Marc S

What a cr@p bass I can't believe that price tag either more like £25 - and that's pushing it EDIT: Why not add another grand, to help destitute MP's ?

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1410883411' post='2554289'] People have made them for the stagg from old drum stools and there is a proper stand available too. [/quote] Is there a "hands free" stand for it stingrayPete? I've been thinking about designing one, possibly using the base of an old cymbal stand, or mic stand and maybe an attachment, made of push-fit type plumbers fittings.... The biggest problem I can see, is how to attach some sort of plate to the body of the bass without drilling holes in it etc Maybe some sort of wrap around band? As in similar to some pickup mountings..... Generally, I'm not particularly a fan of hands free DB stands Or at least other BC'ers talked me out of them when I first ventured into this fascinating world.... But I'd like to give one a try, for expediency when doubling up live.... Any more thoughts, ideas, designs welcome as ever folks Cheers again Marc

[quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1410460454' post='2549746'] .....2. get a good teacher. Try to find a *bass* player teacher, and not just a guitar player who also teaches bass as a sideline. Bass is an instrument of its own: it has a lot of skills and techniques all its own, and it's best to find a teacher immersed in the culture and feel of bass. [/quote] Definitely this I'm sure there are guitarists out there, who also teach bass really well But a bass playing teacher has to be the better option, as someone who truly understands the instrument, rather than someone who dabbles.....

All useful info thanks guys Yes, I would imagine the Aria would be tricky to hold, without the support bracket Just a thought, but with the NS Stand I wonder whether it would be possible to make something similar, for a Stagg or an Aria I do like the hands-free stand idea Even though it's not very DB-like ... I'm just thinking about ease of swapping between an EUB and a bass guitar, and saving time & faffing about when playing live....

[quote name='TheG' timestamp='1410825527' post='2553689'] Hi Marc Ive got an NS EUB but live I only use a Double Bass. I use the NS to practice with. The NS is a solid block of wood so the way I see it is that apart from the string length, essentially it is an electric bass (sounding like a big fretless). If I were to go out gigging with an EUB (to sound like a double bass) I would buy a Yamaha Silent Bass...... Ive not tried the Aria but looking at it, it does have more of a resonant chamber than the NS? The BSX Allegro (above video) looks interesting as well as it says it has a sound post and bass bar just like a Double Bass, so again even more of a resonant chamber. Ive not tried one though. Ive got a CRT4 NS bass but as you say there are cheaper NXT basses. As far as I can tell the cheaper ones have a cheaper finish to the wood, they have cheaper internal electronics and also a cheaper stand. If I was going to buy one again I would still go for the more expensive CRT type version over the NXT versions for all these reasons. Im sure the NXTs are fine though. Another thought is that I love the minimalist look of the NS but when physically playing any EUB anything that can act as the upper bouts (both sides) of a real double bass is really really useful to playing the thing as it tends to wobble around A LOT without them..... [/quote] Hi folks, Yes, TheG - the Aria does have a resonant chamber - which is what is attracting me to this option They aren't cheap, but similar price to a new NS Thanks for the useful info on the NS basses too For me personally, I wouldn't be distracted by the dots - as discussed earlier but some useful info there re stands etc I think the BSX and Yamaha are out of my price range There are some good S/H NS basses on here from time to time Oh the quandry continues - keep the comments & thoughts coming folks .... its all useful info Cheers all Marc EDIT: Link to the Aria EUB https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=aria+swb+04+electric+double+bass&biw=1280&bih=923&tbm=isch&imgil=_i5H3-YmnbXDYM%253A%253BeJxx9m8VlfnyhM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.bassgear.co.uk%25252Fproduct%25252Faria-swb-04-upright-bass%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=_i5H3-YmnbXDYM%253A%252CeJxx9m8VlfnyhM%252C_&usg=__1t9o_V9X18JVe16Y7vUaDPUipPw%3D&ved=0CEYQyjc&ei=hxIYVN_MHIXearOwgMAB#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=PwsR5BtJEmUmwM%253A%3BgKKSPcqfjZFUkM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.guitarandampshop.co.uk%252Facatalog%252FAriaSWB04.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.guitarandampshop.co.uk%252Facatalog%252FAria_SWB-04_Upright_Bass_Guitar.html%3B154%3B420

Thanks again for that walbassist That BSX Allegro looks & sounds great Unfortunately, I won't be able to opt for one of those.... yet But would you say the aria was a good option, compared to the NS? Obviously, it's only an opinion - but it's good to hear the thoughts of as many players as possible Cheers again Marc

Thanks for that walbassist I assume the magnetic pickups on the Aria don't work with silver slaps though? I've got a set of Innovation Honey strings These have a nylon type core, but are metal wound So these should work with mag pickups, I assume? Cheers again Keep the thoughts coming folks....

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1410785188' post='2553049'] Don't encourage them. The lack of bass players means that an old fart with minimal technical ability like myself can still find places in exciting bands! [/quote]

Oddly enough, I've heard a few NS basses live and thought they were pretty good To me, they sounded better, and more DB-like than my Stagg.... Anyone have any experience of that Aria?

