BassBus

Phew! I thought something had happened to Jimmy Nail. Glad he's alright.

[quote name='slobluesine' post='1076252' date='Jan 3 2011, 01:21 PM']yep, Dave Margen, check this.... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp7w6x1Fe7Y"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp7w6x1Fe7Y[/url][/quote] But that's not a fretless bass he's playing.

[quote name='steve-soar' post='1075716' date='Jan 2 2011, 08:58 PM']That's a bit harsh.[/quote] Oh no it isn't!

People often mock the fact we only play one note at a time but that kind of playing just sets that rhythm so well. While everyone else stays at the same pace you are able to speed things up and slow them down just by playing two or four notes to the bar. Love it.

Have you had any lessons on double bass? From what you are saying I'd say go straight to DB. When I started playing DB the trumpet player in the jazz band I play in said I'd never be short of work with a DB. Didn't believe him at the time but that has proven to be the case. The action on a DB can be altered to your taste by a good luthier who understands them. The first DB I had was pretty well unplayable until the action was lowered. My current DB was set up for jazz playing and is very comfortable. Perhaps hire a DB and get some proper lessons. It might be that some good technique would help you bond with the instrument. They have a wonderful sound even if they are a pox to cart around.

They only recommend that placement as the strings move least there. Bridge saddles would be best for that reason as well. You could put the pickup anywhere on the body you choose but at the risk of more latency.

There is always this alternative that one Streamline player has used. Puting the hex pickup between the two mags. Oh, and Status fretless basses are wonderful.

As has been said already electric uprights are completely different beasts to bass guitars. I never understand why players use the pizz/mag pup tones on EUBs. Might as well stick with a BG. All NS basses come with a stand. NXTs have a lower spec tripod. CRs have a decent heavy duty tripod which is much better. NS basses have the scale length of a double bass which will take a bit of getting used to. A lot of players have changed the stock strings for proper orchestral DB strings which give a much darker, warmer sound. I'd say persevere and try some proper DB technique and you'll get the most out of an EUB.

Two of my favourites. Neither of them particularly known for their fretless playing.

That's a fine looking bass you have there, Chuck. Can I be nosey and ask how much you paid for it?

[quote name='bartelby' post='1066006' date='Dec 21 2010, 06:37 PM']Any recommendation for DB strings?[/quote] There are endless choices for DB strings and none of them particularly cheap. A lot of players have been using Pirastro Obligato strings. These have a synthetic core so give a much darker tone. I use Thomastic Belcantos on my CR4M which are an orchestral string. Again a much darked, warmer tone. Inovation strings are a cheaper option. Some guys have been using Inovation Honeys to good effect. Overall you are probably best to go for an orchestral string as that will darken the tone. One word of warning though. Most 3/4 DB strings will fit but some don't, too short, eg. TI Spirocore. Check the length between the silks at each end. I wasn't getting on with the stock strings at all but the Belcantos are just great. [quote name='pantherairsoft' post='1071200' date='Dec 28 2010, 07:35 PM']Top man. Cheers. Definitely seems worth the extra. Given the relatively small price gap I imagine the NXT sells a fair amount more than the WAV. £200 for an end pin! Ouch.[/quote] The WAV isn't made anymore. They were having a lot of quality problems with them so production has moved. The NXT is esentially the same bass as the WAV though.

Once you have your instrument have a look at [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Todd-Phillips-Essential-Techniques-Acoustic/dp/B00024OR4Y/ref=sr_1_3?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1292918008&sr=1-3"]Todd Phillips - Essential Techniques For Acoustic Bass [/url] which is really useful for building good technique. Easy to follow too. If you are really serious about double bass have a look at [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Method-Double-Bass-Book/dp/0825801524/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292918233&sr=8-1"]Simandl[/url] which is the industry standard double bass technique book. NS basses are great basses and with proper DB strings they sound even better. To my ear anyway.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1058596' date='Dec 14 2010, 02:56 PM']....doom. doom, doom, doom, doom, doom.............[/quote] I recognise that tune...

Yeh, I think it all comes down to sound preferences to. I have tried flats, halfwound and rounds on fretless. I don't like the sound flats produce on a wooden board but I use them on my Status S2 fretless and get a lovely tone. Spose it's the hard phenolic board. I use halfwounds on wooden boarded fretless and that just opens up the tone for me. I have TI Jazz Flats on my Spectorcore which sound great. I think they lean more towards the sound of a halfwound/groundwound string though. Just don't get on with rounds on fretless, too much finger noise for me.

I'll join in the party. Here is my TRB6II bought used some years ago in as new condition.

cocco, with a T-bass you'll have had a taste of what the Toy Factory can produce. Hope she comes your way soon.

Good to see you back Rich. Was beginning to wonder if all was OK.

Interesting point, Jennifer. I remember seeing John Patitucci playing with Tommy Smith's all star band some years ago. He sat for the entire performance and, as usual, played briliantly.