Linus27

Had my first lesson today with Jakesbass. I have played electric bass for 20 years, some of it profesionally but I have never had a lesson in my life and certainly no experience of playing double bass. I found the whole thing truely fascinating and a real eye opener. Jake explained things in a very clear and logical way and despite being a little confused at times due to my own inexperience, I went away with a ton of things to practise and a derire to learn so much more. So I have booked another lesson with Jake for two weeks time.

As for the Stagg EUB, I had no problems today using it as a way to learn double bass and Jake seemed to be happy with it also.

If anyone is looking for some lessons, then I can highly recommend Jake.

[quote name='steve-norris' post='145411' date='Feb 23 2008, 12:41 AM']Kneel before the kick drum and pray to your new master seriously the drummer is your best friend or worst enemy, the bass is not a four stringed guitar! it's a TOTALLY different instrument, in its modern electric form it may look vaguely similar to a guitar but its role lies firmly in the rhythm section. I like to think of bass as almost a tuned drum set, you provide a like between harmony and rhythm, quite how you achieve that i am still working on but if i had four ears i would keep two on the drummer one on the guitarist and one on the singer.[/quote]

That is a superb way at looking at how the bass sits with everything. I could not agree more. Of course there are variants. You can play the bass more like a lead guitar or you could play the bass more like a drum rythem but all in all, you are spot on.

Ok here is my effort, not played very well and something I kind of just made up. I have not played it for a week so it all felt a bit alien again.

Anyway, thats not the point, its more to compare the sound of it. My settings were direct into the soundcard on my PC and with the Sub Bass setting on about 85%.

Blimey!! Mine sounds nothing like that. That did sound like a frettless. Mine is a lot more thumpy and grungy. Maybe its my playing. If I can work it out, i'll try and record a sound clip.

Hi,

A friend's daughter is learning to play bass and she has asked for some music books. Does anyone know where the best place to get them from? She is after the following bands,

Green Day
Nickleback
Bon Jovi
Brian Adams
Status Que
Garth Brooks
Marilyn Manson
Kings Of Leon

Thanks in advance for any help.

Again, thanks Jake for the advice. I have sent you a PM regarding lessons.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='144534' date='Feb 21 2008, 05:23 PM']Vice like grip is NOT i repeat NOT something you need.
vice like has a stiff and un yielding nature to it which can lead to over working muscles and reduced mobility. What you need is efficiency of pressure, using the physical attributes you posess and fluidity of movement, which can take a little getting used to.
If you are serious about getting any good on the instrument then have at least a few lessons on left hand technique, the positions and movement. It really is nothing like Bass Guitar (I've been playing both for over 20yrs)
You may well get some people responding to this post saying you can get by without training, this is true but who wants to just get by. You can save a whole heap of time by gettting some basic advice which will set good habits in place and immeasurably enhance your progress.

also If you are getting pounding muscles and sweating, you may well be over working without need.[/quote]

Hi jackbass,

Thanks for the reply. I think the vice like grip has been interpreted wrong here What I was meaning was, to fret an electric bass is pretty easy compared to fretting a double bass. Having played electric bass for 20 years, I am finding the physical strength required to fret on a double bass much higher than an electric bass. So, the vice like remark for me was once I am used to it, I am sure my fretting hand is going to be a lot stronger and thus, when all is said and done, my fretting hand will be as strong as a vice, jokingly of course. Certainly not refering to any technique. Thats what I mean't, not sure TheRinser was meaning. Of course, once I am more used to playing, I am sure it will all become a lot easier. I certainly noticed after just a week that things were easier.

One other point, I am not sure if its normal or not, but the strings on the Stagg seem pretty taught. So I am finding the tension of the strings and the thicker neck on an EUB is requiring more strength in my fingers to fret. When I go back to playing an electric bass, its like the neck is as thin as a pencil and the strings are very floppy.

I do plan on having lessons. I think this is the only way forward or the sensible way to go. Its such a different instrument that i really want to be heading in the right direction with it from the start. I just need to find a tutor in the Surrey area.

Thanks for the advice. really appreciate it.

[quote name='paul, the' post='144521' date='Feb 21 2008, 05:07 PM']Right, sorry to be such a fool, but I need to clear this up if anyone can help.

Can this bass be played without a lead and amp? Can you just play the bass with the battery listening with headphones?
Is there a waiting list on these? If so, how long?
How large is the box it's sent in?
Are there any user pics of a honey one yet?

Probably more questions to come.

Cheers everyone.

paul.[/quote]

Hi Paul,

Yes, you can play this bass by simply plugging in some headphones into the headphone socket. I did not believe it at first but when I plugged in my headphones, the blue LED came to life. I was amazed and even more amazed when I turned the volume and and low and behold, full on bass coming through my headphones. It's such a superb function.

