Speaking of cars, last night I had my first full gig with my DB. Yes, in this instance, DB means double bass, not David Brown of Aston Martin. In a little town north of where I live, they have a monthly classic car "cruise-in" on the public square: cordon off the streets, have a pot luck dinner, music, etc. A friend of mine got asked to provide the band, and he called me and a couple of other guys. So we showed up, set up, and played a 2 1/2 hour gig of everything from old country to new country, rockabilly, rock-n-roll, classic rock etc. The weather was perfect. We rocked. More people showed up, more classic, antique, restored, rodded, etc., cars showed up, and stayed longer than at any other cruise-in this year. The square was packed.
Yes, its one thing to play a gig such as this on any conventional electric bass, but I did it on an upright. You expect Hank Williams, Sr.'s song, "Tear In My Beer Over You," on an upright, but Dwight Yocum's rendition of Elvis' hit, "Little Sister"?! CCR, Waylon, Willie, Jerry, Johnny, "The Killer"? -- yes, you see it coming: I even played Skynard on an upright! My friend loved it. He has always wanted to play a gig with the bassist on upright, but never had the opportunity until now. I have been told that this is
the instrument I am to bring for all gigs to come.
I had a blast. No blisters. I have been working up to this since Christmas. Better yet: since the endpin supported the weight instead of my shoulder, I had no back pain the next day. Because the ergonomics are totally different, I had no elbow, wrist or thumb pain, either, the reasons for my custom fanned fret electric bass.
Looking forward to the next gig. Oh, the irony of it all: I got this instrument for my jazz band, and I've done just about everything but a jazz band gig with it so far. But that will change when the weather gets cooler as autumn approaches and people start entertaining themselves indoors again, usually with dancing, instead of outdoors. I can hardly wait!
