The Church wants to buy me a DB to use....

Pako · #1 03-01-2007, 11:50 PM

...I know, another "First Bass, what to get" question. Seriously though, this will not be abused, the music styles were range from contemp, to gospel, Traditional Hymn, classical, and will use a bow occasionally, but most the time will not be using a bow. Also need good pickup advise as well.

The church I play my electric in has some members that want to purchase a this instrument for my use in the worship group. When the pastor mentioned a $2-3k price range, there were not surprised at all. They have some money, need the charitable contribution deduction, and want to see me use a quality instrument.

So...any suggestions? What to buy, where to buy, where to get it setup? I live in NW Montana in the sticks, so my best bet is to buy it and have it shipped. Does the setup survive shipping?

So what do you guys think?

Thanks in advance for any attention you guys give to my humble questions.

Steve Killingsworth · #2 03-02-2007, 06:19 AM

Have you looked into an Upton Hawkes hybrid? It fits in your price range and comes with an excellent setup.

I have not personally played a Hawkes but this site is full of glowing reviews. A guy I know has one on order so I am looking forward to giving it a test drive when it arrives. I have played a Kay that had been restored and setup by Upton. It was in excellent shape and very playable.

I have also played several Shen hybrids which I thought to be excellent basses for the money (usually a little less than the Upton). The problem there might be finding someone to do the setup.

All in all, you are in the enviable position of shopping with someone else's money. Just make sure you get their money's worth.

WillBuckingham · #3 03-02-2007, 07:46 AM

I think you're gonna be in tough shape if you can't find a luthier withing driving distance. Your new bass will doubtlessly open up (especially in Montana's climate), and you'll need to get it reglued, probably more than once. Look around and see if there is a luthier you can take it to.

-Will

Greg Clinkingbeard · #4 03-02-2007, 08:02 AM

+1 on the Upton. It's a great bass for the money. Heck, it's a great bass period. I have actually use mine in church a few times for a change of pace. Normally I'll play the slab and we do a few praise songs and a special popular song to tie in with the message. The theme last Sunday, for example, was World Missions, so we pulled out Waiting for the World to Change by John Mayer. The week before was Dave Matthews.

Back to topic.
When the material calls for it, the DB has gotten use in church and been well received. Even with Spirocores, the bass bows very well.

I'm using a Revolution Solo II pickup on it and liking it pretty well, although the Full Circle is getting a look.

Pako, my only concern would be this. Will you be able to take the bass home or will it be kept in the church? If the latter, I'd worry about humidity. A hybrid will need some attention.

Pako · #5 03-02-2007, 08:42 AM

As dry as it is in Montana, humidity wasn't one of my initial concerns, but now you guys have me worried. As far as taking it home, I don't see it taking up permanent residence at my home, but I will be talking it occasionally (or frequently) to practice and to get used to the instrument and to re-learn how to play these wonderful upright instruments.

Steve Killingsworth · #6 03-02-2007, 08:58 AM

Just to clarify in case you are confused--lack of humidity is what the guys are warning you about. Low humidity draws moisture out of the wood and can lead to cracks or separation at the seams. There are several methods of dealing with low humidity but as Col. Clink says, a hybrid or carved will require more TLC than a laminate.

LouisF · #7 03-02-2007, 09:58 AM

I've had the same issue about buying a bass for my school in the High Sierras (see thread High Altitude Bass in this forum).
We're going with a ply - either a Wilfer, Christopher or one of the New Standards, depending on the final budget.

Louis

Pako · #8 03-02-2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Killingsworth

Just to clarify in case you are confused--lack of humidity is what the guys are warning you about. Low humidity draws moisture out of the wood and can lead to cracks or separation at the seams. There are several methods of dealing with low humidity but as Col. Clink says, a hybrid or carved will require more TLC than a laminate.

AAHHHhhhh..... And that's why I come here for answers. Are the Hybrids the best of both worlds? Closer tone of carved, but closer durability of laminated? Also, what laminated DB's out there would be a good recommendation for a quality bass? Any that are recommended over the Upton Hybrids or are the Hybrids the way to go if the budget fits?

sejarus · #9 03-02-2007, 11:33 AM

Here (Shen SB180 nice flamed hybrid.) is an excellent hybrid in the price range you're talking about. I'm not getting paid for the endorsement, but it happens to be identical to the bass I own.

Humidity and durability were concerns for me when I was bass-shopping. Well, money too. After a lot of research on TB and talking to people, I decided on a hybrid, and I have no regrets. I have had no seam or crack issues (as opposed to my son-in-law's carved bass, which has one seam or another open up as an annual rite of spring). My practice room is in my basement. I use a room humidifier during the winter and have an air-conditioned house during the summer. I monitor the humidity pretty closely, but I've had no cause to worry about it.