No idea on the waiting list but I think there might be as others have been waiting. I was lucky to buy one 2nd hand from Bassace who I don't think had it for very long. Its in mint condition. I am sure you will be able to buy one with a bit of shopping around. You might want to check out these two links.

[url="http://www.zingsmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=5176"]http://www.zingsmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=5176[/url]

[url="http://www.normans.co.uk/Items/Item.aspx?SKU=edb-3/4mbk"]http://www.normans.co.uk/Items/Item.aspx?SKU=edb-3/4mbk[/url]

The first link also has the EUB in the honey colour. if you clink on enlarge, it shows the full range of colours. I have the 2nd one which is a very nice deep wine red.

Again, no idea about box but you do also get a superb gig bag. Its not some cheap flimsy rubbish, its a proper padded gig bag. really good.

The one thing I really want to know is what are the stock strings that come on this EUB. They seem very good and Bassace also thinks they could be good one. I have no idea on who to ask though or who might know.

Hope that helps.

[quote name='TheRinser' post='144301' date='Feb 21 2008, 12:12 PM']Just a quick update...

Lovin' it! Spent last night trying to play along with some jazz standards and some fingathing tunes (awesome instrumental hip hop band, just EUB and decks, UK based too!).

I'm actually finding 4 finger technique easier than the 124 double bass thing. Hand strength has still got a long way to go, and intonation, but it's great fun. My back aches a bit. If anyone fancies giving me a few pointers that'd be nice... Or generally any info about standing position relative to the bass. Tried to find some stuff on the net but doesn't seem like there's much about...

Cheers,

Tom[/quote]

Thats my weak spot also, the lack of strength in my left hand for fretting. I can't wait to get my vice like grip as time goes on. You mention that your back is aching. I am also finding this. I also find that my arm muscles are pounding after playing. Its a very physical instrument to play which I am loving.

What I started out was creating a CD of some good simple basslines. Things by the Police, Sting, Bjork, George Michael and other song with some mild Jazz themes. Playing along to some of these was hard because I just did not have the strength in my fretting hand to play more than 3 songs in a row. After a week I could happily play 3 and worked up to 5 songs. Its still hard work but its getting easier now as I am not having to think so much about my fretting hand.

I really think the whole physical side of playing upright bass is under estimated. I would also appreciate any guides or tips on playing.

Riders on the Storm has a great sort of walking bass line and Peace Frog has a great bass line.

Jerry Scheff played on L.A Woman stuff. Here is what he says on his web page,

"Right about this time I got a call to do an album with "The Doors." We spent six weeks in the studio recording "L.A. Woman" Which turned out to be their last album. They had always used keyboard bass live, after we finished LA Woman I was approached about joining the group. Jim Morrison went to Paris and died. One of those things!"

Does anyone know what the name of the manager or the main person to contact at Andertons Music Store in Guildford Surrey?

Thanks

I think they are superb basses. I was looking at getting one and would had if I did not already have an awsome ESp 400 Series Jazz bass which is now about 20 years old. So instead, I bought the Squire Vintage modified Jazz Fretless and it is a superb bass. I have owned a Musicman, a 77 Precision, a 72 Telecaster bass and this Squire fretless is amazing.

i don't think your go wrong with the VM Jazz. In fact, your love it. just buy it.

I wear a wristband for any bass I play as I always get a blister on the inside of my wrist. The 51' re-issue feels a bit clumsy due to the non contour of the body but apart from that its fine to play. Compared to a Jazz or a precision, it just feels a bit clumsy. Apart from that, its great.

Here is a quick picture of mine.

Mine says Crafted In Japan on the back of the neck where the neck joins the body.

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='133311' date='Feb 3 2008, 10:19 PM']I've gone up to 18 with my Warmoth body and neck on the way next week.

And I'm a bloody therapist!



A happy one[/quote]


HOW DID THAT HAPPEN???

You said to me before Xmas that you had 13 basses and you need to get rid of one as 13 is an unlucky number. So how did selling one to me go up to 18???

Your beyond help I think

I am the same as you Alex. I can play very simple beats but I have more ideas in my head. A lot of the drum beats and grooves for my older drummers I wrote. This helped me lock in tight when the drummer did play them. I always seem to have all this grooves and drum beats but don't have the skill to play them.

Crafted in Japan.

[quote name='Metal-Mariachi' post='137718' date='Feb 10 2008, 05:36 PM']If I got another, the only upgrades I’d make would be a new pickup and replace the stock 2-saddle bridge with a Wilkinson (to keep the look) or new Fender 4 saddle string through, both are direct replacements.[/quote]

Do you have a link to the Fender bridge anywhere???

