Double Bass Take it or Leave it: 2024 Bass Trends

[avant_chard]

Hey bass world, now that it's almost the new year I thought it would be fun to get everybody's perspective on what bass-related trends or practices we're taking into 2025 and which ones we're leaving in 2024.

Here's a few of mine as a freelance classical player.

Take it to 2025:

1. Pops Rosin - I must have tried every pops alternative on the market this year and been disappointed by every single one of them. In 2025 I'm sticking with the Texas special
2. Ergonomic setups - pretty much every gig I go to now has most of the section on low stools with yoga blocks, both feet on the ground, angled endpins or some combination of these. It's great for everybody's longevity to be focusing on the ergonomics of setup and I think it makes more precise and musical playing when everybody's not throwing their back out.

Leave it in 2024:

1. Low tension orchestra strings - I tried a couple of different string setups this year including a stint on some very low tension (and expensive) gut-like strings and they just didn't cut it for orchestra playing in my corner of the world. Modern symphony orchestras in the USA are expecting more sound from fewer players and an immediacy of attack that imo these kinds of setups just don't work for.
2. Koussevitsky concerto hate - while it's not my audition concerto of choice (Vanhal supremacy), I really came to love this piece this year. It takes a LOT of work to bring out the musicality of the piece and keep it interesting but when it's done right I think it can be really powerful and emotional. Dominik Wagner's recording is a good example
3. Bass bro culture - we try to leave this behind every year but we can always do better, let's everybody be more supportive and welcoming to our colleagues in general (and especially those from backgrounds that aren't as well-represented in professional bass sections)

What are some of yours?

 

[Don Hergert]

Probably the polar opposite side of the double bass world, a different musical culture altogether... In my bluegrass / roots direction, my biggest change is leaving modern sounding strings behind and going for the most old school gut-like sound, touch and look that I can afford. One day, if I play long enough and safe my pennies, that may be plain guts all around, but that'll have to wait for now. At this time fat and low tension is the name of that tune, and I'm very happily taking that into at least the next year.

 

[eh_train]

... my biggest change is leaving modern sounding strings behind and going for the most old school gut-like sound, touch and look that I can afford...

Interesting!

In 2024 I've noticed a lot of bassists in Toronto - primarily jazzers - who are willing to spend the 5, 6, or $700 to make the switch to gut strings. Seems like they have weighed the pros and cons and are willing to make the commitment! Anyone else notice this as a trend?

 

[Don Hergert]

Hmmm, out here in SoCal bluegrass / roots country, a lot of folks paid $700 for their DB, so...

I do see a number of folks in the community using Spiros and a also a number of folks using various brands of wrapped synthetics. Guts are rare, and a full set of plain guts, which would be my preferred strings if I could justify the cost, extremely rare. But many folks just use whatever came on their DB and have no idea what brand they are. It does take a bit of obsessiveness to care I guess, or at least that's what my wife tells me.

 

[james condino]

Don: Lemme know what you are looking for in real guts. They are as common as fireflies around here and I can find you a nice set easy peasy. Also: When are you gonna come this way for Loarfest and Banjothon?

Trends????

1) I literally played around $15million+ worth of amazing instruments last year, across the spectrum. In every case, they all sounded like me playing an old instrument, no special sauce or magic or bright stars appearing in the sky. Yet, somehow, every day of the year, I find myself thinking, "If I only had that one new ____________(insert bass, amp, guitar, mandolin, pedal et cetera), everything would be different." The reality just ain't so. (Don't tell my customers that!)

2) Some point around August I was so busy and overwhelmed by customers and people in general that I was seriously thinking about cancelling all of my media & phone lines and was wishing for a way out to go into darkness. Then in September I got one, but not the one I was thinking about. Nothing like a little hurricane and 1000 year flood with no power or water for months to change my mind and realize that interacting with other humans is pretty cool.

 

[CryingBass]

Guts? Go the late great Charlie Hayden route and split them down the middle.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

2024 was a good bass year, so I won't change much.

