Does double bass size matter? 3/4, 7/8, 4/4, 5/8 or 1/2? - Discussion & Demo with Marcos Machado

►Discussion links: Check out our website for full links and the dimensions of Marco's bass:
discoverdouble...
►bit.ly/Integral... Our new course 'Integral Technique' by Dr Marcos Machado is out now. A comprehensive study of left-hand technique with numerous demonstrations using orchestral and solo repertoire.
What size bass should you be playing? 1/2, 3/4, 5/8, 4/4? It can seem overwhelming, especially as bassists generally love to play smaller instruments which are easier to transport and often very playable when compared with larger basses. But what about the sound? Surely big basses create big sounds with a great tone? Please let us know what you think in the comments below.
Marcos also shares the secret of how he has been able to take over 100 flights without his bass being damaged!
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[@ivangushkov3651]

I am one of your electric bass brothers, and maaan I will never complain again about transporting my instrument. You guys have it way harder!!

[@professorsc213]

I've been playing electric bass for around 10 years, from the time I was 14 to the age of 24, I fell air to a double bass, the moment I started plucking it and then bowing it I was hooked, I was a closet base junkie. After being on tour for a while I had saved my money and bought an even better double bass, I rented a small room to live in and practiced anywhere from 8:00 to 18 hours a day on the double bass. The coolest thing was after this practice sessions I would pick up my electric base and it felt like a toothpick in my hands and I could fly on that instrument, my electric base became a whole new and amazing experience for me. I must admit now I spend most of my time on the double bass and the cello. But brother, the electric base is an amazing instrument and it will always be, and thanks to technology it would take lifetimes for us to experience all of the capabilities of this amazing instrument. So I look at the double bass and the electric base and the tuba as completely different instruments with their own nuances and amazing capabilities. Keep on plucking those strings brother.

[@professorsc213]

I owned a Volkswagen golf at the time, I had to put down the passenger seat and lay my base on its side. This huge instrument drew a lot of attention from other drivers. Most of them gave me a smile and a thumbs up. I even had a police officer pull me over one time, and I could tell it was more out of curiosity than it was me speeding. By the time I got done telling him all about the double bass he was laughing, smiling, and told me to have a nice day and he even forgot to give me a warning for the speeding I was doing, LOL. It's an amazing journey with all kinds of great stories.

[@instrumentalheadquarters7062]

@@professorsc213 18 hours a day! Thats true love

[@jamescammack6720]

I am primarily a jazz bassist but still can appreciate the necessity for a strong definitive sound, this instrument has exactly that in a 5/8 package which is amazing to me.

[@uziasnatividade5104]

Brazillian accent I'm so proud to see a person of my country appear on this channel

[@DiscoverDoubleBass]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@isetta4083]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 think you accidentally replied instead of making your own comment, Hi again

[@isetta4083]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 were you supposed to put it in this reply chain? I've never been good with 5 string basses or instruments tuned in fifths like I said to you before that one time, it'd definitely be something new to play viola repertoire 2 octaves down, gotta have tight technique for it though

[@isetta4083]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 maybe even nylon could work, personally not a fan of how nylons feel when bowed however but it does work for a small minority of players

[@Lpearse]

Nice video. I have recently gotten a 5/8 bass and I’m really into it. I started long ago on a 7/8 because I’m a big guy, but then mostly have played 3/4 instruments. The thing that I’m really loving about the 5/8 is that I can play it sitting in a regular chair. After decades of either standing or sitting on a stool, it is very interesting to be able to be sitting “with the musicians.”

[@DiscoverDoubleBass]

Yes, that's such a great benefit! Not having to drag a stool with you must be fantastic.

[@b1644]

If size didn't matter, we'd all be playing 1/2 size basses. I suppose it's *possible* to find a small bass with a cannon-like low end but they're the exception rather than the rule, and it's easy for the ear/brain to be tricked by harmonics. Give me a 7/8 with a window-rattling, floor-shaking low C! 😀

[@billsmith2212]

Check out Edgar Meyer - with the extension . I would need a step ladder to get there ! This guy is a master .

[@tubassee]

Amen! Also Renaud Garcia-Fons. His Tiny Desk concert is a good place to start: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIuxfH-Lfcp9qsk

[@thegroovee]

Of corse size matters! Size for sure will change the tone. The bigger the bass the more low frequencies it has.

[@yeetmeintotheabyss2893]

You may be correct but on electric bass at least. Short scale often removes more overtones making it more prevalent in the low end

[@donaldthompson7766]

You mean it makes it more resonant.

[@thegroovee]

@@donaldthompson7766Yes, it is indeed more resonant, but it is more than that. A bigger bass has a "fatter" sound. A smaller bass has "skinnier" low sounds.

[@seanwoodburn2616]

Great discussion and important as well. I stopped traveling with a 1703 C. Tononi because she is delicate...also large! I had a half size un-ascribed,(Perhaps Juzek?) instrument that used to use in a brass consort continuo. It was actually remarkably up to the task and it travelled much better! Not nearly the instrument as the Tononi but no Juzek ever was. I have seriously pondered finding an Italian 1/2 or 5/8 bass as a result. Fantastic discussian!

