First Upright

Sathington W. · #1 03-05-2009, 08:19 PM

So, I typically play electric bass (and mandolin), but seeing as the Band Director at our school is a jerk, I've opted out of Jazz Band next year in favor of Orchestra.
I'm looking at a beginner upright bass, the Florea Midnight bass.
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....fit?sku=475991
This looks like the perfect beginner bass for someone on a high-school budget, and it comes with everything I (think) I'll need.

**DeanT** · #2 03-05-2009, 08:34 PM

O.K. And you're point would be...?

I think this probably belongs in the Double Bass forum.

broadblik · #3 03-05-2009, 08:35 PM

This needs to be in DB.

Sathington W. · #4 03-05-2009, 08:58 PM

w33nie · #5 03-05-2009, 09:48 PM

Doesn't your school have one you could use?

StyleOverShow · #6 03-05-2009, 09:57 PM

Congrats on the DB. I was very close to one, gathering up the funds, in scarce times, and the CL seller grabbed the first cash presented.

It is a monstrous change from the fretted machines we know so well, and capable of making so many 'organic' sounds. Enjoy it!

-richard

Jim Carr · #7 03-05-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sathington W.

So, I typically play electric bass (and mandolin), but seeing as the Band Director at our school is a jerk, I've opted out of Jazz Band next year in favor of Orchestra.
I'm looking at a beginner upright bass, the Florea Midnight bass.
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....fit?sku=475991
This looks like the perfect beginner bass for someone on a high-school budget, and it comes with everything I (think) I'll need.

1) DO NOT BUY THAT PIECE OF JUNK. It is a rip-off and worse than useless, especially for a beginner. You will regret it immediately.

2) Read the stickies over in DB.

How to Buy a DB

3) Learning to deal with "jerks" in charge is a big part of being a bassist.

4) Welcome to double bass.

**Mark Wilson** · #8 03-05-2009, 10:38 PM

Moved to Basses [DB]

drurb · #9 03-06-2009, 06:55 AM

Indeed, read the newbie links and then come back with questions. Buy a bass from a real bass shop and not from a guitar store or mass merchant. A decent new entry-level bass with a good setup will cost a minimum of about $1500. You'll spend that one way or the other.

3017

EggyToast · #10 03-06-2009, 09:28 AM

Far worse to drop $600 on a bass that sucks -- that money is lost forever.

You play bass guitar -- would you drop $50 on a bass guitar and expect it to sound good? Now imagine how much more wood and craft has to go into a significantly larger acoustic instrument.

The cheapest instrument mentioned in stickies and other threads are the Englehardt starter basses, which sell around $1200 or so (usually inc. shipping). They then need setup on top of that to get them playable -- add $50-$300. There you go, a starter bass.

Shopping at a physical store will let you ask people at the store for their opinions, as well as actually hear the instruments and see the range of prices available. Actually hearing what the difference is between the cheapy starter basses and the nicer, more expensive basses usually makes the trip worth it all on its own.

shadygrove · #11 03-06-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EggyToast

The cheapest instrument mentioned in stickies and other threads are the Epiphone starter basses, which sell around $1200 or so...

+1 ...all good advice Eggy, but just to clarify for the OP, I'm thinking you must have meant Engelhardt and not Epiphone.

EggyToast · #12 03-07-2009, 05:51 PM

Indeed! I've edited my post. I don't even know why I thought of epiphone, as I don't play either guitar nor bass guitar!

wineaux · #13 03-08-2009, 11:04 AM

Eggy,

You weren't that far off with your Englehardt/Epiphone reference, except in price. Epiphone made upright basses for several decades and they are prized by some for bluegrass. And they are priced accordingly, in the same ballpark as Kays, sometimes more. If you found one in the OP's price range, it would probably be in pieces. Many pieces.