[quote name='Crikey!' post='1056' date='May 18 2007, 12:33 AM']right, thanks for that, im pretty sure i can keep my place, i can play just as good if not better than the double bassist, if the tone is the only real problem i have a cheap double bass modeling type thingy that gets pretty close, and im sure it wouldn't make a huge difference in an orchestra situation. If its about the look then thats just a bit shallow really..
ive heard people say that electric basses are like double basses for lazy players, which is understandable to some extent considering the size issues with a double bass but when referring to tone, does playing style and technique influence the overall sound more or less on either type of bass? or is technique just technique and uninfluenced by the instrument?[/quote]
Regarding technique, it is very different for each instrument, due to the size and shape of the neck and the ergonomics. I started out on DB before I played BG, and I have had serious problems as a result of transferring good DB technique on to BG, where it becomes very poor technique. Left hand shape is very different, and its impossible to use all 4 LH fingers in the lower positions without a serious technique adjustment- most DB players use their 3rd and 4th fingers together most of the way up the neck.
I'd be inclined to suggest that technique has more of an impact on sound on DB, purely because it tends to be the only way of affecting the sound- most players, when they play with an amp, use it only to supplement the acoustic noise of the bass, rather than as an integral part of their tone.