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NBD (for my 9yo son! w/pics): Douglas Violin Fretless

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Tony G, Feb 14, 2018.


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  1. Feb 14, 2018 #1
    Tony G

    Tony G

    Jan 20, 2006
    NY
    My son started playing viola then switching to upright bass this year in his 4th grade orchestra. Smart kid, knows where it's at. ;) I had bought him an Ibanez Mikro bass a couple of years ago, but it doesn't really speak to him. He really likes my fretless Carvin LB75, but the long scale is too big for him. I came across this Douglas Violin fretless in the TB classifieds and got a great deal from a great seller!

    He loves his new bass. Plenty of vintage thump and fretless vibe and style, which he really seems to like at the ripe old age of only 9 years old! Between this and his 1/4 size upright, he is having a blast learning how to play. I hope they will eventually let him use this Violin bass in school one day. I think it would be really cool.

    Joey playing violin bass 2 small.jpg Douglas Violin Bass small.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2018
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  5. Feb 14, 2018 #2
    Tony G

    Tony G

    Jan 20, 2006
    NY
    I'm having a blast playing this thing after I sent him off to bed and finally made him put it down. I'm laying down some great thumpy basslines with this thing. Being used to roundwounds on a Jazz Bass for most of my life, this is a refreshing change. You could say that "I get it" now...
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2018
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  9. Feb 14, 2018 #3
    godofthunder59

    godofthunder59 Life is short, buy the bass. Supporting Member

    Feb 19, 2006
    Rochester NY USA
    Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
    I bought a Douglas for my son when he was about 9, great bass for the money! Glad your son likes it.
     
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  13. Feb 14, 2018 #4
    JRA

    JRA my words = opinion Supporting Member

    Oct 28, 2013
    Indianapolis and Cincinnati
    ha! the bass looks great and so does he playing it! please tell him "congratulations on your new instrument!" from and old guy on TB. :thumbsup:
     
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  18. Feb 14, 2018 #5
    Oren Hudson

    Oren Hudson

    Dec 25, 2007
    Gastonia, NC
    Cool story. Since it's priceless, keep this relationship going.:)
     
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  22. Feb 14, 2018 #6
    Maxdusty

    Maxdusty

    Mar 9, 2012
    Michigan USA
    Congrats - looks like he's having fun playing that bass. Hey, why did you play it - I thought it was HIS bass??;)
     
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  26. Feb 14, 2018 #7
    Solarmist

    Solarmist

    Jul 24, 2007
    near Mt. Rainier
    He must be good playing on a fretless bass at that age!
     
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  30. Feb 15, 2018 #8
    Wisebass

    Wisebass

    Jan 12, 2017
    Lost in Space
    Hi Tony :), That' s great :thumbsup:

    :D by the time they let him go electric (in a few months), he will take your Carvin! :laugh:

    Kids are growing sooooo fast..... :hyper::hyper::hyper:

    have a good time with your son!!!

    Wise(b)ass
     
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  34. Feb 15, 2018 #9
    Tony G

    Tony G

    Jan 20, 2006
    NY
    I wouldn't go that far, but he is used to playing the viola and upright for his school orchestra (at a 4th grade level), and seems to prefer the look and feel of a fretless fingerboard.
     
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  38. Feb 15, 2018 #10
    Tony G

    Tony G

    Jan 20, 2006
    NY
    I think it will be in more than a few months...;)

    But thanks...he seems to have really taken an interest!
     
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  42. Feb 15, 2018 #11
    Maxdusty

    Maxdusty

    Mar 9, 2012
    Michigan USA
    Dang, I play a lined fretless and I'm much older than 9. lines are like training wheels. lol
     
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  47. Feb 15, 2018 #12
    Tony G

    Tony G

    Jan 20, 2006
    NY
    Well, he still has a lot of work to do on his intonation, but he seems most comfortable on a blank plank! :D
     
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  51. Feb 15, 2018 #13
    mellowgerman

    mellowgerman

    Jan 23, 2008
    Orlando, FL
    I had one just like it and sold it through TB maybe 7 years ago... wonder if this was that same bass?
    I liked it a lot, thought it was well worth the rondomusic new price, but let it go to fund another purchase.
    Fun to think about since he would have only been about 2 years old when I let it go!
     
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  55. Feb 15, 2018 #14
    subtlestew

    subtlestew Supporting Member

    Apr 7, 2000
    Kent, CT
    Hey, I know that bass!

    So glad it's getting some use, instead of sitting all alone in the corner of my workshop. When gas (and a bass purchase) struck I almost didn't throw this one up for sale because it's so fun to play, but I'm glad I did because this is such a great thread.

    @Tony G , you are a great dad, and I hope you both enjoy it for years to come!
     
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  59. Feb 15, 2018 #15
    two fingers

    two fingers Opinionated blowhard. But not mad about it. Gold Supporting Member

    Feb 7, 2005
    Eastern NC USA
    Good looking kid. Good looking bass.

    Big proud moment, I'm sure.
     
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  63. Feb 15, 2018 #16
    Spidey2112

    Spidey2112

    Aug 3, 2016
    Good job, Dad!
     
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  67. Feb 15, 2018 #17
    AztecViking

    AztecViking Supporting Member

    Oct 12, 2010
    EndlessSummerVille, CA
    If he's already been schooled on a viola his intonation should be great. :thumbsup:
     
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  71. Feb 15, 2018 #18
    Chicory Blue

    Chicory Blue Secretly Queen of the Moon Supporting Member

    Oct 9, 2016
    Tralfamadore, Nubecula Minor
    How does the sound hold up next to an actual upright? I have a pretty white fretted Douglas viola I use as a piccolo, but me and some friends have been getting into jazz lately and I’ve been jonesing for an upright sound.

    --^@
     
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  76. Feb 15, 2018 #19
    Tony G

    Tony G

    Jan 20, 2006
    NY
    Haha, thanks man. I really appreciate everything!

    Thanks, yeah...it brought a smile to my face watching him light up while playing it.

    He is in 4th grade this year, so this is his first year of orchestra. He was playing the Viola since October(?), but switched to the upright bass a couple of weeks ago after deciding playing with my basses was more fun. He was getting the hang of the viola, but really seems to enjoy playing the bass more, and you can see it when he does.

    It really doesn't sound too much like an upright to me, but I'm picky that way. It is beautifully thumpy with the LaBella light tension flats that are on it, however. Really just sounds like a thumpy vintage violin bass to me, which is just cool in its own way.
     
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  80. Feb 15, 2018 #20
    Eon Sky

    Eon Sky Supporting Member

    Jul 7, 2013
    Pacific Northwest
    Go Dad! And especially go son! That’s awesome to see.
     
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