Best Bet for Starter DB Instrument?

[RunngDog]

I'm a long-time bass guitarist who would like to take a shot at double bass. Not sure I'll like it, not sure I'll stick with it, but I want to give it a try. The question I'd like to ask is: what's the best approach instrument-wise to getting started. It seems to me there are 3 options:

1. Rent a bass for a few months, see if I use it and like it and then move on from there. This seems like the safest bet, but I'm not sure what sort of instrument you get when you rent. (In case anyone has experience with them, the place I'd likely rent from is A440 in Chicago.)

2. Buy a cheap laminate - sell later if I want to upgrade or give up DB. Problem with this approach is that most people who buy instruments like this seem to immediately invest a lot in bringing the instrument up to snuff - and at this point, I don't know enough to do that sensibly. I also don't want to be having to fight against an instrument I'm trying to learn on.

3. Buy a used, moderately priced ($2-3k), good quality bass (e.g., Shen, Upton, Kay) - ideally from someone at TalkBass. The advantage here (in theory, anyway) is that I'd have an instrument that I wouldn't have to fight against or to upgrade later (for a while anyway). And assuming that I bought it for a reasonable price, if I decided DB wasn't for me, I would (in theory) be able to resell it for more or less what I paid.

I'm curious what others here would advise. Coming up with the cash is really not an issue, and I've bought, used, and sold a lot of bass guitars (as well as instruments like mandolins, which are much closer to DB's in terms of price point), and I've been pretty comfortable with that approach and have rarely taken much if any financial hit in reselling a bass I've owned for a couple years.

Thoughts?

[drurb]

Go with #1, then, if appropriate, onto #3 (but don't rule out buying a new bass). Skip #2.

[ZachDad]

Originally Posted by drurb

Go with #1, then, if appropriate, onto #3 (but don't rule out buying a new bass). Skip #2.

+1!

[toman]

I think getting a cheap new laminate (I love the Eberle) and getting a good luthier to work it over is the best bet. You'll get a bass that's worth keeping around, and that you're not into much money. It's always nice to have a second bass that's durable and playable, regardless of how nice your main instrument might be. As far as your not knowing much, the internet and this forum are both awesome resourses, and finding a local bassist to help you out should be easy; just hit up your local University. Bassists are generally friendly and helpful dudes!

[clink]

If a cheap laminate is something like a Christopher or Shen for $1k or less, I might agree. Personally, #1 makes the most sense.

[Bass Barrister]

What are your musical interests? Will you be playing orchestral? Jazz? Other styles?

There are no fixed rules, but . . .

If your interests lie in the orchestral/classical area, a fully carved instrument is preferred - a hybrid instrument should be the minimum requirement.

Other styles lend themselves more towards the hybrid or laminated basses - there are many quality laminates out there.

This is a decision that can be greatly helped if you have a teacher who can help you review your goals and options (and may also know of some basses available).

A440 has a good selection. I would also recommend contacting Mark Sonksen, www.sonksenstrings.com , Michele Fiore in Wheeling (the name of her shop escapes me at the moment), and Kagan & Gaines in Forest Park.

Good luck.

[Jake deVilliers]

"Go with #1, then, if appropriate, onto #3 (but don't rule out buying a new bass). Skip #2."

Wasn't sure I'd ever say this, but I'm with the Drubber.

[CamMcIntyre]

Hey, i'll also vouch for Mark Sonksen. He did my bow rehair and was very easy to work with.

As far as basses.....i think #1 is the best idea. Because if you decide that you do want to stick with it, you can immediately go to a better instrument. The key being not to spend too much time in the rental period.

Hit me up sometime-i'm also in Chicago and you can check out my DB for an idea of what the nicer plys sound.

[toman]

I know little about anything but classical, but I have to say; through university level, a well set-up laminate should be fine, unless you're playing at a really high level. IMO, the vast majority of students at that level need a good setup much more than a great bass. I know everybody wants the carved bass just because; I certainly did, but honestly, I didn't need it, and the poorly set-up carved bass i had sucked. I sold a nicely worked over laminate for a poorly set-up carved bass because I thought it was a requirement, only to find that the level of playing did NOT demand it. Decent laminated basses DON'T suck! As much as I love fine instruments, inexpensive ones absolutelt have their place.

[el_mariachi]

You might also check out Classic Contrabass, Michelle Fiore's shop in Wheeling (NW suburbs). I just got my bass back after having her do some extensive setup work (new bridge, dressed fingerboard, new soundpost, nut adjustment, etc.) and she was great to deal with and did a very good job on my bass (William Lewis & Son laminate).
There is also A440 over in Roscoe Village. I've had some simple seam and fingerboard glue work done, but nothing too extensive. I've not done business with Mark Sonksen, but I have emailed with him and he seems like a great guy.