I just bought a 53 re-issue and I love it. Well, the advert said it was a 53 re-issue but I have no idea how to actually tell if its a 51 or a 53. Its one of those basses that you look at and have to just pick up and play. Mine is screaming for a setup though. I bought it as my backup or 2nd bass so I was not expecting something superb. The slab body is a little different but not to much hassle to get used to. The neck is very chunky but ok. Its easy to play, it just has a chunky neck. Its not to heavy and the quality is superb. The sound is ok. Well, it might be great to be honest but its limited so don't expect to get lots of different sounds from it. Fat, punchy and maybe a bit fluffy but certainly big.

One problem I did notice is the E string is pretty quiet compared to the A and D. In fact quite an in balance on levels but I hope this will be fixed when I get it setup up as the action is also pretty high. I might change the pickup to a Seymour Duncan. Not because I don't like the sound of the stock pickup but to see if I get more variety. I may also change the bridge because people say the stock fender one is pretty crap. I won't do anything until its set up though. I will also add a Hipshot D-Tuner when I can.

Overall, I really love the bass. Its very retro, sounds great, plays nice and looks superb. I think with some modifications done to it, it would be a great working bass.

I bought the Stagg EUB that Bassace was selling and I must say it is a superb instument. It is in Cherry Red, in mint condition and looks fantastic. My initial reaction was, wow, its tall, will I reach all the frets. I am only 5ft 9"

I asked Bassace to play it as I have never played a double bass before. He has played for many years so its probably best to let an expert show me what its all about. Well, it sounded brilliant and he made playing it look so easy. It had a nice deep growl and plenty of punch. I would not say it sounds exactly like a fretless bass or an electric bass guitar. It definately has a deep double bass type sound.

However, that is not the point. As this is an entry level EUB, I was not so concerned about the sound and more interested in how it would be in terms of cutting my teeth and learning to play EUB. It was just a bonus that it sounded so good. I can't really offer to much insight into how it plays as I have only had a 15 minute go on it but its certainly great fun if not hard work. I am finding you need strong hands to fret and plenty of patience to change techniques from electric bass to upright bass. However, after 10 minutes, I started to click with it more so I am sure after a few days, weeks and months it will be much easier. The action is a little high and I may lower this but I don't want to start changing things just yet as its to early in the day in my learning. Bassace did say it may feel very strange the action coming from electric bass and he's not wrong

If anyone is looking at trying out EUB then I can highly recommend this Stagg EUB. It sounds superb and so far plays very very well. The price tag is ideal for a beginner and anyone who wants to dable in EUB.

Many thanks to Bassace for all the help and selling me a beautiful Stagg EUB.

A massive thank you to Roger (Bassace) for letting me buy his superb Stagg EUB. The bass is in mint condition and sounded superb. I have had a go at home now and WOW, totally different instument to play and not what I was expecting. You need very strong hands. I will write more in the original Stagg EUB thread.

Lovely to meet you and your wife, really enjoyed chatting to you both and thank you for the cup of tea. Thanks also for all the advice on playing double bass. A true gentleman.

PM Sent.

This has really got me interested. I was going to get a NS Wav 4 as my intoduction to EUB but at about £700, I am about a year away from buying one. The price of the Stagg might be a good start and they look great also.

However, one comment I read was that the intonation was way out. The dots of the fretboard are in the wrong place. Has anyone noticed this or noticed any other issues?

Would it be worth making the plunge to get this or hold out for a NS Wav 4??

What a surprise, somebody posted a bad service post about Andertons. I was just coming here to do the same.

I bought a bass from them just before Xmas. A few weeks after Xmas, I had a problem with it, so I took it back to Andertons. The first numpty was not that interested but said it will have to go back to Fender. I should get it back in about 7 - 10 days. OK. not bad, a week or so. He said phone up in a few days to find out the latest. So after a week I phone and they say its with our workshop guy but he's busy, can you phone back. So after 2 weeks I manage to speak to the workshop guy and he says, he's looked at the bass and it has had to go back to Fender UK, who will then send it back to Fender in Holland. Its going to be at least another couple of weeks. I said, this is not acceptable on a brand new bass. He said you can speak to Chris who can help you. So I try to speak to Chris but keep getting his answer phone. I finally speak to him on 5th Feb and he says that the workshop guy has looked at it and it will be sent back to Fender in a few days. WHAT????? I was told it has been sent. This is not aacceptable. Al this Chris guy said was I know you need it back in a hurry and we will try and get it to you as soon as possible. Should be a couple of weeks.

GGGGGRRRRRRR

Not sure what I can really do about it. I am tempted to go in and speak to the manager but knowing my luck, this Chris guy will be the manager :(