Instant Upvote on not buying off a site without feeling it. I haven;t played a stand-up in 20 years and came here for thoughts, and This has been most informative.
Im one of the Luthiers at Upton Bass for 18 years now. Lots has changed in 18 years... hell alot has changed in 4 years. But the fact that basses have no standard, makes them that much more fun to make. I agree do not buy an 800.00 bass unless it's worth the restoration or you know you can fix it and set it up yourself. But not a new 800.00 bass its not going to last and will have a setup that will make you not want to play it ever.
This was incredibly helpful, I play fretless electric bass and have become obsessed with the sound and texture of upright and excited to get my first Bass. Thank you very much for the great video.
Also a small thing I've noticed having played on both. Plywood basses tend to have more consistently decent E strings. A lot of carved basses will have weak E strings so you have to be a lot more conscious of that
First video I saw of you. You’re a well explained RaD Guy. I was so dorked out when I played the timpani at a very young age. This is something I want to get into before I get any older. I live super close to you in Vacaville 😎🏁
Bought a Chinese made laminate starter outfit from Musicians Friend for less than a grand about four years ago, when I decided to pursue double bass along with my electric bass playing. Solidly made, (found out after the fact, ebonized means painted black!😂) holds tuning consistently, and has a nice jazz pizz tone. I was pleasantly surprised. Put a set of Spirocore Weichs and a Fishman full circle on it, and worked for a while with the principle bassist with our local symphony, who also moonlights as a bass teacher at the local community college. Makes me sound like I know what I'm doing when I take a solo. Also helps me channel my inner Paul Chambers, without forking over thousands of dollars. 😂
I never visit the place but I saw one of the TEDx Talks (TEDx Petaling Street) and the luthier is Ong Ket Wei. His rating online is pretty good. I saw some comments mentioning that he is actually doing the maintenance care for the string instruments of Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. If one day y'all coming to the capital city of Malaysia 🇲🇾 ----- Kuala Lumpur, maybe y'all would interested in his work. Check out his place then =) He is a professional double bassist as well by the way, from what I know that he still playing for Selangor Symphony Orchestra. Best regards
Great video! Thank you so much for this. When I was looking for a double bass a while back I specifically checked if the E and A strings sounded well and wether the low F on the E string was easy to finger. After all, it's a bass and so the low tones should be powerfull! Interestingly, the basses on the higher end of my budget (ca. $7000) failed at that and I decided for a bass that was much cheaper (ca. $3000). This low strings on that one blew my mind! The more costly basses were finer on the higher registers (they “sang” more), however, but the E-string was horrible!
Very good video!! A lot of useful info are in here. Straight forward and clear advices. Highly recommended for viewing for all types of bass player interested in upright doublebass. Perhaps you can make a video regarding upright E doublebass/silent bass and how it can be a way of helping bassists in terms of usability, practicality, and where and how tos in purchasing😃👍. Thanks a lot for making this video available!👏👏👏
I just bought a plywood bass at an auctionhouse for around $300 US 😂. It's Czechoslovakian made (only the best of course 😁) and in *terrible* cosmetic condition... but I reckon it's a player! I went to have a try of it the day before the sale, and to be honest, my hope was that, from the pictures, that I'd find something that's not much to look at but, uh, “good bones”. And with it being in such rough conditions visually (scuff marks all over, various chips and dings and scratches, though nothing structural...), and with double bass being a fairly niche instrument round here (this is a physical auction house, rather than ebay or whatever. Not so many online bidders I don't think), that I'd be getting a steal just from that! I am not a double bass expert, in fact I'm really a guitarist, but it sounds pretty good to my ears and, well, not sure when I'd ever get an opportunity like this again! Have wanted an upright for years, I used to play one sometimes years ago in a big band as a teen, but it wasn't mine; the band owned it and I would take the bass part for a couple of songs sometimes. I let out a little chuckle when you talked about not wasting your money on a thousand dollar plywood upright because, well, I am sure that, in general, you're right 😅. But look, I don't _think_ I've bought a lemon, I think what I've bought is the deal of a lifetime 😂. 250 English pounds, and I am the owner of a battered, well-loved, and perhaps indeed mistreated, communist upright bass! But I'll tell you what, it definitely makes some noise, and after just 2 days, I have the blisters on my pansy guitarist right hand's forefingers to prove it 😂 I suppose I will take your advice on the setup though. I am near enough to a major city, and looking at this beautiful old lady, I imagine it's been a fair while since she has seen a proper setup. Although it will probably cost what I paid for the thing I imagine... I definitely find it a lot of work to play, and feel that the action could happily be lower but then... wouldn't any guitarist say the same about any double bass? 😄 Do you have any videos on your channel about upright bass setup, and what it entails?
