The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
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  1. #26

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    I played classical double bass all through my teens and first two semesters at Berklee (summer and fall 1998). My principal instrument was bass and I played electric bass during semesters 3 and 4. I stopped playing upright in 2001, until I picked up a Harley Benton EUB 500 last year.

    The NS basses are nice, but have their own sound.

    You don’t need fret markers or side dots if using classical positions. Curved fingerboards allow for arco (use of a bow).

    The biggest hurdle for proper ”fretting” hand technique for those coming from guitar and bass guitar backgrounds is that the ring finger is not used for playing notes until up in thumb position. This means that only fingers 1, 2, and 4, are used. Finger 3 supports finger 4. There should be a half step between fingers 2 and 4 and a whole step between fingers 1 and 4. (Half step between fingers 1 and 2.)

    The position starting with the first finger on what would be the first fret is called half-position and the position starting from first finger on what would be the second fret is called 1st position. All subsequent positions are numbered in order from here on until the start of thumb position.

    If you want to transfer your fretless bass knowledge directly, then I suggest you hunt down a Zeta bass from early 2000’s. They’re hard to get but the closest thing to an upright experience for someone who might not want to go through the process of learning the classical positions. The Zetas can be played like an upright or like a bass guitar with a strap.

    On a side note, learning classical hand positioning will make one’s fretless playing even better. I tend to use classical left hand technique when playing bass guitar, but do so because I have small hands. I can’t do one finger per fret comfortably in first position on a standard bass guitar. So I apply double bass technique up to the 7th or 8th fret and then use one finger per fret from there up.

    EDIT: Closest thing to a real double bass in EUB format I have heard are the ones made by Yamaha. Silent upright basses that guys like Chris Minh Doky use. Way too expensive for me, but man I would love to own one.
    Last edited by dtfan4ever; 12-24-2019 at 05:21 AM.

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    The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
     
  3. #27

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    ^ great quick overview of left hand fingering technique...always something i consider when trying to add upright inflection to horizontal electric bass playing...really two unique skill sets...but with a little thought can be made to sound closer!!

    cheers

  4. #28

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    Quote Originally Posted by dtfan4ever
    I played classical double bass.
    Thanks for all that. I was aware that the third finger is not used, and some play that way on an electric bass guitar as well, at least in the lowest positions. I have large hands, long fingers, and have no problem in first position on a bass guitar playing one finger per fret, but I anticipate that would not be possible on a db fingerboard. I have a long-scale fretless and a short-scale fretted Danelectro, which is the most fun to run around on.

    I'm no further forward in my quest to at least try out an upright, hoping to do so locally in Edinburgh or Glasgow, and will not purchase anything before doing so.

    One driving force stems from an experience at school when I was 13 years old. The only pupils who got music lessons were the ones whose parents could afford to buy an instrument. We were poor, and I was told there was no chance of any instrument coming my way. At one point I sneaked into the school's musical--instrument cupboard and tried to play melodies on the double bass. I was really digging the magical sound when the Head of Music burst into the room shouting at me, and then giving me six lashes of the leather belt, and was banned for life. How about that?! Fast forward twenty years and I sent the school a cutting from a newspaper where I had a Number 1 CD in the Scottish Classical Music Chart. I never got a response. Now I'm 60, I'd like to try a db before I stop breathing. By the way, that Head of Music was later jailed for abusing the boys...

  5. #29

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    Quote Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
    Thanks for all that. I was aware that the third finger is not used, and some play that way on an electric bass guitar as well, at least in the lowest positions. I have large hands, long fingers, and have no problem in first position on a bass guitar playing one finger per fret, but I anticipate that would not be possible on a db fingerboard. I have a long-scale fretless and a short-scale fretted Danelectro, which is the most fun to run around on.

    I'm no further forward in my quest to at least try out an upright, hoping to do so locally in Edinburgh or Glasgow, and will not purchase anything before doing so.

    One driving force stems from an experience at school when I was 13 years old. The only pupils who got music lessons were the ones whose parents could afford to buy an instrument. We were poor, and I was told there was no chance of any instrument coming my way. At one point I sneaked into the school's musical--instrument cupboard and tried to play melodies on the double bass. I was really digging the magical sound when the Head of Music burst into the room shouting at me, and then giving me six lashes of the leather belt, and was banned for life. How about that?! Fast forward twenty years and I sent the school a cutting from a newspaper where I had a Number 1 CD in the Scottish Classical Music Chart. I never got a response. Now I'm 60, I'd like to try a db before I stop breathing. By the way, that Head of Music was later jailed for abusing the boys...
    Sorry to hear about the abuse. That shouldn’t have happened you. I won’t go into it here, but I’ll just say #metoo.

