ebay

crazypeanutman · #1 09-08-2006, 05:16 PM

sorry for posting, but i didnt find the answer to this question in the "newbie thread", or the "buying a double bass thread."

i've been playing electric bass for about 2 1/2 years, and im really in love with bass. i knew i wanted to play the upright as well, and listening to people like chris wood and stanley clarke really made me go for it. i talked to the schools orchestra teacher, and he let me borrow a bass. only problem was, i had noone to teach me how to play. he made me give the bass back, and then left the school a month or so later. i joined the orchestra for this year (my senior year of high school) because he said i would be able to take home a bass and practice. well, like i said, he left, and now there arent enough basses to let me take one home and practice, which means i am getting thrown into orchestra every day with zippo experience. ive kept my head above water so far, but theres no getting around not haveing a bass to practice with.

im poor, so i cant afford a new upright bass, and the only 3 music shops in my area dont carry or rent upright basses, i know because ive been bothering them about 2-3 times a month for one.

so to the question: is an ebay bass worth it? it goes against every rule set in the buying thread, but i dont see many other solutions. ive tried pawn shops, the local papers, online classifieds, nadda. i dont need a quality bass, just one to practice with.

something like this is what id like to buy:

http://http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-3-4-s...QQcmdZViewItem

i appologize for the wall of text, but im really in a bind here. thanks for any advice you can give me.

jonly · #2 09-08-2006, 05:18 PM

no. Search for CCB, chinese upright, bso, ebay bass - there's alot of information on this website and others as well.

And I found a nice used englehardt bass for what that chinese bass is selling for. Patience + research = good things happening in your bass world.

5stringDNA · #3 09-08-2006, 05:30 PM

As mentioned, the newbie links all state what they do for very good reason- DON"T BUY IT!

You are forgetting your most realistic option right now: Patience. I know time is a limited quantity and ya wanna play the bass before you die, but having horrible bass could make you want to die, haha. Keep waiting , looking, and SAVING!

crazypeanutman · #4 09-09-2006, 05:32 PM

i know i should be patient, but ive been patient since last march when i lost the rental bass and im falling behind in my orchestra class. i just need solutions that will get me a bass as soon as possible.

Peck_Time · #5 09-09-2006, 07:02 PM

How about getting a part-time job?

Save your wages for a few months (I see that you're 17, so i'm assuming you're living rent free), and you could have a real bass.

Option 2: Form the jazz trio you talk about in your profile, and do some gigs. Cafes, restaurants, coffee-shops, parties, whatever.

Good luck CrazyPeanutMan.

crazypeanutman · #6 09-09-2006, 09:12 PM

1. ive actually been working at a library since i was 14, which is how ive bought my electrics, amps, and other equipment. most equipment ive bought has been used, so ive been able to get everything relatively cheap. an upright bass is much more expensive than most of my elecrtic rig, so we'll see with that.

2. we have a practice this tuesday

thanks for everyone whos answered so far.

drurb · #7 09-10-2006, 11:03 AM

It seems to me you have these options:

1) borrow from school
2) rent
3) buy

Now, you've pretty much ruled out 1 and 2, which leaves us with 3. Perhaps there are other options I have overlooked but you'll have to spend at least $1500 or so to get something decent (barring a great "find" in the used market). Please forgive me for being somewhat forward and, perhaps, too personal. You are 17 and in high school. Is there a parent, parents, or guardian who can help you out here? This might involve what is basically a loan that you can pay back over time. It seems by the time you save up enough $$$ it will be a bit too late.

crazypeanutman · #8 09-11-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRURB

It seems to me you have these options:

1) borrow from school
2) rent
3) buy

Now, you've pretty much ruled out 1 and 2, which leaves us with 3. Perhaps there are other options I have overlooked but you'll have to spend at least $1500 or so to get something decent (barring a great "find" in the used market). Please forgive me for being somewhat forward and, perhaps, too personal. You are 17 and in high school. Is there a parent, parents, or guardian who can help you out here? This might involve what is basically a loan that you can pay back over time. It seems by the time you save up enough $$$ it will be a bit too late.

this is what ive been working on. we talked about it earlier, and they were really pissed that the upright would be so much, but as long as i pay them back i think ill be fine. the other problem, and original question really, to this is that there arent any in my local area. i saw one in the paper yesterday thats about 1 1/2 hours away, so i think we're going to check that out. thas the only one ive seen in months.

bribass · #9 09-11-2006, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazypeanutman

this is what ive been working on. we talked about it earlier, and they were really pissed that the upright would be so much, but as long as i pay them back i think ill be fine. the other problem, and original question really, to this is that there arent any in my local area. i saw one in the paper yesterday thats about 1 1/2 hours away, so i think we're going to check that out. thas the only one ive seen in months.

I see you're in MD. Maybe you could get to Annapolis and visit this shop?

http://www.chesapeakebass.com/
O rcontact them about your bass search. A knowledgable luthier in your area would be a good place to start your search. Even on a tight budget
it would be way better than Ebay.

Also check out this page for major bass resources:

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

scroll down to:

Double Bass Sales, Bows, Parts
(also see the Bass Luthiers Directory Project; luthiers are often excellent bass resources)
I also remember having a sound post adjusted in DC at a nice string shop.
Name?

Maybe you're not far from this great shop:
http://www.shankstrings.com/

good, luck!

BG

GT Kirk · #10 09-11-2006, 03:27 PM

I don't know where you are in Md but I've rented from here before www.brobstviolins.com

The Gollihur site is really helpful.

If you want to buy something already set up and not pay shipping go to Chuck Levins.

Good Luck,
Tom