Double Bass Pickup/Mic For Practicing

[jssherman]

Hi all, I just picked up a rental DB from a local music store to give this a try. I’ve played bass guitar for a number of years but never touched a double bass until yesterday. Very exciting! =)

I noticed right away that it was difficult for me to hear what I was playing, especially on the E string. (Maybe because I have 3 kids and there is constant background noise! But nonetheless it’s still rather quiet.)

I have a Mesa Subway D100+ and Subway 1x15 cab and am wondering what options I might have to get the DB hooked up to my amp. Pickup option(s)? Mic? Looking for a “quick/cheap” option and really just need a little volume, not looking for anything more than this for now- I’ll be practicing solo for quite some time...

Thanks! Also, if you have any beginner tips feel free to share! =)

-Jeremy

 

[Jay Corwin]

I wouldn't recommend learning plugged into an amp. You'll have a difficult time developing good technique.

 

[Ric Vice]

Most of us started playing bass using a bow. Their much louder that way and the notes have more sustain. If you have a microphone with recording interface and headphones that’s another way to hear the bass better. One of the cheapest ways to get louder sound acoustically, is to position yourself and the bass in a corner as it focuses the sound of the instrument around you.

 

[John Chambliss]

You don't need an amp to practice. Having come from the electric bass side, it is a different animal altogether. You need to learn how to pull a good sound using the side of your right hand index finger. As Ric mentioned, playing into a corner helps. There are a lot of good videos on Youtube about left hand and right hand technique for the double bass. Also, you need to find a teacher - Facetime / Skype / Zoom lessons are a great option these days. Good luck!

 

[turf3]

Do not start playing DB with an amp. You need to learn proper right hand technique, which is extremely different from bass guitar RH technique. With proper RH technique, you will have NO trouble hearing yourself.

My guess is that you're trying to pluck the strings with your hand at about the middle of your chest and the fingers roughly perpendicular to the string and just flexing your fingers at the knuckle. That's what I usually see from bass guitarists trying DB for the first time. That ain't gonna work on the big bass. There's a good video by Christian McBride called something like "Three Minute Lesson".

Left hand is also very different than on electric bass.

 

[AGCurry]

I echo the advice given above.

I'll add that a) the E string, plucked, is typically the softest string, especially on plywood basses, and b) double bassists spend the least time playing notes on that string.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Yes, play facing the wall, or perhaps a corner of a wall and a cupboard. Warning: This will get you accustomed to a sound that is next to impossible to replicate on stage

 

[turf3]

Watch this. Watch carefully his right hand. Do you think he needs an amp?

 

[jssherman]

Thanks all, appreciate the feedback. I’ll try moving into the corner for more sound. I can see why an amp would not be helpful now.

I’ve got an instructor, we just haven’t met yet with DB for me to ask these Q’s.

That last video was great, thanks. He mentioned keeping your thumb planted, is this the norm? No “floating thumb” thing? I was keeping my thumb planted but was wondering while doing so if people ever move it or free it up (as I do on EB).
Thanks again!

 

[turf3]

Standard on DB is to keep the RH thumb hooked under the edge of the fingerboard. You need it to have enough force to pull the strings. I'll say it again, you bring electric bass RH technique to a DB and it will not work. Those delicate little flower-like strums you do on EB, a DB laughs at those.

 

[Sean Riddle]

That last video was great, thanks. He mentioned keeping your thumb planted, is this the norm? No “floating thumb” thing? I was keeping my thumb planted but was wondering while doing so if people ever move it or free it up (as I do on EB).
Thanks again!

For a strong and punchy jazz pizz, your thumb should always stay anchored. That way your arm weight can freely pull each string. Otherwise you won’t be able to project. And make sure to also land your finger(s) on the string below. Check out this video of a Ray Brown masterclass. I don’t know if you’re trying to play jazz, but there’s tons of gold for all bassists in here.

 

[jssherman]

Hah, 18 min in to that Ray Brown video (great btw, thanks for sharing) talked about not amping. Didn’t realize how “wrong“ my original post was! I’m learning..!

