Dubs Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 (edited) [url="http://www.thomasmartin.co.uk/instruments-for-sale/five-string-bass.html"]http://www.thomasmartin.co.uk/instruments-...tring-bass.html[/url] Looks interesting but I don't have a clue about double bass playing - what do you guys think? Gimmick or good idea? Edited February 28, 2009 by benwhiteuk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrkelly Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 (edited) Tom makes very good new instruments. I played one of his fives for a few months on a gig in Ireland and it was a good bass. Not sure how much he charges now but I'd imagine it's around the 14/15 grand mark. Having 5 strings is good for the low stuff but you will never need to play a low B in written music. Lowest you need is a C. I also think C extensions work far better (longer scale length, less pressure on the belly of the instrument and much less expensive stringsets) Edited February 28, 2009 by chrkelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Its certainly not just a gimmick- 5 string DBs have been around for a while. I have one of Bob Gollihur's Bulgarian 5 stringers and while its certainly not going to match the instrument you posted it was about one 7th of the price. It is more difficult to play but I dig having the extra low notes right there. Chris, do you use/prefer a fingered extension or a mechanical one? I tried a fingered C extension and it seemed rather impractical, for fast passages anyway. Not played a mechanical one though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrkelly Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 I use a fingered one with a capo on C sharp, D and E (don't know why the previous owner didn't get the D sharp one installed). They are a pain to play on but luckily there's not many fast passages written that low. I find the machined ones very difficult to get the hang of. I always shred my knuckles on them. I'd imagine with all the moving parts they'd be prone to rattling too. It's all just down to personal preference though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Bottom B on a DB is cool. End of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubs Posted March 1, 2009 Author Share Posted March 1, 2009 [quote name='owen' post='421872' date='Feb 28 2009, 06:56 PM']Bottom B on a DB is cool. End of.[/quote] Straight to the point. I'll give upright playing a go in a few years after I get to grips with a blank fingerboard fretless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mybass Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 [quote name='benwhiteuk' post='422288' date='Mar 1 2009, 11:47 AM'] Straight to the point. I'll give upright playing a go in a few years after I get to grips with a blank fingerboard fretless.[/quote] You will really get to grips with a fretless bass if you take on double bass now. Using a bow, your ear training will accelerate. The reason being that as soon as you play a bowed note that is out of tuning, you'll realise just how keen your ear has to be to play any fretless instrument in tune. The double bass will also help strengthen both hands and bass guitar playing will become more effortless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mybass Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 [quote name='benwhiteuk' post='421594' date='Feb 28 2009, 11:43 AM'][url="http://www.thomasmartin.co.uk/instruments-for-sale/five-string-bass.html"]http://www.thomasmartin.co.uk/instruments-...tring-bass.html[/url] Looks interesting but I don't have a clue about double bass playing - what do you guys think? Gimmick or good idea?[/quote] No gimmick this. 3/4/5 and 6 string double basses have been around a long long time, yes, long before the "modern" electric bass thought of going 5 and 6 string. Some DBs were also fretted, I think gut string was used. I had lessons from Thomas Martin many years ago when he was in Ealing. I think he started out in big bands in Canada, eventually playing and teaching more classical in London. A very nice person, I'm sure his basses are made with absolute in depth knowledge and care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.