First Upright...HELP!

[braydensharrar]

I have finally decided to make the cross over from electric(fretted and fretless) to upright. I play and study mostly jazz but hope to go to school for film scoring and composition. As a bass player and a musician I feel it is time to step into the vast world of classical stringed instruments. SO...

I have a friend that has offered to sell me his upright, along with all of the necessary accessories(RA Meinel French Pernambuco bow, Kaces gig bag, stand, K&K BassMax Pickup, and practice mute). I just wanted to get a second(or more!) opinion because of my lack of knowledge in this new world of bass I am about to enter.

Now onto the bass...

It is a est. late 1940's/1950's(It has an original music store sticker from Hollywood, CA the predates zip codes) German-made Pfretzschner Ply Roundback. It is currently strung with 3 year old Obligatos and has recently had a full setup by a local violin maker.

He is offering me all this at $1750.

So my questions are:
1. Is this a good first bass to take away to school(Back east in Boston.)?
2. Is this a fair price for the whole bundle?

Thanks for all opinions and advice in advance!

~B

PS Here are some pictures of the bass:









Thanks again everyone!

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

That seems fair to me. I have an unlabeled ply that looks almost identical to this bass that was $1200. It has a bad refinish job, but is in sound condition. The tone is big, punchy, dark and sounds good under the bow. My feeling is that, even in it's 'ugly duckling' condition it sounds much better than it should for the price. I would recommend you take this bass to a good luthier for an evaluation but it appears to be ready to go. You could surely do worse.

[dchan]

It sounds like a great price to me, especially with a pernambuco bow and other items included (I have a friend who has an RA Meinel bow, and it is a really loud bow). But I would bring it to a bass luthier first to check it out, to make sure its structural and internal components are sound and intact.

Also, the first thing I'd do is get rid of the Obligatos. Not because they're bad strings, which they aren't. But three year-old Obligatos or older have always sounded dead to me, at least the E and A strings and the D to a lesser extent. If there's one thing that Obligatos aren't known for, it's a length lifespan.

[Ed Fuqua]

What's it sound like?

[braydensharrar]

I've only played on a couple of uprights, so I don't have much to compare it to. But when I played it last week, it sounded great. Not extremely loud, but reasonable for it's quality of build. Very warm, not too much clicky top end. The setup felt really great, the action was low but diggable. Arco sounded great, I really liked the bow too.

Thanks for all the advice guys, keep them coming!

Oh and I forgot to mention I went with him to the lutheir when he set it up and I got his green light.

It's a beautiful bass in person though!

~B

[Eric Hochberg]

If you like the way it sounds and feels then, go for it. Looks nice, good price, German craftmanship and materials, proven over the years, what more, besides sound and feel, could you want? Maybe you need to play some more basses to have something to compare it to, though.

[KJPbop]

Who was the luthier you took it to? 3 year old strings are nothing but dead! Have him include a new set with the purchase!! Good luck with school and your transition to the URB. Regards, KJPbop

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I partially agree on the strings. Obligatos are not THE best choice, but if they haven't been played much may still be serviceable. The worst thing about them is that the windings on the lower strings roll on the core to such a degree that you may twist them 360 degrees.
The price is fair as is. If you can change the strings, EP Weichs would be good. They feel similar/better, sound better and will probably last much longer.

Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Buy the bass.

[drurb]

If the bass has been pronounced sound by a qualified luthier (which seems to be the case) and you like how it sounds, then BUY IT NOW! Seems like a great deal.

I would suggest, as others have, that it would likely be best to dump the Oblis. Evah weichs probably will sound wonderful on it but strings are a matter of personal taste.

If the string height feels good to you coming from electric bass (EB), then it is probably way too low! I also strongly suggest that you get a good teacher who can set you on the right path by helping you to develop good technique, avoid bad habits, and avoid injury. The EB and the double bass (DB) are two related, but very different, instruments that require different techniques.

Finally, welcome to the world of the DB and welcome to this side (the dark side) of TB! Enjoy!

[braydensharrar]

It are looks as if everyone is for new strings. I will definitely get some, as I planned on replacing them soon anyways. Thanks for all the suggestions and I will do my research on all of them.

As far as the setup goes, I didn't mean it felt comfortable compared to electric. I meant it fell "manageable" compared to some of the other uprights I've played.

I am a huge advocate of musical education(hence why I'll be going to music school), so I already have a teacher than I will be studying with the day I get the bass. He is a local pro than also heads up the Jazz dept. at the local CC. I know he will get me on the right track, and I'm sure there will be no shortage of amazing teachers at the school I will attending (Bruce Gertz )

Thank you all for your help, and I can't wait to get starting on my new journey into this new musical world that I have admired for so long.

~B

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by braydensharrar

(Bruce Gertz )

Now yer talkin'....

[drurb]

Originally Posted by braydensharrar

I am a huge advocate of musical education(hence why I'll be going to music school), so I already have a teacher than I will be studying with the day I get the bass.

Sounds like you're all set with a great deal and a great plan! You sound very wise in your approach. Have a great time on the journey!

[braydensharrar]

Thanks everyone!

I'm getting the bass when I get back from a weekend trip..

I'm so excited to get started.

~B