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Upright Bass Archives

Scott Mulvahill: Teen Town on Upright Bass
Bass Videos

Scott Mulvahill: Teen Town on Upright Bass

Scott Mulvahill is a beast of a double bass player in Nashville, but just because he’s in the country music capital of the world doesn’t mean he can’t shred some jazz. In this clip he tackles the masterful Jaco Pastorius song, “Teen Town” on the upright. “The bass nerds know what I’m talking about. It’s our favorite gameboy-disco-jazz-bass-shred classic,” he...

Buying Your First Double Bass (Upright Bass): Part 2
The Lowdown with Dr. D

Buying Your First Double Bass (Upright Bass): Part 2

Now that we have had a short introduction into the various sizes and materials of double basses, we are ready to get our own upright bass. Here are a few thoughts on the final steps. Renting For those folks who aren’t ready to commit financially, renting can seem attractive. If you are just dipping your toes in the water, this...

Buying Your First Double Bass (Upright Bass): Part 1
The Lowdown with Dr. D

Buying Your First Double Bass (Upright Bass): Part 1

When people are just starting to get interested in playing the double bass there can be some trepidation when it comes to obtaining one. Both the prices and the terminology can be off-putting for someone just starting out. For those of you thinking about buying your first upright bass, below are a few things to consider. There are many variables,...

Bass of the Week: Evilectric Skull Bass
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: Evilectric Skull Bass

With a name like Evilectric, you might guess that the company makes some gnarly looking basses. You’d be right. Evilectric builds full 41 3/4-inch scale electric upright basses with custom designs. Only three have been made so far, and this week we’re checking out the Skull bass. The body is a skull and cross bones with the bridge sitting right...

What A Day: Closet
Bass Videos

What A Day: Closet

Here’s a beautifully creative clip of What A Day, a bass and vocal duo made up of Jonathan Joly and Leah Gracie. The band describes their project as a “musical trip through the entrails of the bureaucratic world” of the music industry. “Closet” features an interesting bass line that evokes imagery of the passing of a work day with a...

Nenad Vasilic: Deep Purple’s “Burn” Solo Bass Arrangement
Bass Videos

Nenad Vasilic: Deep Purple’s “Burn” Solo Bass Arrangement

Double bassist Nenad Vasilic is back with a new cover video of Deep Purple’s “Burn.” While the whole arrangement is acoustic, check out his innovative method for getting “distortion” to match the ’70s rock vibe.

Basic Care of Your Upright Bass: Part 2
The Lowdown with Dr. D

Basic Care of Your Upright Bass: Part 2

While there are certainly deals out there, an upright bass can cost. Even a “student model” plywood bass, properly set up, can easily set you back around $2000 US. The prices only go up from there. Needless to say, most of us would like to protect this investment. The suggestions below are a continuation of Basic Care of Your Upright...

Basic Care of Your Upright Bass: Part 1
The Lowdown with Dr. D

Basic Care of Your Upright Bass: Part 1

While there are certainly deals out there, an upright bass can cost. Even a “student model” plywood bass, properly set up, can easily set you back around $2,000 US. The prices only go up from there. Needless to say, most of us would like to protect this investment. Here are some basics everyone should know about owning an upright bass....

Bass of the Week: Chadwick Folding Bass
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: Chadwick Folding Bass

Ask any double bassist what the biggest pain is about their instrument of choice, and they’ll likely tell you it is the task of lugging it around. Enter the Chadwick Folding Bass: a standard 3/4 bass that folds in on itself for travel. The bass has a removable panel on the back that allows the entire neck to fold into....

Hipshot Products Unveils FreeRange Xtender for Upright Bass
Accessories & Strings

Hipshot Products Unveils FreeRange Xtender for Upright Bass

Hardware manufacturer Hipshot unveiled an interesting product aimed at double bassists called the FreeRange Xtender at NAMM this year. The new gadget allows you to quickly change the tuning of an upright bass string at the switch of a lever, and lets you drop down as far as a low A. Using several together can be handing for changing the...

Holding the Upright Bass
The Lowdown with Dr. D

Holding the Upright Bass

There are a plethora of ideas on how one should hold the double bass and new variants seem to surface every day. Some stance decisions will be made based on specific performance situations, but most will reflect someone’s pedagogical background (i.e. who their teachers were) and personal preference. For example, it is unlikely you will sit on a stool while...

Recording the Upright Bass
The Lowdown with Dr. D

Recording the Upright Bass

Steve Bunker, a rockabilly player, recently asked me about the “best way to record the upright bass.” While I don’t think there is any one single way that is the best to record every upright bass in every style of music, I have noticed a few things over the years. Get your sound before you walk into the studio This...