention but I could if youre interested. Maybe its inappropriate but it only make sense if the bass is 2 inches longer that string length would likely be 2 inches also. I know not necessarily so. Gee I didn't know you demanded everything to be so technical.
I agree with you. Mine is 4/4 with string length of 43.25. My friend has a 3/4 and it is 2 inches shorter than mine. There is no standard, every time I see one its of a different shape. My hands are big so I got a 4/4 but I know everybody else wouldn't have nothing but a 3/4. C'est la vie
- Jul 28, 2009
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- Is not compensated for endorsements. Does not sell for profit.
The issue is that you came in and start posting as if you know what you are talking about. Based on this thread and others, you come in and start shooting off advice based off of ideas that are just plain wrong. It's obvious that you base your ideas off of stuff that you observed on your own or come up with conclusion based on correlations that don't directly apply. This stuff that you are wrong about is common knowledge and common practice to those of us who got University Degrees on, formal training at, and have dealt with this instrument every day for decades. But I wouldn't be surprised if you think that Bachelors Degrees and training is hogwash, because you're always right. Even though your experience is relegated to a bass that's (in your words) "good enough to play around the house" which you tried to spend as little on because you'd rather buy a guitar.
Maybe you're not a troll, but you sure came in like one. Unlike other forums which are a collection of hobbiests, this board has people whose profession includes skillfully luthiering basses ($30,000+), specialization on repairs of the bass, and bread and butter performing bassists. There's a lot that you can learn here from various users on this board if you truly want to understand the instrument, but there are a lot of beginners and the information that you post as fact is misleading and can be detrimental. If all that you want to do is come in and disagree based on your limited knowledge you will be considered a troll.
You misunderstood yet again. You said you used a tape measure on your bass. My point was that the numbers you quoted for other sizes couldn't have all been measured on your bass. My point, with which you now seem to agree, is that there are no standard body sizes and string lengths for what is typically called 3/4 and 4/4. There are ranges. The basses you've measured are a small sample. My understanding of the distribution includes knowledge gained across many years from various sources and basses. The numbers you quoted don't fairly represent the sizes/terms.
Please fill out your profile.
...and I guess the next interesting social question is "why do we always get sucked into it?"
My thought is that if you got the cheap eBay bass, you would be disappointed with it. Especially if you decide you really enjoy playing it, and you want to play a few gigs with it. Then you'll wish you had something nicer.
Another reason to start with a decent quality instrument, is that the better instrument will be easier to play, sound better, and you'll WANT to play it more!
My 2cents...it happened to me. I'm glad I bought a decent one to start because my bass will get me through college and then some if I need it to.
Another reason to start with a decent quality instrument, is that the better instrument will be easier to play, sound better, and you'll WANT to play it more!
My 2cents...it happened to me. I'm glad I bought a decent one to start because my bass will get me through college and then some if I need it to.
- Jul 28, 2009
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- Disclosures
- Is not compensated for endorsements. Does not sell for profit.
Reminds me of grade school. The friend asks "you think I should?" when contemplating doing something that he knows most people will say not to. You know that he's going to do it anyways.
I for one said what I bought. I didn't ask for advice, but I know many do. My point is I'm not finding all the gloom and doom that is posted on here. I'm happy with my choice. Have had no problems so far after 6 months, but everybody has a hemmorage when I said my string length is 43.25. It is what it is, I have no problem with that but it seems everyone else does. Most people that buy these cheap basses never intend to be serious about playing for money or at least that my take. If I buy a hammer for my wife to use in the house its a lot different than buying one to work on construction. I can hear construction workers now, that hammer is a piece of junk. Better not tell my wife that!lol!
When I bought my bass I asked what was the difference between 3/4 and 4/4. they told me 2 inches and proves to be the case between mine and the one my friend has. Thats good enough for me. The numbers are true to form on these two basses I don't know what varmit everyone of you all play. Yes I could set the bridge wherever I want but thats where the notches are at. I'm sure there are exceptions but that seems to be the norm for all I have seen. Why you don't think mine is a common size? I bet every bass on e-bay is nearly the same size. If you know so much about basses you know they are becoming more standardized than in times past.
would you buy a hammer for your wife if a number of people told you that the particular brand you are considering might come apart mid-swing or shatter on impact with no warning?
Oh my. You can't reason with him (Smokey Joe)! He's going to keep trying to get the last word and this thread will keep going and going and going. 
Can we change the URL and hide for a few weeks?
Can we change the URL and hide for a few weeks?
- Jul 28, 2009
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- Disclosures
- Is not compensated for endorsements. Does not sell for profit.
We were obviously talking about the original poster. You weren't the original poster so I don't know why you keep inserting yourself into the conversation.
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