    Hope you get to fulfill your dream. My oldest student (a decade ago) was 73. It is never too late Just keep on making choices that take you closer to accomplishing the goals you have. Happy holidays!

  6. #30

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    Rob:

    I have the 4 string version of this bass....after playing fretted/ fretless for 40 years decided to take the plunge...it’s taking work as it’s a totally different technique.

    Cant compare to an acoustic bass as I’ve never played one but the bass sounds great and can go from woody to growly (is that a word?) pretty easily via the piezo switch.

    I use a Mark Bass for my amp with two cabs...the 12 in sounds a little thin..the 15 in sounds great.

    hope this helps...good luck with your search.

  7. #31

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    Cheers. Growly is definitely in my dictionary, and if it isn't I'll ask my wife to put it in - she works for the Oxford English Dictionary

  8. #32

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    Hi Rob
    Regarding your question about the EUB. I play both the Double Bass and EUB--have done for many years.
    I think you will find that no EUB has that Double Bass sound--you can get close but for me the EUB will not have that full 'richness / ambiance ' of the Double bass. Whatever EUB you choose you will have that 'electric'ness' (If there is such a word!) there. I think I have the nearest EUB that gets close--that is the Eminence--due to that it is acoustically made.
    The EUB is completely a different proposition to the Bass Guitar.( About 50 years ago I played Bass Guitar.) Learn the Double Bass L/H fingering.--1 / 2 / 4.
    Given the choice I would much prefer the Double Bass but given the problem of space / portability choose a quality EUB--it takes up far less space.
    A few pointers: As you play guitar the EUB / Double Bass has the amp / strings equation--strings for the EUB / Double Bass are very expensive--guitar strings are relatively cheap---different amps / pickups all sound different. Like guitars all Bass strings have their own sound--'on it goes!'
    Whatever you decide to get have good Double Bass luthier set it up--well worth it--and get a good orchestral teacher.
    I would recommend visit the web sites 'Talkbass' and 'Basschat'---so helpful--anything you want to know about the Double Bass and EUB someone will have an answer to your question.

    Just to mention: Your web site is wonderful--so good--playing of the first order.

  9. #33

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    Many thanks, swingtoneman! I appreciate all you've said, and I've heard good things about the Eminence basses, though I can't find them in the UK. We do have theses, though: BSX Basses UK, EUB, Upright electric bass guitars, Allegro, USA, Hand made - Basses specialist Bass Direct - Acoustic, London, Manchester, Birmingham, Warwick, for sale, on offer which are similar. Either way, I might opt for something cheaper until I know what I'm getting myself into. Cheers.

  10. #34

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    Quote Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
    Many thanks, swingtoneman! I appreciate all you've said, and I've heard good things about the Eminence basses, though I can't find them in the UK. We do have theses, though: BSX Basses UK, EUB, Upright electric bass guitars, Allegro, USA, Hand made - Basses specialist Bass Direct - Acoustic, London, Manchester, Birmingham, Warwick, for sale, on offer which are similar. Either way, I might opt for something cheaper until I know what I'm getting myself into. Cheers.
    Hi and happy new year, did you buy your EUB ?

  11. #35

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    Surprisingly, one of the things that I've heard that really sounded like a double bass is the Kala U-bass. The first time I heard it was in a bluegrass setting and, without looking, you'd have though it was the real deal. I later watched some videos of jazz guys using them - pretty impressive. A little weird to play but, since you're short on space, maybe an option. Been thinking of building one for myself just a to have a bass around for recording. There's a guy in the Tampa area (Brandon, I think) who sells very affordable kits - he might ship to the UK - he has a website, I think. They use an undersaddle piezo with some sort of proprietary plastic strings but, I think, someone has come out with a metal version. Just a thought.....

  12. #36

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    Disclaimer: the inventor / manufacturer is an old friend and fabulous bassist with whom I’ve been playing for decades. I have no interest of any kind in the business or products. But I can vouch for their quality, sound, feel and versatility because I’ve played many many gigs with bassists who use them.

    Kydd is a line of simple, solid electric 4 or 5 string uprights (30”, 34”, or 42” scale, tripod-mounted) and strap mounted models (34”) They’ve been around for 30 years and are in widespread use by pros around the world. I’ve “accompanied” Bruce in his booth at many guitar shows over the years to help him demo them, so I can vouch for the ease with which they make even nervous beginners play and sound better. If the price is not a barrier, they start at $2k USD and I think they’re definitely worth it. I’m told by friends who’ve “moved up” to newer models, 5 strings, long scale etc that they’re also easily resold at little loss.

    Anyone Play An Electric Upright Bass? School me.-img_1818-jpegAnyone Play An Electric Upright Bass? School me.-img_1817-jpeg