#1 to #2

trajectory fish · #1 06-22-2011, 10:55 AM

Hello everyone; it's been a while since I've posted anything.

SO, when did any of you folks finally take the plunge and move on to a new bass after playing your first instrument for X number of years? What do you think was the real deal breaker that made you finally say to yourself that you need a better instrument?

After playing for about 6 years (casually for 4, more seriously for the recent 2.5 or so), I'm getting ready to move on from my Engelhardt ES9, most likely to a hybrid bass from Upton. After looking around and trying things out, I'm planning to take a trip down to their shop in CT for a closer look. Some reasons I'm doing this now are: I've decided I don't like the thin neck on the ES 9 (I think it makes my thumb hurt), and I'm getting to the point where I need more sound from the instrument.

Anyway, I thought it would be nice to hear from people here about their decision to go from their 1st bass to their 2nd.

Thanks,
Bennett

jayscheuerle · #2 06-22-2011, 11:23 AM

Bennett, Upton's CT shop is a great way to see how they make the basses, but they don't always have representations of all their models on hand. You may want to give them a call about what they have displayed and their Boston showroom may end up being a better bet to see the hybrid. BTW, my FIRST bass is an Upton Standard Lam (I'm a super-noob) and I'm quite pleased with it. - j

Eric Hochberg · #3 06-22-2011, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trajectory fish

SO, when did any of you folks finally take the plunge and move on to a new bass after playing your first instrument for X number of years? What do you think was the real deal breaker that made you finally say to yourself that you need a better instrument?

I played my first bass, a German ply for a few years. When I got my first steady performing job in Chicago (in the days of steady jobs) I felt that I needed a better sounding instrument. I found a carved Wilfer that fit the bill. I played that bass for 30 years in all of my pro work. After a good many years, I knew the bass inside and out and while not thrilled with the few weaknesses it had, I couldn't afford a second bass until a few years ago, when I found a great sounding old Czech/German. I probably played 150 basses before pulling the trigger on that one.

You know when the sound/playability isn't doing it for you anymore, and that's the time to make a change. But go slowly, play as many basses as you can and develop your ear for what you like and don't like. Then, you'll know when you find the right one.

houblon · #4 06-22-2011, 02:12 PM

My first bass was a German hybrid, that I played happily for 30 years. Then about a year ago I started to upgrade, better pickup, preamp and different strings. But the real push to shop for a new bass came when my old bass needed to go for repair and I needed a replacement. I started reading this forum, try a couple of instruments at Gage, and finally went for a carved Martin shop bass. I made up my mind after playing the two instruments side by side, and realized how much better the carved bass sounds.

notabene · #5 06-22-2011, 06:54 PM

Sometimes it takes time to realize the strengths and weaknesses of a bass. I have often enjoyed the sound of a laminate bass on first playing, and after 20 minutes, like a midlife crisis victim, I think, "is this all there is?" Complexity and subtlety take a while to hear.

Steven

fdeck · #6 06-22-2011, 10:16 PM

I played an old Kay, for almost three decades. It was always functional, and sounded OK when amplified. And I was procrastinating about upgrading, even though I had spousal approval and sufficient funds.

What tipped the scales for me was my kids starting string lessons. I wanted to play along with them. This got me back into practicing arco, and eventually playing bowed solos on gigs. That's when I realized that I would enjoy having a higher quality bass -- literally for the enjoyment of playing it at home. When it began to look like the economy had at least stabilized somewhat, and that my own job was not in immediate danger, then I started shopping for a new bass in earnest.

I'm really glad that I upgraded. The new bass will give me room to grow as a musician. And I worked out that the cost of ownership is less than premium cable TV, so it's actually a cheap form of entertainment.