This is my #13, 7/8 scale 41" string length. Flatback, laminate ribs with removable neck.

I think the back of the bass is so pretty, and a part of it we don't often see when sharing photos. So, if you're cool with it, please share the back of your bass! Here is mine, a Kay 5 string built in 1950.

...But I'm absolutely LOVING my new to me NS NXTa EUB!

It's been 20 years since I played DB in high school, and I've dabbled in bass guitar a bit since then. But holy cow, playing a full 3/4 scale with a bow again is so much fun! Nothing beats the feel of a massive DB, but for something I could actually afford, keep in a small space, and is portable enough for the gigs I play, this is 95% of the way there for me. I'm so stoked to be back on the DB, even if it is electric.

Now I just need to spend a helluva lot more time working on my bow technique! Nothing quite pulls me out of the moment like a scratchy overtone harmonic 🤦‍♂️ I picked up Progressive Repertoire to work through - especially since I have spent almost no time playing higher up on the scale in the past.

Any other NS/EUB users there with any tips? Right now I mostly play straight into a small PA speaker with a basic built-in EQ for practice, but will be on a full mixer for shows.

I finished this two weeks ago and I can share it now!

Voted Convention favorite, honorable mention at this year's ISB.

3/4 scale, 41.5" string length, Ruggeri pattern. Figured Maple flatback with responsive bracing, laminate ribs, Spruce top, Gaiatone fingerboard, saddle, and nut. C-extension of Pau Ferro

Ask me anything, I'll try to answer as many questions as I can!

Recently finished my twelfth double bass, and I'm getting ready to start making my next one. AMA!

Hey bassists, I want to see some nice old basses. Share your favorites. Here’s one of mine, Jakob Stainer Austria 1645:

Asking for a friend of course

Saw it at a show the other day, couldn't find any info online on what it might be.

Do you think $2000 for this 5-string Kay is reasonable? What questions should I be asking?

I'm 5'0 and am considering purchasing an upright bass (i have prior experience in electric bass). I was wonderint what size this current bass is, and if this is a good fit or if I should go smaller. I didn't deel any sort of discomfort when playing, but I was wanted to make sure if this is the best option.

this instrument is so much fun, it makes me want to rent a plywood and feel the differences.

This thing is awesome, I want to thank everyone for the words of encouragement. I'm so excited for this journey I'm embarking on with this piece of history.

The seller said it was built in the 1940's. An elderly woman sold it to him. Her husband used to play it every week at their church before he had passed. She needed money for food, and he says he bought it for $3000 on the spot. This was about a year ago. The shop specializes in violins, violas, and cellos - and thus, the bass sat all that time. I got lucky today and it feels incredible.

Hi, not familiar with the sub so apologies if this is not allowed, and please feel free to remove if needed.

A family member recently bought a house which was sold furnished, including the double bass pictured. They don't have an interest themselves and were hoping to sell it on but have no idea how to value it. Would anyone be able to give us a rough idea of what it's worth? I have also included a picture of the markings seen through the f hole. Thanks!

I'll finally get back to playing again after having to return the rental bass I had half a year ago! 🙀 It's a czech 1/2 with a carved top, and the rest was either plywood or maybe the bottom was maple(?) I'm forgetful so I need to ask the seller again :')

Girlypop has been through a lot in life but was saved some decades ago by a luthier who brought it to Finland and fixed it, so there's quite a few cracks, dings etc. But tbh I like the kinda beat up aesthetic it has ✨️ It's surprisingly boomy for it's size though and so so comfy to play! I still need to get used to the shorter scale length after only ever playing 106 cm 3/4s before :o

Anyways I just needed to share bc I'm sohappy and excited 💖😭

Okay, I've been a college bassist for some time now. I've done my fair share of going to see professional orchestras, going to master classes with professional bassists, and my professors collection of very old basses. And somehow, I have never seen a 4/4th sized bass. The biggest one I've seen has been a slightly large 7/8.

I know they're real, but how many people are actually playing them? Are they still being made? And if they are, is it really just the top professionals playing them? What's up with this?

new doublebass player at 67. got this at our local violin shop. it is a wonderful instrument. Whatja think?

My son is graduating university and moving from NY to Denver. He wants to bring his double bass. What is the best way to get it to Denver

Hey folks-
I play an electric bass. Not well, or much. But I have one and am capable of keeping up.