Take forward: same two basses, same strings on both, same amplification gear. Keep up the daily calibration exercises but add some new forks in that road.

Leave behind: God willing and the creek don't rise, I have played my last 4 hour gig. I took a couple last year and my hands didn't like the results. Unless financial circumstances change, I'm planning to play less casual gigs where it's mostly about the money, and play more events where it's mostly about the music. This has been a trend for a while, and it feels healthy.

For the rest, the big technical goal is probably to continue to learn to pick my spots to dig in with the right hand. Have made some progress with that this year, but still have a way to go. I don't get along with floppy low tension strings, but have noticed that when using the bridge cables I sometimes overplay when it isn't needed. When accompanying, there's a kind of glancing stroke that it's possible to fall into that really lets the music breathe and bounce, and gives some pacing to the wear and tear on the hands. So, focus on that when possible.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Leave behind:
-I'm with Chris on the four hour gigs.
-No more gigs with drama or friction on the stand. Music making should be enjoyable.
Future:
-Despite my history of flipping basses, I'm keeping the restored flatback with recently made C extension. It's a good one and we need to get to know each other.
-Simplification. Acoustic Image or GK combo depending on the room.
-Peace and good health.

 

[natbers78]

Great thread! Had to think about this a little.

Leave behind: right shoulder pain from the bow (not sure if realistic, as it may be arthritis starting, but perhaps manage better) and negative self-talk.

Take with: continued commitment to not pigeon-hole oneself into playing only one kind of music. Enjoy learning about and making music with no boundaries.

 

[Mark_T]

What are some of yours?

I am generally in agreement. Last year I only left Pop's behind because I got a bum cake or two, but hope to stay on the horse. The only new strings I am likely to try would be whatever new Thomastik string may be, should it come to pass.

Start:
1. Lots of excerpt work (familiarity over mastery for now)
2. Recording weekly

Keep:
1. Practicing both German and French
2. Playing lots of Bach
3. ErgoBass

 

[AGCurry]

I don't know if this is happening elsewhere, but here in St. Louis, the several "community/nonprofit" orchestras are having a hard time getting enough violinists and violists. There seem to be enough cellists. Bassists are not exactly plentiful, but it's not a drought.

... it would be fun to get everybody's perspective on what bass-related trends or practices we're taking into 2025 and which ones we're leaving in 2024.

Take it to 2025:

1. As you say, bass-related practices... as in, continue to practice! Every day, and with attention to things I can't do yet and things that I do wrong. The teacher-provided diet of thumb position, vibrato, bowing technique, and Vivaldi cello sonatas.
2. The orchestra I joined in 2024, with two other bassists better than me.
3. The band I joined in 2024, playing pseudojazz for the challenge of it.
4. My gear.
5. Satisfaction.

Leave it in 2024:

1. Looking for better/different/more gear.
2. The bass that I don't play (I hope). Two are enough.
3. Imposter syndrome.

Miscellaneous: Gut strings. I use and like gut strings on one bass, and have for a few years. I use and like orchestral steel strings on the other. For me, there's no "trend."

 

[ole Jason]

Take it to 2025:

1. Morning practice routines. I've slacked off towards the end of this year but found I made a lot of progress by practicing for a short, but focused, amount of time in the morning first thing before settling in to my desk for work.
2. Focused practice! I love playing the bass and sometimes enjoy jamming/noodling a little too much for my own good. I'll try to practice with a goal/tune in mind as much as possible.
3. Same bass, same strings.
4. Hard bop practice. I didn't go to 'jazz school' and really struggle playing with drummers who go all in on hard bop just because I don't really listen to that stuff and haven't played much of it. I'll focus on getting more comfortable with it so I'll be better equipped to deal with wacky drummers

Leave it in 2024:

1. Low tension slapper strings. I enjoyed getting some rudimentary slapping chops under my fingers but missed the zing and presence of Spiros.
2. Hoping to pick up a lightweight combo amp of some sort this year. I really want to get my upright rig down to one trip in and out gigs but needing an amp has complicated that.

