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Double Bass Is an EUB a good choice for me.

RedsFan75

RedsFan75

Apr 26, 2007
1,479
34
Cincinnati
#1
Yes I know it's similar in title to the sticky, and I did that on purpose...

I've read the sticky and searched the forum and can't seem to locate anything about my 'unique' situation.

I have health issues that are increasingly making playing my electric's a challenge. I have a mixture of arthritic issues that are in mainly focused in my spine, knees, shoulders, and hands. I've slowly sold all my 5 strings, and gotten down to as light as possible in the bass and amp area. I'm left with an MTD Kingston, a custom fretless, and a Fender P, with the Fender being the heaviest of the bunch. The MTD is my lightest. I'm not gigging at the moment (as I'm in the middle of an arthritic flare) other than playing once a month at my church. (Modern P&W)

Playing an extended set, even with my MTD, causes discomfort and at the end of our soundcheck and 3 services, I'm in a good bit of back pain. It's challenging enough that I've even had the fleeting thought of retiring from playing. I've also been considering medium and short scales, headless, etc...

SO...

All that background to just get to my question...

Do you think an EUB would be a good choice for me. First logical response is yes, no stress on the back, but is that the case? I played Upright years ago, and I know that it's a physically demanding instrument, and was wondering if an EUB would present the same type of challenges. Whats the string tension and would it affect my arthritic hands etc...

Color me just looking for a way to keep playing.

Thanks
 
#2
Hi, I have had some problems with my back, arms, and hands. I can tell you some of the successes and failures I have had: I always sit, so I carry a decent stool with me at all times- the stool is as integral to playing as the bass. If you go the EUB route, it sounds like something free-standing will help you the most. One thing I can say about the NSD Basses (WAV, NXT, or the upper-level basses), is that the stand works pretty well, its light, not too hard to adjust, and sturdy. You do have to "conform" to the stand, but at least you can move away from it, the bass isn't depending on you for support.
I also think you could go for a lighter electric bass, but if you are sitting, then the benefit of trading basses just to shed 1 or 2 pounds might be moot.
Good luck with all of this-
JS
 
#4
I think it depends what you want to do - I have all 3 things - BG,EUB and DB!

I play mostly DB as I like the sound of it most, although it can be most difficult - in a way I like this as well, as it sort of limits me to not just wiggling my fingers around to produce impressive but unmusical output...:p

EUB is the easiest - as it means no weight and you don't even have to support it - I have an NS CR5 with static stand.

I play this least though as it is sort of unsatisfactory in a few ways. So - it doesn't really sound like a DB and this leaves me feeling dis-satisfied and wanting to hear the DB.

Secondly it has intonation issues - with a long thin neck/body - there are no natural refrence points and it is very easy to slip out of tune, unless you are watching the dots on the fingerboard all the time. This can be hard when you are sight-reading or looking at the rest of the band or on dimly-lit stages..?

I do think the EUB will give least physical problems - but I have had back problems as well and I find little difference between playing EUB and a DB once you have got used to it and the advantages are the sound and the physical references of the body...?
 
#5
Something like a Kidd on a stand or a Dean Pace on a stand. Easy on the hands and light on the back. I think a full size EUB will give you a new set of problems because the playing is the same as a UB just less carrying weight. A good seat helps too with a little back support.
 
#7
I am going to go the other route and say no, EUB does not sound like a good match for you. While the other poster is correct that arm strength is important, I would say you have to have very strong, capable fingers and hand muscles as well. The technique involved can be trained, but it takes literally years to make the upright bass feel "easy" to play.

A short-scale electric bass sounds like the ideal thing.

Other then that, there is the Barker bass. But all of these things (especially the EUB) are going to be very expensive. You can buy a cheap, short scale bass and then just put better pickups in it.

You might also go the route of an acoustic bass guitar. If it is weight you are mostly concerned with, that's a good option.

You play in church, can you just remain and play seated? That's what I used to do.
 
#8
If you want a BG-like crossover instrument that you don't need to wear or balance, I'd recommend the Dean Pace strung up with nylon tapewounds. You can probably get one used for cheap. Its not going to sound like a DB at all, but might be the ticket in your case.
 
#9
RedsFan75 said:
I have health issues that are increasingly making playing my electric's a challenge. I have a mixture of arthritic issues that are in mainly focused in my spine, knees, shoulders, and hands. I've slowly sold all my 5 strings, and gotten down to as light as possible in the bass and amp area. I'm left with an MTD Kingston, a custom fretless, and a Fender P, with the Fender being the heaviest of the bunch. The MTD is my lightest. I'm not gigging at the moment (as I'm in the middle of an arthritic flare) other than playing once a month at my church. (Modern P&W)

Playing an extended set, even with my MTD, causes discomfort and at the end of our soundcheck and 3 services, I'm in a good bit of back pain. It's challenging enough that I've even had the fleeting thought of retiring from playing. I've also been considering medium and short scales, headless, etc...
Click to expand...
I'm on the NO boat too. If your problem is pain, then switching instruments doesn't address the problem. I'm not a BG player, but my guess is that your physical form of how you play BG probably needs work. Before you ditch the instrument, I'd take a look at getting some Alexander Technique sessions or some pro who can help you look at your ergonomic issues. There's probably alot of bad habits that need to get undone, and possibly some strength building needed in other areas. Are you slouching? Is your spine straight when you play? Are your wrists bent awkwardly? Maybe your bass is slung too low? Any one little thing may not be an issue, but hours upon hours of play will aggravate things to the point where they can be unbearable.

