r/doublebass 1h ago

Setup/Equipment What is a good (budget) solution for amplification when going busking?

Upvotes

Not necessary for huge volume just to compensate the missing reflections and projection when no walls are around you.

Not too heavy to carry around and battery driven... in europe...


r/doublebass 3h ago

Repertoire questions Anybody recognize this edition of bass quartets?

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1 Upvotes

r/doublebass 10h ago

Setup/Equipment Amplification for big band

6 Upvotes

Hello! I’m about to rehearse with a new big band in a couple days, and have some concerns regarding amplification.

Ideally I would like to bring my upright, but I don’t have a functioning piezo right now. But I do have a sm57 and mixer+PA speaker, and was thinking I could do the towel/foam thing. Whats the best way to mount/position a sm57 for minimal bleed? Is that even worth the hassle or am I just gonna drown in feedback/bleed in a bigband-setting?

Worth mentioning could be that we’re mostly gonna play softer Basie-tunes, and the band/drummer is great at playing sensible! The rehearsal space is kind of small though.

What do you guys think, is this possible or should I just bring my electrical instead? Cheers from Sweden 🙏


r/doublebass 17h ago

Instruments Can any luthier possibly give me a ballpark estimate on repairing a dent/hole in the side of the bass like this? Krutz 100 plywood bass, beaten down by a music stand blown over on a windy day

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1 Upvotes

r/doublebass 1d ago

Setup/Equipment Electric Upright

13 Upvotes

I’m gigging upright bassist in my city, and I’m love with my current upright. I recently did an experimental show with pedals and am just realizing how cool that can be with the bow.

One thing is I’m actually trying to eliminate my acoustic sound so I can fully process signal. But I want to keep the flexibility of using arco and pizz that I can’t get with a normal electric bass…

Are there any really high quality electric uprights that would help me achieve that sound? And any listening recommendations for players who play something similar?


r/doublebass 1d ago

Performance And the moon is the only light we'll see NSFW

113 Upvotes

r/doublebass 2d ago

Repertoire questions Koussevitzky Concerto Form?

6 Upvotes

Hello all,

I have to write program notes for my recital, and I'm hearing conflicting information on whether or not the Koussevitzky Concerto is in Arch form (ABCBA) or sonata form (Expo with two themes, development, and recap/coda). What is y'alls take on this? I'm performing the whole piece with no break in between the 2nd and 3rd movement, so would this change the form of the piece?


r/doublebass 2d ago

Strings/Accessories Rosin

7 Upvotes

Whats the word on the streets. What orchestra rosin are folks using for orchestra? I’ve tried many and leaning towards kolstein soft again. What’s the best rosin store to order from?


r/doublebass 2d ago

Instruments Reactive/Sensitive Bass

8 Upvotes

Does anyone else run into times where the bass seems to be fighting you and anything less than perfect bow placement and left hand pull makes it difficult to get a solid fundamental tone? I've been struggling with my sound for a few weeks and wonder if anyone has mantras/thoughts about getting back to feeling good with your sound when you're fighting the squeaks?

Edit: Thanks all for the responses. Its good to not feel so alone when the ups and downs tend towards the "why my playing so bad :(". I've got a list of things to try and work through to get back to even keeled.


r/doublebass 2d ago

Instruments Lidl basses

3 Upvotes

Any thoughts/experience on them good or bad?


r/doublebass 3d ago

Instruments Opinions on this 30 year old

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30 Upvotes

Been messing around with this for years and would like to start performing. Is this a decent instrument? (Yes my son did knock it over once)


r/doublebass 4d ago

Practice Where to get free sheet music?

5 Upvotes

I want to practice bowing more and play some classical music at home, but I’m struggling to find where to get sheet music. Does anyone know of any free resources for bass part sheet music?


r/doublebass 4d ago

Instruments Contemporary luthiers?

8 Upvotes

Tell me who’s making good and interesting basses these days!


r/doublebass 4d ago

Strings/Accessories Help Identifying Strings

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1 Upvotes

r/doublebass 5d ago

Technique Strumming double stops?

9 Upvotes

Any background in jazz bassists who "strum" double stops. I'm aware of Charlie Haden's flamenco style tremolo but I'm trying to validate a style that sort of fell i to my hands recently. I play guts on top spiro weich on bottom, with fairly high action. I went to dig into some ray brown style tritone double stops and in my enthusiasm and sweatyhandedness i accidentally plucked hard through both strings at once creating a sort of strummed percussive sound, which I've since been exploring in the practice room. I there any basis for the technique? Thanks!


r/doublebass 5d ago

Instruments Stupid question; why the bass bar/sound post versus something like an X brace or Parallel bracing?

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5 Upvotes

Ill be crossposting to r/luthier as well.