Congrats on the new bass! Sounds like a good find. I've got a video on string height, and here are a couple of great videos from other channels on setup: th-cam.com/video/LHBCTHa1XXI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=5zTULIOhhqDf7YVp th-cam.com/video/6urIDnfhDxY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=fUcogfQ8gp6NR7Nh th-cam.com/video/XLmsh6MUR2c/w-d-xo.htmlsi=6TZ4lsu4EruVqklU Best wishes on getting your bass optimized!
So when I bought a 4/4 Cecilio for 6 bills, that was bad? ❤ I made a lot of cash playing it but the ebony fingerboard, tailpiece, and Thomastik super flexible strings cost the same as the bass! Set up beautifully by me but it cost me $32 in Jaegermeister to nail it! ❤
Hey Jason, big fan of your channel and all the wide ranging artists and videos you’re posting, and very grateful for what you’re bringing to the double bass community. We’re a few degrees separated, but most directly through Trevor. That said… The “if you’re playing amplified mostly, it doesn’t quite matter so much”, oof, I have to take exception. I know, you’re providing advice for someone shopping for an entry level bass. But as someone who splits their time between arco and pizz, that comes across a bit condescending. Back a few years when I was shopping, I found an amazing French Hawkes (wish I would’ve bought it). I called Brad Opland (and yes, I know Brad is Brad) for advice, knowing he owned a Hawkes, just to ask about navigating a large bass with high shoulders. His response was “you play jazz, you don’t need a good instrument, it’s just going into an amp”…. Don’t want to come across like an a@#hole, and I know you know, but we who tend more on the plucking side of things, our instruments actually do matter. No bad vibes, just a nudge;… would love to chat with you. Best, LK
@@doublebasshq indeed, and appreciated. We as bassists have long been an afterthought in the string world, and “jazz bassists” a distant second, just pushing for proper representation. LK
I wonder if anyone has ever done a survey of players in major orchestras as to the purchase price of their instruments? Just curious. Has anyone done any demos comparing carved/hybrid/ply? I know various makers post videos of individual instruments--but not side by side.
That’s a good idea. I don’t think there’s anything like that out there. It would be interesting, because a lot of people bought their instruments decades ago, and those instruments would be price quite differently today. Also, there are lots of modern instruments floating around major orchestra these days.
@@doublebasshq do it! The principal chair in my orchestra is playing a little Italian worth about $65. That’s why I’d also love to hear a blind demo of say, your bass, Alex Hannah’s, and an Eastman.
Thank you for the great video. Do you know of a stand that you can play with the bass sitting in the stand? I am a beginner with some physical limitations, and this would solve a lot of problems if something like this exists.
Great video! I would add Greg Clinkingbeard's Black Dog Bass Works to the list of specialty shops. He is in Kansas City, and he has a very nice variety of basses in a wide price range. His repair work is excellent as well. Thanks for the wonderful info you presented here.
Unless I missed it, what about the slope on the top of the back by the neck? Mine doesn't have that, and it's rather awkward to do any high notes. Otherwise, thanks
For sure-I’m not sure about the technical term, but most people I know call it a “bend in the back.” You often see this on more expensive basses, and it makes it easier to get the bass closer to your body while still having a big resonating cavity.
I bought a cheap second hand laminated one for 450€ and replaced the strings with cheap chinese ones. I'm not ashamed to say that it's good enough for the music school ensemble I play with. It's quite hard to play in thumb position but I'm not good enough to play in this position yet, and not interested in playing solos.
Instant Upvote on not buying off a site without feeling it. I haven;t played a stand-up in 20 years and came here for thoughts, and This has been most informative.
Thanks for checking this out!
Im one of the Luthiers at Upton Bass for 18 years now. Lots has changed in 18 years... hell alot has changed in 4 years. But the fact that basses have no standard, makes them that much more fun to make. I agree do not buy an 800.00 bass unless it's worth the restoration or you know you can fix it and set it up yourself. But not a new 800.00 bass its not going to last and will have a setup that will make you not want to play it ever.
For sure-thanks for chiming in!
This was incredibly helpful, I play fretless electric bass and have become obsessed with the sound and texture of upright and excited to get my first Bass. Thank you very much for the great video.
Glad it helped!
Also a small thing I've noticed having played on both. Plywood basses tend to have more consistently decent E strings. A lot of carved basses will have weak E strings so you have to be a lot more conscious of that
Interesting-thanks for sharing!
