Double Bass Problems!

[Joe Ergle]

I'm in my highschool orchestra, and there are three basses available and just two bassists (including myself). I took one of them and a bow home to practice on, and left the other one and a different bow for me to play in class. The one I'm using at home basically sounds like garbage. The arco sound is very harsh, uneven, and the intonation fluctuates. It's also considerably louder than the one at school. When I play the other one in class, however, I get a very smooth, warm tone even when I'm playing a fast piece. It's quieter, but I get a much better tone. I have come up with a couple of theories, and I'd like some of your opinions on them.

Theory 1: The one I'm using at home is the one I started using in August. The one I'm using in class was never played until about a week ago. I used to use too much rosin (about one heavy application a day). Rosin has built up on the strings on the bass at my house. However, recently I learned that I should be applying rosin about once a week, so that's how the one at school has always been treated. Could this be the root of my problems? If so, how should I clean up the one at home? Should I just keep playing until it smooths out, or is there a way to clean it?

Theory 2: I have never liked the bow that I use at home. Whoever haired it did a terrible job; there are limp hairs even when it's tightened down beyond my preference. Although the one at school isn't too hot either, it's a lot less haggard than this one. I forgot to mention that the bows were bought at the same time from the same company, so the quality of them doesn't have anything to do with it. I'm thinking the hairs do.

But could either of these really effect it that much? I mean, it really is an immense difference. I can hardly stand to listen to myself play at home, I get embarissed to play it in front of my mom! I know all of this is probably a little noobie-esque, but it really is a big problem for me. Oh yeah, and I know I need a teacher. I'm working on it!

Thanks in advance,
Joe

 

[oliebrice]

I wouldn't assume the bow is the main difference for 2 basses sounding different. Basses are hugely varied. Also, the way they are set up the type and height of the strings and many other factors will have a huge influnce on the different sound of different basses.

 

[Joe Gress]

So can 4 flat tires make a Rolls feel like walking barefoot on broken glass..

All it takes is one.

 

[Joe Ergle]

I wouldn't assume the bow is the main difference for 2 basses sounding different. Basses are hugely varied. Also, the way they are set up the type and height of the strings and many other factors will have a huge influnce on the different sound of different basses.

That's what I would have thought, but the two basses were bought from the same company at the same time (same model). I'm sorry if I didn't mention that.

Well I'm getting a new bow for my birthday (Wednesday), so I'll see how it turns out. Suggestions are still appreciated, and thanks for putting in your two cents guys.

 

[curious_george]

try cleaning your strings with a brillo pad. Just make sure not to scratch your finish.

Also clean your bow with a soft brussel tooth brush. This will get rid of any caked on rosin.

 

[billyfalconer]

I used to use too much rosin (about one heavy application a day). Rosin has built up on the strings on the bass at my house.

Then wipe it off. Wipe off your bass, including the strings, after you play it. Also wipe off the stick of the bow, and loosen the hair when you're not using it.

However, recently I learned that I should be applying rosin about once a week

Use rosin when you need it. For most people, this is before and maybe once more during a session.

If so, how should I clean up the one at home? Should I just keep playing until it smooths out, or is there a way to clean it?

Use a rag to wipe the rosin off the bass. The rosin on the bow should eventually transfer to the strings, which you wipe off.

 

[Joe Ergle]

Then wipe it off. Wipe off your bass, including the strings, after you play it. Also wipe off the stick of the bow, and loosen the hair when you're not using it.

I wipe off the strings after every practice now, but from two months of not wiping it off, the rosin has kind of caked on. The strings are rough, and wiping them doesn't get it off. I think I've noticed them smoothing out though, now that I wipe them religiously.

Also, today I noticed a uhm... consistancy in my inconsistancies. When I get to a precise point on the bow in an up bow, the tone cracks, the intonation goes to garbage, and sometimes it just stops playing. The area it does this is right outside of the "sweet spot" towards the frog end. I think it's due to the terrible hair-job. I'm getting a new bow tomorrow for my birthday, so hopefully my problems will be solved. Thanks for your help!

P.S. Just to clarify, I'm getting a new bow because the one I'm using is owned by the school, and I'm not exactly willing to spend my money on a rehair for a bow that isn't mine.