Bafflegab Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 Hey folks I feel like getting into playing bluegrass, as I’ve always been a lover of it, just haven’t got around to trying it out really. Obviously an upright bass would be ideal but since I’m a short chap at 5’ 5” it might be a bit big. Would a 1/2 or 3/4 EUB fit the bill for that sort of music? I’d love to try an upright to be honest, it looks like a load of fun, and more authentic for bluegrass stuff. Alternatively is there anything like the kala u-bass but 30” scale out there? My two bass guitars are 30” (short scale basses for a short scale man,) plus I’m easily confused in my old age and don’t fancy switching between scales too much on similar feeling instruments. I guess could stick flats on one of my current bass guitars - would that get me close enough to the right tones? But then that’s not as fun as new stuff... 🤣 What do you lot think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 (edited) Any bass with the right EQ will be fine, but that's not what you want to hear. 🙂 A 3/4 doublebass will fit you fine, I'm 6' and have the endpin out about 8 to 10" at a guess so mine with the endpin in more would be fine. An EUB would be OK but I've heard the bluegrass gang can be sticklers for tradition and beat you to death with a mandolin for turning up with an EUB, an F style mandolin that is, the same punishment is dished out for turning up with an A style mandolin. Seriously though a doublebass, EUB or good old Precision with flats (other basses with flats are available) will be suitable. Your size is no reason not play any of these and the scale length difference doesn't seem make much difference to me, I'll work out songs at home on a fretted P bass to play at rehearsal on 3/4 upright, as soon as you're playing one instrument or the other, you automatically adapt without thinking. The choice is yours but my favourite bit of advice given to me applies here I think; "If you want something, you'll find a way. If you don't want it, you'll find an excuse." Best of luck with your decision. 👍 Edited September 28, 2019 by Maude 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 2 hours ago, Bafflegab said: an upright bass would be ideal ... I’d love to try an upright to be honest You only live once. Get an upright 😀 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len_derby Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 (edited) You're very welcome to come and have a go on my EUB. You haven't said where your're from. Surely nowhere is that embarrassing? I'm prepared to admit I live in Derby 😀 Edited September 29, 2019 by Len_derby Spelin 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave moffat Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Electro U-bass would go well, Kala, Pono......small rooms /practice go acoustic, or plug it in, fire it through pedals.....😀 I've got a fretlss Excelsior (made in Hampshire) sweet to play and sounds great through an amp. Good strings are a real pain to find, Aquila Blacks are the best I've found so far but give them a good dust with baby talc before fitting and they start to improve with age. Think it must be something to do with the compound or the extrusion process but Ubass 'E' strings tend to really bloody suck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 If you can sit down at gigs, these are a lot of fun (and loud acoustically too) https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Ozark-Resonator-Guitar-Nickel-Plate-Brass-Engraved/ZSG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 The Taylor GS Mini-e Bass. I had one of these, sounds like the perfect solution to your needs... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 (edited) 10 hours ago, Bafflegab said: Hey folks I feel like getting into playing bluegrass, as I’ve always been a lover of it, just haven’t got around to trying it out really. Obviously an upright bass would be ideal but since I’m a short chap at 5’ 5” it might be a bit big. Would a 1/2 or 3/4 EUB fit the bill for that sort of music? I’d love to try an upright to be honest, it looks like a load of fun, and more authentic for bluegrass stuff. Alternatively is there anything like the kala u-bass but 30” scale out there? My two bass guitars are 30” (short scale basses for a short scale man,) plus I’m easily confused in my old age and don’t fancy switching between scales too much on similar feeling instruments. I guess could stick flats on one of my current bass guitars - would that get me close enough to the right tones? But then that’s not as fun as new stuff... 🤣 What do you lot think? I've seen one of these played live through an amp and it sounded good. Looks the part too. Edited September 29, 2019 by gjones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petebassist Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 I've heard too about the traditionalists who'll only listen to BG played on an acoustic double bass, but then I've looked on Talkbass and seen guys playing an NS Design EUB at country music awards and stuff, so it can't be that bad, maybe that was Nu-Grass?. If you really want to get into upright then an acoustic DB is the way to go, but if you haven't played one before you'd need to invest in some time to adapt your technique. As to instruments, as long as you get a usable sound I'd play whatever instrument you like, and if other people don't like it that's their problem. Get some flat wound strings such as La Bella Deep Talkin Bass strings & avoid rounds 😉 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 I'm 5' 5" and have no problem playing double bass and my bass is a big 3/4 size. