Double Bass The EUB "makes it look like you're doing something you're not."

[roswell1965]

Years ago, Don Higdon described the EUB as such, and I'll say it again: it (the EUB) mainly serves to "make it look like you're doing something you're not." Any EUB stalwarts ever let a thought like get into your head, and perhaps make you question or rethink your choice of instrument?

 

[Francois Blais]

No.

 

[BGroovy]

What a silly thing to care what someone else thinks you should or shouldn't do.

EUB players go ham doing whatever you want. Bring joy, have fun.

Playing an EUB makes it seem like you're playing an EUB. If it feels good and sounds good, it's good. If it doesn't, keep working on it.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

No as I don‘t have to choose either … or …
For one instrument boy I prefer the double bass, but there is music where an EUB serves you better (loud, effects) and other music where the DB is the better or even only solution (classical, traditional folk music, …). And there is also a lot of music that works well with both instruments (jazz, latin, pop if not too loud). Sometimes sound wins, sometimes portability.

 

[Bander]

I modded a Palatino EUB and it sounded very very double bass. I loaned it to someone..... forgot who it was, and it has never returned.

I have a HB EUB that plays and looks better. Doesn't sound as much like a double bass though. It was getting used till I got an Engelhardt 1/4 size double bass. I need to circle back, and mod the HB, new lighter bridge, strings, "tone filters", etc.

Imo, an EUB doesn't have to sound like a double bass, just like a fretless BG doesn't have to. But, you can get the sound with technique and some adjustments. No need to feel threatened and say negative things..

 

[BobKay]

Years ago, Don Higdon described the EUB as such, and I'll say it again: it (the EUB) mainly serves to "make it look like you're doing something you're not." Any EUB stalwarts ever let a thought like get into your head, and perhaps make you question or rethink your choice of instrument?

No. If you want a meaning full answer you should ask for context.

 

[bherman]

Easy question for me the answer is no. I have an eminence EUB that has the same strings, and scale length as my Shen hybrid URB. At times I’ve had the same pick up on both, but right now I run a Krivo on the eminence and a full circle on the Shen. In loud, live performances, both sound very similar.

 

[Jefenator]

I'd say the opposite is true. You're working just as hard, without the imposing visual presence of a full acoustic double bass. (Assuming we're talking about a 42" EUB.)

 

[Wasnex]

No. This is tribal nonsense if you ask me. I have dealt with it personally, but I generally play whatever bass I want to play. However I will make an exception as long as you make it worth my while .

I assume the comment means it looks like your playing double bass, but your not. First of all, an EUB does not generally look like a double bass.

How much various EUBs sound and play like a double bass varies quite a bit. IME the most authentic double bass emulation is achieved with a high-end Yamaha Silent Bass. IME the Silent Bass does not emulate a nice carved double bass. I would say it's more on par with a decent laminate double bass.

The EUB I chose is at the opposite end of the spectrum. It sounds more like a fretless bass guitar. I also has 6 strings and a concave channel that runs down the back of the neck. I find that my double bass fingering translates directly, but due to the unusual neck profile, it engages different muscles in my left hand.

I used to do big band concerts where I switched between double bass, 6-string EUB, and 6-string fretted bass guitar. I was free to chose whichever instrument I thought best suited the arrangement. I used the EUB for more modern works.

For concert band, where I played in a classical style, I found that playing the EUB messed up my intonation on the double bass. So a few days before tour prep, the EUB went in its case and I pulled out Simandl to calibrate my hand to the double bass.

Never a problem to switching between double bass and fretted bass guitar.

 

[ctmullins]

This “Don Higdon” character sounds like a prat.

 

[bassically_eli]

I don’t even understand the premise of the question. An EUB doesn’t look like a double bass, a bass guitar, or anything else. What do people think it looks like you’re doing? Looks like playing a big stick to me, which is exactly what you’re doing.

 

[Happy Steve]

I think that proposition applies to AI more than to EUB.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Years ago, Don Higdon described the EUB as such, and I'll say it again: it (the EUB) mainly serves to "make it look like you're doing something you're not." Any EUB stalwarts ever let a thought like get into your head, and perhaps make you question or rethink your choice of instrument?

This thread reminds me of the people who like to hurl verbal abuse at senior citizens who ride e-bikes. It's always nice when people say or do things that let you know how little character they have, so we can promptly ignore them.

 

[Pings Bass]

I can't parse the sentiment without context, and I don't really care. EUB is an instrument that some people play. Some of my favorite Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz players have made careers worth of incredible music with them. And for the kind of music that's made with them, they are exactly the right instrument. Makes you look like you're doing something you're not? Man, you're playing bass and making music, there's no pretense there!

 

[Wasnex]

I can't parse the sentiment without context, and I don't really care. EUB is an instrument that some people play. Some of my favorite Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz players have made careers worth of incredible music with them. And for the kind of music that's made with them, they are exactly the right instrument. Makes you look like you're doing something you're not? Man, you're playing bass and making music, there's no pretense there!

The Ampeg Baby Bass and relevant clones definitely have their own unique personality and place in certain styles of music .

 

[Wasnex]

The sound of the Baby Bass is awesome in this context ...and you won't duplicate it with a real double bass.

 

[matthewbrown]

You're taking the (EB) weight off your back and putting it on the floor?

 

[trevcda]

I wonder what those cork sniffers would have to say about Barefoot Larry, here? EUB is convenient and infinitely more portable and, in most cases, sounds like what it is. And why can't it be its own thing? I've gotten way more comments and questions about my EUB, than I've ever gotten playing a plain old upright bass. Mostly "Stop" and "Do you have to keep doing that?". I'm sure that's because of my lack of talent and not the instrument, though.

 

[logdrum]

Sounds like what posers would say

 

[Blues Daddy]

It seems silly to me to care about 'what others think something looks like' If a player chooses to use an EUB instead of a DB or BG, I'm pretty sure "what it looks like to others" would be way down the list of reasons for using that instrument.

* unrelated side note * - several people (musicians and non-musicians) have said to me over the years that "since I play fretless BG, it must be easy to play a DB". I play both, and always respond that they are very different instruments, the string lengths and note locations are different, one has electronics and one doesn't, and one hangs comfortably on my shoulder and the other one wrestles with me.

** another unrelated side note ** - the first time I saw an Ampeg Baby Bass live and in person was at a "Battle of the Bands" - it was played by an older gentleman and when he flipped it upside down to play his solo with the scroll on the floor I was ready to cast my vote for the winner. Also, thanks @Wasnex for posting the vid clip, I really enjoyed the Luis Arona and Joey Hernandez performance !

( excuse me for the sidetracks)