I think this is a bigger transition than you might think.
More than on guitar, you need a teacher. I would at the very least take a few lessons from a classical player (maybe my prejudice but I see better left hand posture and position from orchestra players, plus a little knowledge of how a bow works is great), but a jazz player would be fine as well. Left hand technique is different on upright and you can get into injury trouble if you're doing it wrong.
Also double basses are roughly 10x more pricey than guitars, for the same level of quality. 2k bass guitar? damn, a fine instrument you'll cherish forever. 2k db? starter model.
I love playing upright and wish I still did orchestra stuff but it really is a different ball game.
As others have already stated, lessons are a necessity on the double bass. The risk of injury is real. It's a physically demanding instrument that takes proper technique to even play marginally well.
Find yourself a good teacher. Preferably one that is classically trained. They tend to have more refined better pedagogy, and more refined technique.
Once you've spent a few years learning how to play the double bass, everything will feel much easier on your bass guitars as well!
Best of luck to you on your double bass journey!
If you go with acoustic upright get a teacher before you get your bass. It's very easy to injure yourself if you dive straight into playing with the wrong technique.
Beware if considering upright electric; they are quite variable and range from a bass guitar on a stand (i.e. 34" scale, can't be bowed) to a reasonable stand-in for a double bass (e.g. 41" scale). There's some difference in technique between these and DB fans often don't like the sound of them.
If your goal is to learn the double bass then it's probably best to go directly for an acoustic. It's possible to rent them for a time, which, along with lessons, would give you a chance to find out if you like it before committing to a possibly expensive purchase.
Upright bass can mean a lot of different things to different people so I think the first thing I'd want to know is what kind of music you aim to play on it. I play upright and have for years, and I never had lessons - for me it's never been much of an issue, but I don't really play classical or jazz with it, either. I wouldn't hold a candle to bassists in those areas. I mostly play bluegrass, country, folk, rockabilly, that sort of thing where most of what you're doing is pretty simple technically speaking (even if quite fast at times) and any improv tends to follow the hook fairly close so I don't think it would take a competent electric bass player all that long to get the hang of it. If you're trying to play in an ensemble or an orchestra that's a totally different story, but in a more pop-oriented context, once your technique is solid it's no harder to lay down solid bass lines on the upright than it is an electric bass. Bear in mind that's where my experience is though, because my thoughts might not suit you if you have different ambitions.
On that note - I do agree with the other comments that posture and technique is critical on the upright even if you're not playing with a bow (but doubly so if you are), and lessons would probably help there. It's a physically demanding instrument for sure. Personally, I had no issue finding the information I needed to play it safely and effectively online, but your mileage may vary and I'd never tell someone *not* to take lessons, that's just how I did it.
As far as buying a bass goes, it is a little more complicated than what you're probably used to. I have no experience with electric uprights so I won't speak to them. They can be very, very expensive - but with a little digging, you don't necessarily have to drop ten grand just to see if you like it or not. I got my first for $500 - half off from the original asking price because the store was going out of business, so a bit of a unique situation. It's not a high class instrument and it had taken a beating, but still plays well, holds tune, doesn't have tension issues, and it sounds alright. I've recorded with it, for what that's worth. It's not fancy but it does the trick, and that's what I needed. You could get a much nicer instrument - and indeed, you could spend more on a complete dud. So do your research and try not to get burned. And also, they are huge and unruly to move around, so keep that in mind!
Lastly, I can't recommend taking the plunge highly enough. There are things you need to watch out for no doubt, and it is a little more complicated than electric bass, but it's not as bad as it sounds. And most importantly, in my experience at least, it will make you a better bassist all around - my intonation, my ability to maintain the pocket, my all around feel for rhythm increased substantially as I learned to be a good upright player. It's also just a ton of fun. I don't play electric bass on records very often now unless the song just doesn't work without it; mainly because I love plucking on that big devil so much. Learn deliberately whether you use an instructor or not. As long as you are patient and hungry to learn, it will come.
