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Double Bass Jumping across scalel enghts

O

oldprussians

Jan 7, 2008
475
6
United Republic of Europe
Disclosures
IT Professional!
#1
Does anyone have issues jumping form on scale length to another?

I've noticed that my Electric DB is 1.5 cm shorter in scale length than my acoustic DB....

I don't think I have noticed any issues with regards playing.

Does anyone need time to adjust?

Or is as simple jumping from one car to another?

Does muscle memory compensate?

Answers on postcard to......
 
#3
I don't know how much time you have in on each instrument, but if you have been playing your DB for quite a while but only have a relatively short time on the other instrument it can be a bit of an issue at first IME. Spending more time on whichever one you are least comfortable on will make a big difference and make switching between the two much easier. My basses are 42 1/2" and 40 1/4", and there is always a little adjustment to make, but the more times I have done it the easier it has gotten.

If you try and "just use your ears" as Huy suggests, I don't think you will be happy at all with the results. I have found that I develop a far bigger sound and much greater facility using my left and right hands and their attached fingers than when I only use my ears. To each his own I guess.
 
#4
Chris Symer said:
I don't know how much time you have in on each instrument, but if you have been playing your DB for quite a while but only have a relatively short time on the other instrument it can be a bit of an issue at first IME. Spending more time on whichever one you are least comfortable on will make a big difference and make switching between the two much easier. My basses are 42 1/2" and 40 1/4", and there is always a little adjustment to make, but the more times I have done it the easier it has gotten.

If you try and "just use your ears" as Huy suggests, I don't think you will be happy at all with the results. I have found that I develop a far bigger sound and much greater facility using my left and right hands and their attached fingers than when I only use my ears. To each his own I guess.
Click to expand...

I'm not saying I have issues I'm just wondering why I am adjusting?

Because even if you use your ears, you must hit the wrong note first right and then fine tune USING your ears....
 
#5
You are adjusting because every physical reference point that you are intuitively using on one instrument is different on the other. Even subtle things like the differences in the width and thickness of the neck profile are small cues that your body is responding to. Your body associates a particular sound with particular physical sensations. It would be like trying to sing using different vocal cords. The same physical motion you are used to would result in a sound that you did not intend. My experience has been that time on each instrument makes the transition between the two less of an issue.
 
#7
I switch between a 42" bass, a 41.5" EUB, a fretless Fender Precision EB, and a cheapy Ibanez Fretless without too many problems these days. Stuff in between is not so bad. I've also played a lot of guitar in the past and fiddle with it from time to time. What you have to keep in mind is that the body has the ability to self correct when using your ears. If you "get out of the way" and allow the body to self correct and find the notes it needs to, you adjust fairly quickly. The more scale lengths you can play the easier the transition gets. I like to play on other peoples basses too since they usually have a different scale length and it's gives me a chance to practice adjusting to something foreign.

Of course it's not pitch perfect but it's in the ballpark most of the time.
 
#8
I've been loaning my 28.6" scale Ibanez Mikro to a jazz player from Quito, so he can play it on stage when he doesn't have his regular 34" scale bass with him, and he's had little or no difficulty in adjusting to it. But then, he's a really good bass player. I'm pretty sure I'd have more difficulty going the other way, from 28.6" to 34".
 

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