Author Topic: Upright Bass Masters (Read 511 times)

richbass939 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 23, 2005, 06:22:39 PM »

You could learn to play upright on the other side of the instrument without reversing the strings. However, it seems that it would mess up your lefty electric playing since it would be the opposite of how you normally play.
As far as the construction of the upright goes, I don?t think there is any reason why you couldn?t string it goofy (I hope the club lefties don't smack me for using a snowboarding term here). In addition to the nut and bridge, the other thing you would need to change is the sound post. It goes from the top to the back and is placed more or less under the G-string. It is slightly below the G side foot of the bridge. I don?t know why it is placed exactly where it is but supposedly there is a perfect place for it to go. The bridge could probably be flipped around so the string slots are under the right strings. As far as I can tell the bridges are perfectly symmetrical. You may need to get a new blank nut and file string slots in it. International Violin is a really good luthier supply company. They have ebony bass nuts listed for $2.60 to $3.30, pretty inexpensive. Their site is http://www.internationalviolin.com .
Good luck with it. Upright is a real challenge for me but the sound and fretless flexibility are really cool.
Rich

bob · « **Reply #16 on:** May 23, 2005, 10:55:38 PM »

The idea of the soundpost is that it serves as sort of a pivot point for the bridge, which in turn vibrates the top plate, which moves air, makes sound, etc. You need more of this action for the lower frequencies, which is why the post needs to be pretty much under the G.

All I know is the theory, I've never played one of these, and I understand that getting it positioned just right is a bit of an art. But if you were to swap the strings around, you would definitely want to move the soundpost as well.

mint_bass · « **Reply #17 on:** May 24, 2005, 01:08:21 AM »

I thought that the fingerboard on a double bass was non semetrical (if thats the right term) under the E sting. i.e. under the E is the fingerboard flat. I dont know much about double basses but i thought this might have something to do with compensating with the size of the E string. so if i flipped the strings then what would be the effect.

any ideas
thanks for the replies by the way.
andrew

811952 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 24, 2005, 09:15:21 AM »

Every good 4-string upright I've played has had an asymetrical fingerboard contour. The couple of really nice ancient German 5-string uprights I've been blessed to play have had symetrical fingerboard contours.
John

keebler · « **Reply #19 on:** May 25, 2005, 12:52:42 PM »

There are upright players that use the upper range of the instrument quite well. Check out Scott Lafaro or Neils-Henning Orsted Peterson (who just recently passed away, and will be greatly missed!). Also, at a great concert this last spring, Edgar Meyer demonstrated some excellent use of harmonics between the end of the fingerboard and the bridge on the G string. Edgar looked so relaxed playing the entire range of the bass, I thought he looked like he could fall asleep right there! Incredible!!

keebler · « **Reply #20 on:** May 25, 2005, 12:59:26 PM »

There are upright players that use the upper range of the instrument quite well. Check out Scott Lafaro or Neils-Henning Orsted Pederson (who just recently passed away, and will be greatly missed!). Also, at a great concert this last spring, Edgar Meyer demonstrated some excellent use of harmonics between the end of the fingerboard and the bridge on the G string. Edgar looked so relaxed playing the entire range of the bass, I thought he looked like he could fall asleep right there! Incredible!!

son_of_magni · « **Reply #21 on:** May 25, 2005, 05:29:47 PM »

Mint, If you reverse strings on an upright bass it will completely screw up the sound. There is a piece of wood an inch square or so, that runs down the inside of the body and passes under the E-string leg of the bridge. This is called the Bass Bar. It serves to balance the volume by reducing the low end, and in combination with the sound post it gives you pretty even volume over the range of the instrument.

But playing lefty on a righty strung instrument would certainly be an interesting experience, and a unique skill if you can do it.

Oh, and Edgar Meyer. He's just amazing. When he plays arco, his bowing is so effortless. It's just beautiful to watch, and hear...

(Message edited by son_of_magni on May 25, 2005)

mint_bass · « **Reply #22 on:** May 29, 2005, 01:00:50 PM »

thanks guys

i am undecided what to do but i am in no rush just my friend just got a upright and i got a severe case of gas

richbass939 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 03, 2005, 02:27:04 PM »

If it looks like finding a lefty bass will be too difficult, you could check with a luthier to see what it would take to move the bass bar and replace the fingerboard with a lefty or symmetrical one.
Rich