Yeah, you're on it, I'm on it. All thinking (and especially listening) musicians are forever parties to that noble quest to improve their amplified sound. It was my personal quest for sound that got me into the biz of making these pickups, mics, amps, cabinets, instruments, and other stuff available to fellow musicians -- see the Who's Bob? page for the dirty details. I proudly offer a varied line of pickups and microphones, preamps, and amplifiers along with other superior products for bass players (and other musicians) at very good prices. You will notice one thing here that is rare... a large number of the bass items that I sell are those that I used before becoming a dealer — and anything I consider adding had better pass the "Bob Test" or you won't see it here.

We will continue to add cool new bass stuff now that we're finished implementing our new web presence. Any suggestions for additions?? Please email me! Take a look around, you'll see new items here and there, various bass needs that I've been wanting to add for a while.

At left you'll find menus for browsing categories of products that will take you to results pages that can be further refined by clicking on the entries to the right of the results. There's also a search engine block at the top of the column to help you locate what you want. Specific information on ordering details, contact info, product manuals (also linked to each product), and warranty info is under the INFO heading.

"HELP! What should I buy?" We've tried to include as much information on each product as possible; I endeavor to bring as much detailed information to you about each item — and not just the marketing talk — as I can. If you're looking for a bass pickup, but don't know which one would be best for you, I'd suggest taking a look at the "Overview" page to start. Narrow down your choices using the short description, then follow the links to get more detailed information on the ones that interest you most.

We also include links to Product Manuals where they are available. Just click on the special button on the page (shown at left). Many of the manufacturers' Product Warranties are recapped on a special page you can access under the INFO heading.

However, if you're still unsure, QUESTIONS are always welcome, whether you are buying stuff or not! We're all in the same boat, and if I don't know the answer, I'll try and point you in the right direction. Making sales is not my only reason for living — I have been a bass player a whole lot longer than a music store owner.

We've developed useful BASSIST RESOURCES on the Gollihur Music site. You'll find answers to lots of Frequently Asked Upright Bass Questions in the FAQs section, and those same FAQs are also linked on product pages where they apply. Our Double Bass Links have been on the web since 1996, and include over 900 links to upright bass-oriented sites, as has the Luthier Directory which includes dozens of bass makers and repairpersons all over the world. An experienced luthier can be invaluable to we bassists. If your favorite repairperson is not included, please let us know. We also have a free Upright Bass Classified Ads section where you can directly enter your own bass or bass bow ad.

Tommy can you hear me?*

To me, one of the most important ingredients music performance is the interaction with the other musicians. But to interact everyone has to listen.

That's the downfall of far too many players. You know them — those who play at you rather than with you. And it's no secret — most of we bassists know our place in the universe, and that's not demeaning in the very least. We are supportive, we provide the foundation on which the music is built. We work in partnership with the drummer (or in the case of bluegrass, we are the drummer) and lay down the landscape on which the other players plant. (Does that make us the grass in bluegrass?)

But that doesn't mean just a series of repeated patterns (thank God!)... oblivious to what's going on. It can mean listening to the other players and dialing back the dynamics (volume), playing a more crowded or rhythmic variation of the theme, or throwing in a more melodic, cello-like counter line. It can be holding back the beat, doin' a funky hesitation hiccup, or emphasizing a passage... the variations are endless and depend on the type of music. This is really playing with the band, and I don't mean playing in the musical sense, but playing... y'know, FUN type playing, exchanging a volley of notes with the lead player, accenting beats with the drummer... I just love it! But we also have to be listening to them to pickup on their signals!

Are you a passive or active bassist? (and this has nothing to do with electronics) We start out by actively listening and playing heads up ball. That's how we can best support the band and help to make it a cohesive unit rather than individual musicians each marching to their own drummer. Visually engage the glazed over eyes of the bored rhythm player and throw out a few notes to get their attention. Look around for something to throw at them. Or better yet, throw a couple rhythm changes at the drummer. Make him (her) listen to you so you can start to play together. And I do mean, play.

Keep it fresh! Bob

P.S. When playing in an orchestra, you may want to think twice before following some of these suggestions.

*The Who, many years ago

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Want a catalog? Click here to download our twelve page catalog

The less than 2MB PDF format catalog includes abbreviated descriptions and photos of our products — the on-line descriptions and photos vastly exceeds what we can put in the twelve page paper version of our catalog.

I CAN'T HEAR MYSELF!!

I've been fighting a two-headed monster when gigging upright bass over the last forty+ years — the Feedback Monster along with the "Crap, am I playing out of tune?" Monster. Yeah, it happens. When you're on stage, amplifier position can often be a challenge. Higher volumes usually result in creeping feedback, so you need to move it so it's pointing away from your position - making it harder to hear. I built my own solution in 1975 but am happy to annouce that I've found a little powered stand monitor that can do the job today! Check out the Alto PAM5A