Valie
I'm planning to get an upright bass but I have never played one before. I need all the do's and don'ts. I'm looking at a 3/4 size. Will it be too small or should I go for the full size bass. What brand names must I avoid? I'm planning to spend about R 6,000 on something second hand if I can find one. How high should the action be on the neck? What scale lenght etc. Help!
vic
I presume you want an acoustic double bass.
3/4 is standard size and it's huge ? Most cheaper basses are laminated and are ideal for jazz, etc...the carved solid top back and sides ones are very expensive and are mainly used in symphony orchestras, etc. and played with a bow.
The basses readily available here are mostly of Chinese/Eastern origin and are reported not to be well-made.
There is currently an old German bass (Hofner) on Gumtree Cape Town...check it out.
EDIT: Not that difficult to play in my experience...or should I rather say..to get a sound out of it ..ha ha...it's a different ballgame but one gets used to it fairly quickly. It's tough on the hands and wrists initially and it takes some time to get used to the stance as well.
D-tox
I play the electric upright (easier to transport and I missed Vic's acoustics..grrrrr) It takes time getting used to, and learn all your scales in the "open"position first, other than that and hand position.. practice practice practice, I play t live +- 3 times a week ? good luck
Not sure if you will find a good one with regards to sound for that price, I had a look at one in Music connection for 33000, and I was not impressesd, as my EUB had a more authentic sound...