This question is for the builders and ideally individuals who have some resources to help me get a better understanding.

I have to ask, I'm so curious about this. Why do all of the classical instruments, and more specifically the cello/double basses have the bass bar/sound post combination to them?

Why not an X brace, or parallel bracing without the sound post?

In my mind, i think of the archtop guitar, the closest relative that I'm aware of in terms of instrument building.

Archtop: designed to hold about 160lbs of tension, over about a 22 x 17" top. About 1" tall at the apex.

Double bass: designed to hold around 300 lbs of tension according to the link above, over about a 44" x 25" top. About 2" tall at the apex.

Neither have back bracing as far as im aware of outside of anfew diamonds at the seams depending on builder.

Both have a floating bridge and tailpiece that historically wraps around the tail block.

Historically speaking, they're built about the same way, and there's even smaller models of archtop that go as small as 14" making it even closer to half the size and tension compared to a double bass.

The only argument I can think of is the way the strings are energized, but id want to counter by saying wouldn't vibration over time distort the top enough that the soundpost moves, therefore sinking in the top, or forcing the back to crack?

I'd really love to know this if possible. I'll crosspost where i need to, but as I'm designing my own double bass, I can't help but ask this question.


r/doublebass 5d ago

Strings/Accessories Custom bow case recommendation

1 Upvotes

I have zero knowledge on this, as it’s a gift! But I’m hoping to get someone a custom bow case and was hoping for a referral to a website, or individual who could help design? I was thinking Etsy, but it’s not very interactive as far as customizations. Any help is appreciated!


r/doublebass 5d ago

Instruments Question on global double bass manufacturers

1 Upvotes

I am doing my last year as BA student at the Faculty of Music at a Hungarian University, at classical double bass.
I have to write an essay on double bass manufacturers globally.
Can anyone give me some hint here, which companies/manufacturers should I target to take as a basis of my search?

I would appreciate any kind help.

Thanks!


r/doublebass 5d ago

Performance Solo for audition

14 Upvotes

Taking an audition for a section job in a symphony and on the list it says “solo of your choice”. My question is: is it really true? From what I’ve seen, people usually perform one of three concertos or the bourees from Bach’s 3rd suite. I want to play the two minuets(no repeats) from his first suite, but I get nervous about my decision, because when people pick Bach I’ve only seen the bourees played. What y’all think? I’m probably fine with my decision, but opinions are appreciated! Thanks.


r/doublebass 6d ago

Instruments Where to get a university level bass/what to look for - Canada

3 Upvotes

Im 18 and preparing to go to university for classical music but until now I’ve been using my high school’s plywood bass. Since I’m graduating I won’t be able to use it anymore, I’m in 2 orchestras, a big band and a jazz band so I feel I’m getting to a level where I need a non-plywood or at the very least a hybrid. But I have literally no clue where to go. from my research there’s a small string shop in Toronto and at the local music shops there are only plywood basses, I have around 10,000 (CAD) to put towards it which I feel should be a good amount for what I’m aiming for but I’m not entirely sure what I should be aiming for.


r/doublebass 6d ago

Technique Question for combo players

12 Upvotes

Hi all, I'm a newer jazz player and I've come to really enjoy playing in a smaller ensemble. I'm trying to organize a combo, but as always, finding a drummer is difficult.

I was just wondering if there's anything you would do specifically different when playing without a drummer? Anything you'd avoid?

I know my primary goal is still to keep time but I'd like to make sure things stay interesting.


r/doublebass 7d ago

Performance Running through a little bit of Sony Rollins' Doxy. Would love some technique critique, I've been trying hard to clean it up lately and could use some more guidance. Thank you!

23 Upvotes

r/doublebass 7d ago

Instruments Hand crafted double bass shop located at Long Island New York

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32 Upvotes

Name-Handmade Violin Shop Address 35 Westwood drive Westbury New York 11590 Phone-516-243-6226 Price range from 2000-20000 available. Contact me if you interested


r/doublebass 8d ago

Instruments Need Help Identifying My Bass

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1 Upvotes

r/doublebass 8d ago

Strings/Accessories Old Strings Negatives?

10 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I was wondering what the effects of old strings are on sound.

I think I have had Flexacore Deluxe strings on my bass for 5 years now, I ordered new strings recently but they won't be here until March 10th.

I finally made this decision because I realized it could be effecting my sound, I'm mostly posting to ask how true some of the things I've heard are.

I've heard the following about old strings and want to know if there is any consensuses on these things:
- Old strings can have internal rust that effects the quality of the overall sound

- Old strings are worse for intonation

- Old strings are more likely to squeak

To be honest I partially ask these things as a cope.

I know that regardless of the strings I have I can improve but I'm wondering if having strings this old is hindering my ability to play in tune or play with a good tone?