For some reason, a recent thread on this topic by @Lenny Nichols was closed without anyone posting a photograph of how this can be done. I used an H-Clamp. Quick, easy solution if you need this type of solution.
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Double Bass Mount smartphone to double bass (pics)
- Thread starter N. Kentucky Bass
- Start date
I don't have a tablet holder to test this idea, but it's likely a smaller tablet could also safely mount with H-Clamp. This could be a handy, discrete way to display charts without using a music stand. Some people use a phone for displaying charts, but anything busy would be harder to see on a small device.
Video is another potential application for the bass-mounted-phone. Those of us do-it-yourselfers who produce their own gig videos could use the phone's video camera as an additional window of content. Such as watching the audience for good reactions. Or shooting intimate within-the-band perspectives of the musicians. Only downside is the bassist will never be in-frame. But we're used to that being supporting musicians and all. 
Aiming the camera would be easy. Position the H-Clamp such that the camera is parallel to the front of the bass. The resulting angle is wherever you point the bass. Great way to ensure accuracy without having to ever look at the camera while shooting.
Aiming the camera would be easy. Position the H-Clamp such that the camera is parallel to the front of the bass. The resulting angle is wherever you point the bass. Great way to ensure accuracy without having to ever look at the camera while shooting.
Interesting, what did you add to actually hold the phone? How much weight do you figure is reasonable? And, do H-clamps have any impact on movement of the top plate?
H-Clamp claims to work with mics/mounts "up to at least 500 grams." That's about 1.1 pounds. In recordings I made, resonance dampening was barely (if at all) detectable compared to alternate mic mount techniques such as suspending a mic below the afterlengths, attaching a mount to the tailplate, etc. It's possible the top plate is dampened slightly, but since pressure is mainly on the edges, the negative effect is negligible.
The end of the H-Clamp boom has a 3/8 inch male thread. It connects the smartphone holder, which typically has a female receptacle for a standard 1/4-20 male tripod mount. I use a $20 RetiCAM; many similar products are available as phone sizes vary.
To connect the smartphone holder to the H-Clamp boom, you use a standard 3/8"-16 female to 1/4"-20 male tripod thread reducer screw adapter, like this one:
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In certain contexts, I agree with you. Probably not appropriate a classical setting and some high tone events. But since you raise the topic, one could argue that anyone under 40 would look at a double bass with a smartphone and think, "Oh, there's a phone on the bass." Anyone under 20 might wonder if it had a cool app. But I suspect most people would not see the phone at all because it's one of the most common objects in our universe. "Invisible" to most.
So if you're interested in a use case such as enhancing ordinary performance video, the benefits of of mounting a smartphone on the double bass may well outweigh the downside of some people not liking how it looks.
I wasn't trying to harsh you. I think H clamps look bad, too, "by themselves." But, at least with an RE-20 attached, their purpose is obvious. But why do you need to attach a phone to your bass?! A simple, standalone mic stand w/ a gooseneck with appropriate hardware would look fine, like the ubiquitous iPads on stages everywhere these days.
Heck, even one of those Bob Dylan harmonica racks around your neck would look better.
Heck, even one of those Bob Dylan harmonica racks around your neck would look better.
To each their own...if I had a need to have to do it the way depicted in this thread I wouldn't think twice about doing. I'm sure there are many in both camps...vive la différence!
I have a friend that uses velcro to attach his phone to the upper bout and uses it on gigs for charts. Every time one of his buddies catches this at a show, they call his phone and watch the chaos when it drops the chart!
- Aug 1, 2005
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- Private Inventor - Bass Capos
Cool idea, but I think I'd prefer to have it on a mic stand. There must be some phone or tablet holders which could be adapted.
Back to the OP, what's the goal in this? Mount a smartphone to act as camera/ recorder / live-stream?
Mount the smart phone to read chord charts?
For both, I think using a clip attachment on a mic stand is better. Video will be bump / vibration free and with a wider angle. Charts will also be in a better position to read, change pages and will also encourage better player posture.
Mount the smart phone to read chord charts?
For both, I think using a clip attachment on a mic stand is better. Video will be bump / vibration free and with a wider angle. Charts will also be in a better position to read, change pages and will also encourage better player posture.
Potential use cases are in message 2 and 3. Not my goals. I was photographically documenting how to implement an idea described in another thread. I think the video shot with this idea would be solid and stable with the bass anchored on the endpin. It's an unusual visual angle for video that has some promise. I would personally be less interested in the chart holder idea and agree, a stand seems more useful for that application. However, attaching a video camera to a mic stand would be boring boring boring from a production standpoint. I really like the idea of being able to easily aim the camera with the bass and get stable, intimate shots that would be unattainable otherwise unless a photographer was standing in the middle of the band. A bass-mounted video camera would enable that, and no one would know the photographer was right there in the middle of the band.
So giving this more careful thought, it seems like using H-Clamp as a platform support offers other use cases that could be attractive. First, you need the platform. A rubber cup holder suffices.
Once there is a firm platform, it can safely support items for a use case. Such as handy two-finger snacks in between a slow pitz.
