Choices for a newbie..

7string · #1 01-22-2007, 12:37 PM

Just to say 'hi' to all, especially the UK guys...

Yup, another one over from electric bass... the information in this side of Talkbass has been extremely helpful.

I played violin from age 6-16 when I left school and ended up playing electric bass where I've been for the last 15 years or so. I got ill about 2 years ago and my girlfriend suggested I do an Open University course to keep my little grey cells from going stale.

Part of the course was a residential week away in Durham University and I was the only one there who could play, albeit very little, double bass. I ended up playing with the string section, the whole orchestra (with only 90 minutes notice and frantic practice) and then playing with the guitar group, which I had been practicing all week for. After that it turned into a 4 hour jam in the bar...I would have taken the double bass home if they'd let me !!

So now I am selling my Roland electronic drum kit and getting a double bass. I went to a local specialist shop today and they had a Zeller and a Romanian bass in my price range. I compared these to the cheaper, Japanese Antoni and it was just night and day !!

...and so to my question....

As well as the Zeller and the Romanian bass that I've seen, I know of a private seller who has a bass for sale. It's 30 years old no name and used to belong to a local player to him. Apparently, it the same kind of double bass which a school would use. It also a lot cheaper than the Romanian or the Zeller (£375 compared to £700-800).

The guy is 50 or so miles away from me and I don't want to waste his time. Would you think that this kind of bass would be worth going after, or am I safer with the local specialist shop. The cost doesn't worry me I just want a bass that's going to last me as I intend to study the double bass with some vigour !!

Thanks for reading and any for help you can give...

TSP · #2 01-22-2007, 01:35 PM

Well, that's not very much money for a bass.... which is a good thing per se, but which you might consider to be a bad sign, depending on how you look at it.

Sounds like you've developed something of a feel for what a good double bass is like - though it might still be worth finding a more experienced double bassist to come with you, not least so that you can listen from the front while the other player plays.

General opinion seems to be that, all other things being equal, an older bass is a better bet than a brand new one - it's been played in, it's probably set up to at least a playable standard, and it's proved that it's not going to explode in its first six months.

With a bass you don't have a name, or even a nationality, for, I'm not sure there's a lot more that can be said. I'd say go and have a look, with an experienced player if possible. 50 miles isn't that far for a bass (I ended up going 200 miles for mine), and you just might be the next lucky git who stumbles across a Gand for three hundred quid.....

7string · #3 01-22-2007, 05:28 PM

Well the details I have say it's an old school bass, laminate construction and the fingerboard is not ebony but coloured black and a little worn.

As far as I know, the Zeller is all solid not laminate and the sound will improve with age.

So, at the moment the Zeller looks the better bet....I plan to have a 50/50 balance between pizz and arco playing, coming from a more classic/orchestral background than a jazz one...

theshadow2001 · #4 01-22-2007, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7string

The cost doesn't worry me I just want a bass that's going to last me as I intend to study the double bass with some vigour !!

I don't know if your saying money is no object (within reason of course) or not but either way. I would stress not rushing into anything. Theres plenty of places all over the UK to find a bass. Check them out see what they have to offer. Narrow down the list of places by price by what they're offering versus what you need etc. Once you've sorted a couple of places try and make the journey down and see what you can come up with. From my own experiences these things take time and good things come to those who wait

7string · #5 01-23-2007, 07:36 AM

Well money is always an object

I was just stressing the difference in price between £300 and £800 !!

I have family in London, so travelling doesn't bother me. What does is though is the safe transportation of a bass back to Glasgow because I don't think our Renault Megane is big enough !! Does anyone know what I would expect if a bass is delivered (any further work to be done) as I've heard that sometimes the soundpost needs reinstalling ??

theshadow2001 · #6 01-23-2007, 01:04 PM

If you took an unorthadox route down the country you could visit a good few shops. You could work you way down over a couple of days.

you would be better sticking the bass in the megan and driving up with it than getting it transported by other means. Even if you did get one without having to transport it you would still need to bring it to lessons and gigs and what have you. Do a search on fitting basses in cars you might be suprised.

Also theres the cheap basses in the UK thread if you havent already seen take a look.

Personally I would try to expand my budget beyond £800

7string · #7 01-23-2007, 06:53 PM

Well the budget depends on what I get for the kit, which is doing OK in it's auction...

To be honest and upfront about this I'm not too worried about transportation for lessons and gigs. I have M.E. (CFS), and have done for nearly 2 years. As a result of that, I can't work and so can't add to the budget after the kit is sold.

Unfortunately, I can't stick to a regular schedule for lessons as there's no way of telling how i will feel on the day itself. Gigs are out of the question as I don't have the physical strength to play for hours. So for the moment at least, I'm confined to playing and learning at home.

I can't complain though as I have all the gear I need and a very supportive girlfriend. In addition to that, it's not as if I don't have the time !!

Doug Ring · #8 01-24-2007, 10:31 AM

Hi 7-string, well you're in Glasgow (so why the English flag avatar?!), so I presume the "specialist shop" is the Violin Shop? If not, that's a place you should visit; I can give you details.

In Edinburgh there's Stringers, which can be pricey, or the place I got my bass, Gordon Stephenson. Let me know if you want more info.

And I would have thought a Megane would easily swallow a bass, unless it's the 2-seat coupe...

7string · #9 01-24-2007, 07:24 PM

Hi Doug,
Thanks for your reply. I'm an english guy who lives in Glasgow, so that explains the avatar !!

Yup, I've been to the violin shop and they were most helpful. If you could give me the details of Stringers and George Stephenson either on here or by PM, that would be great !! Be good to drive over there and have a look. Still can't get over the fact of how different the weather can be for 2 cities that are only 50 or so miles apart !!

We drive one of those new Megane's which has that funny shaped boot. I need to get the tape measure out and see what we can get in it. Might have to collapse the front seat as well.