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Double Bass NS BassCello (now OmniBass) megathread

#81
I'm a classical double bassist that is really interested in one of these and I was wondering if I could use my french bass bow with it or if you have to use the cello-like bow Marcus mentioned?

I've been trying to find a way to get the sound of my main double bass into my computer to use that as my effects rig/looper with pickups and small mics but it's such a pain in the ass.... feedback problems or pickups sounding like your playing a power drill instead of a double bass with the bow:) I play a really large acoustic double bass which sounds great for orchestral playing but is a pain to get around so the thought of playing a really small scale electric instrument is really appealing. I'm sure it probably sounds much different than an acoustic bowed but I'm wondering if it's just a different tone not necessarily worse? Then I wouldn't have all the problems with amplifying an acoustic instrument. I would love to hear any opinions you guys have on playing this thing arco.

Bob will you guys be around in a couple weeks? I traded a few emails with you in July about stopping by because I was doing a gig in upstate NY. Sorry that didn't work out but I'm still interested in stopping by eventually.
 
#82
gtodd876 said:
I'm a classical double bassist that is really interested in one of these and I was wondering if I could use my french bass bow with it or if you have to use the cello-like bow Marcus mentioned?

I've been trying to find a way to get the sound of my main double bass into my computer to use that as my effects rig/looper with pickups and small mics but it's such a pain in the ass.... feedback problems or pickups sounding like your playing a power drill instead of a double bass with the bow:) I play a really large acoustic double bass which sounds great for orchestral playing but is a pain to get around so the thought of playing a really small scale electric instrument is really appealing. I'm sure it probably sounds much different than an acoustic bowed but I'm wondering if it's just a different tone not necessarily worse? Then I wouldn't have all the problems with amplifying an acoustic instrument. I would love to hear any opinions you guys have on playing this thing arco.

Bob will you guys be around in a couple weeks? I traded a few emails with you in July about stopping by because I was doing a gig in upstate NY. Sorry that didn't work out but I'm still interested in stopping by eventually.
Click to expand...

Yes, we're here every business day, just call or email to make an appointment.

My .02 on arco- I took a fiver out twice and used a french bass bow both times; it was absolutely fine with it.
 
#83
I tried it with my French bass bow as well, and it worked fine.

I use the cello bow mainly because it's there in the bag! I've gotten used to it over time.

I haven't recorded with the Bass Cello yet... it doesn't exactly mimic a double bass, but it's very acceptable in a live situation. If you pan the controls all the way over to the piezo bridge pickup, it's pretty remarkable. You can also raise the string height in order to get a bit more of a DB-like response. The height adjustment is ingenious... two phillips screws in the back to raise and lower the bridge. Takes literally seconds.

If you were playing it regularly into your computer, you could mount it on a stand, and it would be right there, hands-free and ready to go. I think it would be perfect for what you're describing. And the first time you travel with it, and just toss it into the plane's overhead bin.... if you're like me, you'll be smilin'. I love passing up that damn baggage carousel! :D
 
#84
gtodd876 said:
I would love to hear any opinions you guys have on playing this thing arco.
.
Click to expand...

I use both the French bass bow & a cello bow with mine. With the fifths tuning, I prefer the cello bow -- as that high E string is pretty light. However, no problems with the lower strings and the bass bow. If you tuned with the low B, I'd think it would be preferable to use the heavier bow.

Works great into a computer (for example, if you are putting things together with Logic).

As a suggestion, you might try to get your hands on a 1/4 size student bass -- just to see how that feels. I believe the string length is about the same, and it will at least give some conception as to how it would feel.

One last comment... I found the Rabbath DVD (Art of the Bow) helpful with approaching the instrument. Something about getting situated behind the instrument when it is on a stand.
 
#86
gtodd876 said:
Thanks guys for the advice!

ECGDA - So you play it with cello tuning C, G, D, A, and a high E! What type of strings do you use for that?? I love that Rabbath DVD too. Hopefully I will get up there in the next couple weeks to try one out.
Click to expand...

I use the fifths tuning set that is made for the Bass Cello. The E string is really light, and I have not been able to find any replacement for that particular string -- one that could be bowed, that is.
 
#87
So -- what's the heaviest gauge DB string you think this thing can comfortably handle?

At the very least a set of Weichs? Plus low B?

Or -- is it better suited for EB gauge strings? If so, could it handle a set of regular flats like 45/65/85/105/130's?

This a jazz pizz question unlike the previous bowing posts.

Just asking because I didn't dig how skinny the stock strings felt.
 
#91
Jason, it's really suited more to EB strings, mainly because of the hardware, which is BG stuff. I stilll have the original strings on mine, but I've wondered about trying any of the many flats that are now available, like the Thomastiks.

I also have some Spiro Weichs laying around, that were cut down by the late bassist Derek Beatty, for use on his regular cello which he tuned like a bass. If they would go through the tuners, I suppose that could work. I'll pull one out and check it against the diameter of the holes in the tuners.
 
#93
Okay, curiosity got the best of me, so I went out and grabbed one of Derek's old cut-down Weichs to check it against my Bass Cello....er... "Omni Bass". (Hey...... I just got a new bass..... no charge.... thanks Ned :D).

In theory, it looks as though the Weichs would fit into the machines. But there are some problems that I can see without actually trying it. Starting at the tuners end; since the silks would have been cut off, you would then be trying to wind the actual "Spiro" section of the string around the post. Of course this part is much less flexible than the silk section. I suppose you could remove the wrap on that portion, but I don't know how that would affect the structural integrity of the string. Then, on the other end, you would have to remove about three inches of the silks, which would otherwise extend well into the range of the magnetic pickups. Kind of a pain, and you still might lose some playing surface right next to the bridge. And finally, the ball ends on Spiros are pretty large for the Omni's BG-scale top-loading string holders.

So to me, probably not worth it. JK, your idea of using short DB strings might be possible; I'm not real familiar with their construction. FWIW, I play arco on the existing strings, and they work fine.

As I recall, the ad copy states that you can use any long scale BG string on this bass. So maybe the best thing to do would be to make friends with a five-string BGer who plays the string of your choice, catch him right after a string change, and ask him for his hand-me-downs.

Oh, Jason... one other thing you can try is to raise the string height to stupid levels :D.... this might get rid of a little bit of that spindly thing you experienced, and make it feel a little more DB-like.. on the Omni bass, that takes only a phillips screwdriver and about thirty seconds.
 
#96
Thanks Marcus.

It's soon getting to be the summer/outdoor/jazz concert season and I'm still GAS'ing for a portable 5 string EUB.

I wonder if my favorite Rotosound 77 flats would fit. Even on a regular EB, I find the EB Thomastiks too skinny. And of course, the action would have a big effect on the tension & sound...

Tanks Main.
 

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