Buying a Double Bass

hendo · #1 12-08-2006, 06:34 AM

Hi newbie on here, so firstly a round of virtual drinks for all!

My girlfriend used to play a db, but gave it up a few years ago, and sold her db when she went to university. I think she said she had done her grade 8 exams. Just lately, she has been talking about getting back into it. I thought I would buy her one for Christmas, but not having the first clue about them myself, thought I ought to try and get a vague idea of what to look for. Whether to go new or 2nd hand. How much I should spend for a reasonable instrument etc etc. Most importantly is there a shop/s specifically in the South East of England that I should go to.:help: :help:

bejoyous · #2 12-08-2006, 06:45 AM

An instrument is a very personnel thing to a musician. If you buy a bass and it turns out to be a dud, both you and your girlfriend are stuck with it.

It would be better to make to make an elaborate gift certificate saying you'll provide money towards the purchase of a new instrument. You should have an upper limit in mind, too.

Here's a good website of the only bass dealer i know of in the UK: http://www.contrabass.co.uk/home.htm

Good hunting!

jsbarber · #3 12-11-2006, 07:16 AM

Bob Gollihur's site has a large global list of providers under 'Double Bass Sales, Bows, Parts' section at the link below. There are some in the UK. I agree, that you shouldn't just go out and buy one and present it to her, she needs to pick it out for herself. You also have not provided any indication of what caliber of instrument she would want, which translates into the cost of the instrument. So, the suggestion of making a contribution towards one may be a safe approach.

http://www.gollihur.com/kkbass/basslink.html

Jim

Bruce Lindfield · #4 12-11-2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hendo

Hi newbie on here, so firstly a round of virtual drinks for all!

My girlfriend used to play a db, but gave it up a few years ago, and sold her db when she went to university. I think she said she had done her grade 8 exams. Just lately, she has been talking about getting back into it. I thought I would buy her one for Christmas, but not having the first clue about them myself, thought I ought to try and get a vague idea of what to look for. Whether to go new or 2nd hand. How much I should spend for a reasonable instrument etc etc. Most importantly is there a shop/s specifically in the South East of England that I should go to.

Given your last sentence - I think you should go and have a look at the thread headed "Inexpensive Basses in the UK"

My simple answer is that if you're looking for decent Double Bass shops in the SE of England - there aren't any!!

Oh - unless you are looking in the price range £15k - £50k!!

theshadow2001 · #5 12-11-2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Given your last sentence - I think you should go and have a look at the thread headed "Inexpensive Basses in the UK"

My simple answer is that if you're looking for decent Double Bass shops in the SE of England - there aren't any!!

Oh - unless you are looking in the price range £15k - £50k!!

I disagree I've been quoted between £2200 and £4500 for basses in the UK. Granted they aren't all in the south east.

and I agree with making the gift certificate. That would be the best way to get her an instrument she really loves.

Bruce Lindfield · #6 12-12-2006, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

I disagree I've been quoted between £2200 and £4500 for basses in the UK. Granted they aren't all in the south east.
.

Well - we're not disagreeing - when I was looking for basses - there were a few reasonable ads in the SW for example - but do I want to drive up to a 10-hour round trip for a bass I might not like...

Oh and I would stress the word "shops"!!

So - when I was looking for basses, a lot of the people advertising, were just like one guy selling from his house/home - and some of them didn't even have any in stock but said they could import me a bass and set it up!

A new definition of the word "shop" ....

theshadow2001 · #7 12-12-2006, 06:16 PM

Again most guys I e mailed seemed to have basses in that range in stock.

Also you could look at it as a 10 hour round trip for a possible deal of the century or a bass that once you've picked up you will never put back down. You never know unless you make the journey.

At least you could stay in the same country for bass shopping. If I had easier access to the range of stores I would take some holidays do some drastic driving and find the right instrument. Or spread it out over a few weekends. Unfortunately I don't have a car so any trips for me are going to involve planes buses and trains and taxis and hopefully if I do get a bass someone might be good enough to go back over with me on the ferry to pick it up.

Plus the bass market isn't really on par with that of the likes of Tescos. Im not at all suprised that there's guys that sell out of their own houses. It's a fantastic way to keep overheads down. Plus your never going to be late for work!