EliasMooseblaster Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 After a couple of years of playing fretless bass, I'm starting to consider the moving towards upright. The question I'm currently weighing up is: do I look for a cheap DB to begin with, or an EUB? I'm sure everybody has their own preferences, but I'm leaning towards EUB given my present circumstances: Reasons for an EUB: Takes up less space / easier to transport Easier to practise (mainly restricted to evenings whilst trying not to wake a sleeping baby) Any use in a band setting is likely to need amplification either way (at least judging by my current band) Maybe a safer bet price-wise (i.e., I think I can get a half-decent EUB for less money than a half-decent DB)? Reasons against: Won't feel the same as "the real thing" May have to dodge the minefield of EUBs which are actually just "perpendicular bass guitars" May receive disapproving tuts if I feel brave enough to bring it along to a Jazz jam night Am I completely barking up the wrong tree? Are there any other massively important pros or cons I've missed? I'm eyeing up one of those Stagg 3/4-size EUBs for context. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 A Stagg sounds perfect to me for what you want, I still think the Stagg is good if you want to move onto an acoustic upright later as the neck is fairly deep and the finger board arched, a fretless bass on it's end it ain't! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 I started off with an EUB (Aria SWB followed by an Eminence) as I lived in a small flat on the third floor and most of my gigs were local so I could walk/bus it. I think it took just over a year for proper hard-core double bass GAS to establish itself and now I have three of the buggers. With the benefit of hindsight, I would have been better off just going straight to double bass, but I suppose I had to play EUB for a year to realise that I really wanted to play a double bass. One benefit of an EUB is that they're easier to set up/change strings/tweak than a double bass, so you can easily alter the feel of the bass as your playing progresses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razze06 Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 (edited) As much as I agree with StingrayPete, I think you'll soon find yourself longing for the sound and feel of a wooden DB... There are some reasonable quality starter DBs on the for sale section, for very reasonable prices! Having said that, I still use an EUB for small venues, and for when I can't take the DB with me... Edited January 4, 2018 by razze06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 I reckon a NS Design WAV4 (or WAV5) will arrive this year at some point. I just don't have the space for a DB and our house is pretty big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staggering on Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 I'd go with EUB to start with for all the reasons in your post.In addition I would add that they are easier to haul around and less fragile in terms of temperature and humidity which can be problems with a DB.I would love a DB but with the climate we have in Canada I will stick with my EUB for convenience and portability.I started with a Stagg and moved on to a Yamaha SLB200 that I love.I use it on all my gigs and although it isn't a DB it sounds great in my jazz quartet and septet and I have learned to ignore the few bass snobs who tut-tut about it not being a "real bass" and like to hear the good comments and questions about the EUB.I rarely use my amp at gigs,I just go straight into the PA.As said above the EUB is great for small stages. Whether you go for the DB or EUB you will have a lot of fun and will find it a new challenge and a whole new world of bass playing.Go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Ralph, welcome to the upright GAS club. I'd say start with a EUB (I agree with Pete's suggestion) while you have a small child, then realise you've fallen head over heels in love with the long scale, and get a DB - space at home permitting. Until a few months ago we had a righty upright and a righty DB, plus my two lefty uprights. We only got rid of the righty EUB because Jack fell in love with the Takamine TB10 (which is a fretless bass guitar!) and uses it for the EUB gigs. The DB is staying put! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyd Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 This is just based on my personal experience and I'm in no way disparaging EUBs, but unless you absolutely don't have the space, I'd go straight for a DB. EUBs definitely have their place and you might get one at a later date if you need the portability, but the satisfaction of getting a sound out of a big acoustic instrument is hard to beat. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Make your decision based on actually playing at least a couple of examples of both type of instruments. Make sure that the acoustic double basses you try have been set up by someone who knows what they are doing - go visit a DB specialist luthier like Laurence Dixon not a general strings dealer whose primary business is violins. The only EUBs that come close to the real thing in terms of sound and physical landmarks are expensive, and there are a number of quite spendy products that don't don't really sound like a proper DB either - you really need to make your own decision on this, as I've met people who are quite happy with their choice of EUB, but my own reaction upon hearing/playing them was "yuck" - it doesn't matter if your taste coincides with mine, as you will have to live with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosscoebones Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 (edited) go with what feels right for you...........however nothing will compare to a proper doublebass............... :-) is it just about the sound? or the experience, the feeling, the adventure the whole damn hog :-).....eub just a half way house.....