With DB, most of us go directly to good teacher from the get-go, so we learn good form right away. For the most part, we make sure it doesn't bite us in the ass later on.
 
#10
hdiddy said:
I'm on the NO boat too. If your problem is pain, then switching instruments doesn't address the problem. I'm not a BG player, but my guess is that your physical form of how you play BG probably needs work. Before you ditch the instrument, I'd take a look at getting some Alexander Technique sessions or some pro who can help you look at your ergonomic issues. There's probably alot of bad habits that need to get undone, and possibly some strength building needed in other areas. Are you slouching? Is your spine straight when you play? Are your wrists bent awkwardly? Maybe your bass is slung too low? Any one little thing may not be an issue, but hours upon hours of play will aggravate things to the point where they can be unbearable.

With DB, most of us go directly to good teacher from the get-go, so we learn good form right away. For the most part, we make sure it doesn't bite us in the ass later on.
Click to expand...

I fully understand what you are saying here, but my pain isn't related to ergonomic issues as I have already done what you suggest here, and now, my form is actually very good. No slouch, no awkward bends, bass at proper height, and I've done physical therapy and special exercises for several years now, and I have regular yoga and water therapy sessions still today, along with chiropractors, rheumatologists and a host of other Drs...

I had a technique/form make-over a couple years ago to correct any issues I had, and I did have them. Just look at the pic in my profile and you can see that! I've been dealing with a degenerating spine since '95, that along with the arthritis, which has caused bone spurs along the spine and in my hands, compounds issues. Not saying I'm perfect form and technique wise, but, I did address that area first. ;)

I'm looking at other directions because I just keep trying to extend my time every bit I can. I've given up a lot of things in my life because of my disease and pain, I'm just trying to hold on to one more outlet that can keep me from falling into depression. So I can keep getting my music therapy. :)

I think the ones of you that say short scale may be right, I've already started looking online at some and I may get a chance to try a couple out this weekend. I need to do something soon as I'll have a few gigs coming up before long that I need to make, other than the church one.

Thanks for your input.
 
#13
hdiddy said:
I'm on the NO boat too. If your problem is pain, then switching instruments doesn't address the problem. I'm not a BG player, but my guess is that your physical form of how you play BG probably needs work. Before you ditch the instrument, I'd take a look at getting some Alexander Technique sessions or some pro who can help you look at your ergonomic issues. There's probably alot of bad habits that need to get undone, and possibly some strength building needed in other areas. Are you slouching? Is your spine straight when you play? Are your wrists bent awkwardly? Maybe your bass is slung too low? Any one little thing may not be an issue, but hours upon hours of play will aggravate things to the point where they can be unbearable.

With DB, most of us go directly to good teacher from the get-go, so we learn good form right away. For the most part, we make sure it doesn't bite us in the ass later on.
Click to expand...

I have had Alexander Technique sessions - but when my back is bad, it does hurt to sling a bass guitar round my neck/shoulders - no matter how correct my technique, whereas I can play Double Bass, as long as I make sure that I stand upright and don't hunch over - which is what you tend to do when the ligaments tighten in your back.

In fact I have found that playing DB actually helps my back, as I know I should be looking up at the nut and so confirm that I am standing up straight - the bass actually lets me know if I start to hunch over, as the physical relationship with all the reference points, immediately starts to feel wrong and I know to correct it !
 
#14
Well said Bruce, and with the bone spurs all up and down my spine I think it might be the head of the BG pulling/torquing my spine that causes a problem, that's one reason I thought of the EUB...

Never thought about the physical reference point to 'make sure' I was standing up straight. I'm starting to develop a slight hump to my back anyway, slinging 7 - 8 lbs around my neck couldn't help. I meet with another Dr this evening to look at more therapy options, the bass playing is #1 on my agenda!
 
#16
RedsFan75 said:
Well said Bruce, and with the bone spurs all up and down my spine I think it might be the head of the BG pulling/torquing my spine that causes a problem, that's one reason I thought of the EUB...

Never thought about the physical reference point to 'make sure' I was standing up straight. I'm starting to develop a slight hump to my back anyway, slinging 7 - 8 lbs around my neck couldn't help. I meet with another Dr this evening to look at more therapy options, the bass playing is #1 on my agenda!
Click to expand...

Just as a caveat - I am only saying how it feels for me and I think you are certainly better off, taking your doctor's advice and/or a qualified teacher who can see you play. :)
 
#17
Bruce Lindfield said:
Just as a caveat - I am only saying how it feels for me and I think you are certainly better off, taking your doctor's advice and/or a qualified teacher who can see you play. :)
Click to expand...

Understand that fully, and after having numerous things looked at I was even considering retiring from playing. :eek::crying: because my hands bother me quite a bit too.... But I'm thinking more and more about the short scales, the moving of the toruqe point from the head, and the shorter distance for the frets could be my answer.

Like I said, going to be part of my discussions tonight!
 
#19
I don't think an EUB is going to be less painful really, just different. Your left arm is up which could be as bad on your shoulder as a trap with a bass on it really. There are other things as well - I know, I have pain issues as well.

I think you should go with a light, short scale bass. Maybe even get one custom made for you. There are lots of builders who could do it and it doesn't have to be as expensive as you may think.
 

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