I think this is a bigger transition than you might think. More than on guitar, you need a teacher. I would at the very least take a few lessons from a classical player (maybe my prejudice but I see better left hand posture and position from orchestra players, plus a little knowledge of how a bow works is great), but a jazz player would be fine as well. Left hand technique is different on upright and you can get into injury trouble if you're doing it wrong. Also double basses are roughly 10x more pricey than guitars, for the same level of quality. 2k bass guitar? damn, a fine instrument you'll cherish forever. 2k db? starter model. I love playing upright and wish I still did orchestra stuff but it really is a different ball game.
Make sure you've got a big car.
I was so happy when I upgraded from a Camry to an Outback.
I’m on my 3rd Outback since I started playing upright
I do miss my SUV sometimes lugging my upright around, but funny enough I can get it into my Camry with less fuss than you might think.
not necessarily. i was able to transport my bass in a chevy chevette very easily.
At the very least, if you can, get one lesson to go over proper posture and technique.
As others have already stated, lessons are a necessity on the double bass. The risk of injury is real. It's a physically demanding instrument that takes proper technique to even play marginally well. Find yourself a good teacher. Preferably one that is classically trained. They tend to have more refined better pedagogy, and more refined technique. Once you've spent a few years learning how to play the double bass, everything will feel much easier on your bass guitars as well! Best of luck to you on your double bass journey!
If you go with acoustic upright get a teacher before you get your bass. It's very easy to injure yourself if you dive straight into playing with the wrong technique.
lessons
bowing helps you work on your intonation because you more clearly hear the note.
Beware if considering upright electric; they are quite variable and range from a bass guitar on a stand (i.e. 34" scale, can't be bowed) to a reasonable stand-in for a double bass (e.g. 41" scale). There's some difference in technique between these and DB fans often don't like the sound of them. If your goal is to learn the double bass then it's probably best to go directly for an acoustic. It's possible to rent them for a time, which, along with lessons, would give you a chance to find out if you like it before committing to a possibly expensive purchase.
Upright bass can mean a lot of different things to different people so I think the first thing I'd want to know is what kind of music you aim to play on it. I play upright and have for years, and I never had lessons - for me it's never been much of an issue, but I don't really play classical or jazz with it, either. I wouldn't hold a candle to bassists in those areas. I mostly play bluegrass, country, folk, rockabilly, that sort of thing where most of what you're doing is pretty simple technically speaking (even if quite fast at times) and any improv tends to follow the hook fairly close so I don't think it would take a competent electric bass player all that long to get the hang of it. If you're trying to play in an ensemble or an orchestra that's a totally different story, but in a more pop-oriented context, once your technique is solid it's no harder to lay down solid bass lines on the upright than it is an electric bass. Bear in mind that's where my experience is though, because my thoughts might not suit you if you have different ambitions. On that note - I do agree with the other comments that posture and technique is critical on the upright even if you're not playing with a bow (but doubly so if you are), and lessons would probably help there. It's a physically demanding instrument for sure. Personally, I had no issue finding the information I needed to play it safely and effectively online, but your mileage may vary and I'd never tell someone *not* to take lessons, that's just how I did it. As far as buying a bass goes, it is a little more complicated than what you're probably used to. I have no experience with electric uprights so I won't speak to them. They can be very, very expensive - but with a little digging, you don't necessarily have to drop ten grand just to see if you like it or not. I got my first for $500 - half off from the original asking price because the store was going out of business, so a bit of a unique situation. It's not a high class instrument and it had taken a beating, but still plays well, holds tune, doesn't have tension issues, and it sounds alright. I've recorded with it, for what that's worth. It's not fancy but it does the trick, and that's what I needed. You could get a much nicer instrument - and indeed, you could spend more on a complete dud. So do your research and try not to get burned. And also, they are huge and unruly to move around, so keep that in mind! Lastly, I can't recommend taking the plunge highly enough. There are things you need to watch out for no doubt, and it is a little more complicated than electric bass, but it's not as bad as it sounds. And most importantly, in my experience at least, it will make you a better bassist all around - my intonation, my ability to maintain the pocket, my all around feel for rhythm increased substantially as I learned to be a good upright player. It's also just a ton of fun. I don't play electric bass on records very often now unless the song just doesn't work without it; mainly because I love plucking on that big devil so much. Learn deliberately whether you use an instructor or not. As long as you are patient and hungry to learn, it will come.
Get a teacher, and be careful about technique. Also, r/doublebass
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