Double Bass You Like Your Upright, You Like Your Strings, So You Upgrade Your...

[sixpants]

Assuming you're satisfied with your instrument and strings, but you still have an itch to upgrade something, what would you do to:

1. Improve the aesthetics
2. Improve the tone.
3. Improve the play-ability
4. Make life easier
5. Whatever I missed...

I think my $60 is probably lacking, but I have $10 technique so right now it doesn't inhibit me.

I like Edgar Myers' dot marks on his fingerboard. I'd do that even though I don't use markers.

The tuning hardware on the SB-88 seems like it would benefit from an upgrade, as would the end pin.

 

[mattwells]

I need to get bass bumpers ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]) and a new rosin cake. That's about all I can think of besides a new bow for myself - if you have a new bass I wouldn't upgrade anything for a year or so. Just play it.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I got a beautiful german carved bass that sings with Spirocores. Other than probably switching to the weich sometime soon I'll probably just get my bow rehaired and maybe if I get serious about arco a new bow.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I like Shen basses, but the machines leave something to be desired, so a set of Rubners installed by a good luthier would be a solid upgrade for you.

However, as is usually the case, if you're relatively satisfied with your equipment but want to spend money anyway, spend money on lessons.

 

[PaperbackRyder]

practice arco

 

[lowfreqgeek]

practice arco

For a double whammy, record yourself practicing arco so you can always go back and enjoy the massacre of sound!

That will quickly squelch any desire beyond learning to play your instrument.

 

[engedi1]

Endpin replacement can reap huge benefits, especially if the OEM one is giving you any issues. I ended up with a very unique endpin situation that I just love, which is a set endpin made out of Oak, which my brother in law made on his lathe. I swear it improves the tone over a steel endpin. You can find those for about that price.

 

[engedi1]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Vertigo Jones]

Assuming you're satisfied with your instrument and strings, but you still have an itch to upgrade something...

...upgrade your skills!

 

[rickwolff]

Assuming you're satisfied with your instrument and strings, but you still have an itch to upgrade something, what would you do to:

1. Improve the aesthetics
2. Improve the tone.
3. Improve the play-ability
4. Make life easier
5. Whatever I missed...

My answer: IF you are married, take your wife out to dinner. That will certainly help with #4 above. (Points toward upgrading your relationship).

 

[neddyrow]

gotta have a pick-up/mic and an amp!

then an fDeck, then....

it goes forever!

 

[gprigge]

I recently played a very, very good bow, now I want one......and a pony.

 

[drurb]

If you're satisfied with your instrument and strings and if you gotta spend money on something, then arrange a private lesson with a fine teacher. Goes to Vertigo's "upgrade your skills."

 

[bassfacer22]

Thanks for telling us what strings you have.... so what strings do you have?

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I'm pretty happy with all of the above, but I could use a better vehicle to carry it all to gigs in.

 

[rickwolff]

I recently played a very, very good bow, now I want one......and a pony.

I'm pretty happy with all of the above, but I could use a better vehicle to carry it all to gigs in.

and after the pony, maybe a Porsche Cayenne? (The 911 is too small to carry a double bass).

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

...maybe a Porsche Cayenne? (The 911 is too small to carry a double bass).

now you're talkin'!

 

[JimmyM]

My late father always told me, "If it ain't broke, fix it."

 

[sixpants]

My answer: IF you are married, take your wife out to dinner. That will certainly help with #4 above. (Points toward upgrading your relationship).

Wow... you're onto more than you realize. My wife hasn't been terribly pleased that I'm a gigging musician these days - a whopping 4 gigs/practices total a month (funny since I'm a teacher and home WAYYYYYY more than everyone else's husbands are.)

But I digress... dinner... yes. Yes.

 

[Stdjazz4]

Wow... you're onto more than you realize. My wife hasn't been terribly pleased that I'm a gigging musician these days - a whopping 4 gigs/practices total a month (funny since I'm a teacher and home WAYYYYYY more than everyone else's husbands are.)

But I digress... dinner... yes. Yes.

It's never enough to be happy with her; you must also be miserable everywhere without her!!