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Double Bass Why Eb Necks?

#21
I’ve never truly understood the whole D neck/Eb neck discussion. Much of this has to do with the understanding of which finger is supposed to line up with the thumb in a “natural“ left hand position. In my case, the thumb naturally lines up opposite the index finger. So is my bass a D neck or an Eb neck? I don’t know, and don’t really care. All I know is I love my bass!
 
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#24
Eric Hochberg said:
It's the pitch your index finger stops on the G string.
Click to expand...

If my hand is in its natural position, the note produced by the index finger with the thumb on the heel is sort of halfway between D and Eb. When working on notated music and jumping for a cold high note, it’s common for me to remember a shape of the hand that can reach either pitch by feel.

I just sat down and played a few notes to check,and not only is my thumb not opposite my middle finger when I play, it’s usually even a little north of the index as well.
 
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#25
For sure it is the middle finger opposite the thumb.

I’ve had a D neck bass. On my current basses one is an out of tune Db, and an Eb. The Eb is strung with an A effectively making it an F neck.

I have zero issue with going from a Eb neck to a D neck. I do not even notice it.

If I were buying a new bass and everything was equal, excepting string length, I would choose the D neck.
Only for resale reasons though. Many prefer the D neck. Kind of like the French is better than German bow thing.
 
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#27
Holy can 'o' worms!

I think, back at the dawn of time, that trying to define a 'D' versus 'Eb' neck may have been the reason that KSB finally left, or was pushed, from TB!

My definition of a D neck, and please note that it can co-exist peacefully with other accurate definitions, is this:

When the thumb is resting naturally in the crook of the heel, the index finger produces a D on the G string.

In the same situation, if your index finger produces an Eb on the G string, then you have an Eb neck.

A couple have mentioned using the middle finger. Not going to touch that, at all. :)
 
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#28
eh_train said:
Holy can 'o' worms!

I think, back at the dawn of time, that trying to define a 'D' versus 'Eb' neck may have been the reason that KSB finally left, or was pushed, from TB!

My definition of a D neck, and please note that it can co-exist peacefully with other accurate definitions, is this:

When the thumb is resting naturally in the crook of the heel, the index finger produces a D on the G string.

In the same situation, if your index finger produces an Eb on the G string, then you have an Eb neck.

A couple have mentioned using the middle finger. Not going to touch that, at all. :)
Click to expand...

Well, with my thumb comfortably resting in the "crook" of the neck, I can produce either a D or an Eb with my index finger, depending on the particular hand shape I'm using. This has been the case with all of the small number of basses I've played.
 
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#30
turf3 said:
Well, with my thumb comfortably resting in the "crook" of the neck, I can produce either a D or an Eb with my index finger, depending on the particular hand shape I'm using. This has been the case with all of the small number of basses I've played.
Click to expand...

I think others have already chimed in, but what determines an Eb or D neck in current thinking is the note your first finger produces when it's opposite your thumb and your thumb is in the crook of the neck. I've heard a few players from older schools, including Ken Smith, say it's the 2nd finger that determines this, but that is not the case anymore in my opinion.
 
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#31
Second finger opposite thumb. Perhaps it does not really matter first or second finger as it’s the thumb that determines the neck with a finger directly opposite it.

I have also noticed over the years folks who play D necks are passionate about D necks. Folks who play Eb necks not so much about which is ‘best’.


 
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#32
CaseyVancouver said:
Second finger opposite thumb.
Click to expand...

Respectfully disagree. If you have a D neck bass and you use your second finger to stop, you will get an Eb. This assumes that your fingers are in standard formation and you’re not using your ear, and fingers, to alter the pitch.

D necks are the standard for new basses these days, and many customers specify that they want it that way. For those that like an Eb, or don’t know and care about the dimensions, it may only become an issue when you try to sell a bass with an other-than-standard geometry.
 
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#35
I always tell my students to figure out the landmarks on their basses by feel, and that it will be different with every bass and set of hands and posture. When I had my ply LaScala made, I had Nnick Lloyd measure the specs of the hybrid and make the hybrid match in every respect he could so i wouldn't have to adjust between the two. He did a great job. I'm guessing that it's probably technically a D neck, but like Troy, I don't care because the way my hands shape on the bass, even the index finger is sharp to D when the thumb is on the heel.
 
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#39
20210314_161848.jpg
I'm not absolutely certain whether I would call my neck D or Eb. The strips of tape show where the two notes fall. What do people reckon? I'd say that when my thumb can feel the beginning of the heel, my index finger would be at D, and my middle finger at Eb.
 

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