[@georgerichardson7560]

A great video and answered a few questions on size and potability. However I was wondering would size affect sound when you are playing mainly pizzicato e.g. jazz or folk in terms of volume and depth? :)

[@cedarbay3994]

100 international trips with that thing! 😮

[@mr16ga]

I play a 7/8 (5 strings)and a 3/4 (4 stringer) size bass'. The big bass is easier to play for me. I only play orchestra music. I play with a style simular to yours, not any where as good.

[@krishkrush]

I've been waiting for this video. I'm very tall and considering moving to a 7/8 bass. 3/4 is too small. But student basses that are 7/8 seem hard to find. 3/4 is so popular. It was interesting to hear that Marcos developed his technique on a 7/8 size.

[@caitlingonzalez8633]

Shen makes their Rogeri and panormo models in 7/8 I have the panormo and the harmonics have AMAZING tone, I'd say the hardest part is if you are doing solo repitoire with solo tuning, the tension is a bit much in 6th position unless you use 4/4 strings

[@DiscoverDoubleBass]

Yes it's a very personal thing and a well set up 7/8 can be very playable. There are so many variables as a large 3/4 could also be worth considering. Best of luck on your search.

[@krishkrush]

Thanks everyone for the replies and insights. From the lessons I've had, the main thing I need is a longer fingerboard. The 3/4 fingerboard doesn't cut it. When I have the end pin adjusted on a 3/4 bass so that the nut is at eyebrow height (a whopping 15 inch end pin!) the bottom of the fingerboard and bowing area are too high to use right hand technique properly. When I adjust the end pin so that my right hand is comfortable, 1/2 position is way too low. As many have said, a good problem to have. I think my next step is to try playing some 7/8s and 4/4s and see how things feel. 3/4 is so popular, 7/8 and 4/4 is usually special order and not in stock. :(

[@Gangster_Club3]

I have 5/8 but not fly for I'm beginner 🤷‍♂️ ........someday 💭

[@mihaitaanghel5095]

Too much😮talk

[@jamesrichardson3322]

I want get myself a Bellafina Musicale Series Outfit 3/4 size with the bow and bass bag. I want check out before I get one!!

[@johnmontalvo9537]

I'm playing a Rosalia 1/8th double bass, fits anywhere, very accessible fretboard, easy to play. I may get a second bass, like this for regular changing of strings. Dec. 18th, 2023

[@DiscoverDoubleBass]

That's great to hear. Enjoy your bass :-)

[@CalebOrvik]

monster player! beautiful instrument

[@klezmando]

What is the difference between the different tunings?

[@j.g.thwaits701]

Solo tuning is up a whole step. You can get a set of strings specifically for f# b e a

[@nodfactor8808]

Wow! Interesting!

[@loslatinos2875]

Hello, I am really interested on finding measure information for 1/4 size contra bass. I only need to know the distance in cm, mm or inches between the body and the neck. I am thinking the highest point of the neck to the body. can you tell me ? please. thank you.

[@DiscoverDoubleBass]

I'm afraid I don't know what that would be.

[@medicalpiff803]

Played for 4 years. Bass faithful

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

It has a cello shape.

[@8ulls3y3]

Stop it, I'm broke!

[@jamescammack6720]

But The sound of his instrument through the video is incredible!

[@woutmoerman711]

What are the dimensions? Rib height, belly width, string length etc?

[@DiscoverDoubleBass]

There's a link in the description with full dimensions etc.

[@woutmoerman711]

@@DiscoverDoubleBass Thanks for the reply. Somehow I didn't notice this link. Do you know the rib height? Around 20 cm or less?

[@nocomment5006]

If at all possible please may you do an episode on your 3/4 bass?

[@DiscoverDoubleBass]

Yes, we will try to do that in a future video. :-)

[@nocomment5006]

Thanks :-)

[@jamescammack6720]

As I look at the video the beach seems large to me. I have a 5/8 Tyrolean base that looks like a small 3/4 with a string length that is stretched to 40 inches and a quarter

[@jaomusico9142]

He is Brazilian. 😍

[@tubassee]

I feel it's somewhat analogous to engine size, where the saying is, "displacement is king". It's possible to achieve a nice and strong sound with both a shorter string length and smaller body size, but it's probably more critical that the smaller bass is a really good one! Marco's bass obviously is.

[@stanwest3529]

I know nothing about string basses but going by guitar technology the tuners appear to be back to front in as much that as the string winding shaft is below the tuning shaft the gears are pulled out of mesh ...just thought I'd mention it ...I would be interested in comments by others

[@jamescammack6720]

Great video.. and great musicians...!! Thx for the great master class..

[@DiscoverDoubleBass]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@TokyoTraveller]

It's not the size of the bass, it's how you play it!

[@DiscoverDoubleBass]

Absolutely!

[@Kaoson73]

Marcos is not helping at all. He is cocky and careless.

[@carlosmacmartin4205]

Please explain

[@danielpezim]

What?!