Taking Another Crack at Double Bass

The Double Bass

I have two underused double basses.  When I got them, I imagined that it would be fairly easy to move from bass guitar to double bass.  I was wrong.  Double bass (aka acoustic bass, stand-up bass) is a very different instrument.  A double bass requires more precision in setting it up, and more technique to master.  Your left hand fingers have to be just right, creating a "handshake" on the strings.  You need to learn to use a bow, not for playing necessarily, but to practice arpeggios and exercises, because you can hear the sound better that way.

Further, getting a pickup attached so you can increase volume is important, and they are expensive, and you need one that helps stop feedback.

There is no easy or fast way to learn double bass.  I have learned the hard way, that you cannot just ignore the experts and use whatever fingering and plucking you like.  If you don't do it right, your hands will get very tired and you won't make it through a gig.

This week I realized that I do indeed want to be proficient on double bass, and that I need to stop fooling myself and learn all the proper techniques.  You must be patient and take it one practice at a time.  You need to pay careful attention to your intonation -- when playing anything, do it over again until you get the rich bass tones you need.  You need to replace the "thunk thunk thunk" sound with a nice "boom boom boom."

Want to learn double bass?  Do it right, and do it slow until you get it.

Two Easy Ways to Improve the Tone and Volume of Your Double Bass

I have been reading Chuck Traeger's books on the repair and setup of the double bass for optimum sound.  In his short addition, Coda, he explains two easy ways to improve the tone and volume of your double bass.  I am trying them out, and will report back here how they worked.

1. Put .005" teflon pads underneath the feet of your bridge.  Chuck says these pads allow the body of the bass to vibrate with less constraint from the pressure of the bridge.  The result is a noticeable increase in volume (more vibration = more volume).

My solution:  I ordered some from Metropolitan Music (metmusic.com), here's the link.  Price is $10 for enough teflon for three basses, plus shipping charges of $9, for a total of $19.  Installation instructions are provided.

UPDATE:  I installed the teflon pads under my bridge.  I am not sure if it increases the volume, but the sustain seems much improved.

2. Change your metal end pin to one made of wood.  Most bass end pins are made of steel or graphite.  End pins do more than just hold up your bass: they vibrate and add to the volume and tone of your instrument.  Steel end pins don't vibrate very well.  Graphite vibrates better, with an increase in volume, but the tone isn't optimum.  Traeger experimented with end pins made of different types of wood, and was amazed at the difference in sound -- he has concluded that the end pin is even more important to sound production than the sound post.  Various woods produce louder or softer volume, brighter or darker tone.  The ones you choose may depend on whether you play arco or pizzicato.  You should consult Traeger's book for a more comprehensive discussion of the various woods to learn which may be best for you.

Chuck found black oak to work best, but cautions that every bass is different.  The end pin wood has to match the impedance of your bass.  The wood end pin you choose will depend on several factors, e.g. the construction of the bass, the type of wood it is made of, whether it is carved or a laminate.  Even the type of strings you use can be a factor.  Therefore, some experimentation with different woods may be necessary.

The wooden end pin must be 5/8 inches in diameter for optimum sound; larger or smaller diameters don't work as well.  I searched the internet for wooden end pins, and those available from dealers are few and expensive ($80 to $150).  Too rich for my blood.

My solution:  After browsing several bass forum sites, I learned that common drumsticks can be used for end pins.  To get drumsticks that are 5/8 inches in diameter (.630 inches), order size 2b.  2B drumsticks are thicker than most drumsticks, and are used for heavy metal and other ear-busting music.  You can buy drumsticks in different types of wood, like rosewood and hickory, but oak is probably best in most cases.  However, I couldn't find any in black oak, so I ordered some in Japanese white oak (see link here).

You can get a rubber cap for the end pin at most hardware stores.

Drumsticks generally cost around $10 a pair, with another $5 - $8 for shipping.  Or, try your local music store.

UPDATE:  Unfortunately, the collar for most bass end pins is smaller than than 5/8 inches, so you would have to drill the collar to widen the hole.  Probably not worth the trouble.  I did note, in some bass forum, that a bassist used a 3/8 drumstick instead of the optimum 5/8 size, and still had good results.  Rather than drill out my end pin socket, I will try using a 3/8 size dowel.

