petebassist

More fretless than Double Bass? Dunno, but maybe you're right - it's difficult to say. I wasn't there, I only saw it on TV. I was wondering about the strings, pickup, amplification etc as I'm looking to upgrade my Stentor 1950 with BassMax pickup for something better. I've just played a few outdoor shows plugged directly into the PA, so I'm interested in what other players do. Not that I'm playing to 30,000 people though, more like 30 :-) Any tips appreciated.

Anyone see him at Glastonbury? Wonderful bassist on a very smooth sounding upright, was it JAHMAL NICHOLS, does anyone know? That's the kind of setup & sound I'd like.

Yes, looks like you're right - stock Stentor strings. I'm surprised as off the bass they feel decent quality. Thanks for looking that up, appreciated. Pete

Hello string experts, I have a nice looking set of 3/4 size Solo strings (I think!) that were on my double bass when I bought it, but at the time as a DB novice I didn't think to ask what they were. I don't think they were the stock Stentor 1950 strings. The colours are: A - Purple E - Light blue B - Green F# - Black I tried may different string ID websites but have drawn a blank - does anyone recognize these ? Many thanks, Pete

I love the sound of the bass on the theforgottenworks sample tracks - what did you use for 'tangle' in terms of bass, pickup, recording method etc? That's a great tone.

Hi mate, If you can't find local lessons, you might want to try the fantastic discoverdoublebass.com site created by Geoff, which has great lessons posted. I can also recommend this book: Jazz Upright Bass Featuring Ed Friedland (DVD). For Double Bass, which is aimed at beginners and covers posture, left and right hand technique, and basic Jazz technique. A lot of bass technique books can be woolly, but this one covered everything I needed to know to get started, and practice pieces and tips that I use everyday.

This is a great thread! Got me listening to all sorts of tracks. Thanks TheRev for the link to John Martyn with Danny Thompson - Solid Air. Loved it, hadn't heard this, definitely inspirational... I've always loved the bass on Roy Budd's theme from the Get Carter film - it plays in my head whenever I get the train back home up to the North East.

Hi mate, You'll find loads of information about Stagg modifications/fixes on this site [url="https://staggeub.wordpress.com/modifications/"]https://staggeub.wor.../modifications/[/url], and other bass forums. I've never owned one, but I understand from the forums that common quality issues include a loose/wobbly end pin, dot position markers being out of place, electrics not being shielded sufficiently, and stock strings being low quality. Good luck with the search.

I play upright bass, but I just bought this great book, Walking Jazz Lines for Bass, by Jay Hungerford, which is all done on electric bass, so I'm learning a lot about jazz standards. If it's good enough for Jay... You can never please everybody, no matter what you do.

I've used a Stentor 3/4 1950 as my pub-gigging work horse for the last four years, and it's never let me down. Good quality and hard wearing components. Hopefully, your new one will be well set up and ready to go!

That's a great recording & sound from your bass. Are you using the stock Gut-a-likes that I think come as standard on Dukes? I've been looking at the Swingmasters, though I play pizz rather than slap. Whatever they are, they sound like the real deal.

I'm liking the sound of these: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs66nZh6qc8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs66nZh6qc8[/url] and [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stOnPG2JHQo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stOnPG2JHQo[/url]

When I started out, I did briefly order and try out a Stagg, a Palatino/Harley Benton, and an Aria SWB Lite, and found that they all moved around a lot when playing standing up. I won't comment on the sound because I haven't tried an EUB with decent strings and a good amp. Then I picked up a used/seasoned acoustic Stentor 1950 for under £400, put some good strings on, and have used that as my pub gig mainstay for over three years. For me, whatever DB you can afford, learning to coax out that amazing acoustic sound from a DB is what it's all about...

Geoff, many thanks for this tip - I might try the Oliv.

Thanks chaps, good advice about the sound post - I think I need to get it to a luthier for an MOT. Apart from this quirk, it's a great bass otherwise for my needs, it's never let me down. Pete

Hi, I have Pirastro Obligato strings on my Stentor 1950 acoustic bass, which sound great apart from the G string, which can sometimes sound 'tinny' compared to the other strings. Has anyone had a similar issue and tried a different G string, such as a gut string, to get more of a 'boom' sound? Or am I being a bit lazy? I can get a more mellow sound by playing up the neck a bit, and using a bit more skin. Any advice would be welcome, Thanks, Pete

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Upright-Bass-Double-Standup-NS-Fender-BSX-bought-new-and-simply-stored-/331038905331?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4d1374d3f3"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Upright-Bass-Double-Standup-NS-Fender-BSX-bought-new-and-simply-stored-/331038905331?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4d1374d3f3[/url] In the style of a Palatino/Harley Benton EUB?

I've played a 1950 for over two years, and it's never let me down. Nice sound from the solid top with that mwah that Hugh talks about in his video, and great for tight gigs where you don't mind the ply back and sides talking an occasional knock. I use Pirastro Obligatos for pizzicato, and they've been on over two years and still going. Best of luck getting it fixed up and playing. [url="http://www.thestringzone.co.uk/pirastro-obligato-double-bass-strings-set"]http://www.thestring...ass-strings-set[/url] G Orchestra Synthetic/Chrome Steel Mittel 3/4 441120 D Orchestra Synthetic/Chrome Steel Mittel 3/4 441220 A Orchestra Synthetic/Chrome Steel Mittel 3/4 441320 E Orchestra Synthetic/Chrome Steel Mittel 3/4 441420 SET is 441020.