BG Player goes DB?

netbot · #1 10-25-2007, 07:51 AM

hello all!
i'm new in DB issues (i've played bassguitar for almost 20yrs now). since a long time i dream to play a db but never had the courage to try one

.yesterday i went to local shop where they usually do repair and restoring jobs for my amps and then i saw a high gloss db with cutaway (like the king bass) and asked the owner if i could try playing it. he happily agreed and told me also to plug it in to an amp to listen the amplified sound (it had an bridge pickup allready mounted).
honestly speaking, i was terrible bad

but i liked very much, even when my left hand started to hurt. well, i told the owner that i would like to play a db one day but i didn't liked the glossy black laquer and the cutaway. i like more the "classic" look. and so, he told me that he has one spare at home that he don't use it so much anymore an he would like to sell it for about US$2100. the back is laminated and the top is carved. he also told me that his bass have much better action as the black one (no setup work on the black one yet) and it's easier to play. then he told me (and now it comes!!!) that i can borrow he's bass for 2-3 weeks for free just to check if i like it or not. isn't that great? i think this is absolutely fabulous!

so, now the question: i know i should get a teacher to tell me the first steps and so on but i just want to check it by myself for this short period of time and for sure i will get a teacher after, if i would buy this bass. do you think this is a bad idea or you think i should get a teacher for this time anyway?

thank you in advance and i aplogize for the bad english!

cheers
netbot

BassBus · #2 10-25-2007, 08:10 AM

If you have the chance to borrow the bass for 3 weeks for free take it!!! DBs are not always easy to come across, esp. good ones. Laminated back and carved front sounds good. Set up is also important so trying it on your own will give you an idea what feels right for you. Here's two YouTube bits on DB technique.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yESZ31JnSbw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCwtJbVPRas

ps don't worry about your English. I wish I could write French or German as well as write English.

fingers · #3 10-25-2007, 08:57 AM

Take a few lessons. It can't hurt.

Maybe you can get your teacher to take a look at the bass and see if it is worth the money. It sounds like a good price I suppose but without close inspection there is no way to know. An experienced player will be able to spot any damage and check the setup and all.

Be prepared though... once you join the family there is no way out.

Caoimhín · #4 10-25-2007, 08:58 AM

Yeah, definitely take it to try out for a few weeks if you can. Whats the worst that can happen??

I switched over from BG to double just last February after spending YEARS trying to pick up the courage. And I can honestly say it's one of the best decisions i ever made. A whole new musical horizon has opened and even playing the electric bass is so much easier now. So it's a win win situation really.

As for your question I'm sure anyone else would be way more qualified to answer but I'd say if you can get a teacher to check it out before you buy definitely go do it. You'd never know there could be a few issues with it that the untrained eye wouldn't necessarily catch. But having said that, i wouldn't rule out just taking it for a while on your own and seeing if you were happy with it, that there wasn't anything majorly wrong with it and that there was a decent sound.

Best of luck with it. Be sure to let us know what you decide

BassBus · #5 10-25-2007, 09:12 AM

When I moved over to DB five years ago our trumpet player commented on how I would never be out of work with one. Now I have to turn oportunities away. That's the best reason to move over to the dark side.

netbot · #6 10-25-2007, 09:56 AM

hello all!

thank you soo much for your fast replies and esp. you, bassbus, for the helpfull links! your replies going to make me more "horny" to get a db! i can't wait to join the family
and move to the dark side. but i have to organize a bigger car

yes, i will definitely give it a try, no question, and i'll let you know the end of the story.

the owner told me that the strings on it are good for pizzicato playing and for arco. i'm interested for both kind of playing styles so it seems to fit my expectations too.

the price for me seems good too and i know the owner who's selling me the bass. he's a great person and professional and he will never ripoff anyone.

yes, i'll definitely will try to find a teacher for lessons later on.

cheers and many thanks!
netbot

Caoimhín · #7 10-25-2007, 10:09 AM

Good stuff! There's a lot to be said for buying locally and from someone you trust and not from some big factory millions of miles away.

And you'd be surprised at the sizes of cars that comfortably fit a double bass. There was a thread on here before about just that.

Anyways, enjoy it. It's a tasty new world!

netbot · #8 10-26-2007, 10:03 AM

uhm... i'm not sure my car will be big enough to transport a DB. it's a convertible Citrôen C3. if it was summer, then i would open the roof top and it would fit for sure. but on 5°C....Ahhh Freeezing...
but no worries, i will borrow the car from someone ;-)

thank you guys supporting me taking the step to finally start learning the DB!

it's a small step for mankind, but it's a big step for me ...hahahaha...

cheers
netbot

Marcus Johnson · #9 10-26-2007, 10:56 AM

That's the one with the hardtop that folds into the rear? Man, you guys get all the cool rides over there....

Might be tight with a double bass, though.

netbot · #10 10-26-2007, 11:42 AM

yes, it's the one were the hardtop folds into the rear. it's a cool driving car, but it starts to get very loud if you drive faster than 130kmh (80mph)

but i think it's to small for a DB...