First video I saw of you. You’re a well explained RaD Guy. I was so dorked out when I played the timpani at a very young age. This is something I want to get into before I get any older. I live super close to you in Vacaville 😎🏁
Bought a Chinese made laminate starter outfit from Musicians Friend for less than a grand about four years ago, when I decided to pursue double bass along with my electric bass playing. Solidly made, (found out after the fact, ebonized means painted black!😂) holds tuning consistently, and has a nice jazz pizz tone. I was pleasantly surprised.
Put a set of Spirocore Weichs and a Fishman full circle on it, and worked for a while with the principle bassist with our local symphony, who also moonlights as a bass teacher at the local community college. Makes me sound like I know what I'm doing when I take a solo. Also helps me channel my inner Paul Chambers, without forking over thousands of dollars. 😂
Very cool! Let us know what you bought and we can share out.
@@doublebasshq
It's called Etude Bass-ics 2.
Of course, that was BC (Before Covid). Everything has pretty much gone through the roof since then.
Always an awesome day when Double Bass HQ uploads! :D
Awww, thanks! Much appreciated!
Lemur Music Laguna Sunise 3/4 w/ Fishman Full Circle…has served me well for 20 yrs now…
Nice! Lemur is awesome, and Fishman makes nice products for sure.
I never visit the place but I saw one of the TEDx Talks (TEDx Petaling Street) and
the luthier is Ong Ket Wei.
His rating online is pretty good.
I saw some comments mentioning that he is actually doing the maintenance care for the string instruments of Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.
If one day y'all coming to the capital city of Malaysia 🇲🇾
----- Kuala Lumpur,
maybe y'all would interested in his work.
Check out his place then =)
He is a professional double bassist as well by the way,
from what I know that he still playing for Selangor Symphony Orchestra.
Best regards
Very cool-thanks for letting us know about him!
Thanks!
Thank you so much!
Great video! Thank you so much for this. When I was looking for a double bass a while back I specifically checked if the E and A strings sounded well and wether the low F on the E string was easy to finger. After all, it's a bass and so the low tones should be powerfull! Interestingly, the basses on the higher end of my budget (ca. $7000) failed at that and I decided for a bass that was much cheaper (ca. $3000). This low strings on that one blew my mind! The more costly basses were finer on the higher registers (they “sang” more), however, but the E-string was horrible!
Nice! Glad that you found a bass that is working well in the low end!
Very good video!!
A lot of useful info are in here. Straight forward and clear advices. Highly recommended for viewing for all types of bass player interested in upright doublebass.
Perhaps you can make a video regarding upright E doublebass/silent bass and how it can be a way of helping bassists in terms of usability, practicality, and where and how tos in purchasing😃👍.
Thanks a lot for making this video available!👏👏👏
I just bought a plywood bass at an auctionhouse for around $300 US 😂. It's Czechoslovakian made (only the best of course 😁) and in *terrible* cosmetic condition... but I reckon it's a player! I went to have a try of it the day before the sale, and to be honest, my hope was that, from the pictures, that I'd find something that's not much to look at but, uh, “good bones”. And with it being in such rough conditions visually (scuff marks all over, various chips and dings and scratches, though nothing structural...), and with double bass being a fairly niche instrument round here (this is a physical auction house, rather than ebay or whatever. Not so many online bidders I don't think), that I'd be getting a steal just from that! I am not a double bass expert, in fact I'm really a guitarist, but it sounds pretty good to my ears and, well, not sure when I'd ever get an opportunity like this again! Have wanted an upright for years, I used to play one sometimes years ago in a big band as a teen, but it wasn't mine; the band owned it and I would take the bass part for a couple of songs sometimes.
I let out a little chuckle when you talked about not wasting your money on a thousand dollar plywood upright because, well, I am sure that, in general, you're right 😅. But look, I don't _think_ I've bought a lemon, I think what I've bought is the deal of a lifetime 😂. 250 English pounds, and I am the owner of a battered, well-loved, and perhaps indeed mistreated, communist upright bass! But I'll tell you what, it definitely makes some noise, and after just 2 days, I have the blisters on my pansy guitarist right hand's forefingers to prove it 😂
I suppose I will take your advice on the setup though. I am near enough to a major city, and looking at this beautiful old lady, I imagine it's been a fair while since she has seen a proper setup. Although it will probably cost what I paid for the thing I imagine... I definitely find it a lot of work to play, and feel that the action could happily be lower but then... wouldn't any guitarist say the same about any double bass? 😄
Do you have any videos on your channel about upright bass setup, and what it entails?
Congrats on the new bass! Sounds like a good find.
