Double Bass To EUB or not to EUB, that is the question

[Nasty Nate]

I'm getting ready to purchase a bass for college, and I'm really having a hard time deciding which route to go. 99% of what I play is jazz pizz -- I don't play classical, and I have no intention of starting.

I'm auditioning at Peabody, Julliard, NEC, and Berklee, and I'll probably end up doing those on a Lewis Bottesini ply that I'm borrowing right now.

I don't want a carved upright, its just not worth the hassle of taking care of it and worrying about it. So do you think I'd be somehow disadvantaged by getting an EUB (i'm leaning toward and eminence, although I haven't had a chance to play one yet). I'd hate to make a bad impression or lose opportunities just based on the instrument I have.

 

[Francois Blais]

If I wanted to own my living with bass, I'd get an acoustic.
Then if I'd do lots of touring, I may get an EUB, but maybe just a good hardcase.
Just my opinion, of course!

 

[eddododo]

If I wanted to own my living with bass, I'd get an acoustic.
Then if I'd do lots of touring, I may get an EUB, but maybe just a good hardcase.
Just my opinion, of course!

Bingo.
Even with the best EUB's, youll encounter alot of eyeroll.. On a gig you can prove them wrong, but first impressions can be important in auditions, and with all of these places considered, youre likely to have a couple double bass snobs judging your audition

 

[SteveC]

I would say you need to audition on an upright.

After that, you will have to judge by the situation/gig. In "traditional" jazz there are a surprising number of snobs and if you show up with an EUB it won't matter how you play as they will have already quit listening. Sad but true.

I - and people I play with around here - have found that something like a Rob Allen actually sounds more like an AMPLIFIED upright than an EUB. Eminence basses are pretty nice though.

I'm glad I play with people who care more about how I play than what I play. That said, if I had more time to keep up the chops, I'd use an upright for my jazz gigs.