Double Bass Upright bass -vs- ERB

[BigBeatNut]

My friend was playing a jazz club once and a drunk that got up to walk out, dropped a ("tip") $100 into the bass f-hole! I like those kinds of drunks!

Did he manage to fish it out ?

 

[Phil Smith]

There's that growing challenge to come up with something that will be easier for upright bass players to use (in travel) but without losing the personality of an upright bass. The EUBs are way more portable and less worry, but still not close to an upright bass.

The one thing that the "stick" basses lack is the DB "perimeter" i.e. something that keeps your body at the same distance from the bass as you would when playing a DB. I just picked up a NS CR4M and am looking into getting the endpin stand which has an adjustable piece that might enable one to simulate that "perimeter".

 

[Dogbertday]

If I got one, it would be for trasportation and use in odd situations (weird weather, small playing space, etc.) However, being pretty broke and needing another AUB first (to separate between classical and jazz) I'll use my BG for those situations for now... andwill probably continue to do so.

 

[Dogbertday]

The one thing that the "stick" basses lack is the DB "perimeter" i.e. something that keeps your body at the same distance from the bass as you would when playing a DB. I just picked up a NS CR4M and am looking into getting the endpin stand which has an adjustable piece that might enable one to simulate that "perimeter".

I don't know the brand but I know some EUB's have an attatchable bar of sorts that facilitate this... the only time i've ever played one it had this and I thought it was pretty comfortable...

..now moving into thumb position was more difficult as far as knowing where I was... but I assume that wouldn't take long with practice

 

[tornadobass]

My BugBass has that "belly bar" that keeps me in a similar physical proximity as my upright. That's one of the strengths of the freestanding EUBs compared to those on a tripod.

 

[Francois Blais]

The one thing that the "stick" basses lack is the DB "perimeter" i.e. something that keeps your body at the same distance from the bass as you would when playing a DB. I just picked up a NS CR4M and am looking into getting the endpin stand which has an adjustable piece that might enable one to simulate that "perimeter".

As others already stated, many EUBs have a chest rest.
I don't know the proportion between those who feature that and not though.

 

[dakpluto]

The main reason for me to get the Ergo EUB was for the portability reasons. And second being that most local theaters don't have a large enough pit to hold 15 pieces, much less a AUB. The EUB allows me to free up a lot more room in the pit.

 

[SteveC]

I have been struggling with this issue for a while. I used to have an Azola BugBAss that worked well, sounded great and covered my jazz gigs. I play "legit" upright as well but it is a hassle to transport and amplify. I don't play either anymore as I have had a lot of hand and arm pain while playing.

As much as I would like to use an "upright" of some kind for my jazz/theatre gigs, I almost have to use a fretless because of the pain issue. At least around here we don't have too many jazz snobs so I still get gigs even though its not an upright bass.

 

[Phil Smith]

As others already stated, many EUBs have a chest rest.
I don't know the proportion between those who feature that and not though.

"chest rest" has got to be a misnomer...

In any event I'm speaking specifically about the NS Design basses, Kydd basses and others that do not come with a device for body distance out of the box.

 

[Francois Blais]

"chest rest" has got to be a misnomer...

In any event I'm speaking specifically about the NS Design basses, Kydd basses and others that do not come with a device for body distance out of the box.

Well, I'm sure your english is better than mine, since my primary language is french.
That said, I'm talking of the same thing tornadobass called a "belly bar".
The instrument rests on you belly or chest with that thing.

You seemed to say that stick basses were all missing that, which is untrue.
That's why I responded that way.

 

[damonsmith]

I play primarily double bass but got an EUB for travel. I don't really travel with it right now, I ask for a bass when I am invited to play somewhere else. I do like the possibility of bringing it, though.
For me it is the extended range and portability. The double bass is much more portable when you don't need an amp, but I got invited to a session last night, and the guy said there were amps there, so I just put the EUB in the bag and went.

I love the extended range especially arco. I have a 7 string and I want to get an 8 string later this year.
I find the double bass physically easier to play. Pulling the "right" sound out of my Ergo takes more work, but the "right" sound is in there, so it is worth it.

The stand thing is not and issue, for me it is OK, and did not take any time to get used to.

 

[Huy Nguyen]

The one thing that the "stick" basses lack is the DB "perimeter" i.e. something that keeps your body at the same distance from the bass as you would when playing a DB. I just picked up a NS CR4M and am looking into getting the endpin stand which has an adjustable piece that might enable one to simulate that "perimeter".

I have a Yamaha EUB that simulates the upper bouts. Even when the shape is there, it's still not quite like the real thing. DBs have a heft to it that help resist twisting. Belly bars just don't cut it. Pull enough and you will torque the bass round the end pin and it will slightly twist in your left hand. Drives me nuts to the point I will never buy an Eminence (too light).

Going back to my Yamaha, that thing isn't exactly light but it does fold up compact. My observations is that it is quite top heavy and lack of weight on the bottom can cause it to slip out from underneath where the end pin slides away from me if the floor is slick (like a wooden floor). Again the feel is close but still not quite. I can only see the Czech-Ease really giving that full on DB feel while giving travel conveniences.

For my purposes the Yamaha fits the bill as I need something dead quiet for practicing.