Getting my first Double Bass

[EggyToast]

Yeah, I typically give the strings a pluck whenever I'm in a music store that has double basses, and I'm always pleased when I hear how much better my Kay sounds compared to the equivalently priced laminate basses. I paid $1500 because it had been beat up a bit, but even 3rd party ears (namely my wife) comment that my bass sounds a lot better than many new, cheap basses.

Which just emphasizes the fact, really, that you should go by your ear. Yes, an old Kay will have some Kay qualities, but don't shop by brand.

I think everyone has a "sound" that's in their head when they think "double bass." Finding the bass that matches that sound should be key.

[PRUNEFACE]

Once again, thanks for the advice; I was planning on letting this die too.

[TroyK]

Originally Posted by EggyToast

Finding the bass that matches that sound should be key.

Finding the technique to produce that sound is key. Your equipment can work with or against you, but it can't produce anything without your contribution. It is much easier to buy a bass than it is to play it satisfactorily.

[marvin spangles]

Playing the Double bass is a lifetime project. However at your stage you would be well advised to get a GOOD entry level bass and a bow of the same quality. I started out with a cheap plywood bass that was well set up. At the stage I was at it more than catered for my needs. The main issue at any stage is to find an instrument and practice and practice and practice. It will take a long time to outgrow any instrument. Take advice from the many experienced members on this forum. You tend to ask questions that have no relevance for a beginner. There are so many fundamental issues that will only be addressed by practice practice practice. There are many top pros that play on relatively modest instruments. I am a music teacher and I had the pleasure of having James Galway visit the school and give a Master Class. He was unsurprisingly brilliant. The most significant moment was when he used a student's cheap and I mean cheap flute to demonstrate a particular point. He still sounded like James Galway. The Flute cost about £140 quid. So if you are serious just get a bass and play. And if you do Welcome to a very special club.

[EggyToast]

Originally Posted by TroyK

Finding the technique to produce that sound is key. Your equipment can work with or against you, but it can't produce anything without your contribution. It is much easier to buy a bass than it is to play it satisfactorily.

Of course; perhaps the better way to phrase it would be "have someone who knows how to play the bass play YOUR bass." ;D

It was an eye opening moment when my teacher took my (now sold) Ergo EUB and make it sound really, really good.

Still, going up to a random bass and pulling on the E will sound different, depending on the strings and the bass. Arguably your technique won't change much when you're shopping for a bass (unless you're shopping over the course of months/years), though.

On the plus side, these things are expensive enough and big enough that it's not feasible for most people to just buy 3 or 4 of them whenever they get GAS!

[olivieraleman]

In response to above post, yes we can all find needles in haystacks if we look long enough and have connections, but pruneface seems to be starting in the upright world and why waste time? Upton, Bobs bulgarians, New Standard, they all go from 3k and up. When you can afford more than one bass then its different, but to somebody looking for a good bass they dont have fool with, 3 grand spent should satisfy them. On the mentioned dealers only.

[wineaux]

I have no connections. I just took the time to look and listen. I found two of the basses I've owned within an hour of my home. Upton and Bob are both great merchants and I've purchased stuff from both of them and my bass search probably would have taken me there as well if I didn't get lucky closer to home. But I'm reluctant to tell Prune, who is in Florida, to focus on places far from Florida because I think it's important to play a bass (many basses, actually) before you buy one. In fact, the very first bass I bought was in Detroit. I drove there, played it and drove home the same day -- 1,000 miles on the nose in one day. And for $1,000 bucks plus gas -- not bad because, yes, I drove my Prius! -- it was well worth it. Yes, I would love to have a New Standard or an Upton, but there are plenty of quality, reasonably priced vintage plywood basses waiting for good homes, and I, for one, think they're worth the search.

[olivieraleman]

Agreed, many nice plywoods from what ive read, i wasnt lucky enough with the 2 i owned. Just trying to save someone the trouble of grubbing through a long row of stumps! If they can afford it. If not, happy hunting. By the way, do you like wine?

[wineaux]

aleman,

when I'm not making music, I make wine. In fact, I have about 65 gallons waiting to be bottled. I only have three basses!

[olivieraleman]

Im a home winemaker myself, grapes and kits. I like 50 gallons on hand minimum. Toured a pinot producer in Oregon last year. What an education!