mickcope Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 I have just started (newbie) playing Double bass in a Bluegrass Band - using an Old 3/4 Bass - the fiddle player suggested that at lot of bluegrass players use 1/2 as they are now bowing and so don't need the size. Never having tried a half size - is there much difference in them in terms of the volume of output from the instrument? cheers Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 From what I've seen the size difference is negligible between the two? If you are happy with your existing 3/4 I'd stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 The double bass as used and understood by just about all non-classical players is 3/4 size. There are some small 3/4 around and some bigger ones, but you should never consider a 1/2 size, at least not to learn on, or as your main instrument. If somebody gifts you a 1/2 size, keep it for fun, but don't get one instead of a 3/4. The double bass is about sound, body, presence, technique, oomph and style. 3/4 gives you the size to grasp of all the above. Another good rule of thumb is to develop a facial expression which makes you look like you are listening to what the fiddler has to say, whilst in truth you are thinking about a sandwich.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickcope Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 Thanks Rabbie. Sound advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 There you go, mmmm sandwiches..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 [quote name='Rabbie' timestamp='1418937121' post='2635088'] Another good rule of thumb is to develop a facial expression which makes you look like you are listening to what the fiddler has to say, whilst in truth you are thinking about a sandwich.... [/quote]Sound advice for any type of bass player - guitar player is ripping it, your face says, "Yeah, go buddy," whilst your brain says, "Mmm, cheese and pickle." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Similarly, I see no grand reason to move from the 1/2 size I'm learning on. The actual difference is negligible. In fact, the only downside so far is the lesser availability of strings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Yep works both ways, the term half size is a bit of a red herring isn't it, unless you lined them all up I'd struggle to tell from more than twenty paces which was which. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 [quote name='mickcope' timestamp='1418926247' post='2634975'] I have just started (newbie) playing Double bass in a Bluegrass Band - using an Old 3/4 Bass - the fiddle player suggested that at lot of bluegrass players use 1/2 as they are now bowing and so don't need the size. Never having tried a half size - is there much difference in them in terms of the volume of output from the instrument? cheers Mick [/quote] Dare I suggest that your fiddle player has got his sizes mixed up? Larger 7/8 or 4/4 size basses tend to be seen in orchestral settings, 3/4 size basses are as standard in Bluegrass as anywhere else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 [quote name='Rabbie' timestamp='1418937121' post='2635088'] .......Another good rule of thumb is to develop a facial expression which makes you look like you are listening to what the fiddler has to say, whilst in truth you are thinking about a sandwich.... [/quote] Top advice, and substitute "fiddler" for guitarist / singer / drummer wherever applicable! I always thought that in the main, 3/4 was pretty much the standard size used in bluegrass as it seems to be in Jazz etc etc I tried a 1/2 size recently, for the 1st time (playing a 3/4 usually) And I found the 1/2 size wasn't quite as "small" as I expected.... I had initially thought about getting one in the future, to save my back / space in the car/ ease of lugging around But I don't think 1/2 size is that much smaller, from a practical point of view In fact, my 3/4 David Gage has a smaller body, and certainly felt a little lighter than the 1/2 size I think I's stick with your 3/4 if I were you I've also seen a shallower bodied 3/4 double bass maybe that's another option for aiding portability? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 [quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1418976050' post='2635312'] Similarly, I see no grand reason to move from the 1/2 size I'm learning on. The actual difference is negligible. In fact, the only downside so far is the lesser availability of strings... [/quote] You are totally right, don't move just now until you find out if you are going to play it seriously, there's no need just now. But when you do, you will have to go 3/4. Strings are not an "only", they are a double bass player obsession and one of the most important ingredients of finding your sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 As someone who has been on a couple of bluegrass tuition weekends (Sorefingers) and watched s load of YouTube clips of top bluegrass and old time players, I can say the 3/4 bass is absolutely the standard in that genre of music. Don't get me started on strings. I would probably own a desert island by now we're it not for my endless experimenting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Rabbie' timestamp='1419012768' post='2635760'] You are totally right, don't move just now until you find out if you are going to play it seriously, there's no need just now. But when you do, you will have to go 3/4. Strings are not an "only", they are a double bass player obsession and one of the most important ingredients of finding your sound. [/quote] I was trying to say that if I got on well with it, there's no need to change. Just because it's a 1/2 doesn't mean it's of no serious use. Strings are less easy to source, but not impossible. The smallest 3/4 and the largest 1/2 are just about the same size, so saying one *must* have this or that size is really about as useful as saying that if you're a pro electric player you *must* play a Fender. Which of course, you must! Edited December 19, 2014 by Telebass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Semantic mistake very very sorry. "Seriously" was the wrong word to use, instead I meant "long term", "professionally" whatever. i'll ask Santa for a dictionary... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowlandtrees Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I got a Kania small bodied DB to learn on a year and a half ago. The reason was lack of space and convenience. It is a very nice instrument but looking back I would do it different. I would get a 3/4 to learn and if I started gigging then the small bodied might be useful for transporting ( I imagine this may change when I get the 'one). You certainly don t get that full sound and the solid feel of the real thing. I still like he Kania a lot though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 I've had three great sounding 1/2 size basses but found the necks too skinny and being used to 41 1/2 " found I'd be playing sharp on 39" for at least couple of numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burg Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 My first DB was a 1/2 size. The main problem I found was that I had to extend the endpin a lot more to get the bass at a reasonable height. This meant that balancing the bass was much more difficult when playing stood up. I feel much more comfortable with my current 3/4 size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 [quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1418976050' post='2635312'] Similarly, I see no grand reason to move from the 1/2 size I'm learning on. The actual difference is negligible. In fact, the only downside so far is the lesser availability of strings... [/quote] I respectfully disagree. The added heft, tone and sustain from a full 3/4 bass, including both the body size and the longer mensure is the definition of supporting an ensemble. There is quite a significant difference in resonance in the added @ 5 cm of lower bout width and 5 to 8 cm of mensure. Here's the deal: true bass fundamental frequencies need more room to propagate. The player will not hear the difference standing next to the bass. But as I have demonstrated to other players who say they didn't really hear me on stage, when they would take turns and go out front of the stage or stage area a few meters, they were surprised how much bigger the bass sounded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 True. More audible out front no matter the size. And at the end of the day, my 1/2 is cheap and cheerful. But it plays fairly easily, and will do nicely for its intended purpose. Which will mean mostly amplified to a greater or lesser degree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 I use a mag pickup and a 900watt amp plus pa support, its louder than any 3/4 unamplified! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblueplanet Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 I bought a 1/2 size db to learn on ( being small) but was dissatisfied by the lack of presence and the physicality of what I imagined an upright should be. I moved it on quite swiftly and hope to find a more suitable instrument for my needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I take it all back. Rabbie was right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 Played a hslf size once. It looked stupid and felt like a toy bass. It also sounded really thin. Otherwise, it was great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 I'm glad you got an opportunity to get a 3/4. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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