[quote=TroyK;6899866]Okay, first of all stop doing math, it's not going to work out that way. Or to quote Bull Durham, "don't think, Meat, just pitch. Thinking only hurts the team." Math is not your friend in this case. **** Gotcha (Math is not my forte")*****
If you're interested for historical research purposes, *****Well I am, but not the only reason I'm interested.*****
I can't help much, but if you're shopping, here's what you need to know. ***** I'm not really shopping for a bass but knowledge about the Bass****
Don't try to make sense out of it, just accept that:
3/4 = "normal" ***** Tis ******
4/4 - Unusual, but not unheard of. I've never personally known anyone who played one, but they are, by reputation, difficult to play in tune and who wants a BIGGER instrument to haul around. The chances of you even finding one is slim, so forget about them. They're bigfoot. ****** I'd like to play ole bigfoot just the kicks*****
1/2 - For children or unusually small people. If you are a fairly normal sized person and want to be legit, don't look for them. Probably less uncommon than 4/4 basses, but because it can be good to learn on a smaller bass when you're young, they do exist. I've known some badass little chicks who played 3/4 sized basses like there was no tomorrow, though.
There are also 7/8ths and 5/8ths basses (it's okay to do a little bit of math right now), but don't get caught up worrying about what the signifagance of them is. ***** was not aware of these latter two sizes, interesting.*****
Now, here's the thing, there is no standard diminsions for these things, some are wider, some have sloped shoulders, some have deep ribs, whatever. They are as the person who made them planned for them to be. The sizes above are wildly inconsistent. ***** I have seen the same thing with vintage emblematical fraternal jewelry also...*****
If you are a fairly normal sized person looking for a bass, consider the quality of the instrument and your budget. ***** I did hence I'm 6 foot 200 lbs and bought a slightly used Engelhardt C-1 Bass, gig bag and other amenities, that a lad had played in his High School Orchestra....but then lost interest.*****
If you happen across 4/4 or 1/2 sized basses, WALK AWAY. Almost everything you see will be called a 3/4. If you happen to see something that someone calls a 5/8 or 7/8 or even if you're looking at a 3/4, consider how comfortable it is to you size wise. If you don't know how to hold it, get someone who does to help you. You want a comfortable instrument. **** I now have just that.*****
Second, if it is physically comfortable to your body, then what you really care about size wise is what we call "mensure", which means the length of the string from the nut to the bridge. If there is a standard and you are a stubborn American who refuses to recognize the metric system, like the rest of the world, it is about 42". Anything much shorter or much longer than that would give me pause. If it's 41" and I loved the bass and could afford it, I might not worry about it, but know that anytime you sit in on someone else's bass, you'll have to adjust or you'll likely play flat. It's always an adjustment to play someone else's bass anyway. My first teacher likened it to "driving someone else's car", you spend the whole time trying to figure out how to turn on the lights and turn off the windshield wipers. So, my thought has always been not to make that harder on myself by getting used to an odd mensure. If you plan on upgrading some day to a different bass, again, the closer to 42" that the bass you learn on is, the more likely that the next bass you pick up will be LESS unfamiliar to you. **** gotta go to the barn tomorrow and find my measuring stick and check out my "mensure".....*****
Mensure sort of relates to the physical size of the instrument, kind of, but it's not exact. We've all seen anomolies. *****uh-huh****
If you read the recent thread we had with a kid who wants to get a bass some day and is worried about what wood the bridge should be made out of and stuff...this is not quite the same, but a reasonable question with a similar answer.
3/4 is "normal" - 41 1/2 - 42" of mensure is the 90th percentile. That's what you want unless you have some specific physical or musical needs to accomodate. There are much more important things to look for when shopping for a bass. ***** Sir, I have read all of your post reply with deep interest and am very Thankful for it.*****
Vintage? I don't know. It's a term that people can substitute for "used" or it could mean something. **** Well when I think of electric guitars & basses I think anything made prior to say 1970 as "vintage", that is why I ask....****
Solid wood seems to "open up" sonically after 20 years or so. 200 year old basses can sound great, if they were well made to begin with and have been cared for or properly repaired.
If you're buying a 1998 Wilfer or something, I would consider it "used". Is it a nice instrument, can you afford it, does it meet your needs? I would expect the price to be something lower than a brand new Wilfer of the same model or general make. If it's from the 1940's and it's solid and playable, it likely apprecaited.
There has been plenty of "old vs new" debate. They're snowflakes, man. Get the right instrument for you and don't get caught up in needing an old one or wanting a new one. If you're looking for something to learn on, buy a good student bass from a reputable dealer with a good set up or private party and take it to a good luthier for a set up.
If you are looking for "your" bass that "speaks" to you. It will take a while and you'll have to play a lot of them before you find it, we all do.
Hope that helps. *****very much thanks*****
2 more things:
If you want a 400$bass, as your moniker suggests, don't waste your time here. We can't and won't help you get one, we will only lecture you and try to talk you out of it. ***** I appreciate your opinion, but it is too late. I bought 6 year old Engelhardt (in excellent condition) for 400 bucks. I'm a student and a retired pensioner and think it will suffice for my scenario. *****
I'll start the lecture by saying, you'll be wasting $400 on an instrument that will never be what you want it to be and will not get you closer to whatever your musical goal may be. ***** I've already got my $400 dollars worth and have only been practicing just two weeks.****
It will only frustrate you and if you insist on talking about it here, will only frustrate us. ***** it is not my nature to be a "wet blanket, I know you gents are a serious sort and don't want to be bothered with someone cry babying about there "El Cheapo" Bass."****
If you want more help from us than this, you need to fill out a profile. ***** I just did that, thanks*****
We're a very helpful group if we know who we're talking to. **** I think I filled out most of the profile info...check it out if you like.****
We can be initially polite or harsh with people who we don't know anything about. ****whatever*****
I hope I came off as polite to you, I'm sharing some useful info here and it took a bit of time to type. If I didn't, however, my apologies.***** No, your reply was deeply appreciated, Thanks a Heap!!!!!