 

[AGCurry]

Standard on DB is to keep the RH thumb hooked under the edge of the fingerboard.

This is generally true. However, there are other techniques, particularly for slapping, which involve bouncing the right hand with a hooked finger or two catching the string.

 

[sean_on_bass]

One thing you will learn is that technique varies widely among players Also that a good portion of electric bass technique does not apply to the double bass. I agree that playing with an amp should be reserved for a live performance where it is actually needed to be heard, but never in the practice room unless you are just learning to use some new gear. Part of learning the double bass is to produce a confident acoustic tone, which ultimately translates when you are playing with an amp. Or you may be one of those players that really doesn't like using an amp and prefers to mic your bass, or simply go acoustic when the situation allows. Lots of ways folks go about it.

 

[Don Hergert]

It appears that there has been no discussion about setup here. Having experienced extremely quiet strings, I'd be wondering what type and what age of strings are on this rental bass. Also, there might be some bridge and sound post adjustments that could make this double bass louder. You shouldn't have to fight for volume.

And, while I agree about not practicing with an amp, I only agree with that if your targeted genre doesn't require an amp. If you're targetiing rockabilly, psychobilly or other similarly "crazy-loud" genre, it's best to practice with an amp at least some of the time so you know how to handle your signal chain and your amp on stage. That level of detail knowledge doesn't happen without practice.

Other than that though, the general advice to practice without an amp is excellent. Especially arco, even if you aren't going to use it on stage, will likely raise your volume to a level where you can hear and practice your intonation.

I'd still recommend looking into setup though.

 

[jssherman]

Thanks for the thoughts on setup. I have no idea if this is setup well, poorly, or at all. Pretty sure the strings are fresh, but I don’t know enough to speak about what they are... A friend works at the store I rented from so I can ask him what they do prior to rental to the instruments &/or who they have setup their DBs.

 

[DrayMiles]

Avoid practicing with an amplifier.

 

[Ric Vice]

Thanks for the thoughts on setup. I have no idea if this is setup well, poorly, or at all. Pretty sure the strings are fresh, but I don’t know enough to speak about what they are... A friend works at the store I rented from so I can ask him what they do prior to rental to the instruments &/or who they have setup their DBs.

While new strings can certainly improve things in terms of playability and give the volume a boost, the sound post adjustment and bridge fit are the things that will give you a volume increase. There’s usually a shop charge for this service so be aware of that. Rentals don’t always get the kind of attention that a professional instrument does. Rental instruments can vary in quality, depending on where they come from, so a instrument used by a local guitar shop for rentals vs one from a bass shop where they do setups on all their rentals can sound and play very different.

 

[jssherman]

Sure that all makes sense. this is from a band and orchestra shop that primarily rents to kids for school. Since they are renting it, per their policy I am only able to utilize them for service needs. It was/is a cheap way to trial the DB to see if it’s something I enjoy and want to stick with. If it is, I’ll look to purchase my own and use another shop in the area who I know will do it right with regards to setup and such. I’m sure tho it’s in large part my inexperience with it that wasn’t getting me much sound so I’ll just keep at it for now, while posing the setup questions to the shop to see what was done initially. Thanks!

 

[Ric Vice]

Sure that all makes sense. this is from a band and orchestra shop that primarily rents to kids for school. Since they are renting it, per their policy I am only able to utilize them for service needs. It was/is a cheap way to trial the DB to see if it’s something I enjoy and want to stick with. If it is, I’ll look to purchase my own and use another shop in the area who I know will do it right with regards to setup and such. I’m sure tho it’s in large part my inexperience with it that wasn’t getting me much sound so I’ll just keep at it for now, while posing the setup questions to the shop to see what was done initially. Thanks!

Most school rental shops, either have someone in house doing all the setups or their string instruments come from a violin shop, that sells the instruments to them for rental purposes. So, their rental contract locks you into whomever does their work for them.

So you'll just have to find out who does the setups. Be patient with yourself, developing a sound on a acoustic instrument takes time.