EdLib-3

Hi all, I have developed a deep and sharp burning pain in my forearms for the last couple of months when playing the Double Bass. Despite the fact that I am still in the beginner stage of learning the instrument, I have been told by my teacher that my left hand technique looks alright so bad technique doesn't appear to be to blame. I've never been able to practice for long periods on the DB but my hope was that building up short bursts of practice would build the necessary strength to work through and alleviate the discomfort and inflammation; this is not happening. I am not able to practice for more than 15 minutes without having to stop because of the pain. I have been stretching and using massage tools on my forearms but this problems persists and the only way it gets better is if I don't play the DB. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this and how they have got through it? Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

This is funny because I have had pretty much the opposite experience than the OP. Although I no longer own an active bass, when I did and used it for gigs where you're on a bill with other bands and you're using someone else's unfamiliar amp and cab, I always found having active electronics with the cut and boost on my bass much easier to quickly get a decent tone live when you haven't had a proper sound check beforehand. Especially when there wasn't time to properly find a good tone that cuts through, using the aforementioned unfamiliar amp. It was a Stingray bass in case you're wondering.

If you decide to go the Phosphor Bronze strings route you should definitely consider checking out a set of DR acoustic bass strings. Somewhat pricey and difficult to find but I've had a set on my Stanford acoustic bass for about 2 and a half years and after much playing they still sound bloody marvellous! These are by far the best sounding acoustic bass strings I have ever used - so well balanced and full toned. In the past I've tried Elites, D'Addario and Rotosound acoustic bass strings and these DR bad-boys are better than all of them. The quality and longevity you get for the extra money definitely pays off in my experience.

Great stuff, and I concur that is a belter of a bass tone! I'm still loving the Geddy Lee Jazz Bass I bought from you in 2017, Lewis! 👍

Many thanks! I've replied to your PM.

Thanks mate that would be most appreciated. Just got in contact with a teacher who it turns out is moving to France at the end of the month. Great times!

Thanks, but he was the first person I contacted. I left a message on his phone, sent him an email, and about a week after that sent him a text. Unfortunately I've had no responses to any of the aforementioned. Shame as he comes highly recommended.

If you mean rock 'colleges' like BIMM yes there are a couple. However I'm looking for private lessons from a Double Bass teacher , not a Bass Guitar teacher.

I'm still looking for a DB teacher. Never thought this would be so difficult. Anyone know anyone???

I'm looking for a Double Bass teacher based in Brighton for beginner / intermediate level. I've contacted two teachers who have their own websites but neither of them have returned my calls or replied to my emails, strangely. Is anyone on here a Double Bass teacher based in Brighton or could anyone recommend a good one? Any help would be gratefully received. Thanks, Ed

I sold my Stingray bass to Christophe which involved shipping it to Belgium. Throughout the whole process and all the subsequent logistics involved he was helpful and quick to respond in our correspondences. He made the sale and delivery really pleasant and free from any aggravation. Great, honest guy to deal with, I have no hesitation in recommending him to others on Basschat.

Just wanted to start a thread to raise awareness of the brilliance of Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas from the band Mutemath. In my view one of the most underrated bass players from in turn, one of the most underrated bands of the last 15 years. Are there any Mutemath fans out there? He's a hell of a electric bass player as well as being a great double bass player too; I love this guy's playing. As Mutemath jump around a lot of genres he's got the goods in a variety of styles. Here's Roy rocking the fretless:

Not sure if I'm in the minority with this but I often practice with my Jazz Bass unamplified and acoustically not just late at night but earlier in the day also. The sound of it is loud enough for me to hear unless I'm playing along to music. Your neighbour sounds like a proper nightmare but speaking as someone who lived in a flat below a guy who would regularly come home at 3am on weekday nights and weekends and drunkenly wrestle with his friends and play the most mindless house music you could ever imagine at volumes which could have made me think I was in the ground floor of a club, I would advise exercising caution. I ended up having to regularly remonstrate with this massive idiot who saw no problem in keeping his neighbours awake and refused to accept his 'music' was too loud. I subsequently harboured a deep resentment that verged on hatred for this guy, the fact that we were forced to live in such close proximity made my home life very unpleasant at times. This is a situation to be avoided at all costs. I'm not suggesting that you'd behave in such a way but I can see that the sound of practice or indeed any kind of repetitive loudish noise whilst you're trying to sleep / concentrate on work etc. can eat away at someone especially if they are somewhat unbalanced mentally. As others have said she needs to be aware that there is give and take required but if you get yourself a decent set of headphones you can shred your bass to the high heavens at any time of day without that unsettling feeling you may be antagonising your neighbour.

Very possibly. The low B on that bass was a slack, muddy sounding shocker. I can certainly see the value of the low B when you're doubling up keyboard lines and the like but 4 string basses do the job for me and I'm also trying to stay strong and reign in the bass acquisitions....

Any 5 string bass. I owned a 5 string Warwick Streamer Standard (I think that's what they were called, Warwick's budget line that came out in 2000). I was a teenager at the time and not sure what I was thinking, not to denigrate 5 string players but there was just no need for me to be playing a really slack B string in the bands I was playing in at the time. The B string didn't work for me with the passive electronics on that bass, I never really got on with the Streamer Std except for the Warwick adjustable nut - great design! It was very neck heavy and I sold it soon after. I've never played another bass with more than 4 strings since.

Favourites for me at the moment... Rock albums: At The Drive In - Relationship of Command Third Eye Blind - (self titled debut) King Crimson -Lark's Tongue in Aspic Jazz albums: Dylan Ryan Sand - Sky Bleached Jaga Jazzist - What We Must Kneebody - Anti Hero I've tried to avoid some of the ones already mentioned which are of course bloody awesome!!

I have a Stanford Robot acoustic bass which I bought used, relatively unknown brand over here but a really good acoustic bass. I really like it a lot and use it all the time for practising at home and jamming with one guitarist (which it can just about handle). Good for playing and not disturbing the neighbours. As for using acoustic bass guitars for playing live, I would have to agree with the general consensus; they just ain't cutting it. Barking Spiders you are absolutely right not to want to spend more than £500 on one. The best sounding one I have ever tried was a Martin selling for something ludicrous like £1,800. It only sounded slightly better than the one I have and wasn't really much louder. Finding a truly good acoustic bass guitar at a sensible price is very difficult. Plugged in using their onboard preamps they often sound thin, uneven and give you a lot of unwanted clackity string noise. The practical application of the ABG as a useful tool for a bass player live (and in general, to be honest) is so totally minimal that I think if you are looking for something for gigging with in an acoustic type setting, get a semi-acoustic hollow body type bass strung with flatwounds and (as others have said) a small amp. You'll get a much better sound, and actually be heard. A semi acoustic / hollow body type electric bass will also give you an acoustic looking instrument that fits in with the vibe of your fellow musician's instruments.