Double Bass Improving Bass Sound

[Joe Taylor]

3/8" thickness for the end of the fingerboard is not out of line. That is about how thick my basses fingerboard is.

More and more is sounds liken there is something funkie about the setup.

Diffrent strings, flexable tail wire, shape of the bridge, sound post and a bunch of other set up issues can be in play here as well as the bow you are using. If the guy who set up the bass did the best he could find someone who can do it better.

Change the cheap stuff first.

I did not think the bow could make a big change in sound untill I tried several diffrent bows looking for a new bow.

Find a fellow bassist to look at the bass. Where are you located someone on the list might be next door.

Joe

 

[anonymous0726]

Another thought that I have on this is the 'projection factor'. Basses tham seem not so loud are sometimes cannons at a distance.

I played a little Pohlman not long ago and it sounded like a rubberband and cigar box banjo when I was playing it, but sitting out front it was a big, warm sounding bass. I thought it migh just be the way that I was playing it, but in talking with the bass player, he said that this is what that bass does and it was booming out front when I was on it.

 

[Don Higdon]

When Michael Moore and Rufus Reid recorded their duets, the mics were set up 15-20 out in front of them for precisely this reason . I tried unsuccessfully to get this concept understood on another thread when I explained how limiting and unnatural it was to record in an isolation booth, no matter what the engineer has at his disposal.

 

[Michael Case]

I've learned this concept by hearing everyone else play my bass, I ussually never hear the same sound when I am behind it. For a while I thought it was me, then the bass, but after reading it on several posts here, I know the bass player is in the worst place to hear his own sound!

 

[anonymous0726]

Originally posted by Don Higdon
...the mics were set up 15-20 out in front of them...

But, then, they weren't competing with military weapons to be heard.

 

[Dave Irwin]

Oh so now I have to choose between a bass that sounds good to me (while I play it) or sounds good to the audience?

What cruel beasts basses can be...

Seriously, I never could play well when I can;t well hear myself or the sound isn't right to me.

Anyway, I'll be taking it to one of our symphony players saturday and hopefully all will be revealed...

Nothing like live feedback from a great player (and access to his ungodly expensive instrument) to change perspective.

Dave

 

[Joe Taylor]

Ray,

I had the same experience. Like wise the worst place to sit in the orchestra in in the bass section. Have you ever had the experience where you play a song then hear the recording of it and say wow that what it sounds like.

I played the overture to La Forza Del Distino (sp?) once, all I remember is the trombone blasting my ear out I had no clue at to what Old Joe Green was trying to say.

Joe

 

[anonymous0726]

Oh-oh say can you >BOOM CRASH<
Through the dawn's ear-ly >BOOM CRASH<
What so proudly we >BOOM CRASH<
.
.
.