davethebass

Cheers for that.......I am going to try first of all my current strings with a bot of a higher action. Then if no good get some nylon style strings. Trouble is I play also in a blues band wher slap is not required and only have the one bas. So I think some compromise is needed. Also, has anyone had success with playong their DB through a keyboard amp. Just been recommended. Cheers

[quote name='fonzoooroo' post='1167951' date='Mar 19 2011, 08:35 AM']Welcome to the minefield! Fom my experience: Strings and technique dictate action height. Players using a soft string (weedwhackers/guts) use a very high action to get" underneath" as you describe... but if you go for a higher tension string, you won't be able to slap on a very high action. I currently have 2 electric uprights, one with spirocores (for the mag pickup) and a very low action (gives a psychobilly sound, for want of a better description! - perfect with a loud band though.), the other with some sort of innovation nylon cores on (peizo pickup - much more "natural" sound) ... Both have 4/4 strings on a 3/4 scale length and a correspondingly higher action for the one with nyons (even then, it's only regular "classical" action though!) and I play slap on both. I'd assume you're after more of a "thwack" slap sound rather than a "click" ? if so, that's going to be gut strings/whackers or nylon core (possibly bumped or solo set de-tuned) and a high action. There's lots of chat/reviews/rants on here about amps... have a read of those, and you'll quickly get a shortlist together! ...It all comes down to power (how loud your drummer is) in the end though! A customer of mine just bought a 700W GK beast for his DB and is very happy. ... I run a ridiculous mixer/POD XT/Behringer shark (just to pre-amp the clicky) /PA power amp/big peavey 2x12" PA cab... but that's far from normal! I'd offer lutherie, but I'm a bit of a hack down the country for you![/quote]

Hi Geoff I am an intermediate level double bassist with poor musical knowledge. Would like help with scales etc to break away from single octave playing (!) I am in a country band at present which is lots of fun....but am in a rut (root 3rd and 5ths !). Could you let me know if you could help and also your fees. Cheers David [email protected] 07973 205674 01695 50517

Hi All am newby to this site and also to upright bass. I am suddenly in a country band and need to do slap. Have just got a Kand K rockabilly pickup which means am getting the slap from the fingerboard. I need to know what strings to use and also how to set up the action...I am reasonable at slap but can't get my fingers under the strings quick enough to do a triple slap. My bass is a reasonable 3/4 size Czech.plywood model. Also need to know where I can find a reasonable amp that is suitable for d bass. Am based near Manchester would love to know of a good luthier who could help. Don't want much do I ? LOL Cheers