MY SECOND ATTEMPT:  Regular end pins are only 10 mm, slightly larger than 3/8 inches.  10 mm = .393701 inches.  You can buy wood dowel rods off of Ebay; the closest fit would be 3/8 inches in diameter, or .375 inches.  So the wood dowel would be slightly smaller than 10 mm.  I think it should still fit okay; in any case, I ordered a walnut dowel that is 36 inches by 3/8 inches.  If it works, I will have enough for both of my basses with room to spare.  I ordered such a dowel off of Ebay for $10, which includes shipping.  We'll see if that works.

Note:  For more details on these topics, buy Chuck Traeger's book Coda.  It also has other tips for maximizing your sound.

Spirit Varnish Repairs for a Double Bass

Repair of Spirit Varnish Blemishes; Upon Turning a Simple Scratch Into a Major Disaster

Last week, when  I picked up my carved bass to practice, metal on my belt bit into the upper bout of my bass, leaving a visible scratch.  What I should have done, was use my "Cherry" furniture repair pen to hide the scratch.  Instead, I painted on some red/brown spirit varnish, tried to wipe it off, which marred the surrounding area.  Before I knew it, I had changed a very simple repair into a major disaster.  Now the small scratch had grown to a big ugly blotch.  I had violated an important principle of bass repair:  be patient, be careful.

I slopped on more red/brown spirit varnish, painting with the grain, then against the grain.  After several coats, the blemish was mostly covered satisfactorily, but had developed a very dark border of accumulated varnish.  It didn't look too bad, to a guy riding by on horseback at midnight. Since I don't own a horse, changes would have to be made.

First off, the color was also too red, and I realized that, though Calin Wultur Panormo basses are supposed to be finished with red/brown varnish, the upper bouts had been finished with golden brown varnish.  The golden brown segues into red/brown further down the bass.  It became clear that I needed some golden brown spirit varnish.  I ordered some immediately.

I carefully (for a change) removed my application of red/brown spirit varnish, using an alcohol-dampened rag (spirit varnish dissolves in alcohol).  I got it down to the bare wood, carefully removing the ugly thick borders.  I will wet sand it smooth with fine sandpaper, and when I get my golden brown varnish, I'll try again.

I'm fairly confident that I will be able to repair the varnish satisfactorily.  I will use this as a learning experience.  I am beginning to realize that double bass players almost have to be luthiers in their own right.  These basses are fragile and complicated.  I ordered a copy of  Chuck Traeger's book, Setup And Repair of the Double Bass for Optimum Sound: A Manual for Players, Makers, And Repairers.  I also ordered the "Coda," a smaller followup volume offering additional setup and repair tips.

My Big Band class begins again next week.  Fortunately, I have another double bass I can use until I repair the Calin Wultur Panormo.

UPDATE:  I applied the Golden Brown spirit varnish and greatly improved the appearance of the damaged area.  Does it look as good as it did originally?  No, but it isn't half bad.  I may try and improve it sometime later, with more coats of varnish.

Encouraging Progress on the Double Bass

Last night was the sixth and final session for my "Beginning Big Band" class.  After the class, the band went out together for beer and dinner at the Los Gatos Brewery.  We all enjoyed the beer, snacks and conversation.  Several people complimented me on my bass playing, and that was nice.  The lovely lady band leader gave me a big hug.  The guitar player tried to recruit me for another local big band.  I told him I would gladly consider it.

My biggest challenge in playing upright bass is the arthritis in my right shoulder and shoulder blade.  I must continue exercising with weights to overcome it.  My desire to be a serious bassist is also my greatest incentive to get and stay in shape.

Now that I don't have my weekly class meeting as a practice incentive, I must find new incentives, e.g. a new class, a new band.  I will think on it.

What I take away from this classroom experience:  (1) a much greater ability to read notes (2) an improving knowledge of the bass neck, and better intonation; (3) practical experience in the maintenance and transporting of my large double bass.

