carved student bass

[yankdax]

My daughter plays the bass and, although she is only 11, is highly committed and enthusiastic. She has also demonstrated a strong desire to continue this instrument, probably forever. It has now come to the point where I would like to purchase a bass for her, rather than continue to pour money into the black hole of renting. She has also reached an advanced skill level where I feel she would greatly profit from a more playable bass with a better sound. However, I am having a difficult time finding a high-quality, carved wood bass in a half-size. I was originally ready to purchase the Sunrise San Pedro ($2300) from Lemur, but was discouraged by her bass teacher. We are located in Central New Jersey, and everyone around here seems particularly enamored of the Jovanovich and Q basses from George Vance's website. There is a half-size Jovanovich ($5000)offered on his website, and the Q bass ($7000) which appears only available as 3/4. Can anyone give me some guidance as to whether these basses are truly worth their price? If they have superior sound and playability, then I will proceed with one of them for her, even though the Jovanovich is really orange. However, I am also hoping to find other possibilities so I at least have a choice. Does anyone know if the Q bass is available as a 1/2 size?

[jtlownds]

What is your teacher's problem with the Lemur / Sunrise product? Does he / she have any experience with their product? Personally, I think that the Sunrise instruments are a lot of bang for the buck, and their setup work is second to none. I have no experience with the other brands that you mentioned, however, I personally would be hesitant to invest $5-7,000 in an instrument that your daughter will likely outgrow in 2 to 3 years. Your chances of recouping even a small portion of your investment when you upgrade to a 3/4 will be very slim. Good luck with your search.

[Steve Swan]

Why would you go overboard in buying an expensive ($5-7,000) new bass that your daughter is going to outgtrow in 2 years? You'll take a tremendous hit on the resale value in 2009 when it's time to move up to a 3/4.

Unless she's the Edgar Meyer of her middle school, it doesn't really make much sense to spend that kind of money. I'd buy her a good functional 1/2 size for about $1500 and put the other $5500.00 in a money market account for a really good 3/4 upgrade for the ninth grade. As she moves up from the first 3/4 bass in high school or college, you'll be able to resell the good 3/4 much more easily than the tiny 1/2 size no matter what the quality grade.

[Dave Martin]

I might add that I was playing a 3/4 bass when I was 11; if your daughter is tall enough to play one (even if it's a stretch or if she has to stand on something for a few months), it might be worth going to a 3/4 instrument; she'll grow into it. I remember that the bass section in my junior high school orchestra had a few old coke crates that were used by some of the smaller players....

As a bonus, you'll have a lot wider range of instrument choices available to you if you're looking at 3/4 basses.

[rdwhit]

Originally Posted by Steve Swan

Why would you go overboard in buying an expensive ($5-7,000) new bass that your daughter is going to outgtrow in 2 years? You'll take a tremendous hit on the resale value in 2009 when it's time to move up to a 3/4.

Unless she's the Edgar Meyer of her middle school, it doesn't really make much sense to spend that kind of money. I'd buy her a good functional 1/2 size for about $1500 and put the other $5500.00 in a money market account for a really good 3/4 upgrade for the ninth grade. As she moves up from the first 3/4 bass in high school or college, you'll be able to resell the good 3/4 much more easily than the tiny 1/2 size no matter what the quality grade.

+1 1/2 size basses are very hard to sell. Very well stated Mr. Swan

[yankdax]

Much thanks to all of you. You have confirmed what my "instincts" said, but since I am completely new to this, I questioned them.

[LouisF]

I bought the Lemur laminated Solano bass for the College this summer - it is an excellent student bass for the money - and small enough to be comfortably played; I think they are selling a 5/8th bass as well. I would certainly call and talk to Jerry or one of the staff there. They are very reputable.

Louis

[drurb]

I agree with all the cautionary notes stated above. When you do decide to buy a nice carved bass, I suggest you take full advantage of your location. There are many fine shops in the northeast (e.g., New York, Connecticut) that it would behoove you visit. Buying from one of them will allow you to choose based on hands-on and "ears-on" experience in addition to being able to establish a relationship with a luthier from whom you may buy the instrument. I also think you will benefit from the newbie links here on TB.

