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G08 #19954-BBCHAh

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Parts of the Instrument

Copyright © 2008 D’Addario & Company, Inc. All rights reserved. D’Addario, Prelude, and Helicore are trademarks ofD’Addario & Company, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.

Double Bass

Survival Guideby David Gage

David Gage String Instruments

Scroll

TuningMachine

Strings

F-holes

Bridge

Peg Box

Nut

Fingerboard

Top (or front)

Sound post(insideinstrument)

Tailpiece

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String RollerHole

BOBR_DBSG08_Double_Bass_Survival_Guide.qxp 9/24/2008 12:18 PM Page 1

Caring for your Instrument & Bow Installing & Tuning Strings Selecting the Proper String

Instrument care• When resting your instrument, lay it on its side with the bridge

facing the wall.• Maintain the instrument at minimum 40% humidity

by using a humidifier. Store the instrument in thecase to maximize the humidifier’s effect.

• Have your bass inspected at least once a year by a qualified technician. Repair any cracks as soon as possible.

• When traveling, always keep the bass on its back or side. Place foam or a pillow where the neck meets the body to keep the neck/scroll suspended. (See photo.)

• Always use a quality padded case with well stitched handles.

Bow Care & Rosin• Avoid handling the bow hair directly with your fingers.• Tighten the bow hair by turning the metal screw clockwise.• The bow hair should be tight enough so that it does not touch

the stick when played but still maintains a gentle curvetowards the hair.

• When not in use, loosen the bow until the hair touches the stick.

• Bow hair should be replaced at least once a year.

• Apply rosin by pulling the bow hair across the rosin cake 6 to 8 times using complete, long strokes.

• Store rosin in a cool dry place.

Preparation1) You will need replacement strings, a sharp pencil and a tuner.2) Loosen and replace one string at a time. Removing all of the strings

together could cause the sound post to shift or fall.

Remove the old string1) Lay the instrument carefully on its back.2) Loosen the string by moving the tuner handle

clockwise. A string winder can aid in this process.3) Pull the end of the string from the string roller hole

and remove the ball end from the tailpiece.

Install the new string1) Rub the tip of the pencil in the empty string grooves

of the nut and bridge.

2) Thread the string through the tailpiece, catchingthe ball in the narrow slot.

3) Insert the string through the stringroller leaving about 3" sticking out.Twist this 3" end once around thestring at the opposite side of the roller.

4) Using a winder, turn the handle counterclockwise to tighten the string. As you tighten, allow the string to cross over itself to prevent slippage. Do not pinch the string against the peg box wall.

5) Tune the new string up to full pitch before replacingthe next string.

Tuning tools• Electronic tuner – Best for beginners as it works

for each individual string.• A440 tuning fork – Good for advanced players

to tune the A string and then tune the rest ofthe strings by matching harmonics.

General notes about bass tuning:• Bass strings are usually tuned in fourths –

E, A, D, G (lowest to highest).• When tuning using the machine handle,

adjust slowly up to the proper note, listening to the pitch change while plucking the string.

• Be careful not to over tighten string above correct pitch as this can damage the strings.

• After playing for a few minutes, check and adjust the tuning.

Bass playing encompasses many styles, each with different performancerequirements. Bass strings are often crafted using a stranded steel corefor flexibility and response. Design variations create strings suitable to all styles of performance:

Helicore Orchestral – Designed for arco playing.Warm tone, exceptional bow response, and even balance. Excellent blend in ensemble settings.Available in fractional sizes.

Helicore Pizzicato – Crafted specifically for pizzicato technique. Brighter tone, maximum sustain, crisp attack and “growl” for plucking.

Helicore Hybrid – Ideal for a mix of both arco and pizzicato performance. Good bow response with excellent sustain and attack.

Helicore Solo – Designed for orchestral soloist,tuned to F#, B, E, A (lowest to highest). ‘Solo’ strings are appropriate when performing solo literature calling for this “scordatura” tuning.

Prelude – Optimized design for developing bassists.Clear, warm tone. An easily playable and economicalstring set for students. Available in fractional sizes.

String durabilityString deterioration occurs as a result of both normal use and corrosion. Any string’s tone

will naturally degrade over time and also may eventually break. Strings should be replaced

regularly rather than waiting for them to break. Apply rosin

StringWinder

Humidifier 1

2 3

4

Electronic Tuner and Tuning Fork

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