New bass day…and a massive leap

[jonnybass]

So this year I hit the half century and although I have played electric bass for 36 years. I have never really played upright…my fiancé and I decided this year should be the time.
 

So I made my way to the junkyard bought this beauty of a 4/4 Zeller from @Happy Jack as well as spending a delightful couple of hours hearing great stories and learning the first fledgling steps of upright bass playing. 

 

it’s been great so far, totally different instrument with its own feel and approach and I love it. So glad I’ve finally started this journey.

 

jonny

[Happy Jack]

I should prolly point out that "the junkyard" is my home studio/rehearsal space ... The Final Junkyard. 

[jonnybass]

That was it, the final junkyard!! Thanks again Jack, I have been really enjoying starting this journey.

 

Jonny

[MacDaddy]

I've had a pluck on that. Surprisingly playable, full size db's are not as scary as they appear! 😆

[jonnybass]

It is a sizable but very playable thing indeed. I am absolutely loving the sound i can (almost) get from it.

 

Jonny

[JPJ]

She’s a beautiful looking thing and I was tempted myself but I was put off by the manly 4/4 dimensions 😂

Good luck on your journey with db, a journey I hope to join you on soon. 

[jonnybass]

I must say i was a bit scared of the dimensions until I actually saw and played it.  Very pleased with it and Jack was an absolute legend in terms of spending time with me teaching me how to use it.

 

Jonny

[Burns-bass]

Great purchase.

 

Too many DB starters struggle with awful instruments (I’m talking from experience). Having a well set up bass makes a huge difference.

 

Welcome to the club. Given how in demand db players are you’ll probably be gigging in a few weeks…

[jonnybass]

Thanks Burns-bass, i did allot of reading and research before i jumped in.  The biggest bits of advice were get a second hand bass from someone who plays and get at least one lesson to start you off.  Happy Jack was able to supply both.  I will probably look for more lessons but not had much luck getting responses so far.

 

Cant wait to gig...may have one in the pipeline already...it took two days of telling people I had it

 

 

Jonny

[Burns-bass]

3 hours ago, jonnybass said:

Thanks Burns-bass, i did allot of reading and research before i jumped in.  The biggest bits of advice were get a second hand bass from someone who plays and get at least one lesson to start you off.  Happy Jack was able to supply both.  I will probably look for more lessons but not had much luck getting responses so far.

 

Cant wait to gig...may have one in the pipeline already...it took two days of telling people I had it

 

 

Jonny

All excellent advice.

 

The “Discover Double Bass” intro lessons are truly fantastic. 

[jonnybass]

I’ve been watching those. Very useful, great resource 

[hubrad]

My first dB was a 3/4 Zeller, excellent bit of kit which kept me going for the first few years til it became with upgrading. 

Enjoy the ride! 👍

[Burns-bass]

I’m gigging 5 times a month with a 2000 Musima double bass.

 

Its cheap and cheerful and sounds good.

 

I’d dearly love a vintage bass but it’s not necessary at the moment. 

[PaulKing]

Welcome on board Jonny! A fine bass there...

[Marc S]

Good to hear you've made the decision to get an upright. It is an entirely different animal compared to bass guitar - so you've made a good start by watching some Discover DB lessons.

 

Best of luck with your exciting new journey, and welcome to the wonderful world of upright bass.  😀😃

[Rosie C]

Congratulations and good luck with the adventures it will take you on!

 

[NickA]

On 30/10/2024 at 19:21, Burns-bass said:

Too many DB starters struggle with awful instruments

Always a balance between the best bass you can afford and the endless worry of hurting it, and the bass you don't mind breaking and the pain of having to play it 😁.

 

The solution of course is more than one bass!

[MacDaddy]

15 minutes ago, NickA said:

Always a balance between the best bass you can afford and the endless worry of hurting it, and the bass you don't mind breaking and the pain of having to play it 😁.

 

The solution of course is more than one bass!

 

Or take a leaf out of @Happy Jack's book and play metal db's!  

[NickA]

2 minutes ago, MacDaddy said:

play metal db's!  

Imho ... they do sound a bit like an oil drum with strings on, so fall (to my ears) in the second camp.  But also I would really hate to put a scratch on the lovely pattern work of happyjacks beautiful hologrammatically etched 3D aluminium wonder ... So worst of both worlds in a way 😂