Maker & Restorer of Violins, Violas, Cellos & Double Basses.
Electric Upright Bass
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The Story Behind the Making of an Electric Upright Bass
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In January of 2012 I recieved a call from Dave Swift, the bassist with Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Dave wished to know If I would be interested in designing and building an electric upright bass ( EUB ) for him. Dave has had an interest in these instruments ever since seeing Sting on TV playing a EUB with The Police. He has a number of EUBs all of which have real issues with sound, playability and to say nothing of appearance. Dave considered that the only way he was going to get what he needed was to commission a double bass luthier to make him one, a guitar luthier would tend to make something resembling an upright bass guitar with the result that it would sound like one too!
I didn't take any persuading, in over 40 years as a luthier this was the first time anybody had asked me to build an EUB and I was very interested why so few of these instruments worked. I agreed to think about it for a while and we both surfed the net finding examples of the good, the bad and the ugly! Two weeks later we meet up at Dave's place and spent a day looking, comparing and dicussing his EUBs finally arriving at an outline scheme that we were both happy to proceed with.
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Dave's requirements in decending importants were:-
1) It must sound like a double bass both plucked and bowed.
2) It must feel like a double bass to play.
3) It must not feedback.
4) It will not require setting up before playing.
5) It should be no longer than necessary.
It was also agreed that:-
6) A Fishman Full Circle Pickup with 'outboard' preamp would be used.
7) It would be finished in a traditional double bass varnish.
8) Evah Pirazzi strings would be fitted and there should be 4 of them!
8) The scale length would be 41.5" ( 105.5 cm. )
10) As far as possible standard double bass fittings should be used.
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Design and Realisation
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Dave Swift and myself both realised that the key to success lay in producing an instrument that was along the lines of a 'deconstructed' double bass, a plank of wood would not do! The front would need to mimic to a degree a real double bass front but without sufficient resonance to cause feedback. The solution adopted was to carve a front from the solid ( like the real thing ) complete with bass bar and provide a sound post too. With standard double bass string length, neck angle and height, bridge and tail piece there was a good chance in creating an instrument that had the essence of a double bass. I just had to make it now.
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The build was quite straight forward, the EUB comprising of 2 parallel rails with what are effectively a top block to attach the neck and removable cross piece, and the bottom block to provide for the end pin and tail piece fixing. To these blocks the front was glued, the sound post being supported on one rail . The only non standard fitting is the end pin which I made in order to decrease the overall length of the bass, similarly there is no scroll for the same reason.
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The photo above left is of the EUB 'in the white' and ready for varnishing
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The photo above shows the EUB on its stage stand that is not intended for playing purposes. The stand is a very slightly modified K&M bassoon stand.
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The photo above is of the demountable cross piece
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Basic Diamensions
Length of front 120 cm ( 44" )
Overall width with cross piece 48 cm. ( 19" )
Overall width without cross piece ( at bridge ) 21 cm. ( 8.25" )
Overall Length 179 cm. ( 70.5" )
Maximum depth ( at bridge ) 30.cm ( 12" )
String length 105.5 cm ( 41.5" )
Weight approximately 8 kg.
The design features of this instrument have been customer led, based on years of Dave's experience of EUBs and their many failings. Dave Swift was very kind to allow me enough 'space' to decide on the general style and details. Another customer and another solution would have been found so if would like to dicuss the making of a custom made EUB please contact me.
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I shall let Dave Swift have the last words:-
This bass has been designed and crafted to feel and function like an acoustic double bass but still be easier to transport. Combined with Pirastro's Evah Pirrazi strings and a Fishman Full Circle pickup, this EUB sounds as good as any amplified double bass I've ever played!
This very first attempt exceeded all of my expectations and is with question the best EUB I've ever played.I couldn't be happier!
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Dave Swift with his new electric upright bass
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