(runs and hides maybe?) Edited January 4, 2018 by rosscoebones added bits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 (edited) I picked up a Stagg 3/4 about 10 months ago; I think it's a great (and relatively inexpensive) intro to upright. I play in a 50s / 60s band and am aiming to do a full (one hour) set on the EUB before this year end is out (probably my main musical goal for 2018!) but maybe leave some of the trickier / faster Jamerson / Kaye bass lines to a normal 4 sting bass for now in set 2 But it is sooo much fun, and I'm not yet suffering from that longing that razze06 referred to for a wooden DB...to be fair the ability to transport a wooden DB is a non starter for me (not least as I have the band's PA to cart to gigs as well). I was tempted to upgrade to a NS Design EUB, which are lovely, but some really useful insights from the folks on this thread about it being on a stand and lacking the physicality / connection of an upright, have stayed my hand and helped my bank balance. Also if you're getting a Stagg - as I've just discovered - make sure to put some dampening material between the bridge and tailpiece. (Still waiting for @stingrayPete1977's promised pics ) - it stops a harmonic after-hum. Edited January 4, 2018 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Oopps later I promise,lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 3 hours ago, razze06 said: As much as I agree with StingrayPete, I think you'll soon find yourself longing for the sound and feel of a wooden DB... There are some reasonable quality starter DBs on the for sale section, for very reasonable prices! Having said that, I still use an EUB for small venues, and for when I can't take the DB with me... I agree with you, I lasted six months before ordering a DB after getting my Stagg! I think the clumsy Stagg neck is a good introduction to the awkward real thing if you go that way later. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 For example! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 5 hours ago, NancyJohnson said: I just don't have the space for a DB and our house is pretty big. I thougt that too, but It's amazing how little space they take up. Who needs a TV or book cases anyway? 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 I'd say to go straight for the double bass if at all possible. An EUB can be a useful thing to have around but there's a lot about tone production and physical approach that it won't help you to develop. I played EUB for a couple of years before I owned a double bass, and with hindsight I regretted doing it that way around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Real. it’s the body, the sound, the feel....the sweat, the pain, the expense, the awkwardness, the difficulty....but oh the sheer joy! 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 (edited) Haha. It's clear that all 'real' upright players are going to vote for the real thing...I'm definitely going to be out voted here, but I'm sticking to my guns in saying that an EUB is a great (= convenient, not overly expensive) place to start for a 'real' electric bass player Edited January 4, 2018 by Al Krow 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJ Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Get both :). I have two dbs and an eub and all of them play a different roll. It’s a bit extravagant but with the deals that are out there now, you could try either and, if you don’t like it, move them on for not much of a loss, especially if you buy second hand. And all you really need for db is cool dry corner. Eubs will fit under a bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 I enjoy both, nailing something on the DB is great but I'd probably not play live 'upright' as often without the EUB, some gigs I just can't fit the big bass on the stage area, one regular gig doesn't have enough height! Lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 I also enjoy both. Obviously, the sound, the feel and the sheer joy of owning & playing a true acoustic DB is something else But the portability and ability to practice in near silence shouldn't be under estimated... I too started my upright journey with a Stagg EUB. It certainly gave me an introduction into the world of upright bass, and it made me want to then go out & buy "the real thing" It also gave me some good background info and some essential experience & knowledge about how to choose my first acoustic upright - signs and features to look for. So buying an EUB has benefits for when you want to start spending more too.... and you will want to spend more, I guarantee you Although I didn't keep the Stagg too long, I got back what I paid for it (another advantage of buying a used one!) and although I then bought an acoustic upright... ... I found I needed another EUB, for those open mics, jams & folk club nights or just whenever taking a full sized full bodied DB wasn't practical... Again, my experiences with the Stagg had helped me choose a better EUB second time around.... Nowadays, although I don't play as much upright as I had anticipated (projects keep collapsing, sigh!) I'd still rather keep my options open and have both. There are times when I can only practice late at night, and there are times when I just love the tones my acoustic upright produces, or there are occasions I'm asked to bring my acoustic to a jam..... Try the Stagg in the first instance - if you buy second-hand, you'll get your money back, or, there are websites detailing upgrades you can make to the Stagg to improve it... Alternatively, if you really want to spend some more money, buy something more expensive - but you still find you hunger for an acoustic upright! And I'm sure you'll still find space for your EUB Good luck with your search, and on this new, exciting journey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 (edited) Me again! Just another thought... I've not tried one of these myself, but I've heard other upright players talk quite highly of them But a folding upright could be another option - mind you, it won't be as quiet for those late night baby-waking practice sessions .... more portable than a full size DB though, and a fairly affordable option I think? EDIT: I don't know Muzomatt, but he's on this forum, he's sold /selling a few items, and seems a decent sort Edited January 5, 2018 by Marc S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 (edited) I think it also depends what you want to do with it. I was playing a few latin-ish gigs with my old double bass and a loud drummer so would turn up to various venues and have nightmares trying to get gain before feedback on my pickup to get a decent sound through my amp. My NS Design NXT EUB solved all of those problems, but you have to put up with your band mates whingeing that it doesn't "fit the image". I don't get the moans about the stand though, I tilt/rock mine back and forward on the legs as I'm playing and it also means you're not trying to find enough floor space to lie a big wooden ship down between sets. Edited January 5, 2018 by Huge Hands 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 But laying it down also gives you somewhere to sit while you're resting between sets ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 14 minutes ago, Happy Jack said: But laying it down also gives you somewhere to sit while you're resting between sets ... You haven't met me and my rather bulky stature HJ - the aforementioned instrument would be reduced to matchwood if I sat on it..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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