Zoltan Dekany: A Great Bass Instructor Online

Zoltan Dekany

In a Google search, I discovered a great bass instructor online.  His name is Zoltan Dekany, and his YouTube Channel is called Zoltan's Bass Lounge.  He lives in the U.K. You can access his site at this link.

Zoltan has instructional videos for both bass guitar and double bass.  Since I am struggling to become a double bass player, I concentrate on those videos.

When I first got my double bass, I was impatient, and ignored videos telling me how to use the "hand shake," the manner in which a bass player uses his left hand.  As a result, I became tired quickly and couldn't practice too much.

It has since become obvious to me that solidly learning the basics is highly important, so I am currently concentrating on intonation (playing clear sounding notes), shifting the left hand to accurately play notes up and down the neck, and strengthening my fingers through bass exercises.  Zoltan explains these things in clear language that the student can understand -- there are many good bass instructors online, but many of them talk over my head.  Zoltan doesn't do that.

I recommend Zoltan if you are looking for a good online instructor.  I have added Zoltan's link to my sidebar.

My String Bass Practice Routine: It's Working!

My Calin Wultur Panormo
Carved String Bass

I have been playing my upright bass for the past 3 or 4 days, using Vince Guaraldi's Christmas album as the music to accompany.  My idea was to bring myself up to speed, physically, on the string bass so I can look for bands and gigs.

The practice routine is working.  Each day I seem stronger and can play longer before tiring out.  In fact, my progress is faster than I expected.  The first couple of days provided a blister on my right index finger -- the one used for plucking.  It's no longer sore and is becoming a callous.

Some aspects of playing an upright or string bass should be considered carefully before switching from bass guitar.  The upright bass is much more physically demanding.  You may be able to remove some of the stress by using medium or light gauge strings instead of heavy gauge.  I changed mine, and the results were quite beneficial.  Lighter gauge strings don't have as much volume, but if you are amplifying your bass with a pickup or microphone, that doesn't really matter.

Another physically demanding aspect of the upright is the neck.  Yes, it is much thicker and also much longer.  However, the length does not give you more notes.  The upright bass neck actually offers you less notes, not more.  The neck is long, but so are the half steps (what would be frets on a bass guitar) down the bass.  An upright player must use the open strings more often than is necessary on a bass guitar.

I was surprised this week to find how easily I can press the strings to play arpeggios and bass lines.  Yes, the neck is thick, but not so thick that an experienced bass guitarist can't handle it.

In short, my conquest of the string bass is easier than I expected, though it does require effort.  My next goal is to buy the best pickup for the bass that I can afford.  That will cost me around $195   Ouch.

Switching to Double Bass From Bass Guitar: Getting In Physical Shape

I have some time off from my regular rock band and now have the time to get up to speed on double bass (i.e. my big stand up acoustic bass).  I haven't touched my double bass in months and I know the transition back to it will involve effort.  On a stand up, the strings are usually heavier and the neck bigger.  More effort is required for both pressing and plucking the strings.  And, there are no frets!

Dealing with no frets:  I decided to deal with this my marking note positions on my neck with a Sharpie pen. I used black for regular notes and red for the sharps or flats.  Not cool, you should know just where to put your fingers totally by feel.  However, I don't have time to be cool, I want to actually know where F. G, A, B, and C is on the E string, so I can play chords (arpeggios) without guessing.

Now that that's done, I will familiarize myself with the big neck by playing major scales and arpeggios for the next two weeks.  This will condition my fingers (the bass guitar does not condition them enough for a double bass), get me used to the bigger reach for playing arpeggios, and help me learn all notes on the neck by feel.  While playing major scales and major arpeggios, I will concentrate on producing a clear tone, not a muffled one due to poor fingering.

Playing a double bass is much more physically demanding than playing a bass guitar, so my initial practice routine, as described above, should get me in shape over the next couple of weeks.

To keep the practice interesting, I will also play the double bass to some fairly easy songs and record it to discover weak spots in my playing.

I will allocate a minimum of one hour a day on double bass practice.  The above practice plan is meant mostly to get my into physical shape to play double bass.