Knowledge Base (FAQs)

• Glossary of Upright Bass parts and terms
  A visual overview of the components that make up the anatomy of an Upright Bass, and some common bass-related terms
  
  
• The Varied Construction Techniques of Double Basses
  Laminated? Carved? Hybrid? What's the Diff?
  
  
• I Have a Mystery Bass! What Kind/Brand of Bass Do I Have?
  My bass has no label, who made it and when? And what's it worth?
  
  
• KAY and ENGELHARDT BASSES: Serial Number Lists
  Want to know when your Kay or Engelhardt was built? Compare the serial number in your bass to this list!
  
  
• KAY (and Engelhardt) BASSES: Models Over the Years...
  A list of the (as best we know) models that Kay and Engelhardt manufactured over the years, with details on their unique characteristics

• Double Bass Sizing - What Does It All Mean?
  (¾,½,¼, etc.) Are there standard upright bass sizes? Should I opt for a smaller bass for easier portability? What size bass should I get for a younger student?
  
  
• How to Make Your NS Design Electric Upright Bass Sound More "Authentic"
  How to coax a more "real upright bass" sort of sound out of the full-size solid-body basses made by NS Design (WAV, NXTa, CR)
  
  
• Is It Okay to Use an Electric Upright Bass to Learn to Play?
  If getting a "real" upright isn't possible or practical, what about using an EUB?
  
  
• What are the frequencies of bass notes?
  A fingerboard/keyboard visual display of the C scale with the related frequencies
  
  
• What is this 'Growl' I Keep Hearing About?
  Do I WANT to make my bass 'Growl' or not?
  
  
• What is a "Wolf Tone?"
  And how do I get rid of it?
  
  
• How to Get a Bass Sound Like Ray Brown (Or Your Personal Bass Hero)
  The key to getting that big, rich sound you're after
  
  
• Should I "Swap" the E and A strings in the Pegbox? Why?
  Some folks advocate switching the E and A string tuning machines, to improve tone and playability. Should you try it?
  

• String Identification Chart - By Silk Color
  How to determine what strings you have, based on the silks at either end
  
  
• What Strings Will Fit On My Bass? (Length Chart Included)
  Concerned whether a particular set of strings will fit properly on your bass without the silked ends overlapping the nut or bridge? Here's the information you need.
  
  
• HOW-TO: Changing Strings on your Upright Bass
  Tips and tricks of the trade for a smooth string change
  
  
• String Gauge (measurement of a string's diameter) - Is it Meaningful?
  This ain't bass guitar; there's more to choosing an upright string than just its diameter.
  
  
• Should I Get Mediums? Lights? Heavies?
  What drives the decision to get lighter or heavier strings?
  
  
• Solo gauge bass strings
  Orchestra or Solo gauge, what's the difference and which should I choose?
  
  
• Gut Strings - What Should I Know About Them?
  Care and feeding (oiling?) of gut strings.
  
  
• What strings work with a Magnetic Pickup?
  Some folks decide to get a magnetic pickup, and you should know which strings work best.
  
  
• Strings and Nickel Contact Allergies
  How an allergy to nickel can affect your options for strings - and how to select them.
  
  
• When is it time to change strings?
  Is there a specific interval that I should consider changing my strings?

Bass Care and Repair

Using Your Gear

• Breaking in a New Bow
  Why is My Bow "Skating" on the Strings?
  
  
• Learn How to Play Your Amp
  A guide to using the many useful features on most modern bass amplifiers
• Part I: Overview, Using EQ, setting a 'Reference Sound'
• Part II: Gain Staging, Compression, Hi/Low Inputs, Drive
• Part III: Parametric EQs, High-Pass and Notch Filters, Effects Loops
  
  The above collection of articles is also available as a FREE downloadable e-Book!
  
  
• How to Make Your NS Design Electric Upright Bass Sound More "Authentic"
  How to coax a more "real upright bass" sort of sound out of the full-size solid-body basses made by NS Design (WAV, NXTa, CR)
  
  
• Getting a Good Blend with a Microphone and a Pickup
  A New Way of Looking at MIXING a Mic with a Pickup
  
  
• Frequency Response Specifications: How low does it go?
  What exactly does 50-14,000Hz +/-3dB mean?
  
  
• High Pass Filters: getting rid of the mud and rumble
  What are they, what do they do for bass, and why should I care?
  
  
• OHMS & IMPEDANCE
  What the heck are impedance and ohms, and why should I care?
• From the INPUT perspective - how impedance can alter your tone
• From the OUTPUT (speaker) perspective - connecting speakers without damaging your gear
  
  
• Phantom Power Basics: How It Works With Microphones/Preamps
  What is Phantom Power, and how do I use it?
  
  
• Will a Preamp Help With Feedback Problems?
  I read the 'Do You Need a Preamp...' FAQ - but I have lots of feedback problems; will a preamp HELP?
  
  
• Going Wireless with Double Bass
  How do I choose which wireless to get? How do I hook it up?
  
  
• Speakon Speaker Connectors: What Are They and Why Are They Used?
  The reason behind their popularity and increased use

• Acoustic Image Products - FAQ originally posted at their website
  We've reproduced the FAQ here for your convenience.