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Double Bass picking up my first EUB....what brand do you think

M

musicpbass

Sep 15, 2008
101
2
Northern New Jersey
#1
Hello All,

I've got the bug to take up playing an EUB. A couple guys I know are looking to put together a project where it would fit in well.

Can some of your veteren UB players chime in..... What would a good EUB be for someone just starting out, but, eventually looking to gig regularly with? I currently play EBG's in rock cover bands, so the style will be rock, swing/blues/rockabilly


I've been reading up on the BSX's (allegro)...gorgeous, but, very pricey... dont think I'm there yet.

Looking for a solid 4 string.

How about the following:

Palatino VE 500
Ergo 4
STAGG
Dean PACE

NS's look nice, but, double the price of the above...

Ampeg BB

BSX's


Thanks in Advance!!

Dan
 
#3
You have several important things to decide.

1. Do you want a bass on a stand or something that stands up by balancing it against your body? The feel is VERY different. Some people cannot adapt to playing something on a stand. Others have trouble balancing an instrument against their body without creating tension in the left hand.

2. Do you want something that is played like a double bass or like an upright bass guitar? The longer DB scale requires different fingering or you will hurt yourself. For best sounds the right hand may be used differently too.

3. Will you ever want to use a bow? A bow is recommended for learning intonation and can be fun.

4. What sort of sound are you looking for?

5. How do you get to gigs? Do you ever have to fly with your instruments?

If you can answer these questions, it will narrow your list down a bit.

Peace,
S
 
#4
S,

Thank you for posing those questions. You bring up a lot of good points I need to consider.

I think I would certainly want to balance the instrument as I tend to move around alot playing EBG. So, to be fixed with no way of even "leaning" would probably become annoying. But, again, I have not played an EUB, so I would not want to cause unnecessary tension on my left hand....

The question of sound is tough. I will be playing mostly more modern material; such as blues, rockabilly, and other rock cover songs (with a swing). I guess I'd like to get the DB sound, will most likely not be playing with a bow, only pizzicato. So that warm, note-sustaining sound would be probably be ideal.

Transportation should not be an issue.

Dan
 
#6
Consider the Dean, that's the 34" that sits on a stand and comes in a case, I believe. .... Your EBG is 34", I guessing, so you'll have fewer problems getting used to the fretboard spacing and it sitting on the stand you'll have less problems, holding & standing with the bass. Plus you can switch back and forth from you EBG without a too much bother. ...... Plus they're cheaper, less to put out and worry about getting back if you decide to change your mind.
 
#8
Balancing a bass on an endpin is propably best for learning a proper DB technique. The only advantage I can think of for a tripod is it's faster to change over to EB between songs.

If you want the sound to be as close to a traditional DB sound as possible (if possible) you have to look for a EUB that has to be played like a DB, because the sound is for a large part in the how you play it and in the full string scale. IMO the Dean won't fit that description. As far as I know the NS wav4 was the closest affordable option.

If you're not that picky on the DB likeness the other cheap options are a possibility, although I don't think any of them are really meant for regular use.
 
#9
The tripod definitely makes transitioning easy. I love my NS NXT5. I love my upright, too, but swapping out with upright is slightly more cumbersome. With the NS, I can play without taking my BG off. I did not purchase the end pin setup for my NS, but I like the tripod. When I have some spare cash, I'd like to try it. But then again, I'm not a beginner. I agree that something with an endpin would be best for learning.

For DB technique, double bass is the normal method of learning. Well, that's the traditional method. Even so, you could learn DB technique on an EUB, especially if you have a willing, knowlegeable teacher. I think, at least for me, that my EUB technique is has evolved into something unique to the instrument, having become a sort of mix of mostly DB and some BG technique. I don't really think about it. I just play the instrument with the skills I possess.

So get a quality instrument you can afford, and learn all the skills you can.
 
#11
I understand. I can definitely see the advantage of having an endpin setup on an EUB. Never know... once I try it, I may never go back to the tripod. I may have to rethink the endpin setup, as I do like the unity I experience with my upright. I will have to say that when I first started playing my NS, I could tell from a couple of sore muscles that I wasn't used to standing free for 4 hour dances and shows. I was used to leaning on or being connected to my upright. That newness broke in, and now I'm enjoying it. Traveling with it is a breeze, too. No cumbersome fiberglass tank to wheel through airports. No oversized baggage fees at the airport either. Goes right through the xray machine. Gotta love that.

Bill
 

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