Since 1997, we've proudly offered a varied line of Pickups and Microphones, Preamps, and Amplifiers for Double Bass at very good prices. Over the years, we've added Upright and Electric Upright Basses, Parts, Strings, Cases and Stands, Bows, and many other useful, quality products for bass players.

You benefit from shopping with us because our experience and focus means that you get real answers to your questions, from bassists! You can see that our product descriptions are in-depth and detailed, because they are most often based on our own use of the gear, rather than the generic "manufacturer blurbs" you'll find on most other websites. We only carry gear that we would (and often DO) confidently use ourselves: anything we consider selling has to pass the "Bob & Mark Test" -- or you won't see it here.

Our secure website is available 24 hours a day for your ordering ease. And we're committed to keeping products in stock; we ship most orders within 24 hours of being placed (excepting weekends and holidays, of course), and provide you with tracking and post-purchase support. And our many "extras" - like installation guides, product-specific tips, and even cool BASS stickers for your car - are included at no charge!




The Gollihur Music crew is happy to offer lots of useful, free resources on this website.

• You'll find answers to Frequently Asked Upright Bass Questions in the FAQs section; they're also linked to product pages where they apply.
• Bob's Double Bass Links have been on the web since 1996, and include over 900 links to upright bass-oriented sites.
• Our Luthier Directory provides contact information for bass makers and repairpersons all over the world, so you can find someone in your area to work on your bass.
• Have a bass to sell? We also have FREE Upright Bass Classified Ads here on the website.

Finally, QUESTIONS are always welcome, whether you are buying stuff or not! We're all in the same boat, and if we don't know the answer ourselves, we'll try to point you in the right direction.

The String is the Thing
A large part of our daily business - and a large percentage of calls we take seeking guidance - concerns strings. It makes sense; strings are one of the few "wear items" on a bass; unlike pickups, amps, and the basses themselves, they eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Perhaps more importantly, they are also an item that is easiest to change, when you're looking to improve or alter the way your bass sounds, responds, and/or "feels." So we get a lot of questions about the characteristics of strings, and whether or not changing from one to another might positively affect the tone or playability of a particular customer's bass. Or, whether getting the same strings that Ray Brown played will make you sound like Ray Brown.

So I thought it would be useful to mention a few things about strings. When and how to change them, different characteristics of various types of strings, problems you might come across, and so on. Just things that are good to know. Strings for double bass are a lot more costly than strings for guitar are - so trying new strings willy-nilly, without a bit of consideration, is a really expensive hobby. This is why, when a bassist calls me up and says, "what's the best string you sell?" (yes, people really do call and ask that) I have to stop them right there and back up a few steps. "What style of music do you play? Do you bow? Do you slap? Are you amplified?" Perhaps the most important question I can ask, though, is: "What are the strings you have now, and why do you not like them?"

So, after reading this post, if you're still a bit in the dark about where you want to go next, start with identifying the strings you have - and then ask yourself a few questions:

1. How do they feel to play, and would I prefer they were stiffer/more flexible, lighter/heavier, thicker/thinner, etc.?
2. How do they sound, and would I prefer they were darker/brighter, thumpier/clearer, more sustaining/quicker decaying, etc.?
3. How is their balance on my bass? Do any frequencies dominate? Is my bass boomy? Nasal-sounding?
4. Are there any other factors that might be important?

Armed with this information, Christopher and I can help narrow down the field to a couple of good, tested options. We've had the opportunity, over many years, to try pretty much every string we sell - some even on our own basses. So you don't have to "guess" - you can use us for our experience and save yourself from making expensive, unnecessary mistakes. That's what we do, and why our descriptions aren't just the "cut and paste" hyperbole copied from the manufacturer's description.

And hey - don't forget: ALL STRINGS SHIP FREE to ALL 50 US STATES - and that includes single strings!

Leather Bumpers are FINALLY BACK!

After over a year of searching, we've finally worked out the manufacturing of new leather side bumpers, to replace the ones we used to get before. And we've even added the option for new rubber ones, too!

Audio Sprockets ToneDexter UPDATE Available

Not content to rest on the success of their amazing ToneDexter, Audio Sprockets has just released Version 1.4 of the operating software. The update adds the ability to transfer WaveMaps in and out of ToneDexter, plus improvements to the Bass EQ and the built-in tuner!

Visit the ToneDexter Product Page for more information!