Double Bass Looking for LEFTY upright

[PappaK]

I ordered a lefty Shen SB100 about a month ago. No surcharge. I get it in September. Righty-to-lefty conversions here start at about $600, so I decided to order my own (I'm new to DB).
The downside is I don't get to choose. I get what I get. That said, I did order from a reputable dealer who will take care to set it up properly. Can't wait to get it.
Good luck!

 

[Square Bear]

I've been playing for 13 years and have persistently refused to start over and relearn how to play right-handed. Consequently I have virtually no luck when it comes to finding a left-handed upright bass. Can anyone kindly point me in the right direction? Any and all resources will be appreciated!

not entirely clear on what you mean here. you have been playing upright for 13 years, or electric? you say that you have "persistently refused" to start over and relearn - i really don't know what that means. have you tried playing a normal (not lefty) double bass? if you are an electric player wanting to pick up a double bass and simply translate your technique across, you should strongly consider just learning on a normal bass. it is a different instrument altogether and you're better off treating it that way. now, if you have been playing upright for 13 years i apologize for implying you might be an electric bassist. i would still have to ask though, what have you been playing on? we really need a lot more info in order to help you, and your profile is completely empty...

 

[PappaK]

if you are an electric player wanting to pick up a double bass and simply translate your technique across, you should strongly consider just learning on a normal bass. it is a different instrument altogether and you're better off treating it that way...

I have to disagree with you on this one, Brother Bear. Although electric and upright are two different beasts, certain fundamentals are the same. Like, say, golf and hockey. Pretty tough to be a lefty at one and a righty at the other even though they're completely different sports.

Our brains are simply wired the opposite when it comes to this stuff.

Peace.

 

[Square Bear]

I have to disagree with you on this one, Brother Bear. Although electric and upright are two different beasts, certain fundamentals are the same. Like, say, golf and hockey. Pretty tough to be a lefty at one and a righty at the other even though they're completely different sports.

Our brains are simply wired the opposite when it comes to this stuff.

Peace.

my lefty brain seems to be wired just fine for a normal bass, thank you. suppose you wanted to learn the cello? would you look for a lefty then? have you ever seen a left handed flute or dulcimer or piano? where exactly do you draw the line? i'm just saying, it's hard to find a good bass to begin with. if you're only looking at a fraction of a percent of what's out there you're going to have a difficult time. i've been around a lot of basses, and have yet to see a lefty in person.

that's all beside the point though. the OP needs to provide more info if he wants to get any help at all.

 

[PappaK]

my lefty brain seems to be wired just fine for a normal bass, thank you. suppose you wanted to learn the cello? would you look for a lefty then? have you ever seen a left handed flute or dulcimer or piano? where exactly do you draw the line? i'm just saying, it's hard to find a good bass to begin with. if you're only looking at a fraction of a percent of what's out there you're going to have a difficult time. i've been around a lot of basses, and have yet to see a lefty in person.

that's all beside the point though. the OP needs to provide more info if he wants to get any help at all.

True regarding the OP. My understanding is that he/she's been playing some form of bass for at least 13 years... or that he's been attempting to play a right-handed (or "normal" as you call it) upright for that amount of time.

I'm 41. Been playing string instruments for 28 years. I've always been a lefty. I'm now embarking into the world of URB. Do you know how hard it would be for me to switch to playing right-handed? I guess if my aspirations were to join a DB section in an orchestra, I'd have to rethink (otherwise we'd be crashing hands lol)... but yeah, if I were to take up cello today, it would be lefty for sure. My natural strumming/picking/plucking hand is my left. That for sure ain't ever going to change at this point.

Yes, my choices in URBs are beyond being limited, but after checking out 3 righty Shen SB-100's, I'm 100% confident that the lefty I'll receive will be suitable for my needs.

And as a chuckle, there does appear to be lefty pianos in existence. I've seen mention of it on here with a link even. lol

 

[Square Bear]

of course, my experience is as an orchestra musician. i call it a "normal" bass because in my world a lefty is definitely not normal. i certainly mean no disrespect to a player who chooses to use a left-handed bass. i can only contribute based on my own experiences, take it or leave it.

 

[PappaK]

of course, my experience is as an orchestra musician. i call it a "normal" bass because in my world a lefty is definitely not normal. i certainly mean no disrespect to a player who chooses to use a left-handed bass. i can only contribute based on my own experiences, take it or leave it.

No offense taken, Bear. The world is a right-hand dominated place. But the small percentage of us lefty musicians wanna come to the party too!

 

[Jake deVilliers]

I have to disagree with you on this one, Brother Bear. Although electric and upright are two different beasts, certain fundamentals are the same. Like, say, golf and hockey. Pretty tough to be a lefty at one and a righty at the other even though they're completely different sports.

Our brains are simply wired the opposite when it comes to this stuff.

Peace.

I agree that it would be very unusual to play one instrument right handed and another left BUT - there are plenty of baseball players who throw righty and bat left. My natural batting stance is right but I shoot left when on skates...

 

[PappaK]

I agree that it would be very unusual to play one instrument right handed and another left BUT - there are plenty of baseball players who throw righty and bat left. My natural batting stance is right but I shoot left when on skates...

