Stand Up Bass?
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Posted on Jul 05, 2007 04:55 pm
DungBeatle
Time Waster
Member Since: Jan 12, 2006
Anyone purchased or rented a bass violin? I want to buy or rent one, but I have no idea what to be careful about. I know of many places I can acquire one, but I won't talk to a salesman about one until I know at least the basics. Do I want a 4/4, 7/8, 3/4? I'm only 5' 9" but I will have to be sitting down to play it. Bad back...
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TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Jul 05, 2007 07:18 pm I've always wanted one too. There are a few things that I have considered in the past that might help you (might not, but let's take a chance...):
How often will you use it? Is this just a toy, or will you be investing a lot of time into learning how to play it (knowing where the notes are is not the same)? Do you have room (if you lose interest, you have one big piece of furniture...)? Are there alternatives (electric upright, Ashbury, ABG with a piece of foam under the strings, a fretless electric/ABG with creative eq'ing and some studio tricks)?
I've seen/auditioned a few surprisingly good ones for quite low prices, and a few very expensive pieces of crap. I'd suggest playing a few and seeing/hearing which one you like. I think this is a harder one to buy because there are very few around compared to guitars etc.
Apparently the Czech plywood ones are very sought after. Built like tanks, good tone, and easy playability.
As it stands I've been using either my ABG with clever eq'ing and a piece of foam under the bridge, recording direct from the on-board electronics and mixing with a mike on the neck for some 'growl'. It's not bad at all. Not Danny Thompson, but then again, who is?
This is quite an investment - in time, money, space, and study. Can you afford all of those investments?
Just my two cents. I'm not trying to put you off. I've been down that road so many times, and it's just something I'd like to buy "one day". If your "one day" is here, congratulations.
I'm buying a custom acoustic guitar, so I can't get one for a while lest 'er indoors notices (and she'd notice!).
A 4/4 is pretty big. I'm 6'4" and I'd be hesitant on having to move one of those about. 3/4 is likely all you need.
Jul 05, 2007 07:59 pm Wow!, thanks TC, much appreciated! With that info, I can see I should rent one first. I'm a sucker for new instruments! I was planning on taking lessons, learning it right. I have an itchin' in my hands, they want to hold one and mess with it. Does that ever happen to you? I can feel the thing in my hands just thinking about it. Sort-of...
I'd like to play in a 3-piece alt-something band even though I've never played bass before in my life... :) But I stayed at a Holid...
I can read music fine though...
Rent, that's the ticket. Being an employee at this here university, I bet I can get a decent rate! Same place I figured I'd find an instructor.
You haven't put me off, you've put me in the right direction!
<lightbulb>Aha!</lightbulb>
Jul 05, 2007 08:04 pm i rented a cello because i couldn't afford a standup! hehe i got my kicks outta it...well cept for it beein' tuned in 4ths....but i lost interest in it after 3 or 4 months, and i already have a good fretless so i got rid of it.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jul 05, 2007 10:43 pm Good idea to rent one. Double bass is not a bass geetar. It resembles one about as much as a tuba does. It is it's own instrument, and it's playing techniques are not that of a bass guitar. I definately recomend taking lessons if you want to master the beast. Unlike bass guitar, you can make a lot of mistakes in approching the instrument that can really limit you later on down the line. Beware of 'sticks'. They are not double basses. They are vertical fretless bass guitars. 35 inch string length, standard bass guitar string guages etc. If you ever get to the point where you are looking for an EUB Eminence makes a fine model that is the real deal with a compact hollow body and amplfies very nicely.
Jul 06, 2007 11:07 am Thanks guys! Really appreciate the help. Renting is the way to go. But if I stick with it, I know I'm gonna have to buy my own! Thanks Walt, I wasn't aware that those were just vertical bass guitars.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Jul 06, 2007 03:31 pm Walt's right. The "sticks" are not the same as an upright in many cases (there are some.....).
My suggestions for alternates were all based strictly from a sound point of view. Not from the playing standpoint. The one thing about the alternates I mentioned is that the learning curve is a little nicer if you're used to guitars etc. and just want that sound.
If you want to be a stand up bass player....it's a bit of a career.
Jul 06, 2007 06:13 pm Thanks again TC. Yeah, I want to play, I want to play, I want to play.... Can't help it!