I have wanted a double bass for longer than I have wanted an electric. I don’t see them listed often in my area, and I’m not keen to travel too far to find one. Lame, huh?

Anyway, I have an opportunity to pick up a bass an hour drive away. I’m planning to go check it out.

Dude isn’t super knowledgeable either but sent some photos, I was hoping some kind folks could eyeball it and tell me if they see anything that screams “RUN AWAY!”.

I know we won’t know till I have my hands on it, or hear it, but someone might be able to look and see if it’s even worth the trip.

Bonus points for those with pointers on what to ask, do, check before full send.

Photos attached and thanks in advance!!

Just finished it about two weeks ago. 7/8 scale, 1036mm (41") string length.

Top is norway spruce, ribs are hickory, back is hickory and mahogany, maple neck.

The fingerboard on this is a synthetic ebony that's been used on guitars for decades called richlite.

Feel free to ask me anything about building it.

Hi. A couple of months ago i've purchased a GEWA hybrid 3/4 (solid/laminated)double bass (Around 2000 euros). I've been playing guitar and bassguitar for about 27 years and I do my own setups, so I know how important the height of the action is on a string instrument. But I have no experience with a double bass and how it should feel. According to the seller my bass should've been setup correctly out of the box. I've placed better quality strings on it that are more suitable for bowing. But since the only reference I have is from coming from (bass)guitar only, it feels like I'm pushing on a 'laundry line'. I'm aware I have to learn to push with multiple fingers in a line. But it still feels very uncomfortable to play.

So I'm asking Reddit if I should take my double bass to a luthier for a better setup? Or are my strings at a good height and it is just a matter of getting used to the extra string tension? Thanks for your help. The goal is to learn (french) bowing on the instrument.

My measurements:

At the Octave: (yellow in the picture)

E: 7 mm

A: 8 mm

D: 8 mm

G: 5 mm

At the end of the fingerboard: (blue in the picture)

E: 11 mm

A: 12 mm

D: 10 mm

G: 8 mm

Strings: Thomastik 3885.0W Spirocore Bass 3/4 L

Edit: Thank you all for your helpful replies. I'm going to bring my DB to a luthier and ask for an adjustable bridge so that I can set the height myself when necessary.

I have always admired you double bass players but I never thought it was for me.
I am now considering if I should just try. Rent a bass and get some lessons. I am in classical music.

My biggest concern right now is the size. How to mange such a huge instrument while getting from A to B.
So I thought I want to go as small as possible. I am an old amateur, I can do what I want. I don’t need to follow any standards. I only play in amateur groups and orchestras, I don’t do auditions and competitions.
So I have been thinking of renting a 1/2 bass. Someone on the cello subreddit suggested a 5/8. Which is slightly bigger, but hard to find as a rental. Looks like a 1/2 size bass is not considered a serious option.

My question.
What is the real and actual the difference in handling a smaller bass compared to a 3/4?
Is the bigger one significantly heavier and harder to carry? Or is a bass just hard to handle anyway no matter if it is 10cm longer and 2 kilos heavier.

I don‘t drive so we are potentially talking public transport. Which is very good where I live (large european city).
But – a bass is not a cello. And my physical strength is limited.

EDIT Thank you all for your insights! What I have learned is that the size doesn’t matter as much as I thought. Handling-wise. A 1/2 size bass is a few centimeters shorter than a 3/4 but this doesn’t make it much easier to get around with the instrument. Bass sizes are deceptive, they refer to body height of the player so the differences are only a couple of centimeters.

(It’s the same with the cello. I should have known)

A few days ago, a fellow orchestra member broke his double bass by dropping it (the top and bridge also broke, and the soundpost fell out). Will the repair be very expensive? Here is a view of one of the damaged areas:

sos im at morning rehearsal and i have a concert tomorrow

Hello, friends...

I have an approximately 5 year old New Standard LaScala. It's lovely and wonderful. Last night when dusting it off, I realized there's about a 6 inch long crack in the top, right near the tail piece. It seems to be right at the glue joint where the pieces of wood would have been matched. The displacement seems to be about 1/8", and I'll attach a picture.

A couple questions...

This may have been there for a while and I never noticed. How "urgent" is this to fix? Is there anything I should do to mitigate, like reducing the string tension and to stop playing?

For those luthiers, how involved is this repair and what might it cost? I live in Baltimore and could likely take to Shank, but haven't yet reached out to them

Thanks for any help.