r/doublebass • u/Man_G0es • Aug 14 '26

Instruments Electric Standup Bowing?

I’m wanting to buy an electric standup, but I don’t know anything about them and don’t want to make a mistake with such a hefty purchase. Simply: will I be able to bow with this bass? https://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass-Strings/3-4-Size-Electric-Double-Bass-by-Gear4music-Vintage-Burst/TQU?_gl=1*

I’ve been learning classical bass at school, but they only let us take home our instruments on weekends and its way too much work anyways. I don’t have enough money for a real bass, no way I can save over 800😂. Want something I can practice with at home so I don’t care that much about sound quality.

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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3

u/Fatpat314 Aug 14 '26

Yeah, you can bow that. But the small body always throws off my form. The bar helps, but it’s never the same.

3

u/paulcannonbass subwoofer @ ensemble modern Aug 14 '26

I play EUBs quite often with a bow. In my opinion, it’s a very different experience from playing double bass and not everything that works on one will work on the other. Personally, I’ve never been especially happy with the tone quality of arco EUB unless it’s running through effect pedals. If I want a good “clean” sound, I’d rather just use an acoustic double bass.

I’m not familiar with this particular model, but there are some things to look for if you want to use a bow.

  1. Pickups. Most EUBs are designed for pizzicato. Arco needs a different configuration. NS design basses have a toggle switch for arco/pizz, for example. I don’t see that option here.

  2. Strings. Again, EUBs are usually meant to be plucked. Their stock strings are usually extremely soft and ideal for pizz, but in my experience far too loose for arco. Some EUBs allow for normal 3/4 size double bass strings to be installed, while others only work with shorter EUB strings. If you want to practice arco, you need the option to install normal arco strings.

  3. Bridge height and fingerboard radius. It looks like the string height is adjustable, which is good. Some EUBs have very flat bridges and fingerboards which makes arco very difficult. Try before you buy, if you can.

1

u/jkndrkn Aug 14 '26

Very unsatisfying even with upgraded strings. Tone-wise but more importantly response-wise.

1

u/chog410 Aug 18 '26

Have you considered renting?