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1410782490' post='2552996'] I pull faces, twitch my head round jerkily and make seemingly random movements with the rest of my body. I've stopped worrying about it and just issue a disclaimer when playing with anyone new so they don't call for an ambulance. [/quote] This just about describes me too lol Actually, my Mrs says I always look "serious" when I'm playing "It's because I'm concentrating" - is my usual retort.... It's at this stage, I keep thinking she's muttering "Ah, that's why I don't usually see that face"....... Didn't realise I pulled a face too But I'm now too old to care too much

I'm not really surprised by this either But then, if 90% of kids learned the bass - there'd be too many around, wouldn't there? I wonder what the percentage has been over the years? Similar I guess.....

Sorry to hear your tutor is moving away .... and that this is happening twice! If he is good - stick with him for the moment anyway You can learn a lot in 6 months - it's all good practice anyway, I'd say.... At least you will be more likely to recognise a good tutor, or one that suits your learning by the time you need to find another one (if indeed you do need another)

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1410441530' post='2549470'] ....Didn't overly like The Garden I'll be honest- the Jose Gonzales remix was the best song on it for me. [/quote] My own thoughts exactly In fact, I liked the other 2 albums so much - I listened to the Garden quite a bit because I wanted to like it..... (if that makes sense! lol) But never grew to like it really.... Also got an album of remixes, called "AnotherLateNight" - but not so much into that either.... So I didn't venture to getting "Yeah Ghost" Still love "When It Falls" and "Simple Things" though Following this thread, I listened to Simple Things again recently What a great album

Hi there, Until recently, I had a Stagg EUB, and it was fine It was a great introduction to the world of DB playing, and I'm glad I took that route. To anyone thinking of trying out a double bass, I'd recommend one Anyhow, I wanted to upgrade to an NS design EUB and recently found there are also several options here What with different models like the NXT and so on But I've also become interested in the Aria SWB Just wondering how it compares with the NS design? The aria looks like it should have more resonant qualities, and therefore, hopefully sound a bit more like an acoustic DB? Especially the later model with the 2 pickups.... What I'm interested in, are the thoughts of you good BC'ers How do they stack up, in terms of sound, and in terms of build quality? The NS design EUB's are very well thought of by many, but what about the Aria's? Also - what about the differences in the NS Design basses? Are the Eastern European built examples that much better than the cheaper range? Cheers all Marc

er....... different Don't think I'll be rushing out to buy one

You're welcome matey One piece of advice that's often mentioned on here is "lock into that bass drum" - so I'm sure that won't take you long I've worked with some really great drummers, and 2 in particular who just seem to produce wonderful drumming, where I can tell exactly where I am in the song - I can almost switch off, and know from the drumming if I've miss counted, or let my mind wander too much (easily done for me!) I'm sure that other band members haven't noticed these touches [quote name='BigDrum&Bass' timestamp='1410393753' post='2549096'] And oh my god Coilte, 'safe hand technique' What have i got myself into? How dangerous can playing the bass be?! haha [/quote] One of the drummers I play with often loses a drum stick, mid-song and it comes flying in my direction - it can be very dangerous Cheers again, and let us know how you're getting on

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1410391850' post='2549077'] I have a Trace Elliot head you can borrow, but if I was stuck I would head down to my local rehearsal studion and see if I could borrow one for the gig. As Dad says, not a decision you should rush into. [/quote] I'm pretty sure one of my local rehearsal studios would be willing to help, or hire out an amp. Good suggestion

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1410015187' post='2545427'] Brilliant, I haven't been to one before! I can bring my double bass if needed - a nice old Meinal plywood thing set up for rockabilly - good fun. Got a Squier VM Precision 5 string which has had a Fender/Bareknuckle pickup upgrade. It's probably my favourite bass that I've owned and it's the cheapest! I can bring my Zoom B3 too. Looking forward to it! [/quote] Great miles'tone - I was the only one who brought a DB last time So would be nice to meet other local DB players Hmmm, can't decide what to bring this time though Perhaps my nice New TC Electronics BG250-208 ? My lovely new Squier CV 60's P bass? I'll probably see what's best on the day... Oh, and if it hasn't sold by then, I could bring my lovely Boosey & Hawkes DB .... if anyone wants to try it....

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1410305187' post='2548121'] A lot of players prefer the 2-band because it's easier to dial in a scooped sound, which to be fair is the sound the Stingray is best known for. I think the 3-band EQ is more useful on fretless models. I've only had a 3-band Stingray and I just didn't get on with it physically, so the sound would have had to be irreplaceably amazing to make me hang on to it, which it wasn't. [/quote] I played a 3 EQ model once, It was someone else's, and at an open-mic night (very kind of the bassist it was too) But I struggled to get the sound I wanted. The owner had a fiddle with the amp settings and seemed to think it was fine However, my EB MM is a 2 EQ, and I get the sounds I want from it without any fiddling / hassle Of course, my amps and cabs are very different from his But I find the sound I want quickly on my 2 EQ As far as build and component quality is concerned - there doesn't seem to be anything between the two