 

[Paps]

2024 was a year of transition, focusing a changed technique, and set-up, especially in relation to bow.

In 2025 I aim to:

1. Relax more while playing now that my new set-up is starting to settle.
2. Arrange my practice into more targeted and regular daily sessions. Exploring Prof Whittaker's book among others.
3. See about the "woody", hollow sound to my D string which is overly loud and not in balance with the rest of my bass. Suggestions?
4. Set a longer term goal, such as a concert or exam..
5. If all goes well, and I can find the cash, I might reward myself with a quality Pernambuco bow.

 

[avant_chard]

I am generally in agreement. Last year I only left Pop's behind because I got a bum cake or two, but hope to stay on the horse. The only new strings I am likely to try would be whatever new Thomastik string may be, should it come to pass.

Start:
1. Lots of excerpt work (familiarity over mastery for now)
2. Recording weekly

Keep:
1. Practicing both German and French
2. Playing lots of Bach
3. ErgoBass

Man I think weekly about buying an Ergobass, it seems so comfortable!

 

[statsc]

Take

1. This year I drank the Walter Woods Kool Aid; am still under its spell. Looking for a stereo back-up for my Amber Light, or someone to repair my blown Green Light.
2. Further exploration of the many wonders of the Tonedexter II.
3. Continued arco work. I hope to graduate from mediocre to fair this coming year.

Leave

1. Gig related stress. Still rears its ugly head at times. At my age, why do I need this?

 

[kinopah]

take it:
• My Aguilar 350/SL110 setup - works wonders for my DB and electric and fits WAY more gigs than I woulda thought.
• Keep the roots/Americana gigs, but add more jazz gigs.
• Low tension Evah Gold Slaps on both my basses. Love em.

leave it:
• Feeling bad about right-wrist ergonomics. Overuse injury has changed the way I have to address my RH and I've spent the past few years fighting it because it doesn't feel right. Gotta play the way I can to get through the gigs (and sound ok).
• Doing gigs with poopy stage or FOH conditions. (Ok honestly there's no way I'm actually leaving this, but one can dream.)
• "Though shalt not covet thy neighbor's bass." (Again, not realistic, but I really SHOULD be more content with what I got.)

Fun topic.

 

[Bruce Calin]

Leave behind:
Stress about any aspect of the future of my personal music business. It's not going to help anything, and so many of those issues don't apply any more anyway. I'm in a position where I can simply enjoy playing without worrying about anything else. I spent years as a contractor, band leader, and music business person when I would have to consciously concentrate on playing, which was the part I enjoyed. Leaving all that behind has taken some mental effort, but worth it.
Keep doing:
1. Hopefully improve as a teacher. As full-time playing becomes less of a factor, I'm enjoying the opportunity to work with young players and give them as much good info and encouragement as I can. I find myself becoming a real booster for the instrument and feel I can really be a positive influence in an area that's fairly new to me.
2. Keep playing as much as possible with what is available. I've been playing this instrument for going on 60 years and hope to keep doing it. The business has changed so much in that time that I feel very lucky to still be involved in any way. Part of this is to lighten up my technique and setup. The days of stiff strings and high action are gone for me. It's taken a conscious effort of technique and thought but seems to be working well.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Another goal:
I purchased a nice German bow and am working hard to get my chops together this year. We sound good on Spirocores and playing in a community orchestra is beneficial.

 

[Ed S]

Try to leave:
Listening to my gig performances overly critically. I have a hard time appreciating the entire group's performance, as I find myself listening - and dwelling - on every minute error I make.

Try to bring:
Playing w/ commnity orchestra. Really helping this BG thumper expand is chops.
Related - working more on creative breaks, including playing up the neck and with ornamentation.

Happy New Year, all!

 

[james condino]

"Though shalt not covet thy neighbor's bass."