• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Please help me choose an EUB!

Y

ymmot

Sep 23, 2018
6
0
#1
I am having a hard time choosing an EUB as I have a somewhat unique situation that puts some limitations on what I can have at home...

What I would like to do is use an EUB to practice classical music, almost strictly arco. Now I know how people usually respond to this kind of thing is to suggest getting an acoustic upright basss and call it a day.

My issue is that I live on a sailboat and there is no possible way to fit a real AUB into it.

What I am looking for is the most compact EUB that can serve as a vehicle for arco practice and simulate the real thing as closely as possible. Being able to practice as quietly as possible would also be a perk, but not absolutely necessary so a semi-hollow could work.

Anyway, the basses I've been looking at closest are an NS (any model) and the 42 long Kydd bass. I've looked at a lot of others (online), but I keep coming back to these two. I am looking for other people's opinions though just in case I'm not thinking of something.
 
#4
Heiner Windelband in Germany makes a hollow body EUB and plays it when he is on tour with his boat. Not cheap but well made and works very well for bowing.

The solid body EUBs won't work well with the bow, because without a moving top the string is harder to start with the bow. I wouldn't recommend these instruments for practicing classical music. An MK Classic might be the cheapest well working solution, or an Eminence. But the Windelband EUB is not that much more expensive than these if I recall prices correctly.

But hollow body instruments are very sensitive to high humidity, Heiner has his experience with that so he knows how to build and handle them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tom Lane
#6
KUNGfuSHERIFF said:
Merchant Vertical Bass. Sounds almost like the real thing when amplified, plays great, folds into a little foot locker for storage.
Click to expand...
I'm with the Sheriff here. The overstand of the the Merchant makes it the only stick bass that bows like a real bass unless you get into Czech Ease or one of the newer European brands (Alter Ego, MK, etc.) The Yamaha might bow ok, too? I'd think that the NS basses would be a real drag for someone who really plays.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KUNGfuSHERIFF
#7
Thank you all for your responses.

I think that I should add that I am a complete amateur getting back into music after not having touched a bass in a long time. I just had an urge to dust off my old sheet music and practice again. I'd like to be able to just plug some headphones in and practice without annoying my neighbors (not to mention my girlfriend).

These basses that have removable shoulders (MK, yamaha, etc.) look like they might be too big to fit in my closet, even when broken down. I should also say that I have a hard limit of 56 inches in overall length to fit into my tiny closet, so that eliminates a lot of the more fully featured instruments. The merchant looks amazing, I'd never seen that one before. I would consider spending that kind of money if I were a professional, but I'm afraid that's out of my budget for now. Maybe in the future. I'm trying to keep the price under 2k if possible.

Would an NS really be that bad to play arco on? I've seen a handful of videos of people playing them that way, but it does seem like serious arco players would opt for something else...

There is a guy on craigslist near me selling his 5 string BSX T bass for an excellent price, I might inquire about that one.

I wish that music stores would carry these instruments so that I could try one out, but I guess they're a bit too niche for the masses.
 
#8
madbanjoman said:
I have a MK Studio from the URL below. The Fly version has removable neck that makes it very compact. It also has supports and neck heel that is much closer to the real thing for thumb position.

Contrabbassi elettrici MK

Here is video of the MK Classic played with a bow:

Click to expand...


Where are people buying these MK basses? I don't see anywhere to actually purchase them.
 
#13
madbanjoman said:
I have a MK Studio from the URL below. The Fly version has removable neck that makes it very compact. It also has supports and neck heel that is much closer to the real thing for thumb position.

Contrabbassi elettrici MK

Here is video of the MK Classic played with a bow:

Click to expand...


WOW. That sounds fabulous! Great playing but absolutely the most realistic sound of a double bass I have heard from an EUB. I'm sure the acoustics helped also - it really had that 'live double bass concert' sound.

I also like the 'extensions' on both sides of the body.

Now I'm definitely Jonesing for a 'classic' MK.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Martin Spure
#14
rickwolff said:
WOW. That sounds fabulous! Great playing but absolutely the most realistic sound of a double bass I have heard from an EUB. I'm sure the acoustics helped also - it really had that 'live double bass concert' sound.

I also like the 'extensions' on both sides of the body.

Now I'm definitely Jonesing for a 'classic' MK.
Click to expand...

It really does! I really can’t see going any other direction for an upright sound.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Martin Spure
#15
ymmot said:
What I am looking for is the most compact EUB that can serve as a vehicle for arco practice and simulate the real thing as closely as possible. Being able to practice as quietly as possible would also be a perk, but not absolutely necessary so a semi-hollow could work...
Click to expand...

I use an Eminence to do exactly what you describe. I've found it to be plenty loud enough acoustically for practice. But it won't shake the walls and permeate upstairs to the master bedroom, so my wife doesn't complain about late-night practice sessions.
 
#16
madbanjoman said:
I have a MK Studio from the URL below. The Fly version has removable neck that makes it very compact. It also has supports and neck heel that is much closer to the real thing for thumb position.

Contrabbassi elettrici MK

Here is video of the MK Classic played with a bow:

Click to expand...

I'm going back and forth in my mind on what to do here, you've almost sold me on getting an MK. Do you have the fly version? If so is there any way you could measure (or estimate) the width of the stored package? I need to get an idea of how much space it will take up when it's taken apart and stored in my closet.
 
#17
ymmot said:
I'm going back and forth in my mind on what to do here, you've almost sold me on getting an MK. Do you have the fly version? If so is there any way you could measure (or estimate) the width of the stored package? I need to get an idea of how much space it will take up when it's taken apart and stored in my closet.
Click to expand...

I do not have the fly version. On the MK web site, the length of the case is listed as 95cm (37.5 inches)

If I had to guess, the width and height are around 12"x18". Here are pictures of the bag from the MK web site.

Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
 
#19
ymmot said:
I'm going back and forth in my mind on what to do here, you've almost sold me on getting an MK. Do you have the fly version? If so is there any way you could measure (or estimate) the width of the stored package? I need to get an idea of how much space it will take up when it's taken apart and stored in my closet.
Click to expand...

I can only encourage you to email Mirko directly about this. He will be very happy to answer any of your questions and from my experience you will get a very fast reply, within a day max. I'm sure everybody who's been dealing with MK will confirm this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: madbanjoman
#20
DoubleMIDI said:
Heiner Windelband in Germany makes a hollow body EUB and plays it when he is on tour with his boat. Not cheap but well made and works very well for bowing.

The solid body EUBs won't work well with the bow, because without a moving top the string is harder to start with the bow. I wouldn't recommend these instruments for practicing classical music. An MK Classic might be the cheapest well working solution, or an Eminence. But the Windelband EUB is not that much more expensive than these if I recall prices correctly.

But hollow body instruments are very sensitive to high humidity, Heiner has his experience with that so he knows how to build and handle them.
Click to expand...

How would a bass like the Eminence or MK Classic fare living inside an RV, which can get quite hot when traveling through hot climates -- either high humidity or dessert dry?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back