TorturedSaints

I play my NS Wav three times a week with different concert bands (ease of transport, volume etc). As far as I know I have the original strings on it. It’s certainly possible to play arco, and I do, probably 75% of the time. I seem to have to use more Pops rosin than I do on the DB, but it works and doesn’t make an objectionable sound (well none of the conductors have complained yet). It’s a reasonable simulation of playing a DB, minus the vibration and the ability to move. If it’s a choice between practicing or not, then I say have a go and see what you think.

Sending you good wishes.

I had my first classical lesson on the DB today (having had 3 lessons on the EUB pre-Covid) from a young DB student from the Royal Conseratoire of Scotland. Thanks to a couple of Discover Double Bass courses, Simamdl, and hints/tips on here, she was very encouraging and said that I was definitely on the right lines. As ever, room for improvement but I’m so looking forwards to the next lesson. She played my Zeller bass, suggested that perhaps the string height was more suited to jazz rather than classical, but apart from that said it was ok. And I got to try her 150 year old bass too. It was a beast! No need to comment unless you really want to, I am just so pleased and re-energised by the whole experience. And yes, homework for this week is the “vomit” exercise 🤣🤣

Bearing in mind that retail prices in a shop or for a business have the dreaded VAT (in the UK) to account for. This complicates things for the secondhand basses in shops. And, like new cars, the value of your bass drops by 20% as soon as you drive it off the forecourt, so to speak. My rule of thumb on eBay is 50% of RRP for most things unless there’s a scarcity factor involved.

Some great transcriptions there Rob, I’ve only just discovered this thread and your website. I’m looking forward to doing battle with War of the Worlds, Tubular Bells etc. Is there any way to send you a few coffee/beer tokens in appreciation?

This thread seems to explain why I found it so difficult to find a replacement for myself! As I posted in another thread here a few weeks ago: It looks like from all the comments above that it’s a bit of a niche “ask” 😀

Glasgow Violin Shop seemed knowledgeable and helpful when I took Mrs Saints’ cello in for them to look at. Apparently my DB had come from there too, according to its previous owner - no complaints with its setup although my experience is limited. https://www.theviolinshop-glasgow.co.uk

I thought there might be some discussion about BF’s new active bass cab on here, but I couldn’t find any. I’ve seen a couple of teasers on FB and apparently there will be a playing demo by Alex released at 5pm UK time today. Basically it’s a OneTen T with added Activier amp module from the guitar cabs. It’s certainly piqued my interest, although over a thousand notes is certainly a big investment. It would save me carrying around a BB800 as well. https://barefacedaudio.com/collections/10cr-bass-cabs/products/one_10?variant=54891039490430

This is a good website. Hope you find something. https://www.amateurorchestras.org.uk/ocumbria.htm

eBay also can also use AI descriptions as well now for lazy sellers. Here’s a current description from a current eBay listing for a BF One10 : This Barefaced bass cabinet features a single speaker with a power output of 250W, making it suitable for use with bass guitars. As a cabinet amplifier, it is designed to deliver powerful and clear bass tones for musicians looking to enhance their sound. The Barefaced brand is known for producing high-quality and reliable equipment for bass players, ensuring that this cabinet will meet the needs of professional and amateur musicians alike. Complete AI b#llocks.

I’ve been trying to find my replacement for 11 months for one of the 3 concert (wind) bands I play with. Adverts on here, gumtree FB etc. Only one or two people got in touch, but never made it to rehearsal with a bass - one did turn up to listen, but didn’t want to play as he said his reading wasn’t up to it. Nobody who can read, play DB or EUB as well as electric, who can make weekly rehearsals, follow a conductor and pay £10/month subs has subsequently got in touch. However, luckily the circumstances that meant I wouldn’t be able to make rehearsals and concerts haven’t yet happened, so I’m still playing with that band! So yes, it looks like I’m irreplaceable 🤣🤣 Not actively looking for my replacement now, but never say never.

I played at a Concert Band concert recently alongside a DB player from abroad. She had forgotten her end pin stopper, so she put the end pin into one of her shoes (low heels) and played barefoot!

I will have to try harder! In rough order of purchase: Shine SB24 PJ 4 string bass, red/rosewood (sold). (Missed for nostalgic reasons) Fender Geddy Lee J bass , black/maple MIJ. (Lovely but haven’t played it in ages) Tanglewood by Overwater Elite J 4 string (Lovely, heavy but records well) Sue Ryder P 4 string white/rosewood (Cheap P, surprisingly good) Aria Pro II 5 string J black (given away) (Cheap intro to 5 strings) Lakwood fretless J lined 4 string (Lakland cheapo copy, professional de-fret) Starfire acoustic bass, 4 string (cheapo, new strings cost more than the bass did) Aria Sinsonido travel bass 4 string (Never travelled much, not a great play) ACG J type 5 string red/maple (Marvellous, main bass forever) ACG Finn 4 string black (Also marvellous, not played so much as only a 4) I don’t really like selling my toys, even the cheap ones!

Try a proper saddler (not just a retailer) or leather worker. It should be relatively easy for them to make one - they could probably reuse the hardware from your original strap. Not sure about the cost but horse riders (not me any more) get leather tack altered or custom bits made all the time.

If you play with a concert band, so much music is written in flat keys (to make it easier for the transposing instruments like trumpets/clarinets/saxes etc) that a 5 string is so much easier to play without too many shifts. In addition, when tuba parts are put in front of you, they are written going down to an low G, so a 5 string makes it easier to play tuba parts without having to spoil the flow of the tune by transposing up the octave (although technically you should as tubas play an octave higher than written). I do have a number of 4 string basses and will use them if I ever do any rock band playing again.

When I messaged you about NS Wav basses at the beginning of 2023, I said you had better budget for a DB in about a year. I was only 9 months out! 😀 I second hubrad’s suggestion to try bowing again - it’s much more rewarding on a DB than on a EUB. Good luck with your search! R.

If my original Bass Block ever fails, I’ll be looking for one of these.

I’m using my NS Wav about 3 times a week at the moment for different concert bands. Just a tip, because this happened to me last week, the nuts inside the base of the stand work loose and the stand then collapses. The easy remedy is to replace them with M6 nyloc locking nuts from a hardware store.