philparker

This clip doesn't really show the right hand, but gives a good indication of the sound/tone.

Evah Pirazzis Weich will probably be suitable, there is only a little bit of difference between the Weichs and the regulars, but enough to make a difference to feel and tension. They are the best I've used as a hybrid for arco and pizz and I have tried at least a dozen different sets.

It may also be worth checking to see if you can lower your action just a little bit. My action is quite low anyway, especially on my bass that is used mostly for orchestral (I have one set up for Jazz and one set up for Orchestral) and on a recent service and check up by Martin Penning, where he used my bass as a demo model for two prospective buyers (for a new model, not mine) he managed to lower it slightly more again without having any issues.

Still for sale!

For Sale: A set of Velvet Garbos.

I bought these secondhand from a Basschat member back in 2016, the original post is below to verify their history: 

This was during my experimental phase with DB strings, but as I was mostly playing orchestral, they didn't stay on my bass for very long before the next experiment.

I've since settled on Pirastro Olives for G & D, and Evah Pirazzis for A & E, for Pizz playing.

These are still in fair condition, as can be seen from the photos and the price includes UK postage.

Ooh! This could be an interesting thread?!!

23 hours ago, oppett1 said:

Hello,

What is the weight of this bow?

The best I can get on my kitchen scales is between 125g and 130g - I hope that helps.

My second listing of French DB bows is an Alfred Knoll Pernambuco French DB Bow.

This bow is towards the higher end of a student or conservatoire bow and would cost about £ 1000. new.

Like my other bows, this has been re-haired by Andrew McGill and there is plenty of life left in the hair as it became my backup bow (to a Andrew McGill made bow).

Price includes economy UK Postage. Any questions please ask.

I bought this French Bow back in 2013 as an 'introductory' level to a Pernambuco Bow. It compares very well to a mid-priced (similar price) carbon fibre bow

It has a slightly shorter hair length than the average French Bow, but subsequently it is very easy to handle and control.

I had it re-haired by Andrew McGill a few years ago, but it hasn't been played very much since the re-hair as I had already upgraded by then, so the re-hair will last a few years yet.

It cost me £249 when I bought it, so it is now realistically priced to include economy postage to the UK.

The last photo shows the size comparison with a standard Alfred Knoll, French DB Bow, which I will also be listing. Any questions please ask.

Hi Alain,

Yes, it is, although I don't currently have a box or packaging big enough to send by post, although I am searching.

Kind regards

Phil

For sale is my fretless (with fret lines), Aria Sinsonido Travel Bass.

Currently fitted with black nylon coated strings, it has a lovely tone and is very light.

It is in very good cosmetic condition with only a few marks on the back of the bass and one slightly small flat spot on the back of the neck, not really noticeable. I've never needed to gig with it, I used to take it away with me on trips for practise rather than performance.

It comes with a gig bag, that is generally in good condition, but does have some stitching starting to come apart near the handle. The original headphones are not really useable because the ear piece foams have started to rot, but you can use any headphones or a small practise amp, as I used to do.

I live about 7 miles west of Andover on the Hants/Wilts border, I don't currently have any sizeable boxes to post. Any questions,

please ask.

This isn't allowed 😜

Great job!

Martin Penning had a spell of selling/supplying Czech-Eaze DBs for a while; I spoke to him this week to ask the question of where one may be obtained and his answer was as follows:

I did sell Czech Ease basses but the market has gone -post Brexit. With customs duties and double vat it will be way cheaper to get one from David Gage in New York, even though it has been made in the Czech Republic!

Good luck with your search!

I have difficulty just smiling on stage as I'm concentrating too much or focused too much - so being that expressive is impressive!

Hats off to you!

47 minutes ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

I use the tc electronic polytune clip on my ns-design cr5m - no problems even on the low B

+1, probably the best, certainly my favourite; I also have the App on my phone and the pedal, but the clip on tuner is greater, better than a more expensive strobe tuner I used to use. 

Some basses naturally slap better than others (with the right strings) - and that Ibanez is definitely a good old slapper!

I don't play slap very often and only one of my basses (reasonable collection) slap naturally, so it must be very satisfying to take it out of the bag after so many years and get the 'feel' like that.

Good looking bass too!

52 minutes ago, NickA said:

Mine had flats on once, for about two hours, took them right off again.  Wals need rounds or you're losing some of that wonderful sound.  EB Cobalts and thomastic jazz just about permissible - though the EB s are a bit too coloured ( mask the walness).

Totally agree - mine has round wounds on and I can still get a full palette of tone!

My DB Teacher, David Heyes, will be holding a Double Bass Workshop as follows:

After getting a bad back carrying my DB, I eventually forked out for a Bass Buggie from Caswells - and I haven't regretted the expense since owning it!

https://caswells-strings.co.uk/product/the-bass-buggie/

5 hours ago, zbd1960 said:

I just want to check that you are aware that there are two different bow holds for bass? There's the overhand  that's similar to cello and there's underhand aka German bow hold which is similar to how you play the viola da gamba?

I think he's only going to be playing pizz!

Whilst you are waiting for replies - I would suggest you look at some of the online courses that come with printable Pdf's with scales etudes etc. There's no shortage of learning material on YT, but I would suggest looking at Geoff Chalmers 'Discover Double Bass', with numerous course available, but his beginners course would be a good start, all with score sheets.

One of my first purchases was 'The Evolving Bassist' by Rufus Reid, which will give you scales and etudes - and is highly recommended by many bassists and will probably suit your needs well.

There is a series by Stephen Mooney, starting with Book 1 - Constructing Walking Jazz Bass Lines - Blues(about 5 books in total). The play-along books by Hal Leonard (with CD) are also worth a look.

After that, books like 'The Jazz Book' by John Goldsby, for more advanced technique and tradition.

Good luck

That's a lovely looking bass and you may have got it a better price if the vendor thought it was 'student' rather than 'conservatoire' (I know that is the same with classical guitar models, often by some margin) and to have a solid top and back is also a step forward in terms of quality.

I hope you enjoy!

On 30/05/2021 at 12:27, mybass said:

This is 1 2 and 3........4 5 6 are in n another book.....

n

I have this version, but won't be buying the next one for a while as it is quite a challenge and keeping me busy, in between all my other projects, despite having more time to practise this year. Definitely a good technical exercise and a good left-hand workout. I am playing these arco, but I imagine it would be more difficult to play them all pizz?

Whoops! I presume that was the wind? I have one of those bass bars for resting the double bass; they work fine indoors - a good lesson to learn at somebody else's expense (sorry!).

At one of the DB Workshop's I attended, we had a presentation from a D'Addario Rep, who gave a good lecture with video and stills on string production, care & maintenance etc. which was more interesting and informative than I was expecting. Anyway, to get to the point, the company had dissected and examined various old strings that had been cleaned with alcohol related fluids/compounds (as well as other methods) and they were able to depict the deterioration by using fluids to clean the strings, which was quite considerable. Their recommendation was to wipe with a dry, lint-free cloth (which I have always carried out on all my string instruments for the last 40+ years!

From my own experience, it takes less than 30 seconds to wipe and clean my DB after a good practise session: strings, fretboard and body. No fluids required.