Double Bass Mount Smartphone to bass?

[Lenny Nichols]

Looking for a good way to attach a smart phone to my bass on the upper bout next to the neck. I play with some folk that tend to speed up. I sometimes follow them. I have been using the Live BPM App to know when we are speeding up, so I can try to stop the speed-up and maybe bring things back down after a solo.

Does anyone know a good way to attach a phone, and still have it easily and quickly removable? I can mount it on a mic stand, but I often do not use a mic. I can see it fine on the floor, but it is awkward always looking at the floor.

Thanks, Lenny

 

[Don Hergert]

Heavy duty adhesive Velcro??? I use it all over the place, although my Alcoa double bass is powder-coated; the adhesive might leave unwanted marks on a wooden double bass's finish.

 

[Lenny Nichols]

Yeah.. I am not excited about trying heavy duty adhesive, but I may try a couple of very small pieces of velcro to see if I can get that to work without rattling. Thanks!

 

[Jim Dombrowski]

Use a microphone H-Clamp

 

[Lenny Nichols]

Use a microphone H-Clamp

Thanks, I will investigate this.
-Lenny

 

[SAlcott]

How about talking to your bandmates about not rushing? Playing/keeping time is everyone's job.

 

[Lenny Nichols]

How about talking to your bandmates about not rushing? Playing/keeping time is everyone's job.

I completely agree. And I have talked about it. One day I hope to find players that do not rush their solos.

L.

 

[catcauphonic]

Is this for live use?

 

[Lenny Nichols]

Yes, I use it live. More often for rehearsal, but sometimes on stage.

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Putty/b?ie=UTF8&node=490663011

 

[Lenny Nichols]

https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Putty/b?ie=UTF8&node=490663011

Looks promising. I will try this. Thanks!

L.

 

[misterbadger]

Peterson Body Beat. Check it out.

 

[Lenny Nichols]

Peterson Body Beat. Check it out.

Thanks, but I am not looking for a metronome. Just something to tell me if things are changing tempo from where the song started. LiveBPM does that well. Really just looking for a way to mount it in a place I can easily see it (without being too obvious).

An interesting thing that I have learned by running LiveBPM on recordings is that a lot songs (especially Bluegrass songs) speed up a few of BPM during solos. The good ones bring the temp back down to the starting point when the solo is over.

Thanks, Lenny

 

[misterbadger]

I'll check out LiveBPM - sounds like a great tool. For your smartphone-mounting, what about using a bass bib? It could be cut down if you don't want the pocket, and easy to sew Velcro to. I'd be concerned about any kind of adhesive on a wood bass...

 

[Don Hergert]

Hmmm, adhesive...

How about dry wall screws?

 

[Lenny Nichols]

I'll check out LiveBPM - sounds like a great tool. For your smartphone-mounting, what about using a bass bib? It could be cut down if you don't want the pocket, and easy to sew Velcro to. I'd be concerned about any kind of adhesive on a wood bass...

A bass bib. Why didn’t I think of that? It is a little conspicuous, but serves a purpose other than “just” holding the phone AND requires no adhesive in the bass itself. I will play with this idea. Thanks!

 

[Jim Dombrowski]

Add some extra pockets, and it could hold your beer and a bag of chips too!

 

[j.kernodle]

Let me just say that I wish more advice seeking people were as receptive to advice as you are.

Most of the time people who ask for help on the internet have already made a decision and just want to hear confirmation that they’re right.

 

[Pedalnetics]

Fyi I've tried this before, using a Stage Ninja phone clamp. While it served its purpose, it had a major unintended side effect of nosedive. I couldn't keep my bass or guitar properly positioned with that extra weight at the head-end.

I will say though, that clamp works great on a mic stand off to your side; relatively unnoticed, no weight-changing attributes to your guitar, and still easily assessible.

 

[CryingBass]

You probably know this, but if there are any active electronics in the vicinity of where you plan to plant your phone, it's a noise-maker. Try before you buy/mount it. Blue Tac?? maybe ( finish ) for a trial run?