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Post subject: upright bass... completely off topic
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:14 pm
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i've been playing electric bass for 3 years now, and i was thinking of starting playing double bass. i dont know anone who plays, so i was sondering if anyone on these forums could help me. tips on where to start, which bass brand/type (electric/acoustic) to start with. thanks for any info.


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Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 6:08 pm
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electric wise, i know dean (guitars) do a pace bass(?) which seems to have scored high rating with upright bass players but i know warwick have an upright too, depends on your budget.

for acoustic uprights, i'd personally try and find someone who's experienced on one and who has played many to give you his or her best opinions on what you want to find out, maybe from a local orchestra/punk/ska/funk band?


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Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:49 pm
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One suggestion I read in "Bass Player" a couple of issues ago is to check with local music stores that give lessons. If you can't exactly find that, look for whatever store in your area supplies student instruments for schools.

Many will rent basses, perhaps even just for a week and that would be a great way to try one out. Chances are, it will be a student model but you'd have an introduction to at least what a low end model is like. You might also be able to buy a used one that way.

Of course if you live in or can get to a city with several colleges with music departments, you might even be able to find a few higher end basses. My guess is that you could pick one up for under $1,000 if you check out places like that.

Then too, a music school could be a good place to ask a faculty member for resources. Or, try the local high school orchestra director -- they should have a few ideas on picking up a double bass.


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Post subject: Upton Double Basses
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:02 pm
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Check out Upton Bass. Very nice basses and service.

http://www.uptonbass.com/

They are friendly and very knowledgeable about double basses. That is all they deal with.

I can speak from experience.


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Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:38 am
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Nice website. Thanks for the headsup.


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Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:37 am
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i play in toledo symphony and im gettin a new upright bass soon...i might be able to sell you mine

its a verona, its german made, its got a few chips and scratches but nothing that alters the tone quality and i have $400 strings that are for funk and slap. its actually pretty nice and would be great for a first upright, actually it was mi first upright and i used it for 2 years and still am using it

id give it to ya for $500 with a bow and a case


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Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:39 am
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nd if you wanna put down serous $$$ then check out

www.lemurmusic.com

great basses with amazing quality


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Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 3:29 pm
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thanks for the offer, but i was speaking to my uncle about it and his friend had one. i think i will probably get it off him. does anybody have any tips on which techniques to start on and what skills i could transfer over from playing electric.


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Post subject: LEarning the upright
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 12:54 pm
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If you are just starting on the upright, you will be able to transfer quite a lot of your knowledge about where the scales and notes are and how to follow the music and such, but the technique required is completely different.

I would get some thin tape strips and find out the position of the notes on the uprigt neck, since you are moving to a fretless situation and just spend some time getting used to where the finger placement will be. You will need to practice using more finger pressure and getting your hand around the thick neck to where you want your fingers to be placed (and get used to using your pinky finger!). You might want to invest in a finger exerciser. The other thing you will need to get used to is the "embrace" you will use to hold and play your upright. This is different for every player ad you will want to experiment with what works best for you. I would definitly suggest getting an acoustic upright with a pickup in the bridge for amplification. Lastly, get used to using the bow as well and fond out what works best for you as far as using a bow top sustain a long note. Once you have an upright, there will be times when you will want to bow it and you should be ready in to use the full range of your instrument, no matter what style of music you play.

The smooth and mellow tones of an upright just can't be beat for certain types of music. Good luck to you!

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Post subject: Double bass
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:41 pm
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I like the bass w/ the double strings. Probably hard to play though.


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Post subject: The Meaning of BASS...
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:49 am
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This is a FISHING forum? You know they have the fishing channel in HD now: lots of chumming for BASS. Just kiddin' -hope you get your stand up bass and take her by the neck and marry her and pluck her softly.


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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:44 pm
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Try Florea Recital they have student uprights for about 564.00 nice sounding bass.


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Post subject: Double Bass
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:13 pm
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Hey funky munky (ha ha, love your name!!), my brother and a friend of mine both play doublle bass and electric bass, though my friend is more double bass oriented. I've heard german-made dbl basses are good, though a decent one will end up costing a mint :( . Also look into the living end, an aussie punkish band where the guy uses a pretty nice-looking dbl bass.
It's good for playing folk, bluegrass, or anything! Hey, if you play death metal on it you'll soon get known!
It really gives you a different sound so is worth looking into. Though harder to get a tune out of than normal bass guitar, once you get good nothing stops ya. So I reckon go for it!! :mrgreen:


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