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 A palm-muted P with flats will sound great. Anything other than an upright is basically sacrilege, so there's no point bothering with an acoustic bass 'cos it won't get you any additional credibility points and won't give you any tonal advantage. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Couple of basses in this thread that may be of interest, if only visually! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Find one of these (Morgan Monroe F bass) - think they were only out in America? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Haha. Noticed that’s posted on the lumineers thread 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckyincarnate Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 I also want to chime in and say that your height is no barrier to playing a double bass. I am 5’6” and do just fine with the endpin out about 6”. I have known two bass players of no taller than 5’ who played the living snot out of regular 3/4 sized double basses, so you’ll be grand. If you do go that route, do your research on the DB side, as a lot more is involved in buying an instrument, and learning to play it. Don’t think of it as a bass - you’re learning a new family of instrument, with its own pitfalls and challenges. But it’s also incredibly fun and rewarding. Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy109 Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Definitely give a 3/4 DB a go. There’s no alternative if you want to play authentic Bluegrass IMO. I made a fairly easy transition from DB to bass guitar so going the other way way will be fine. Have fun if you get one and DB Bluegrass is a blast. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bafflegab Posted September 29, 2019 Author Share Posted September 29, 2019 15 hours ago, Len_derby said: You're very welcome to come and have a go on my EUB. You haven't said where your're from. Surely nowhere is that embarrassing? I'm prepared to admit I live in Derby 😀 Haha! I just forgot to update it. I’m near Gloucester very kind offer, thanks! If I was nearer I’d definitely take you up on it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bafflegab Posted September 30, 2019 Author Share Posted September 30, 2019 Thanks for the input everyone! Definitely some stuff to consider. I think I'm gonna try and save for a 3/4 DB or EUB and see how I get on, and learn some bluegrass stuff on my EB in the meantime 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 On 28/09/2019 at 22:39, Bafflegab said: Hey folks I feel like getting into playing bluegrass, as I’ve always been a lover of it, just haven’t got around to trying it out really. Obviously an upright bass would be ideal but since I’m a short chap at 5’ 5” it might be a bit big. Would a 1/2 or 3/4 EUB fit the bill for that sort of music? I’d love to try an upright to be honest, it looks like a load of fun, and more authentic for bluegrass stuff. Alternatively is there anything like the kala u-bass but 30” scale out there? My two bass guitars are 30” (short scale basses for a short scale man,) plus I’m easily confused in my old age and don’t fancy switching between scales too much on similar feeling instruments. I guess could stick flats on one of my current bass guitars - would that get me close enough to the right tones? But then that’s not as fun as new stuff... 🤣 What do you lot think? You could make something like this: He makes acoustic basses (can be 'electrified' of course) out of standard bass necks and bass drums. They sound pretty good and they're actually easy to play. You can find more on his facebook page. Search for "Kickass Bass" on facebook. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 (edited) @dave moffat Not sure what you find confusing... so here's a bit more, just in case: http://www.kickassbass.co.uk/ edited to add the obligatory smiley, just in case! Edited October 3, 2019 by mcnach 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 On the height issue, I'm just short of 5'11" and always played my DB with the end-pin out about 6" (bringing the nut in line with my eyebrows) until I joined a rockabilly band. Now I keep the end-pin all the way in and the bass is little more than resting on the ground. It took surprisingly little adjustment in my playing position to get used to it, and the DB is actually far more stable with the centre of gravity lowered in that way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 On 29/09/2019 at 22:32, Bafflegab said: Haha! I just forgot to update it. I’m near Gloucester very kind offer, thanks! If I was nearer I’d definitely take you up on it I'm just down the M5 in Bristol if you'd like to try a double bass or an EUB. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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