Thanks for the advice there in those last two replies, I appreciate it.
I have many reasons for wanting to give the upright electric a go. I'm not playing in any bands at the moment and am having difficulties finding opportunities to play. Unfortunately what I'm best at (funk/pop) I'm not finding very enjoyable to play, mainly for reasons of volume (these days, my ears can't take the volume that most bands seem to like to play at, even with earplugs in).
Playing the electric upright I'd be able to play with a local ensemble who need upright players, which will improve my playing from score. If that works out it would open up other doors due to the contacts in that group, generally broaden my playing opportunities where I wasn't expected to stand on top of my amp turned up to 11 next to a drummer going mental. Would be nice to occasionally be able to hear the notes I and everyone else was playing.
I'd probably get some lessons too, if any self respecting double bass teacher is prepared to lower themselves to teach me on an electric instrument
So that's the vague plan - you probably think I'm utterly mental. The first step is to go to a shop and try an electric upright, most likely something like the NXT or similar (arched finger board, DB scale, bowable). If I like it I'll get it and take it from there.
Unfortunately I really don't get on with double basses. I can't properly explain it - I just don't bond with them as instruments. It may well be that after 5 minutes of playing an EUB I discover I can't get on with EUBs either, in which case back to square one! Anyone need an electric bassist in north bucks?
And in the case I buy one and it all turns out to be a hideous mistake, in a year's time you can expect to see an advert for a second hand EUB on this board and someone might pick up a nice bargain due to my foolishness!
Cheers all,
Ian.