Beer of the Bass

Those are the 35" scale EUBs, right? I'm not sure that most double bass strings will fit, since they'll be made for 40-42" scale length. If you're limited to using bass guitar strings, i'd say Thomastik jazz flats would be worth a go.

I had one of these in the mid 90's when I was a teen. From what I can remember, the neck was lovely but the pickups were awful (mainly due to being microphonic)! So possibly a worthy candidate for an upgrade.

I've got an EA wizzy 10, and they're really nice little cabs, and much bigger sounding than I'd have expected, though it has limits. Unfortunately it's another expensive option. I ordered mine from the states a while back when the dollar:pound ratio was a lot more favourable than it is now.

If you're returning this to 4-string, is there any chance you've got the 8-string bridge for sale?

I'd agree with the Ken McDonald recommendation. He's done some work on my bass which I'm very happy with. Personally I'd shy away from buying a bridge and taking it to someone to get it fitted unless you're really clued up about these things, as choosing the correct width to line up with the bass bar is apparently fairly critical.

BUMP for strings - other things now sold.

Hi Andy, how's the 8-string P going? I'm about to embark on an almost identical project, and i'm curious...

Not to mention Pike and Tuna Turner! Sorry...

I'm having a bit of a clearout and have some things in the for sale section. Here's a [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=95468"]link[/url] in case anyone's interested.

I have a set of 13 note bass pedals which were removed from an old Hammond organ. I had meant to make them into a MIDI controller using one of these kits from [url="http://tomscarff.110mb.com/bass_pedal/midi_bass_pedal.htm"]Tom Scarff[/url], but never got around to it. The switch contacts for each pedal are present and intact, so it should be a fairly simple project, and a lot cheaper than buying ready made pedals.
£30 posted in UK. [b]NOW SOLD[/b]

I'm having a clear out of my cupboards, and have these for sale:
[b]D and G plain gut strings[/b] -NOW SOLD
"Handcraft" brand. I bought these as unused NOS on eBay. They have been on my bass for about a day. They give a very cool old school pizz sound, but I decided they weren't for me as I didn't like the sound of them bowed. £25 posted for the pair.

[b]Leather bow quiver, in black.[/b] - NOW SOLD
Attaches to your tailpiece using a buckle at the bottom and a lace at the top. A quiver makes changing from arco to pizz playing a lot quicker and easier. £20 posted (usually around £30 new).

[b]Endpin wheel, heavy duty[/b] - NOW SOLD
With 10mm shaft. Very useful for getting around town on foot. Large 8" diameter wheel with inflatable tyre. £25 posted.

Drop me a PM if you're interested in any of these.

I'd guess German and late 19th/early 20th century. It looks similar to mine - there seem to be lots of these old German flatbacks around and most of them have no makers name. Unfortunately the long crack running up towards the bridge looks like it follows the line of the bass bar. Unless it has already been repaired, it will be an expensive job, as the top has to be removed. It should be a nice bass when everything's fettled though...

Though in terms of amplification needs, it's not that useful a way of looking at it. I've found that an amp which runs out of steam in a 150 capacity basement (with vocal PA only) is fine at a 1000 capacity club (with decent FOH and monitors). I'm not very rock though, so I've never gone for huge stage volumes.

Those heights are pretty typical for an acoustic double bass, so should be a good starting point. I have my strings set at 7mm (G) to 10mm (E) at the end of the board. What kind of right-hand technique are you using? In my opinion, that's the biggest factor in getting a convincing double bass sound from an EUB.

You need a fingerboard which can be easily planed by a luthier if the relief isn't quite right or there are any uneven parts. Obviously ebony is preferable as it is very hard and doesn't require a finish. Sometimes the very cheapest grade of ebony can be crazily grained and unstable too, but I've only seen this on one bass - unfortunately one that I owned! Some ebonised fingerboards (such as on the Stentor 1950s, IIRC) are a rosewood-ish hardwood with a bit of black stain and should be workable enough, but others are soft, light coloured wood with a thick black painted surface which will never really do a decent job. I'm sure OTPJ could tell you which kind the G4M basses have.

I've read that the "Made in Europe" Thomann basses are made by Strunal. I've seen one or two Strunal basses in the flesh - they're good for the money and would be preferable to the Antoni. They start at £625 though...

I played an Antoni for a few months several years ago, when skint and otherwise double bassless. Unless they've got much better since then, I'd avoid them if at all possible. Mine was a bright orange plywood box, with a crap painted softwood fingerboard which was really uneven and bumpy. For £500 I'd look out for an older German or Eastern European laminated bass (maybe even hybrid or solid if you're lucky). They come up fairly often and would be much more servicable and could be re-sold for what you paid if you upgrade.

Out of curiosity, what did you think of them when you had them on?

I like the album version better. I reckon this line-up were best on the numbers where they used synth bass. Is it sacrelige to say that on a bass forum?

I think the Swedish rosin is Nyman or Carlsson (I suspect the two may be the same thing, as the tub is identical, with a different label). I lent mine to a fiddle player once and he moaned about the stickiness for weeks! The Upton Revolution Solo II is a decent pickup. I use one, and it does a respectable enough job - still a bit pickup-y sounding but very useable, and probably as good as you'll get without spending huge amounts.

Bump!

Now £35 posted!

Electro Harmonix Small Stone phaser, USA reissue model. Very clean condition with just a couple of small scratches (has never been gigged, just sat on top of my electric piano at home!). Still with the cardboard box it came in. £40 posted in UK.

I originally listed this back in February, but decided to hang onto it for a while when it didn't sell straight away. Now it has to go to sort out my finances!
It's a Fender Highway One Jazz, which I bought new in 2009. It's in excellent condition, with no chips or big dents, just some minor glossed up patches on the satin finish (which is inevitable with this type of finish). I have added a Hipshot extender key and a nice tort pickguard from WD. The original tuner and guard will be included. It also has a Fender gigbag and the owners booklet and bridge and trussrod keys it came with. It's currently wearing D'addario Chromes, though the nickel rounds it came with are in the case. This is a lovely bass to play, comfortable medium-light weight and gives all the classic Jazz bass sounds.
£400 posted in the UK - I'll knock off £20 if you want to pick it up in person. The bass will be packed with the neck detached to reduce package size, and sent by Royal Mail Standard Parcels, insured to the full value.

EDIT: Now sold locally.

Picato flatwound bass strings, 45-105 guage. The E-string has been on my jazz (non through-body strung) for about 5 minutes, the A,D and G have not been fitted. These are very smooth feeling flats with unsilked ends and are at the deeper, darker end of the spectrum. £12 posted in UK.


Now sold, pending the usual blah...

The drummer in my old band used to use rods for acoustic gigs - they're pretty good for low volume without sounding like brushes. The bass drum will be loud as ever though. A small bass drum, (maybe a converted floor tom?) could help too. A mate of mine uses a bass pedal beating a samsonite suitcase for busking, and packs his snare and hi-hats inside to move it all around! He is a bit odd though...