My school purchased a double bass two years ago, however there were no bassists to play on it until I moved to the school two months ago. I'm the only bassist at the school, and none of the music teachers have touched the bass until now.
This double bass has a very weak, "scratchy" tone which significantly affects both my classical and jazz sound. It has an incredibly quiet sound and playing out does not make it sound any better, it just amplifies the scratchiness and "shallowness" of the tone. I recently attached a pickup to the bass in hope of being able to play louder for jazz, but nothing seems to be working.
What I think, is that the bass was never "broken in" as it was left untouched for two years. If so, would replacing the strings improve things, or is it an issue with the actual body of the instrument? I'd take it to a music shop, however the closest one is an hour away, and I'm not sure if my school would be too happy with me driving out an hour away with their DB. Thoughts, suggestions? Thank you, it's much appreciated.
This double bass has a very weak, "scratchy" tone which significantly affects both my classical and jazz sound. It has an incredibly quiet sound and playing out does not make it sound any better, it just amplifies the scratchiness and "shallowness" of the tone. I recently attached a pickup to the bass in hope of being able to play louder for jazz, but nothing seems to be working.
What I think, is that the bass was never "broken in" as it was left untouched for two years. If so, would replacing the strings improve things, or is it an issue with the actual body of the instrument? I'd take it to a music shop, however the closest one is an hour away, and I'm not sure if my school would be too happy with me driving out an hour away with their DB. Thoughts, suggestions? Thank you, it's much appreciated.
