Anyone know of a place in the UK where a good quality dbass (advanced student/professional) can be hired? My daughter needs one and I don't want to rush buying one and need time to raise the money.

Thanks, Helen.

Originally posted by Ed Fuqua
Specifically no, but check out Bob Gollihur's website (All Hail Bob Gollihur!). He's a member here, so you can SEARCH the member database (or just look at some other posts in DOUBLE BASS and click on his WWW thang). Bob has links to bass shops, luthiers etc all over the world, including Perfidious Albion.

CAVEAT: I don't know if it works this way every where, but here at Dave Gage's the "rental" plan is actually a purchase with guarantee buy back. You buy a Strunal hybrid, and they buy it back at the same price you paid for it.

At the shop where I rented/bought my bass, the rental plan was set up so that the entirety of the first 10 payments could be applied to the purchase of the bass. It was actually kind of nice: At the end of 10 months, I paid the balance and got a bass with no-interest financing on the purchase.

-dh

Helen,I think there is a place by the name of DJM Music that does a rent to buy or just rent scheme,they have a website i am sure.Also try some shops such as Thwaites or Turners.Try searching on Google or suchlike for `double bass dealer uk`it worked for me.

In fact try these two.....

www.mevtaylors.co.uk/rental.htm
www.forsyths-music.co.uk/instrument_rental

I don`t know the quality of the product but they are aimed at the student.

Thank you for your replies. This is an incredibly good site for such a specialist subject. I'll make sure my daughter, Charly, registers....she will love it. Helen.

Hi,

I have followed up most of your leads and am getting some feedback. It's been quite a journey and my knowledge of double basses has increased amazingly.

Someone mentioned shops such as Thwaites and turners. I haven't been able to locate them. A bit more info. would help if you have it.

The most likely place I have come across so far is Bass Bags.
webenquiries@bassbags.co.uk

I am still talking to them but they have been brilliant in case anyone wants to make a note for future ref.

Helen.

Okay Helen,try these links.They are all nice people and if you email them your requirements they will reply.
I don`t know which part of the country you are in,but Thwaites(Watford i think) are a nice old fashioned shop with rental option and a good selection of basses,Turners(Nottingham) has a great selection of basses from £hundreds to many £thousands,not sure about rental though,you need to ask.
If you haven`t alresdy done so,take Ed`s advise and visit Bob Gollihurs website,it will take days to trawl your way through all the links,but is well worth the visit(Bob is also a great guy to deal with if you need to buy anything from him)

www.thwaites.com
www.soundpost.co.uk
www.turnerviolins.co.uk
www.ayresviolins.co.uk
www.bristol-violin-shop.co.uk

One last tip........get Google as a search engine! :confused:

Thanks Steve, I'll get going with those. I did e mail Bob G. and he was charming and helpful but I haven't struck gold yet. I'm trying the scattergun approach and seeing what comes up. Finding a good one for hire (or credit that I can qualify for) is like finding a needle in a haystack it seems.

I live between York and Hull but will undoubtedly have to travel to find what Charly needs.

Helen.

Treat yourself and Charly by getting down to Turners in Nottingham,if only to gaze and drool and play some real nice basses.

p.s. if the link doesn`t work just copy and paste to your browser address box.

Originally posted by htatterton
I did e mail Bob G. and he was charming and helpful

I think I'll put that on my business card ;)

I seem to recall various programs among bass organizations (like ISB??) that offered the loan of instruments to worthy students with fewer resources. I'm too far away from the mainstream and educational routes, but mebbe one of you folks are aware of such programs in the UK??

Mum, I have registered. The posts are useful and I'm working on getting through the links.

Charlie.