recording of contra bass for swing/jazz

[musicsound-2]

I am just asked to record a contra bass for some swing / Jazz music and I have never done that before.

Anybody here with some experience or idea how to do this best ?

which mic ?

I have a limited choice (although all good quality), which is:
- Brauner VMA
- U87
- Beyer M-160 ribbon
- Shoeps MK4 (two of them for stereo recording)
- SMS 57

mic placement ?

I don´t have any idea where to place the mic.
Does stereo recording with my Schoeps make sence ? I often do that for acc. guitar

Thank you for any proposal or advice

[fuoriporta]

the sound source is ofter the f-hole, so choose better the right one looking to the bass, put the capsule a bit over the vertical center and a bit oriented down. the problem is when the player moves too much. I sometimes solved with a AKG 418 clipped to the bass.

Using the VMA try the "A" position, not the VM1. I've the VM1 and I didn't like it on the dbass, but it also depends from the bass quality.

try also to track the piezo if mounted. I'll try to post some pics.