Wtd - upright bass

RevMatt

Never played one (or even a fretless) but always fancied trying an upright bass.

Don't want to spend a lot so if anyone has something like this, let me know:

https://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass-Strings/Stagg-Electric-Double-Bass-Metallic-Black-3-4/PW4?origin=product-ads&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrIixBhBbEiwACEqDJZFDwIGJD8aCV79TKU2lviLz7A89Cc5NHJayQv3HRbqstr0XkGDwYBoC4bsQAvD_BwE

Winny_Pooh

The solid body basses sound so bad that it will really put you off. I'd recommend a full acoustic bass. You can get a used upright for that price.

RevMatt

Thanks @Winny_Pooh - I'd heard that rumour although still fancy a try. I can't see me ever being good enough or needing a proper upright, so the convenience of this is part of the appeal 

Funkfingers

Winny_Pooh said:

The solid body basses sound so bad that it will really put you off. I'd recommend a full acoustic bass. You can get a used upright for that price.

I concur.

Tony Levin gets a decent sound from an NS electric upright but, then, he bloody well should for £2.5k. 

Lawriejones1

I play DB and gig a lot. The Stagg basses are junk.

The NS Wav basses or Ibanez Upswing are much better if you can stretch to them. The Stagg is a bass-shaped instrument. (You can get the NS in 34” and 3/4 scale lengths). I’ve used a Wav for a gig with a valve preamp and it was good enough.

Of course nothing will give you the sound and feel of a DB, but they’re big, challenging to play and a nightmare to store. 

There are other quirky more portable ones like the Emininence, Kolstrin and Azola that get you to a closer DB sound, but are rarer and more expensive. The best in my experience is the Yamaha SLB.

You may have few aspirations to play but as soon as people hear you play DB you’ll be in demand.

The old joke is…

Week 1: buy the bass
Week 2: learn the basics 
Week 3: First gig.

I’m not very good at all and I could play paying gigs a few times a week if I wanted to. 

slacker

I've got an nxt it's a good compromise. 

RevMatt

Thanks for the comments.

With the Stagg / G4M type stuff being about £300 second hand these seemed like a low risk/cheap way to give upright bass a go.

But, taking your comments into account I've plumped for a fretless semi instead - Ibanez SHR500

Funkfingers

RevMatt said:

I've plumped for a fretless semi instead - Ibanez SHR500F

The Bridgehouse model!

RevMatt

Sorry @Funkfingers you'll have to enlighten me, the what...?

Funkfingers

Bridgehouse - bassist, Fretboard moderator and all-round legend - owned an Ibanez SHR500F. It may have been retired since he took possession of a Shuker. 

RevMatt

Ah, thanks @Funkfingers ;