TorturedSaints

Thanks all for the advice. I’ll keep you updated.

Thanks Geek, I do get down to Derbyshire a few times a month, so good to know.

Hi all, If you’re fed up with leftover turkey and mince pies, I’d appreciate some suggestions. I suspect that I know the answer, but is there anywhere in Scotland or N England that is worth looking at for an upgraded DB or German bow? Or is there anyone selling, or knows of anyone selling something suitable locally ? I currently have an Andreas Zeller 3/4 with Evah Pirazzis and a £99 carbon fibre German bow, which doesn’t sound too bad. I’m getting on quite well with the lessons and I’ve started to play in a couple of amateur orchestras, so I’m looking for a nicer orchestral bass (preferably secondhand and maybe £5-10k) although not with extension or 5 strings. I’ve searched the forum and the Double Bass Room in E Sussex seems to be commonly recommended but that’s a 9 hour drive without any breaks. Similarly, I know Bowspeed was the place to go to look for a new bow, but now that’s closed, where would be best to go? There’s nothing particularly close on the musicalchairs website either. I will go to the Glasgow Violin Shop after the seasonal closures to have a look, but if you’ve got any better suggestions, then please let me know. Thanks.

Thanks Rob! Much appreciated. I’ve been to lots of IQ gigs, but I’ve never yet been asked to dep for Tim, but I will now be prepared (apart from me not having a Stingray 5 🤣 )

Was anyone lucky enough to have a successful bid on any of the bows on the Amati online auction ? I bid but wasn’t successful, although I was never going to bid big money on a bow I hadn’t had the opportunity to try. Looking at the (partially redacted) usernames it looked like a dealer was bidding on most of the German bows anyway.

Maybe Thomastik Mittel? https://gollihurmusic.com/string-identification-chart/?srsltid=AfmBOopRtE2v9_XNVvvqIRkJFcNdT1s9s-ahwVcRhF1Fp5Dq9Qej5Q7P

I was going to suggest the Sound on Sound forums, but I see you have already asked the question there! 😀

Without wishing to teach Granny etc, there are some good YouTube videos on the “Discover Double Bass” channel and online courses from them that got me started, although I did have a few in person lessons to start with. It’s a rabbit hole from which I haven’t really emerged. . . 🤣

Forehead height (level with eyebrow) was a good starting point for me with my WAV4 too. For consistency, I marked the stand with pencil marks to make sure I got it in the same place each time. Although now I have a DB, I’ve subsequently increased the height to match that. Are you trying to play the Stagg with a one finger per ‘fret’/semitone technique or fingers 1/2/4 ? I imagine the former would be difficult unless you have very big hands.

That sounds like a great idea.

I was on a similar journey. From the bass guitar, I started with a NS Wav (still play it in various Concert Bands) and then moved onto a DB and I am now playing in orchestras. The DB is more satisfying to play, but the EUB is much more portable and convenient. Top tip, get some lessons, it’s a completely different beast to the bass guitar, and bowing is a black art! (Still having lessons 🤣). I find it’s relatively easy for me to switch between EUB/DB and electric bass as my techniques are different (124 as opposed to one finger per fret).

@BassBags I’ve ordered some strings!

That’s a shame. I was planning to visit them next month when I’m in the area with time to kill. Very friendly on the phone and I bought a number of accessories/rosin etc from them online.