Australians?!

mr.mow · #1 01-26-2010, 08:43 PM

So guys I'm just poking around at what is available here in Oz in the more affordable range.. (I've never even laid my hands on an URB)

The US has a great choice of brands and some great valued quality instruments available (Upton for example).

My brief searching around online locally brings up St. Antonio (which seems to get 'leave em alone' reviews).. and well, that seems to be all thats available in the under $2500-$3000 range.

(they also seem to be really cheap O/S but really expensive here

).

Anything new and quality in the $2500 range locally thats worth looking at? $2500 is an awful lot of money it seems for a cheapo chinese box.. (hell.. $2500 is a lot of money full stop)

JtheJazzMan · #2 01-26-2010, 09:57 PM

New in the $2500 will get you an entry level chinese ply. The ones you might find in a usual guitar store for $1500 are rubbish.

PM sent btw

Jeremy Darrow · #3 01-27-2010, 06:51 AM

The Shen website shows this dealer, it seems like it's in your area.

http://bowsforstrings.com/

Shen basses are better thought of as affordable Chinese basses, rather than "cheap Chinese boxes". I've got a 7/8ths willow and I'm very happy with it.

**Matthew Tucker** · #4 01-27-2010, 05:43 PM

Might be wrong, but I don't think they sell basses. I presume you've been to see Ben Puglisi already? If you haven't, he's in Hawthorn and you should make an appt to go over there.

Otherwise, and if I were you in that price range, i'd try to find something second hand that's had some decent setup work already. I agree, don't buy anything from a guitar shop!

How about you give a little more info, like, what sort of music you play, what you're expectations are, etc etc?

mr.mow · #5 01-27-2010, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

Might be wrong, but I don't think they sell basses. I presume you've been to see Ben Puglisi already? If you haven't, he's in Hawthorn and you should make an appt to go over there.

Otherwise, and if I were you in that price range, i'd try to find something second hand that's had some decent setup work already.

Hopw about you give a little more info, like, what sort of music you play, what you're expectations are, etc etc.

Just scooting about on the web so far.
As for what I play.. well I play electric bass in a (rock) cover band! I'm really just looking into maybe an URB for my own amusement.

What got me thinking about it was this.. THIS floats my boat big time!

Upton blonde.. unfortunately the shipping costs are almost as much as the bass!!

**Matthew Tucker** · #6 01-27-2010, 07:01 PM

If you are serious, go and see Ben Puglisi.

http://www.benedictgpuglisi.com

You don't have to buy anything from him, but you'll learn a fair bit about what you DO want from visiting.

Rastus_01 · #7 01-27-2010, 07:08 PM

Hi Mr.Mow,

+1 for Ben Puglisi though I don’t know what budget basses he has.
The bass shop in Sydney has a small stock of basses that are well set up, a phone call and two days drive (there and return) may get you something, or Bassworks in Adelaide has a fair range of lower priced instruments. I believe you would be better of buying from either of these places rather than off ebay (as tempting as they are).

I started UB when my girlfriend bought me a CCB (Hofner hybrid from Allens music). I fell in love with upright and almost immediately sold/saved all I could, and went out and bought a (low $$$) solid bass. Not wanting to spend any money on the Hofner I bought some tools and straightened the neck myself and recently put some Silverslaps (low tension nylon/rope strings) on it, and it now Rocks. With the new strings it sounds as good if not better than my carved except for arco. I have yet to see how it holds up over time, but for now, it has turned into a good investment. So you do have options. Plenty of people here have a CCB bass for those questionable gigs.

If you are serious about UB, yes save up. If you just want to just give it a try, and willing to spend a bit extra on setup (or do it yourself) a cheaper bass may be the go. You wont get much resale value, and it may fall apart in your hands, or you may get lucky with a usable, gigable instrument that didn’t cost the earth.

Rastus

swingingoodtime · #8 01-29-2010, 08:59 AM

When I was looking for my DB, the St Antonio's were always recommended as the better of the entry-level (and generally ply) models (definitely compared to firewood like the Giordano's & Enrico's); they're sold by the Bass Shop & BassWorks, so I'm assuming they can't be too bad or they wouldn't sell them. Having said that, I'm afraid that I haven't played a St A so I can't comment first-hand (sorry, I hope that doesn't sound completely useless!).

+1 on visiting Ben Puglisi; perhaps if you're also able to, take a trip to BassWorks in SA? They seem to have some nice stuff on their site and it's easier to get to for you than us Sydney-siders.

Remember, though, that you may also need to factor in a few extra hundred (or more) for set-up or strings, even if you buy from a luthier, although they may do you a deal to lessen this somewhat if you buy from them. Don't skimp on this aspect though; it can make the difference to your bass being 'playable' and 'enjoyable'.

swingingoodtime · #9 01-29-2010, 09:11 AM

Hm, I forgot about this guy:

http://www.myspace.com/veestang

I can't vouch for his abilities or products as I never made it down there to have a first-hand look, but hey, if he's in your neighbourhood, it can't hurt to check him out.

Seeing as you like blondes (!!) I also found this on that same myspace page; apparently he sells these:

Never really liked blonde basses until I saw this!

mr.mow · #10 01-31-2010, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swingingoodtime

Hm, I forgot about this guy:

http://www.myspace.com/veestang

I can't vouch for his abilities or products as I never made it down there to have a first-hand look, but hey, if he's in your neighbourhood, it can't hurt to check him out.

Seeing as you like blondes (!!) I also found this on that same myspace page; apparently he sells these:

Never really liked blonde basses until I saw this!

thanks for that link.. That's exactly what I'm hoping to get! I find it interesting that whenever I see a blonde bass it's always referred to az a 'rockabilly' bass.. Surely jazz and classical guys aren't that stuck up about finishes?!!!!