Bass Shopping

crookedfingers · #1 06-24-2011, 08:50 AM

I am in the market for a new bass with about 5g to spend. I am predominately a Jazz musician but most of my practice time is spent playing acro and my Kay doesn't have the most inspiring tone. I was hoping for something fully carved. My biggest issue is that being a self employed musician, money is tight. I am afraid of spending 5g on a bass and then needing 5g for repair further down the road.

Would a hybrid be a good option?

pedulla-2007 · #2 06-24-2011, 12:14 PM

If you are patient , the deals are out there. I just scored a beautiful 4,000.00 Exotic XB-2 for over a thousand dollars off, leaving ample funds for other equipment,( proline gigbag, leather strap). I never dreamed of owning such a good bass. Good luck!

drurb · #3 06-24-2011, 01:10 PM

We're talkin' double basses over here.

Ben Mitchell · #4 06-24-2011, 01:22 PM

But, all the same, the deals are out there.

hdiddy · #5 06-24-2011, 01:56 PM

Michael Moore plays a hybrid Christopher IIRC, if that's any indication. You're in NY - you have the fortune of finding many qualified bass shops without hopefully driving that far. Play a hybrid in person and you can answer the question yourself. I would say that you might find a used fully carved in that price if you're lucky too.

Ed Fuqua · #6 06-24-2011, 02:34 PM

And it still seems to be a buyer's market, Carlos Henriquez (BAJO here) recently had a nice carved German instrument in the CLASSIFIED section here that got as low as $6K, he had another (that needed between 3500 and 5500 worth of work to get it to pristine condition) that went for $3500. You can get a New Standard hybrid for $6,200-$6,500, they're solid instruments and you wouldn't have to worry about "$5000 in repairs"....

crookedfingers · #7 06-24-2011, 02:34 PM

Thanks guys,
Hitting the shops today and tomorrow. So far I played a couple of basses in my range one of which was a hybrid. One thing is for sure: I don't fancy myself playing the Kay much anymore. Its like I've been asleep all these years.

pedulla-2007 · #8 06-26-2011, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

We're talkin' double basses over here.

Sorry you missed the point I was trying to get across. Some how I pictured SOME double bass players to be that way.

Eric Hochberg · #9 06-26-2011, 08:55 AM

drurb · #10 06-26-2011, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedulla-2007

Sorry you missed the point I was trying to get across. Some how I pictured SOME double bass players to be that way.

I guess you really missed the point too!

I know that some people are that way. (No need to insult a group). As for too much time, some people are clever and can find those pix in about 20 seconds.