[Eric Hochberg]

I have no direct experience with this bass, but I can tell you that George Vance is a highly respected educator and author. The Q bass that he sells is a workshop instrument that master builder Christian Laborie developed. Laborie has built basses based on the instruments of Charles Quenoil for Francois Rabbath, Hans Sturm and others. His handmade basses are in the $30,000 price range and are wonderful (I've played Sturms). One advantage of the Quenoil pattern are the smaller upper bouts facilitating easier access to thumb position than larger bout instruments. This would be helpful to a smaller player. When your daughter is big enough for a 3/4 size instrument, this could be a good one to check out.

Of course, as others have stated, there are many good basses out there so taking your time and deciding on a realistic budget are good starting points. I wouldn't put a lot of money in a 1/2 or 5/8 size instrument either, unless her full grown size is too petite for a 3/4 instrument.

[liam_g]

The only thing I can add is to inquire about trade-up policies. Both shops I have dealt extensively with (Hammond Ashley in Seattle and Williams Fine Violins in Nashville) have a 100% trade-up policy. If I take a bass I paid them $3,000 to trade in, I get $3,000 credit against a more expensive instrument. This mitigates the problem of losing money ... *if* you deal again with the same shop, of course.

Regardless of that ... great advice here. Best wishes to you and your daughter!!

Cheers

[EJ_Dad]

If you go into NYC, you might check out Ideal Music (http://www.bassesonline.com/).
He has some smaller instruments that might work well. They only do a basic setup however, so plan on paying someone for a full setup.

I purchased my bass from them and found them easy to deal with and delivered what they promised.

[Matthew Tucker]

The current issue of "Double Bassist" has a whole section on mini-basses and their use in getting kids to learn on a bass that's the right size for them. Seems there is a market for mini basses, particularly in some school settings, but its not mainstream.

That 1/4 size Wilfer on the Ideal site looks quite nice for a small bass!

[marvin spangles]

I have owned a sunrise laguna since 2001 and it is a remarkable instrument for the price. Lemur' s set up is excellent.It has a lovely neck that is very playable. Bearing in mind that your daughter will ultimately outgrow this instrument anyway you should consider a buget instrument that is well set up. This will take her to her late teens and give you time to save for a pro bass.

[damonsmith]

If you have the money, go for it. A good, carved bass makes even more difference early on. It will make a lot of difference in terms of her enjoyment and will to practice. If you have a good job it really isn't much to spend on a kid to do something productive like play bass.
In this day and age having an 11 year old excited about playing the bass is well worth $5000.

[Poirot15]

I started playing on a 1/2 bass when I was 11 and moved up to 3/4 when I was 13. I was 5'6" at age 13 (and still am). I agree with the sentiment to look for a rental program that will allow you to trade up in a couple of years.

[ndecesare]

Everything that everyone said makes sense in the larger picture, but its completely possible that a 1/2 size will last her for quite a while. I got my half size when i was 11 and i've played it until now, 10th grade. I'll be getting a 3/4 soon with a short string length, but for me, having a nice half size was really worth it. It's a half size Laborie quenoil, which is what the Q basses were based off of. I'm jsut now selling it. However, if i had played a 3/4 size when i was 11, theres no way i could've advanced quickly at all. Its not only the height that would be a problem but also arm length and finger strength. It's really best if she plays a half size until shes really ready for a 3/4. Also, Mr. Vance was my teacher for five years, and he has many nice half size basses for sale. If you live in New Jersey and are still interested in finding a bass for your daughter, you might want to come down and look at a couple. They're around $4000, and when she outgrows it, you can sell it back to Mr. Vance for the same amount, then move up to a $7000 Q. And if you can't make it down to look at basses, take her to the Summer Bass Workshop next year. It would be a great experience for her to see many bass teachers and Francois Rabbath

[jimmyduded]

riccardi violins in sicklerville has some great basses(I work there hehe), if you want mr.riccardis contact info let me know, he has the exact thing your looking for I believe

[jimmyduded]

also guys, being a girl I assume she has smaller hands which makes the 1/2 size more appealing to her

[worldfamousandy]

I have a Sunrise Laguna, too. For the price, nothing compares.

[B.C.]

Originally Posted by worldfamousandy

I have a Sunrise Laguna, too. For the price, nothing compares.

Agreed, by FAR best bass for the money.!