Double Bass Freestanding Travel Friendly EUB for Blues, Country, Folk Only

kevinpmajka

kevinpmajka

Mar 25, 2013
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Phoenix, AZ
#1
Hey - I've pretty much settled into only gigging and enjoying blues and country, and I'm looking for something that I could easily put my bass down and then stand at an eub (quick changeover stuff).

I'm not an upright player currently - total beginner. I can play 34" 4 string fretless at an intermediate level for these styles.

I'm planning on using my modeler for my sound(silent stage) and will can use impulse responses to bring more vibe into the tone so I'm more worried about strings and the freestanding part. I will never even buy a bow.

It is my intent to be able I could play slap style with Super Bassworks Gut-like strings. (I'm assuming a piezo pickup with these strings or the NS Traditional set.

Budget - Under $2,000 US.

Leaning toward NS Design models.
My brother has an NXT4 DB currently (in another city) that I may have a chance to purchase or long term borrow.

I've done some searching, but not seeing what I'm looking for with gut or synthetic gut strings.
 
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#2
If you’re planning on attempting to slap on an EUB, then look into an Eminence. The great Mark Rubin played one for years on the road with Bad Livers and Killbilly and they sound very good for slap/country/bluegrass styles. They’re anywhere from $2500-$3000 used but they’re great and work with slap friendly strings. Here’s one on Reverb…
Eminence Portable Upright Bass | Reverb
 
#4
People often think they will be able to manage "simple" playing, but big, exposed notes in tune is one of the more difficult things to play on the double bass.
I'd suggest renting a double bass and getting at least a month of lessons from a classical player - arco. If you are not going to play it full time then that is the "short cut".
What you want to do is not impossible. With lessons and arco practice you should be able to do a passable job, without, it will take a decade or two.
Once you can start taking your rental bass out on some gigs, you will see what you actually need. Fretless bass guitar technique will not translate and has nearly no relationship to double bass playing.

Don't get hung up making assumptions about how it will work on stage until you know how it is going to feel to actually play. . The Eminence is likely the best choice for what you want.
 
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#5
I appreciate your thoughtful and thorough response. I know it is not the same, but I may end up with NXT4 to start and take it from there.

damonsmith said:
People often think they will be able to manage "simple" playing, but big, exposed notes in tune is one of the more difficult things to play on the double bass.
I'd suggest renting a double bass and getting at least a month of lessons from a classical player - arco. If you are not going to play it full time then that is the "short cut".
What you want to do is not impossible. With lessons and arco practice you should be able to do a passable job, without, it will take a decade or two.
Once you can start taking your rental bass out on some gigs, you will see what you actually need. Fretless bass guitar technique will not translate and has nearly no relationship to double bass playing.

Don't get hung up making assumptions about how it will work on stage until you know how it is going to feel to actually play. . The Eminence is likely the best choice for what you want.
Click to expand...
 
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#6
kevinpmajka said:
I appreciate your thoughtful and thorough response. I know it is not the same, but I may end up with NXT4 to start and take it from there.
Click to expand...
That is a great instrument. However, it is clearer and more exposed than a double bass, so arco lessons with a teacher is going to be even more important if you want a chance at playing in tune!
 
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#8
  1. I've had good luck with Gollihur for strings and such.
  2. Their site suggests that the Eminence is out of production, but they've inked a deal to start it up again under their own label. Could be good, so it's on my wish list. I'm just too old to be lugging the upright around.
  3. One of the accessories is a wheeled stand so you can switch from UB to EUB quickly. Check it out.
 
#9
Probably true. However, arco for intonation purposes will be more than fine on the NS. I would recommend a carbon fiber German bow. Sounds like he has a line on an NS, they are great instruments, so there is no reason to throw money at something else.
DoubleMIDI said:
I think that learning to bow is better with an instrument with a endpin and a body support than a tripod.
That can become a bit expensive with an NS instrument as you have to buy that separately and only a few players have it if you think to buy used.
An Italian MK would be a lot better for that.
Click to expand...
 
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#10
Yeah - I'm definitely getting the NXT4. Due to other gear needs (switching to IEMs and waiting for electric gear to sell) a bow for practice would be great in time.

I'll be getting tuners, a setup, the NS Traditional Strings, a mute, and a package of lessons.

If there are more budget bow models to start with, please make a recommendation.

I appreciate all of the input from your various experiences. Truly!

damonsmith said:
Probably true. However, arco for intonation purposes will be more than fine on the NS. I would recommend a carbon fiber German bow. Sounds like he has a line on an NS, they are great instruments, so there is no reason to throw money at something else.
Click to expand...
 
#11
If you don't practice scales with the bow, you won't play in tune for many, many years. The pitches change as they decay pizzicato, so it doesn't work for practicing intonation. A bow needs to be step one. Something like this is more than adequate:
https://www.amazon.com/Horsehair-Si...fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&th=1

kevinpmajka said:
Yeah - I'm definitely getting the NXT4. Due to other gear needs (switching to IEMs and waiting for electric gear to sell) a bow for practice would be great in time.

I'll be getting tuners, a setup, the NS Traditional Strings, a mute, and a package of lessons.

If there are more budget bow models to start with, please make a recommendation.

I appreciate all of the input from your various experiences. Truly!
Click to expand...
 
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