That's rare for sure! I throw left but bat/golf/hockey right. Crazy stuff. But yeah, batting a different way than playing hockey is definitely rare. I assume that all came naturally and you weren't forced to bat/play hockey a certain way?

If it ain't broke...

 

[Dr McBalders]

Haha.
I think the way that "left-handedness" is determined is a bit suspicious, being the professional sociologist that I am; as in "oh, your write with your left hand? Well, you are left handed". At that point, the die is cast, and every other behavior in life after this initial, rather arbitrary judgment is based off of this early determination.
In my case, I broke my right shoulder when I was being born (almost 11 pounds!), and I perpetually favored my left arm until I was two or so. I write with my left hand (and my handwriting at 37 is at the level of an 8th grader; just ask my students!). I can throw with both hands. I switch hit. I can golf both ways (badly) as well, but for the life of me, I CANNOT play a stringed instrument "right handed". The pitch of the notes go in the wrong direction relative to my body, according to my brain. As I have posted before, I tried very diligently to be "normal", but it was a losing proposition.
I really do think that handedness is, for each individual, on a spectrum, and as such, it really isn't that a)helpful or b)encouraging to newbies (of which I still am) to say "you should just learn right handed, because I write/throw/bat/spelunk/shave/shear sheep/etc. lefty, BUT I can play bass righty just fine! Why can't you?" Not applicable in my case (i.e. lack of talent), but how many talented individuals get dissuaded by this attitude?
In that spirit, I really am enjoying my Engel EM-1 lefty ($1370), and, as the good Dr URB recommends, aspire to a beautiful Upton Hybrid lefty at some point in my life.
If the OP wishes for more info, feel free to PM me. I will even post a pic. Whee!! Such fun!
Thanks,
Brian
p.s oh yeah, I really don't think Engels are an Eb neck, unless my newbie-isim is causing me to miss something important. On my bass, the first note on my G string that happens when the heel begins is a very clear D. Please, correct me if I am not getting the concept of determining neck type.

 

[drurb]

I really do think that handedness is, for each individual, on a spectrum

I believe the neurological evidence doesn't back you up on that one (being the professional neuroscientist that I am ). There are folks who are firmly right-hand dominant and folks who are firmly left-hand dominant. Overall, the distribution is quite bimodal. There are those (my wife included) who are more or less ambidextrous. There are actually different patterns of brain wiring. In any case, I do agree with you that forcing an individual into one pattern or another is a bad idea. As they say, "Lefties are the only ones in their right minds."

 

[Audiophage]

I feel your pain drurb.

I guess that in situations like jazz bands or chamber groups where you are the only bass you could get away with being a lefty bassist, but in an orchestra with a whole bass section the spatial considerations for a left handed player would be difficult. Particularly for a community orchestra where you'd probably have to play in some very confined spaces. Not that it couldn't be done, I'm sure it's possible.

Don't listen to me though, I've never heard of a lefty double bass before TB.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

I feel your pain drurb.

but in an orchestra with a whole bass section the spatial considerations for a left handed player would be difficult.

The end of the section...

 

[LeslieD]

I can't argue with every reason a left-handed person would choose something other than a "regular" (non-lefthanded bass--sorry about calling it regular if that term is offensive to any lefties), especially when there are so many circumstances and types of music where it doesn't matter what side of the bass you stand on.

That said, I did see performance by a group that has a left-handed bassist that stands on the opposite side of a "regular" bass. He kept the strings in the standard positions. It sort of messed with my mind, but he was a good bassist for the genre he plays (bluegrass).

I was a bit concerned, however, when I learned that this guy has held bluegrass bass workshops. I didn't attend his workshop, but I can't imagine his approach to teaching students who very likely use completely different "set ups" or orientations (or whatever you call it when you play the way he does--does it have a name?). Is this actually a non-issue? I just was concerned that he could really confuse a new student. I'm not mentioning any names or pointing any fingers!

 

[macclad]

hope this helps ,its where i got mineInvalid Link Removed

 

[drurb]

I feel your pain drurb.

Thanks, but I'm a righty.

 

[Lefty Bass]

I'm selling a Christopher 3/4 size factory made left handed upright if you're interested.. It's a hybrid (carved top and laminate back and sides) sounds great... No need for it anymore.. I have a fully carved Wilfer and another Christopher hybrid... And a kid in College

 

[Square Bear]

I can't argue with every reason a left-handed person would choose something other than a "regular" (non-lefthanded bass--sorry about calling it regular if that term is offensive to any lefties), especially when there are so many circumstances and types of music where it doesn't matter what side of the bass you stand on.

That said, I did see performance by a group that has a left-handed bassist that stands on the opposite side of a "regular" bass. He kept the strings in the standard positions. It sort of messed with my mind, but he was a good bassist for the genre he plays (bluegrass).

I was a bit concerned, however, when I learned that this guy has held bluegrass bass workshops. I didn't attend his workshop, but I can't imagine his approach to teaching students who very likely use completely different "set ups" or orientations (or whatever you call it when you play the way he does--does it have a name?). Is this actually a non-issue? I just was concerned that he could really confuse a new student. I'm not mentioning any names or pointing any fingers!

at least he can play on his student's basses!