LouisF · #10 03-02-2007, 12:43 PM

I think if the bass is going to sit at the church, I think you'll be happier with a laminate or plywood. The heat comes on one winter morning and it won't be pretty (that's what happened to my hybrid Argentine bass up at the school). Upton, Bruce Sexauer, A440 in Chicago, Hammond Ashley in Seattle or Lemur (and certainly Arnold if that's in your budget) could set up a laminate that -unless you're playing a lot of Bach contatas in church - is not going to give you much less than the hybrid, and (I think) be a much safer investment over 3-5 years.

That's my opinion anyway.

Louis

Rayzorx · #11 03-02-2007, 01:23 PM

I can personally recommend talking to the folks at Ideal Music in NYC. They have W. Eberle hybids for $1500 that are a great deal. They're built like tanks and have a good sound quality. Or if you like a darker color, you can get a laminated Wlifur for a couple hundred more. You can check them out at www.bassesonline.com.

As for the humidity, if you have access to a music room or some sort of storage room at the church, you can get a small room humidifier to take care of the moisture needs. I bought a Bonaire humidifier at Target for $25, and it does the job for my home studio. It's even got a digital controller with 3 speed settings and digital read out of the current room humidity. Plus there's an Auto mode that lets you set the humidity level, and the device cycles on and off when needed, to keep the humidity at that level.
I would also recommend getting a digital hygrometer to measure the room humidity, as the read out on the humidifier will tend to be a bit higher than actual. Probably since the water source is in the same place as the sensor.
You can get these at Lowes in the Garden department.

liam_g · #12 03-02-2007, 01:25 PM

FYI, Bob Gollihur's luthier links page lists this link in Missoula, MT:
http://www.netguitar.com/

They don't mention basses on their site, other than having one DB in their inventory ... but Bob must have had some reason for putting that link up. Might be worth a call to see if they do setup and repair work, and maybe ask for some references of people they've done DB work for in the past?

Otherwise, if you're up for a trip, Hammond Ashley in Seattle (actually in Issaquah now, which is right off I90, and about a half hour's drive closer to the mountains than they used to be) would be a great place to not only have a setup done, but try out and purchase an instrument. The last time I was in there, they had about half a dozen laminated and hybrid basses by Shen and Christopher, along with the hybrid Strunal that I ended up purchasing. I think Issaquah is about a 7 hour drive from Missoula (not sure how close to Missoula you are!), but if you wanted to take a couple of days and make the trip, I think it'd be worth it. Call first and make sure they have some options in your price range (which they probably will), and the make sure they're oppen. They used to be closed on Sundays and Mondays, but the site says they're open Mon - Sat now.
http://www.hammondashley.com/

Good luck, whatever you end up doing!

Liam

MT Spaces · #13 03-02-2007, 04:06 PM

Pako,

You might check out Boyd's Music in Mssla. They had a consignment bass for sale a month ago. Kind of a beater looks-wise but a real decent 3/4 German bass. You might contact the real owner, Doug Haberman, in the Billings area. He played it for a number of years in a bluegrass band and I thought it sounded real nice. About a month ago I think he told me he would sell it straight out for about $800 less than the consignment asking price of about $2200. Probably needs new strings. Call Boyd's and see if it is still there.

If you are looking for luthiers for set-up, talk to Galt String Gallery (Carmen Galt) in Billings or John at Piccolo Music in Helena. Last I heard Piccolo Music was selling some decent Chinese fiddles and basses. They are not the super cheapo e-bay type of CCB's or BSO's everyone around here warns people about. Ask John how the repairs have been ... I think he will give you an honest answer. They have had the basses for a year or more now. Music Villa here in Bozo sells some German basses also. There is also a old timer over by Idaho Falls that does fantastic luthier work but I heard that he can be very slow to get things done. I could figure out how to get ahold of him if you need set-up or repair. Good Luck ........ Bob

Edit .. P.S.
You might give Joe Sites at Sites Violin in Idaho Falls a call. In October I bought a real nice 1940 Kay
bass from him. He mostly deals in fiddles but he comes across some basses every now and then. Whatever he has will probably need a set-up by a professional.

mcnaire2004 · #14 03-02-2007, 04:30 PM

I can't believe I am saying this but... a bass guitar will probably be better for this situation.

Pako · #15 03-02-2007, 05:02 PM

Alright, I'll grab mcnaire2004 from behind and the rest of you guys can soap flog him.

Thanks guys for the info, and Bob, thanks for the quasi-local info, very helpful.

thumbin · #16 03-02-2007, 05:03 PM

warwick... warwick... warwick

Marcus Johnson · #17 03-02-2007, 05:20 PM

Gotta change the password around here. And where's the bouncer?!

Keyser Soze · #18 03-03-2007, 10:11 AM

There's a luthier in Priest River, Idaho named Hayes Rutherford. I bought a Christopher bass from him, having been referred by another (satgisfied customer) bassist. I have since referred two folk on these boards to him. They both bought Christophers from him. He's a great guy and has great prices. His e-mail address is: picknbow@hotmail.com

I believe he is moving now, so it might take him a day or two to get back to you.

PM me for more info, if you'd like.