Hey everyone!
I've been reading this forum for a couple years but its my first post. You always seem to be a helpful bunch.
I'm a long-time musician/composer -- electric guitar, piano, drums ... mostly doomy, chamber-music type things, ala Silver Mt. Zion or GY!BE type music.
I've put in about a year total on upright bass, with a 6 month break in the middle of that when my rental cracked and i had to return it. I love playing it. I've got bad tinnitus from years of loud electric noise, so it's great to play something with such self-contained volume limitations. I bow and and I pizz as well. Learning to bow well is very important to me.
Long story short, after not having a bass for 6 months, i stumbled across one in a guitar shop a couple months ago. I bought a Palatino VB-004 and a bow for $600 total. Used, but totally in tact.
Well, after a couple months of playing a couple hours a day, I feel like I've hit a wall with the thing. The guys at the violin shop advised I could give it new strings, but basically told me its not worth redoing much on it. The action stinks, the sound ain't great... feels like it might be putting unnecessary strain on my body, especially with bowing. Theres a spot in my upper back that burns if I am too tense while playing arco. (I'm trying to keep my shoulders relaxed when I play more, stretch, etc.) But I can't help but feel the cheap bass aint helping things much. Feels like dancing with a stiff plastic lady.
So, I'm in the market for a bass. I'll just list my requirements and maybe yall could recommend some good ways to buy? (Or does that burning in my back mean the bass aint for me?)
I'm definitely willing to spend $3000 if that includes a Bow.
I'm really only interested in playing small-group DIY chamber music. So I've even thought a half-size DB might be great for me. Not to mention I could see some light-touring in the future and mobility would be great...
Because I like bowing, would a hybrid be worth it? Or does a decent laminate bass sound good enough arco? I think carved would surely be unnecessary.
The guy at the shop recommended light-tension light-gauge strings. Any feedback on that?
I'm sort of opposed to buying new instruments in general. I like things with a little wear on them, a little broken in.
I'm really looking for playability. I've got nothing to prove as far as volume or playing jazz with a large band.
Is a 1/2 size bass easier on the back/body? How much less loud is a 1/2 size than a 3/4? Perhaps a 5/8 would work well?
I apologize for the scattered post, but I indeed seem to have a lot of questions. Any direction on any of my questions would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Alec
I've been reading this forum for a couple years but its my first post. You always seem to be a helpful bunch.
I'm a long-time musician/composer -- electric guitar, piano, drums ... mostly doomy, chamber-music type things, ala Silver Mt. Zion or GY!BE type music.
I've put in about a year total on upright bass, with a 6 month break in the middle of that when my rental cracked and i had to return it. I love playing it. I've got bad tinnitus from years of loud electric noise, so it's great to play something with such self-contained volume limitations. I bow and and I pizz as well. Learning to bow well is very important to me.
Long story short, after not having a bass for 6 months, i stumbled across one in a guitar shop a couple months ago. I bought a Palatino VB-004 and a bow for $600 total. Used, but totally in tact.
Well, after a couple months of playing a couple hours a day, I feel like I've hit a wall with the thing. The guys at the violin shop advised I could give it new strings, but basically told me its not worth redoing much on it. The action stinks, the sound ain't great... feels like it might be putting unnecessary strain on my body, especially with bowing. Theres a spot in my upper back that burns if I am too tense while playing arco. (I'm trying to keep my shoulders relaxed when I play more, stretch, etc.) But I can't help but feel the cheap bass aint helping things much. Feels like dancing with a stiff plastic lady.
So, I'm in the market for a bass. I'll just list my requirements and maybe yall could recommend some good ways to buy? (Or does that burning in my back mean the bass aint for me?)
I'm definitely willing to spend $3000 if that includes a Bow.
I'm really only interested in playing small-group DIY chamber music. So I've even thought a half-size DB might be great for me. Not to mention I could see some light-touring in the future and mobility would be great...
Because I like bowing, would a hybrid be worth it? Or does a decent laminate bass sound good enough arco? I think carved would surely be unnecessary.
The guy at the shop recommended light-tension light-gauge strings. Any feedback on that?
I'm sort of opposed to buying new instruments in general. I like things with a little wear on them, a little broken in.
I'm really looking for playability. I've got nothing to prove as far as volume or playing jazz with a large band.
Is a 1/2 size bass easier on the back/body? How much less loud is a 1/2 size than a 3/4? Perhaps a 5/8 would work well?
I apologize for the scattered post, but I indeed seem to have a lot of questions. Any direction on any of my questions would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Alec
