First upright bass- any tips?

[thedreaded6]

I have been playing electric bass for quite some time, and have recently been borrowing a friend's upright to play jazz. I am currently in school for music, and am interested in broadening my playing to include upright.

Looking around on the internet, it seems hard to find much information at all. Being a college student i do not have a particularly large amount i have to spend, 1500ish being about my limit.

I am hesitant about the chinese/asain basses, because i know i will grow out of most any bass i get now, and i want to be able to sell it when that time comes.

There doesnt seem to be too much as far as craigslist and used ads go, so am i wondering if anyone has any tips or advice on where i would find a bass?

I have found this on craigslist, which seems to be good, but as a beginner to upright bass, i am unsure. http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/msg/1353635039.html
is this a good bass?

any advice would be very much appreciated,
thanks

[drurb]

Welcome.

I suggest you start by reading the newbie links. Then come back with specific questions. This topic has been addressed many, many, many, many, many times here. Please do a search and read as much as you can. Your budget of $1500 is fine, being about the minimum for purchase of a decent new instrument that will include a good setup.

3030

[hdiddy]

Having been on both sides of the fence now, I highly recommend buying the most you can afford.... which might mean bumping up your budget. Try to reach around $2400 and your options start to open up to something decent.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by hdiddy

Having been on both sides of the fence now, I highly recommend buying the most you can afford....

I totally agree and have said so many times. I'm a strong believer that one should get the very best bass (within reason) that one can afford. I took the OP at his word when he said his limit is about $1500. As I mentioned, that's the bare minumum for a decent instrument.

[PaperbackRyder]

Hi Dreaded6;
You doing well so far by asking advice from these guys.
I will pitch in my 2c's, as I made the same journey about a year ago. I read, posted and talked and shopped and read some more.
Ended up buying an Upton standard for $1900 and could not be more thrilled. Great bass great people.
I have no commercial interest at stake here. Just a very happy and much more "toneful" customer.
Best of luck and welcome aboard!
=JR=

[swmmojo]

+1 Upton Bass - do it!

[thedreaded6]

thanks for all the advice! the upton basses look great, and while 1800/1900 is a little over my budget i could probably try to push it if the bass is that worth it.. the only problem i have with it though is that the bass workshop is much to far for me to drive, and also i would guess shipping adds a lot to the price- as well as the risk of damage, etc.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by thedreaded6

thanks for all the advice! the upton basses look great, and while 1800/1900 is a little over my budget i could probably try to push it if the bass is that worth it.. the only problem i have with it though is that the bass workshop is much to far for me to drive, and also i would guess shipping adds a lot to the price- as well as the risk of damage, etc.

I suggest that you do push your budget if at all possible whether it is the Upton or not. As far as shipping and risk, the two players above had theirs shipped and they could comment better on the process. Basses are routinely and safely shipped by a number of very reputable shops.

[hdiddy]

push it, push it real good.

You won't regret it.

[Bass]

Hi "Dreaded 6". I bought an Upton Laminate in November 2006. It was one of the smartest things I ever did.

Upton ships all the time, shipping is not a problem. It seems to me they used to offer free shipping to USA - for me in Canada they knocked $200 off the price so shipping was only 80 bucks. I don't know if this special offer is still available.

The bass arrived safe and sound. It was in a wood crate (as opposed to cardboard which I have seen) and the headstock (scroll) was strapped to the crate so it wouldn't knock around.

[longfinger]

If your going to check out that Toronto craigslist bass, then also check out the other 5 upright basses in the greater Toronto area.
5 of them are between $1500 - $2000 CAN and come with case and bow, some with pickups.

Keep in mind an Upton for "$1800" really is not $1800 like the Craigslist basses.
1- USD
2- need to buy strings, adjusters, gig bag, bow, roughly $40 for shipping (over the $200 free)
3- it's also new from a store so add in GST&PST on the full Can$ amount when it crosses the border

By the time you do all that, just under $3000 CAN leaves your bank account to buy the Upton ply. And the CAN dollar is pretty strong now, unlike in March.

If your in that price range then check out this bass too..

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/yrk/msg/1350664834.html


And look around in the Toronto stores like Heinl's just to try out a whole wall of basses in one day.

I also suggest you also let your teachers and fellow music students at your school know you are shopping for a double bass and ask them for networking help in your search.

And take your time and don't buy the first bass you see!

I'd check out the stores first, then the private sales, mainly because you can browse a store, see a wall of basses, ask questions and leave without buying a bass more easily than you could with private sales! ;-)

Good luck!
and yes read the Talkbass archives for guidance on basic questions.

[Asher S]

My 2 cents:

+1 for Upton.

I recently got to play a couple of UB Standard basses at Upton's Boston Double Bass next door to Berklee. They are very impressive especially considering their price point. Beautiful workmanship, great feel and incredible sound.

I also just got off the phone with the main man there, Gary (Gary founded Upton Bass). He talked with me, an amateur, so that I felt as valued a customer as one of their star clients (e.g. Eric Revis).

The UB Standard is a high quality, made in USA bass. The basic price is $1800, then add in strings, bridge adjustment wheels and a gig bag, and you're at around USD $2000. However, Gary told me that this price is essentially at cost for them, i.e. apparently they do not make any significant profit on the UB Standard.

So far, based on my interactions with Gary in person, via email and over the phone, I have to say that their customer service is outstanding- something you will not get from a seller on CL. If I purchase a bass from them (as I am leaning towards doing) I am confident that I will have no problems with any support should I need it (i.e. repairs, adjustments, modifications etc).

[Jake]

There's a Shen SB-100 plywood in the double bass classifieds for around 2k. If I was going to get a plywood bass, I would jump at this well made, expertly set up bass.

[swmmojo]

My Upton was shipped to East TN. She was strapped into a wooden box securely. No issues at all. The setup was great, it was just as I requested and the tone is fantastic. If you have any specific questions I'm happy to take them PM. In sum, please pass the Upton cool aid.

+1 Upton Bass!!!!

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Jake

There's a Shen SB-100 plywood in the double bass classifieds for around 2k. If I was going to get a plywood bass, I would jump at this well made, expertly set up bass.

[Jake]

Huh??? Is that ad not there any more?

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Jake

Huh??? Is that ad not there any more?

Yes, it's there.

[Jake]

Why the funny face thing?

[Jake]

I didn't mean any kind of dis to the Upton basses, I was just pointing out what I thought was a good deal especially since it was set up by Bollbach. One day I'd like to take my bass to him, Schnitzer, or Upton to get it expertly tweeked and I had my bass set up by easily one the best 3 people in Florida.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Jake

Why the funny face thing?

Upton or not (and I haven't taken a position here on that), I thought it odd to suggest that someone drop $2000 on a used plywood Shen SB-100.