I've got a video on string height, and here are a couple of great videos from other channels on setup:
th-cam.com/video/LHBCTHa1XXI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=5zTULIOhhqDf7YVp
th-cam.com/video/6urIDnfhDxY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=fUcogfQ8gp6NR7Nh
th-cam.com/video/XLmsh6MUR2c/w-d-xo.htmlsi=6TZ4lsu4EruVqklU
Best wishes on getting your bass optimized!
@@doublebasshq really appreciate the helpful reply. Thanks!
(And let's see if I can get my technique a bit more optimized too eh :D)
You should include the String Emporium in Mesa, AZ. I bought a wonderful bass from Steve Cosica who is a professional player.
For sure-Steve’s great-forgot to add him, but I’ll be sure to do so!
@@doublebasshq I hope you do a video on traveling with your double basses. Hard Shell Cases vs Soft cases for Airfare and cars and etc.
So when I bought a 4/4 Cecilio for 6 bills, that was bad? ❤
I made a lot of cash playing it but the ebony fingerboard, tailpiece, and Thomastik super flexible strings cost the same as the bass! Set up beautifully by me but it cost me $32 in Jaegermeister to nail it! ❤
Ha! Thanks for sharing. :-)
Hey Jason, big fan of your channel and all the wide ranging artists and videos you’re posting, and very grateful for what you’re bringing to the double bass community. We’re a few degrees separated, but most directly through Trevor.
That said…
The “if you’re playing amplified mostly, it doesn’t quite matter so much”, oof, I have to take exception. I know, you’re providing advice for someone shopping for an entry level bass.
But as someone who splits their time between arco and pizz, that comes across a bit condescending.
Back a few years when I was shopping, I found an amazing French Hawkes (wish I would’ve bought it). I called Brad Opland (and yes, I know Brad is Brad) for advice, knowing he owned a Hawkes, just to ask about navigating a large bass with high shoulders. His response was “you play jazz, you don’t need a good instrument, it’s just going into an amp”….
Don’t want to come across like an a@#hole, and I know you know, but we who tend more on the plucking side of things, our instruments actually do matter.
No bad vibes, just a nudge;… would love to chat with you.
Best, LK
For sure-no slight intended to pizzicato players.
@@doublebasshq indeed, and appreciated. We as bassists have long been an afterthought in the string world, and “jazz bassists” a distant second, just pushing for proper representation. LK
I've been putting off buying a upright for a long time, I think I'll go to kc strings and get one eventually
Amazing video. Thanks
I wonder if anyone has ever done a survey of players in major orchestras as to the purchase price of their instruments? Just curious. Has anyone done any demos comparing carved/hybrid/ply? I know various makers post videos of individual instruments--but not side by side.
That’s a good idea. I don’t think there’s anything like that out there. It would be interesting, because a lot of people bought their instruments decades ago, and those instruments would be price quite differently today. Also, there are lots of modern instruments floating around major orchestra these days.
@@doublebasshq do it! The principal chair in my orchestra is playing a little Italian worth about $65. That’s why I’d also love to hear a blind demo of say, your bass, Alex Hannah’s, and an Eastman.
whatcha got goin on at the scroll over on the low E? is that for drop / alternate tuning?
It's a bass extension, and I've got a video all about it! th-cam.com/video/sdqFEhjZrxQ/w-d-xo.html
@@doublebasshqawesome, thank you for your reply!
Thank you for the great video. Do you know of a stand that you can play with the bass sitting in the stand? I am a beginner with some physical limitations, and this would solve a lot of problems if something like this exists.
Excellent video!
Great video! I would add Greg Clinkingbeard's Black Dog Bass Works to the list of specialty shops. He is in Kansas City, and he has a very nice variety of basses in a wide price range. His repair work is excellent as well. Thanks for the wonderful info you presented here.
They're on the list--thanks for the recommendation!!
Unless I missed it, what about the slope on the top of the back by the neck? Mine doesn't have that, and it's rather awkward to do any high notes. Otherwise, thanks
For sure-I’m not sure about the technical term, but most people I know call it a “bend in the back.” You often see this on more expensive basses, and it makes it easier to get the bass closer to your body while still having a big resonating cavity.
@@doublebasshq I love his T-shirt 👕, Bass Is Beautiful.
I bought a cheap second hand laminated one for 450€ and replaced the strings with cheap chinese ones. I'm not ashamed to say that it's good enough for the music school ensemble I play with. It's quite hard to play in thumb position but I'm not good enough to play in this position yet, and not interested in playing solos.
Is it a 1/4?
Amazing
Thank you!
you look like Ken Shamrock and that dude from Faith No More... it depends on the angle sir
Acoustic vs electric upright bass
basses, basses, basses, basses,anmd more basses, 374 basses and still going basses....
Yes!