philparker

I use the TC Polytune 2, works a treat on all strings, however, I've not had a problem with a cheap clip-on placed on the bridge neither, but I do prefer the Polytune, which is battery operated, especially on stage with my fretless EB as well.

I started off using Evah Pirazzi mediums, which I really liked even though the sound was a bit dark. I tried Spirocores, which were much brighter, but too scratchy when it came to Arco. I then went to Belcantos, which were superb for arco and sounded surprisingly good when played pizz.

I recently purchased a new and upgraded DB, which came with Spirocores and sounded fantastic, but I'm playing 50/50 arco and pizz. I had a set-up carried out and replaced the strings for Evah Pirazzi Weichs and I'm very pleased. for some reason they're slightly brighter than the mediums; they bow superbly and they are much softer to play pizz and also have a great sound. I've not amplified them yet (other than experimenting at home), but I can't foresee them being any different.

I would certainly recommend them.

You have a pm!

Hey, good answer! I would have done as suggested, but couldn't explain why, theoretically, so that makes sense and teaches me something as well!

Where are you based?

I am interested!

[quote name='Stuart Clayton' timestamp='1426524822' post='2718837']
Without wanting to self-promote too much, I wrote a series of books on reading music which have been very popular. You can check them out here: https://www.basslinepublishing.com/bass-essentials.html

Stuart
[/quote]

+ 3

I sight read anyway in both bass & treble clef, but it's something you have to maintain and you need a variety of music covering lots of rhythms and keys. It's also worth having a collection of music that you don't play very often to practice to, but if I was to recommend a good progressive series covering everything you need it is Stuart Claytons series, which I have on my iPad and refer to regularly.

I would add that reading music is one thing, but sight reading at tempo with other musicians is a skill that need to be worked at and maintained.

[quote name='dustandbarley' timestamp='1429188351' post='2748948']

Great ras52, and just to emphasise the poor job the editor has done; IF the yellow circled note DID NOT have the natural sign, you would have played F NATURALS for the previous red circled notes (despite the purple circled note).

Many thanks for your continued help.
[/quote]

Sorry if I'm repeating what has been agreed, but if the yellow circled note, was without the cancellation natural sign, I would have still played all the notes in that bar as F#. I use Guitar Pro 6 and even after a tied note in the same bar is sharpened or flattened, I still have to add a sharp or flat to the remaining notes in the bar - it is just poor computer programming!

I played (tried out for a couple of days) a baritone classical guitar, similar to a normal CG, but tuned a fifth lower and it had a great depth and sustain.

I was very tempted as I used to play a lot of contemporary solo pieces so it didn't matter about the tuning. However, it was too expensive to experiment when I could be putting that money towards a normal concert CG.

I think you've already made the correct decision by going to an established Luthier and going to see a recommended tutor!

[quote name='fatgoogle' timestamp='1423055517' post='2680044']


I concur. All the young bass players over here have laminate bass's but really nice bows like the Claude Marchand. You can learn on a cheap bass but its difficult to get the most out of a cheap bow.
[/quote]

Well, that's good to hear - I've just upgraded my bow, but haven't had enough time to make comment yet, it is a 20-year old Pernambuco, which would cost a £1k at today's prices (according to the historic inflation calculator!). I intend to upgrade my DB soon as well, but I also realise that my new bow is still very much at the lower end of the market and that the £3k for a Bryant is better spent towards my next DB until I can improve enough to justify spending more money still!

[quote name='chrkelly' timestamp='1422984585' post='2679167']For reference, my 'proper' bow is a 3 grand Bryant & the Finale compares favourably in all aspects other than sound (you'll never get that tone from carbon).
[/quote]

...and how would that Bryant sound on a cheap DB?

I use a Headway EDB-1 (there is a model 2 now!) to blend piezo PU and mic input, it has separate gain, equalisation, notch filter etc.

I'm surprised the Flying Shuttle is still open - it looks pretty run down these days and it's almost getting eaten up by an ever expanding shopping mall.

Good luck with he gig - I hope they advertise it properly, I will let a few of my musician friends know!

Great playing - great tone!

If you are prepared to travel (you should be for a double bass) Peter Tyler has a selection within your price range and can be contacted on [URL=https://www.musicalchairs.info/double-bass/sales]Musical Chairs[/URL] and if you can stretch to the £2 - £3k bracket, Ben Packham has a couple of very nice DBs in that category, which would cost much more from a standard dealer!

[quote]My mate didn't do so well - his rendition of House of the Rising Sun didn't strike a chord with the judges![/quote]

I thought it was it great, but maybe a wrong song choice for The Voice?

Great Audition!

I traded my car last week (after 10 years) for something more economical, having a similar dilemma and bought a Skoda Superb Estate. Probably not quite as capacious overall as the Berlingo, but deceptively long and well thought out. I can fit the 3/4 DB in the back without the neck poking through the front seats and keep the wider portion of the rear passenger seat down. It might not win you over compared to the multi space Berlingo, but is another one to consider if you prefer estate car over van concept (I can't remember the name for the category of the Berlingo/Partner/Caddy type?).

Everyone seems to be having a NDBD! Maybe I'll upgrade next year.

I did see that one in eBay and it looked interesting and for a good price as well - I'm glad to see its gone to a good home!

I have an Eminence EUB for portability/practicality reasons and with good amplification and EQ it can get somewhere between a stick EUB and DB, certainly much better than fretless-but-bigger sound. I play a fretless the majority of the time anyway, but I can get a more traditional sound and woody tone from the Eminence for songs that require it. As mentioned above, just the aesthetics of playing it adds a lot to the line-up!

Hi Greg,

Did you get sorted with CD copies? If not I can help!

Phil

Mmm...I might have to buy that album!

Congratulations - you will soon have sore fingers from not wanting to leave it alone!

It will come, just keep reading lots of simple pieces and before long you won't have to translate from one to the other, but there will always be a small bedding in period. I have played classical guitar for many years reading treble clef and sight reading at tempo, I took up double bass 2 years ago and I've probably read everyday since and now I don't have to think about it. However, when I took an exam earlier this year, I did all the singing test to treble clef, but everything else to bass.

Great lesson, Scott ,you've made it very easy to follow and understand - I can't wait for lesson 3!