And I'll echoe everyone else here, unless you can find a good used bass, renting one and trying it out would be a great way to get your feet wet.

And Cam, I'd love to check out your Cleveland sometime. drop me a PM.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by toman

I think getting a cheap new laminate (I love the Eberle) and getting a good luthier to work it over is the best bet.

I think we need to agree on terms here. When the OP mentioned "cheap laminate," I took that to mean a CCB or the equivalent. The Eberle doesn't seem to fall into that class. Buying a cheap laminate of the CCB class and having a luthier work it over is poor economy. As for the Eberle, if one can still get hold of those at reduced prices, then paying for a nice setup should result in the buyer ending up with a decent, playable instrument for a nice price. Still, I maintain that the OP's best bet is to rent first, given that he is not sure whether he'll continue. If he does decide to continue, the OP mentioned in reference to a $2-3k budget that "coming up with the cash is really not an issue."

Now, IMO, anyone who decides that he wants to stick with the double-bass and who has a budget of $2-3k, should not be looking at cheap laminates at all. That's a budget that will fetch a really nice laminate or even a nice hybrid.

In short, I think the OP should consider #1 and move forward to #3 if he gets hooked (how could he not? ). Given his circumstances and means, #2 just doesn't make sense to me.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

"Go with #1, then, if appropriate, onto #3 (but don't rule out buying a new bass). Skip #2."

Wasn't sure I'd ever say this, but I'm with the Drubber.

Thanks-- I think.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by toman

I know little about anything but classical, but I have to say; through university level, a well set-up laminate should be fine, unless you're playing at a really high level. IMO, the vast majority of students at that level need a good setup much more than a great bass. I know everybody wants the carved bass just because; I certainly did, but honestly, I didn't need it, and the poorly set-up carved bass i had sucked. I sold a nicely worked over laminate for a poorly set-up carved bass because I thought it was a requirement, only to find that the level of playing did NOT demand it. Decent laminated basses DON'T suck! As much as I love fine instruments, inexpensive ones absolutelt have their place.

I absolutely agree that a good setup is of paramount importance. I've made that statement many times here before. I could certainly understand why, faced with the choice, one would want to have a well set up laminate over a poorly set up carved bass. In most circumstances, however, one is not faced with that choice at all. The cost of good set up work is pretty much a constant regardless of whether the bass is a laminate, a hybrid, or fully carved.

I think players, especially classical players, want a carved bass for reasons much for valid than "just because." Not only do carved basses sound better but, as most here know, they are simply more enjoyable to play assuming that the genre of music doesn't dictate otherwise. Classical is certainly a genre for which the former holds true! Let's keep in mind that the OP has a budget of $2-3k.

Well, I guess we just disagree but I would never recommend to any serious classical student that he/she would be fine with a laminate up through the university level, especially if the $$$ were available to have a hybrid or fully carved. I know of what I speak. I was a "classical student" all the way up through the university level. I played a laminate because I had NO choice. My family simply did not have the means to buy a hybrid or a fully carved bass 30 years ago. We also didn't have anything like the choices we have today. So, there I was playing as an invited student in a professional symphony orchestra with my Kay bass! It had a great setup. A master Italian instrument maker and luthier did a full setup on it (including carving a new bridge) as a favor to my teacher. The cost? $50.00.

[mlz77096]

No one said anything about this, so maybe it's a given among experienced bassists. I'm new to playing bass and got pulled into it by my current instruemnt. I had kept a bass (CCB) around for two years for other people to play becaise I like the sound of a bass. I decided to up grade to an old laminate, if I could find one reasonably priced, when I realized how much the CCB was played. I still hadn't planned to play much, but when I put my left hand around the neck of the Anton Schuster I was considering, my hand felt so good! The neck was a perfect fit and it was so smooth. I had no idea how much little things could effect playing pleasure. My advice to people looking the play the DB is go beyond getting an instrument you don't have to fight. See if you can find one that helps you play.

[drurb]

Yes, it is a given among experienced players but thanks for making it explicit. Beyond the shortcomings of CCBs that are usually discussed, there is the issue of good design. Neck thickness and shape (in addition to many other design parameters) are extremely important.

[DavidMP]

I would check if you can rent a Christopher 300 hybrid from A440 since you can apply some of the rent to up to half the value of the instrument. They might not let you do it, but it never hurts to ask. This would be something like option 1.5