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Double Bass When to consider upright?

caeman

caeman

The Root Master
Sep 17, 2008
7,334
345
Ohio
#1
I am actively saving up my side job cash for a new bass by December. I had thought of a nice Godin Shifter. I play in a church setting, some bluegrass, some klezmer. My style of playing is not very fancy, being mostly root, root-5, simple arpeggios. I am still a novice to bass playing so I am staying without my realm of actual skill, though at home I try and practice some of the "fancier" stuff.

But I am unable to escape a little voice in my head that continues to say "upright". Maybe I am supposed to get an upright next, instead of a higher-end electric bass. I do know that I don't have the space for a 3/4 acoustic upright in my house. An electric upright would fit.

I love the sound of the upright. I have had the chance to play a few acoustic and electric uprights. Not being used to fretless hindered my experiments, but they were pleasant experiences none the less.

I am conflicted. And it is agonizing. Can you guys help talk me through this?
 
#2
If you can't fit an upright in your house, it may not be the way to go. Part of the fun of an upright is the instrument itself - they are awesome, and when you play with people acoustically you rule. I am not against EUBs - in fact I think many of them sound quite good - but I am wondering if you wouldn't be better off with a good quality fretless BG if this is your first step in this direction. Do you play a fretless now?
 
#7
IMO, a DB isn't really that big... it just looks big. You just need a dedicated corner in the house where it can sit unmolested. If I had one in a 1bdrm apt with 3 ppl innit (was like that for a short while), chances are you can prolly do it too.

Another problem is that your limited EB experience prolly won't transfer much into the new monster, so don't expect that things will carry across - they are two different instruments with two different techniques. Also, you will want a decent teacher so consider that in your costs of starting.

In all rationale, the DB is pretty impractical. It's huge, it's not that loud, it's relatively fragile. But when you get bitten by the bug, all practically goes out the window cuz all you care for is the sound, the feel, and the physicality of the beast. :)
 
#8
hdiddy said:
In all rationale, the DB is pretty impractical. It's huge, it's not that loud, it's relatively fragile. But when you get bitten by the bug, all practically goes out the window cuz all you care for is the sound, the feel, and the physicality of the beast. :)
Click to expand...
Couldn't agree more! I got bit by the bug a little over a year ago. I find myself more "in love" with the DB than I ever was over any other instrument (and I've been playing EB and acoustic guitar for 42 years). I took to it like a fish to water, am in constant demand, get to play country, jazz, bluegrass, folk, P&W and more. I've backed up many local singer/songwriter heavies (yeah, big fish in a small pond). Never got so much opportunity to play as I do now. I've not been bit by the need to buy better/expensive basses (yet) ... the costs are just too high.

To the OP, see if you can rent/borrow a bass. Don't go with an EUB. They don't play, feel, or sound like a DB. I have a blond Strunal 50/4 (nuthin' special). I tell friends, "she's a tall blond, has a slender neck, narrow waist, round bottom, and vibrates between my legs ... what's not to love?"
 
#11
I have four family members in an old Maui plantation house... not big, maybe a little bigger than your house. My bass sits facing into the corner at the front of the house, and it doesn't really intrude at all. Of course, in my case, it's the tool that I use to make a living, so it's a necessity for our household. But it probably takes up less space than most amps and stuff like that.
 
#13
Marcus Johnson said:
If you hear it in your head, it's time. You don't have to consider anything else. Not EUBs, not fretless basses. You'll find room in your house if you hear it in your head. There is no substitute.
Click to expand...

Get the double bass. Its a doorway into a magical world that I have never reached playing EB or UEB.

Stand it up in a corner, with the bridge facing the walls. Screw a webbing strap into the wall's framing and tie it around the bass' neck when you stand it there (so it will not get pulled down accidentally).

A standing bass takes no more room than a big houseplant, or a medium-sized TV, and will give much more pleasure than either (or both, for that matter)...

Plus, they really dress up a room :-).
 
#14
Now is the time to concider upright, that is to say it is always time to concider upright. The choice is to either stay on the path of the poopsicle or to expand into the realm of the giant beacon of awesomeness. Besides, a guy with such good taste in hats would look good next to an upright.
 
#16
I have begun trawling CL listings in the area, but I don't know how useful that is since if I am going to make this leap, I cannot do it until November at the earliest. I suppose I could arrange some pilgrimages to music stores that have uprights out for touching.
 
#17
Craigslist is always interesting to keep an eye on...but I'd just start by regularly checking the TB classifieds. Also, be prepared for a weekend roadtrip or two to check out instruments. First, visit a few reputable shops w/i 5 or so hours of where you live so you can get an idea of what you want (and how much money you have to save).

Also, I agree with the other posters that a small house shouldn't keep you from getting a double bass. You might have to be a bit creative (or ruthless about getting rid of some other things that are cluttering up your house). I'd definitely consider a location where small children and pets can't damage your bass.

I think in the long run you'll be happy playing the double bass with the styles of music you mentioned. Have fun & good luck!
 
#19
uprightben said:
Now is the time to concider upright, that is to say it is always time to concider upright. The choice is to either stay on the path of the poopsicle or to expand into the realm of the giant beacon of awesomeness. Besides, a guy with such good taste in hats would look good next to an upright.
Click to expand...
When I first read your post I thought it said "giant bacon of awesomeness." Mmm.....giant bacon.....awesomeness!
 
#20
Don't listen to these addicts, listen to your bass.

Same conclusion though, you need one. You will find room.


Unless you get an upright, your volume will not be loud enough to play with anyone acoustically.
:hiding:

I am only half kidding because I have never played with any grass or Gypsy Jazz or Klez that were ok with me plugging into an amp. Verboten. Most guys playing this types of music have nice loud guitars and mandos.

Play as many as you can and start now so you know what to look for when you are ready to buy.
 

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