best beginner double bass!

[njbass93]

hey every one im new to this site ect. im also new to double bass. i want to buy one and i find renting crappy. whats the best begginer double bass on the market( i play jazz and classical)

[ctcruiser]

The is no right answer. It depends on your budget and the sound you are looking for.

Check the newbie links that are posted in a thread in this forum. They provide a lot of information.

You will find there is a variety of options. If you are near shops that sell URBs, check out as many as you can.

Good luck and welcome to the club!

[drurb]

Originally Posted by ctcruiser

The is no right answer. It depends on your budget and the sound you are looking for.

Check the newbie links that are posted in a thread in this forum. They provide a lot of information.

You will find there is a variety of options. If you are near shops that sell URBs, check out as many as you can.

Good luck and welcome to the club!

+1! Also, I'm a fan of getting the very best bass you can (within reason) given your budget. What is your budget? The entry fee for a decent instrument with a good setup is around $1200-$1500. The setup is of paramount importance. Read the newbie links and the raft of relevant threads here. They contain a wealth of information. Then c'mon back with questions. Welcome!

[bassat88]

If you look in the classified adds, I posted a thread trying to sell my Czech Double bass. It got me into Juilliard and into many great festivals such as the New York String Orchestra Seminar. I'm asking for 8500 and I am located in New York City. Please feel free to email me at amt2@juilliard.edu, or andrew.trombley@gmail.com. Happy Practicing!

[Slaps McGoo]

Playing jazz/classical I'd assume you'd want a carved top/fully carved to start off. Anyone can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. You may also want an adjustable bridge because I think that jazz players use a very low action while classical use a high action (for bowing). Mind you, not to say there aren't any plywood basses out there that folks haven't compared to some carved/hybrid basses.

[njbass93]

hey whats the difference between laminated and fully carved?

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Originally Posted by njbass93

hey whats the difference between laminated and fully carved?

BASS FORUM LINKS (Newbie Links): PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING NEW TOPICS

It's all here my friend.

[Slaps McGoo]

Quick summary: Laminate = plywood (durable, less upkeep, cheaper). You generally won't get as deep/rich a sound as a fully carved bass (made of solid wood, gotta keep an eye on moisture levels/weather for these).

Plywoods are great for outdoor gigs/travelling. They can take a lot more punishment and if you break them, they're easier/cheaper to fix.

[njbass93]

this bob cat is selling englehardts should i gather some breed and go with that.



and whats a credit system.
i know upton bass does something like that.

[Tejano Bass]

PM sent !

[Bass]

Originally Posted by njbass93

...whats the best begginer double bass on the market...

Upton bass, without a doubt.

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Originally Posted by Bass

Upton bass, without a doubt.

I owned one for awhile and it is a nice bass, but there are other options.

The 'BEST' bass for anyone is the one that they choose after playing enough basses to actually know what they want and can afford. It ain't like buying a computer or flat screen TV.
You gotta go shopping and if you are near a major city there is no excuse for just buying a bass because anybody tells you it is the 'BEST'. Whatever that may mean to them.

[Russell Bergum]

Originally Posted by clink

I owned one for awhile and it is a nice bass, but there are other options.

The 'BEST' bass for anyone is the one that they choose after playing enough basses to actually know what they want and can afford. It ain't like buying a computer or flat screen TV.
You gotta go shopping and if you are near a major city there is no excuse for just buying a bass because anybody tells you it is the 'BEST'. Whatever that may mean to them.

+1
First, figure out what it the most you can afford to spend on a bass. Then, go audition basses costing anywhere from, let's say 30% above and below that point, and pick the one you like the best. I think it's good to try some that are a little above what you think you can afford, so you can see what a little more $$ can (or cannot) get you in terms of tone and playability. It may make you appreciate the less expensive bass more, or you may decide to save up a little and go for the more expensive bass.

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Well, Besides the new USA Uptons, you have also the Romanian imports like the older Uptons around as well as similar basses under various labels including Gliga and Calin Wultur. Also, the Shen Basses are an option as well.

Also a good buy would be the New Standards new or used which in my mind, have the best quality interior construction. Basses do not fail because of looks, design or color of varnish. The fall apart if not put together correctly from the inside. This would include the Glues used, the seasoning of the wood components, the fitting of the upper and lower blocks, the cornerblocks, the interior lining as well as a most important factor often overlooked and that is the fit of the neck into the block which is not visible.. whew.. out of breath.. Also, the set-up and adjustments. The Bridge should average 6.5" tall in the center with the strings close to the fingerboard as well as the Neck out from the body at least 25-30mm if not more. If these internal details are not correct, nothing else matters. Repairing any of these components may well cost more than the bass itself so be sure the bass is made well.

I just saw this on Ebay, a used New Standard.

Regardless of the cosmetic condition of a used bass, the interior must be right!

[craigen]

Williams Fine Violins in Nashville, Tn are importing some double basses from China that sound pretty darn good. I have played a few and they are well worth the $1200 or so that they charge.

craigen

[Zoundz]

What you have to understand is that there's 2 basic groups of double basses...plywood and solid wood. As a beginner, you are going to be looking at plywood basses. Everyone starts on a plywood. By far the best plywood basses I've ever played are "Chen" basses...they have a model for about 1500 which is based off the old swingmasters, so it's great for both jazz and classical depending on how you set it up. It has the most surprisingly deep and punchy bass tone i've ever heard from a plywood bass. Check them out...if by chance, you live in the Va/Md area, contact "Bob's House of Basses"- great guy, good basses and bows, you'll probably be able to get a nice case too as part of the deal. Good luck, by the way

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Zoundz

What you have to understand is that there's 2 basic groups of double basses...plywood and solid wood. As a beginner, you are going to be looking at plywood basses. Everyone starts on a plywood. By far the best plywood basses I've ever played are "Chen" basses...they have a model for about 1500 which is based off the old swingmasters, so it's great for both jazz and classical depending on how you set it up. It has the most surprisingly deep and punchy bass tone i've ever heard from a plywood bass. Check them out...if by chance, you live in the Va/Md area, contact "Bob's House of Basses"- great guy, good basses and bows, you'll probably be able to get a nice case too as part of the deal. Good luck, by the way

There are three (not two) general types of basses: 1) plywood (laminate), 2) hybrid, and 3) "fully-carved" (I'll throw in carved-top flatbacks here). Not everyone starts with a plywood bass and not everyone should. I believe that one should get the best instrument possible (within reason). This is especially true for beginners because a poor instrument will fight you all the way. The basses referenced are Shens, not "Chens." That is, unless there is now a Shen knock-off available. I'm not aware that any of the Shens are actually based on the overall design of the old Kay Swingmasters. While Shens have a solid reputation, there are many other and, in my opinion better, options even in plywood basses. At least two of those brands have already been mentioned in this thread.

By the way, Zoundz, it would be helpful if you'd fill out your profile. That would help us to understand when you say that the plywood Shens have "the most surprisingly deep and punchy bass tone i've ever heard from a plywood bass," how many others you might have played and over what span of time. You might even tell us to what other plywood basses you are comparing the Shens.

[craigen]

You're right, they are called "Shens" and I have played several and really liked them. I have recommended them to several players.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by craigen

You're right, they are called "Shens" and I have played several and really liked them. I have recommended them to several players.

How 'bout a profile for you as well? Thnx.

[Menacewarf]

How about a permanent banner for talkbass?

"Opinions are cheap, reputations are not"