bassadder

Hi Guys Very interesting thread, seems that there is real resurgence in the double bass which is great. I'm another that came to the double bass late I was 35+ but have had the good fortune to meet some great players and teachers along the way that have helped shape my approach to the instrument and given me the skills to go out and earn part of my living doing something I love. I whole heartedly agree with Geoff I think everyone wanting to play double bass should find themselves a good teacher/mentor and doesn't necessarily mean another double bass player it helps but it's the be all and end all. I'm currently studying with a great teacher who's first instrument is tenor sax, but he's master improvisor and has created his own musical theory based on his experience. THIS MY EXPERIENCE SO FAR if it helps anyone else. So I've already played for several years before studying with my new teacher and have had several fantastic teachers already. Now my goal is to be a really good in demand jazz double bass player, I love classical music but I just don't have the time to do both so being honest with what's actually achievable was really important to me. So my current teacher/mentor has taken apart my technique, from how to stand with the bass, where and how to put my hands on the bass to create the best tone, worked on getting rid of my bad habits etc. We've worked hard on ear training which I still find difficult I'm getting better as I work at it all the time (as jazz is an aural tradition it's incredible important that we don't neglect this), we study rhythm, form, (which are non-negotionable) musical analysis, repertoire, intonation which come from ear training and knowing the melody of the tune (as well as arco training), metronome studies, (very important indeed) walking line construction from triads to more conceptual approaches, soloing etc. etc. I still take lessons once a week for 2 hours and work at least an hour a day on technique and things related to the lessons, on top that is all the other stuff that I practice singing, repertoire, musical analysis, metronome excerises etc. so I do up to 2 hours a day if I can need I do rehearsal and gigs on top of that. Now I know not everyone is this position but I can get to where I've got now I think anyone can, a good teacher stops you wasting time and focuses you on what you need to be a better player. Hope this helps. Laurence

Hi Greg I'm using a mixed set of Olive G & D and Evah's E & A works mine for me (I have an old Gand-Jacquet) I've had this set-up for a good few years, though I did flirt with Anima's for awhile but the D's kept going on me and I hated the way they'd stick to my fingers. Love the sound of the Olive's D works mine on my bass infact it's the best D I've had. Pizz they are wonderful, I really do like them (apart from the price) arco excellent too though I'm not an arco specialist, amping them is a real issue though and I'm current using a new Realist which is ok actually for a pickup I have a Full Circle but really don't like it. I'm trying the Ehrlund pickup which sounds ok a little bit better than the Realist but the cable is microphonic and makes a horrible noise if you move it. Cheers

Hi Guys EV RE 20 is now sold can I say a big thank you to everyone who expressed an interest in it. Roger I'll keep informed I'm recording over the weekend and have 3 Octet gives next week so it should give me a good idea. Kind Regards Laurence [quote name='bassace' post='784431' date='Mar 24 2010, 10:15 AM']bassadder I'd be interested to know how you get on with the Ehrlund. TB posters seem to be polarised on this one. Some don't like it but most think it's great.[/quote]

Hi Joe I'm looking for £ 200.00. The windshield is very useful if you shove the mic right up against the bass Regards Laurence [quote name='joegarcia' post='783415' date='Mar 23 2010, 01:43 PM']Very very interested. Will probably buy at a sensible price, don't need the shield though really. Rough price in mind? PM if you'd prefer.[/quote]

Hi Joe I'm looking for £ 200.00. The windshield is very useful if you shove the mic right up against the bass Regards Laurence [quote name='joegarcia' post='783415' date='Mar 23 2010, 01:43 PM']Very very interested. Will probably buy at a sensible price, don't need the shield though really. Rough price in mind? PM if you'd prefer.[/quote]

Hi Guys I have an Electrovoice EV RE20 mic for sale with a custom windshield to protect your bass. It's a great mic and one of the industry standards for double bass http:/www.electrovoice.com/product.php?id=91 I've used it several times live and it's great when I can stand still long enough hence the reason for sale, it comes with a custom windshield which I had to get custom made from USA it wasn't cheap but worth it. As far price I'm open to all sensible offers. I haven't given up on mic's and I'm currently trying the new [u][b]Ehrlund[/b][/u] contact mic from Sweden if it works out there'll also be a new Realist for sale too. Thanks for reading All the best Laurence

Hi Guys Just wondered if anyone had a used Thomstik Spirocore Weichs E and A I could try, I want to try them my Olive G and D instead of the Evah's I currently have on. Cheers Laurence

Hi Guys the blofeld experiment are playing at Zefferilli's Ambleside on Saturday March 7th check out Zeff's website for details [url="http://www.zeffirellis.com/livemusic/"]http://www.zeffirellis.com/livemusic/[/url] If you have a chance check out this youtube it will give a taste of what we are doing [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6veRSLqH6c"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6veRSLqH6c[/url] or check our myspace www.myspace.com/theblofeldexperiment. Cheers Laurence

Once again gentleman thank you for all your kind words, basically I needed a bass that would fit in to any situation from Metal to Jazz and virtually everthing in between and this bass really does deliver. (Do you have any issues with certain brands of strings, having a 35" scale and through body stringing? i.e. Do you find that some brands of string have windings that stop a little short of the nut? Just curious as I've got a 35" bass in the making.) Peted to answer your question on strings, Overwater have all their strings custom made so they are long enough for 35" scale through body stringing as well as standard 36" scale. They worked really hard to find the tension and gauges that feel really comfortable on extended range instruments and they do really feel and sound great. Cheers Laurence

Yep she sounds great, the Audere pre has a really musical quality to it and is very fexible coupled with the large Swamp Ash Body and thick Maple 35" scale neck you get a lot of depth to the tone. I really love having the P/J set-up it gives me everything I need. Cheers Laurence [quote name='bassmanady' post='391882' date='Jan 26 2009, 04:32 PM']Absolutely stunning!!...if it sounds as good as it looks.WOW![/quote]

Thanks guys it was a while in the planning but I'm over the moon with the bass

Hi Guys Here's some pictures of my beloved Overwater J-Series PJ 5 Vintage Deluxe specs as follows:- 35 " scale 1 piece flamed Maple neck with a bound Rosewood fingerboard and red Abalone black inlays Lightweight Swamp Ash Body with bent over Quilted Maple top finished in a deep velvety red Nordstrand P 5 and split coil 5 J pickup Audere Audio Pre-amp Hipshot Bridge and Tuners Let me know what you think Cheers Bassadder

Thanks for the very kind words Nice I had heard of that piece of kit before, we kind of used the name as a theme then based the album around it, we have some new material we been working on for the next album which is going to be called "Confessions of an Evil Genius". Thanks again for listening. Cheers Laurence