Looking to buy a double bass? It’s an exciting moment for any musician, starting with the biggest and lowest-pitched member of the orchestral string crew. Whether you’re a student rocking your first full-size instrument, a jazz player after that perfect woody sound, or a rockabilly fan ready to slam through a fast set, getting the right bass is crucial.
Things to Consider When Choosing Double Basses
Materials
When selecting the right double bass instrument, the type of wood is crucial because it affects both the cost and the sound. Top-notch instruments are crafted from solid pieces of premium wood. For instance, they’ve got spruce on top and maple for the back and sides. This setup leads to an amazing, deep sound that just keeps getting better with age. Players who mean business prefer these full-carved basses.
At the opposite end, there are basses made of laminated wood, basically high-quality plywood. Instead of solid timber. Now, some purists may frown upon this choice, but laminated basses are super durable and much cheaper, too. Plus, they don’t crack as easily when the weather is a bit unpredictable. So, for those starting, these bases make a lot of sense.
There’s also the hybrids. Combining a solid carved spruce top for fantastic projection with laminated plywood back and sides to make things affordable. This option gives newbies durability without breaking the bank, while still offering a pretty good sound.
Playability
Playability is all about how comfy and easy an instrument feels when you’re playing it. Since double basses come in various sizes, from tiny quarter-size models to huge four-quarter, it’s super important to find one that matches your height and arm length. Many grown-up players like the three-quarter size because it strikes a great balance between sound quality and ease of use.
The setup of the instrument really impacts your daily comfort level as well. This involves setting the string height above the fingerboard, called the action, and making sure the wooden bridge is curved correctly. If the strings are too high off the fingerboard, your left hand can get wiped out fast, causing cramping and pain. Plus, a nice, comfy neck profile can make your practice sessions way more enjoyable and less sweaty.
Type of Music
Your favourite kind of music really matters when picking a double bass instrument. If you dream of playing in a symphonic orchestra with classical pieces, go for a double bass that you can play with a horsehair bow. Traditional is key here, opt for carved wood that gives that deep acoustic sound and a high curved bridge for isolating each string when bowing.
But if jazz, blues, or rockabilly is more your style, things get different. You’ll be plucking and slapping the strings, not bowing them. In jazz, players love a sound that’s punchy and clear in the mid-range, giving those bass lines plenty of sustain to slice through loud drums and brass.
For touring musicians in sweaty clubs or even outdoor festivals, a sturdy laminated plywood bass with a magnetic pickup is usually the best choice. So consider where and how you’ll be playing before making that big purchase.
Accessories
Bow
If you plan on playing mostly plucked jazz lines, having a good bow is still super important for every bass player. Practising scales with a bow is one of the best ways to get your intonation down, because those long acoustic notes highlight any off-key finger placement right away. When you’re looking for a bow, you’ve got to choose between the French style – held overhand like a violin bow, and the German style, which has a wider frog and is gripped underhand.
Case
Keeping your big new bass safe means you need a really good bag or hard-shell case. Most students and local musicians who play gigs would find a heavily padded soft gig bag the most useful for moving around town. It should have backpack straps and lots of pockets. However, if you plan on flying or travelling in a packed van, it’s crucial to get a sturdy, flight-approved hard case to stop those nasty body cracks from happening.
Care Tips
Caring for a double bass demands lots of consistent effort since these big wooden instruments are super sensitive to their surroundings. The main threat? Sudden drops in humidity. It can make the wood dry out, shrink quickly, and crack at the seams – no joke.
To avoid this, keep your bass out of direct sunlight, away from cold drafts near windows, and away from heating vents. It helps to have a special humidifier in the instrument itself, especially in dry winter weather.
Also, clean it after each time you play. This keeps both the sound and looks amazing. Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the strings and the body. Sweat, body oil, and white rosin dust that flaked off the bow all need to be wiped away. Leaving rosin dust sitting on the delicate varnish isn’t good. It’ll end up baking onto the wood, which ruins the beauty of the finish and mutes the acoustic vibrations.
Finding the perfect double bass transforms your musical expression and introduces you to a fantastic community of players. It’s worth taking the time to consider various body materials, test different sizes, and ensure the setup fits your playing style. This process lets you buy with total confidence, so enjoy the journey!