Advice on going wooden

[lownote]

Hi
I am currently a bass guitarist and am double bass curious. I've looked at several posts on here and they're really helpful answering some of my main queries. But any other input would be great:

Which is the best cheap beginner model that isn't too rubbish?
How much should I pay?
What should I look out for?
Are EUBs the way to go, and same questions as above again?

Thanks

Edited September 22, 2013 by lownote12

[Rabbie]

Hi, good on you for wanting to give DB a try. Compared to bass guitar, DB is a parallel universe. It will require a completely different technique, a sharpened ear for playing in tune and a lot of physicality. Having said that, once the bug bites you, you'll be hooked!
Providing you are near a city, I would suggest hiring a school model out for a month or two, search YouTube for a tiny bit of beginner's technique. Listen to a lot of music which features double bass, so you hear how it should sound.
Having done that you will be able to have a sound in your head and go into a shop to try what they have. In England there are a couple of great specialist shops. Scotland's not so lucky. The shop will give you an idea of quality v budget.
What music do you want to play: if you would like to bow classical music, you will need a carved or hybrid bass. For gigging circuits, a plywood would be plenty. Either way, with less than a grand you will get a bad bass, unless you find an old player in your town who wants to get rid of his. Whatever bass you get, factor in a trip to your local luthier to set it up to your specification: in DB this will make all the difference.
EUBs have their place in some live settings, but they are nothing like the real thing.
You are likely to get lots of great advice in this forum, so I wouldn't jump to any rush decision until you weigh up what the guys here suggest. Best of luck!

[philparker]

I was in a similar position to you just over 12 months ago and posted on this very forum asking for advice. should I go for a DB or EUB? Although I live in the south of England I mainly gig in the NW visiting relatives and friends so an EUB would make more sense. However, the best bit of advice I was given was "what is the sound you are looking for?" I took my time and thought long and hard about it. I looked at and bid (and was out-bid) on a few DBs before I finally found a fully carved DB for a very good price, albeit over my original target of £1k (but well worth it!). I still needed new strings and a professional set-up and have since spent a fortune on DB related stuff and music etc.

I have since seen lots of other suitable DBs in the last 12 months since buying mine, not any better, but I now think I would know what I'm looking for. The first question for you is - what would be using it for? What sound do you want? For jazz/folk/pop etc. and gigging amplified, you could get a ply bass with a pick up that has already been properly set up for £500 - £1k that would be very good for purpose. They crop up in the For Sale section quite often.

EUBs are of course much more convenient for gigging and a few regulars on this forum have started on EUB, but soon got the taste for the upright world and also bought a DB. I also bought an EUB for convenience would prefer to gig with the DB if I could, I always practice on the DB.

I also started with lessons straight away, so as not to develop any bad habits, and I still have fortnightly lessons now and will continue to do so until I get to a level I recognize. I will probably take occasional lessons after that for gradual improvement.

There are a few questions you have to ask yourself before deciding which DB or EUB to buy, but you can get one for up to £1k and I would look for one that has already been set up and maybe even has a pick up if you intend to gig. Personally, I would buy second hand and be prepared to travel to buy - as opposed to getting a cheaper new DB; you will get more for your money.

[geoffbassist]

I think Phil and Rabbie's posts are spot on. The problem is that EUB's and DB are both great, but very different in terms of feel and sound.

The main thing is to get an instrument set up properly and get a few lessons to start out on the right track. EUB or DB is a personal decision, but for me I just love the acoustic sound/feel so that would be my preference. I have a student with a plywood bass that is set up really well and it sounds amazing. He got it for £400 and its good enough to play on gigs, recording etc.. It does take a bit of luck as there are plenty of rubbish basses out there, but its amazing what a new set of strings and a proper set up will do.

My best tip would be to find a teacher locally and ask if they know of any instruments for sale. Perhaps have a taster lesson and use their bass to get started. It would give you a much better idea of if you like it.

[fatback]

[quote name='geoffbassist' timestamp='1379844582' post='2217246']

My best tip would be to find a teacher locally and ask if they know of any instruments for sale. Perhaps have a taster lesson and use their bass to get started. It would give you a much better idea of if you like it.
[/quote]

+1 This. And ask him or her who their luthier is - they too might know of a bass.

I had a lesson before I'd ever laid a hand on a db, and it was great. You get your basic technique pointed in the right direction, get a feel for the instrument and get to ask a bunch of general questions.

You should be able to get sorted with a ply or even hybrid bass (including a couple of hundred for setup) for £1000 without much problem. But you might need to be patient if you buy second hand.

If you want to buy new from Gedo or Thomann, lots of threads on here from folk who've done that.

Go for it. You'll wish you'd done it years earlier.

[stingrayPete1977]

After weighing up all the pros and cons I went for a new Gedo bass, I love it! I have been playing bass long enough to know what I am buying when having a test drive but even after 6 months with my gedo I'd be hard pushed to know a good db from a bad one or know where to look for faults etc, the gedo gave me a warranty and a bass that the general opinion is that they are decent from the factory and should be even better if and when I decide to have a luthier check and adjust it. I went for a mid range half carved bass then added spirocore strings and an adjustable bridge which they did with no fuss.

Go for it

[sarah thomas]

I too had a couple of lessons with a tutor before buying. Not only did I get to realise I had to have an upright of my own, get advice on posture and all that, but my tutor came with me to give potential basses the once over. It's well worth it.

[henry norton]

+1 on all the above [b][u]But[/u][/b] I would suggest even a cheapo double bass with a decent setup and decent strings will give you a good inroad into uprights. It won't have the rich, warm sound of a nice carved top but it'll still sound like a DB. You can cut your teeth on it then sell it on without losing much if any money. If you're into Double Basses then buy a Double Bass. An EUB is as far from a DB as, say a classical guitar is from a Stratocaster going into a master volume Marshall. I'd visit a couple of DB specialists and have a go on a few for a start.