Is this a good bass to buy?

BassPlayer3187 · #1 01-19-2010, 10:01 AM

I am a jazz bassist who plays both upright and electric. I have never had to buy an upright because I always had one to use and practice on. However I now am ready to buy one to call my own. I live in Austin, TX and found a Bianca Hybrid bass that plays and sounds very nice. Does anyone know anything about these basses? Also what price should I expect to pay for a hybrid bass of good quality. I don't have enough money to get an amazing bass I know but I have no idea the prices on uprights. This one is $2,600. Does that sounds like a good price for this bass? Also does anyone have suggestions on basses from $2000-$3000 good for jazz playing? Thanks

AMJBASS · #2 01-19-2010, 10:51 AM

Do a search. There is a link at the top of the basses forum with TONS of information on basses in your price range. There are MANY threads on this already. Find a teacher in your area that can help you find an instrument to suit your needs. Look for shops that specialize in the Double Bass.

AMJBASS · #3 01-19-2010, 10:56 AM

Check this out as well:

http://www.gollihurmusic.com/links.cfm

There are a lot of great resourses out there. If you can find a shop near you that would be ideal. There are some very good basses being made now in and around your price range.

BassPlayer3187 · #4 01-19-2010, 10:58 AM

ok I will thanks! What about this bass though does anyone know anything about Bianca basses?

M Ramsey · #5 01-19-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassPlayer3187

ok I will thanks! What about this bass though does anyone know anything about Bianca basses?

I did a Google search on "Bianca upright bass" and "Bianca bass."

Nothing came up on the first page of either search. With the plethora of info available on the internet by folks trying to sell anything and everything, if it dosen't show up there, then info is going to be pretty hard to come by (IMHO).

Never heard of them. Possibly, someone else here is a complete authority on these instruments.

longfinger · #6 01-19-2010, 12:08 PM

I've never heard of 'Bianca bass', but since you're buying in person and not over the telephone, it really does not matter. If the bass you're checking out plays and sounds nice and is also built well and is in good shape, then that's what's important. The label does not matter.
Go check it out again with a DB playing friend and listen to him playing it. For that $2600 price, does it come with a gig bag, good strings and other items like pick up, bow etc? Every little accessory adds up in price...

Square Bear · #7 01-19-2010, 01:54 PM

also, does it come properly set-up? you should be sure a good luthier can check it out before you buy. in that price range you should be able to get a good bass that will play well, sound good, and last indefinitely. best thing you can do is look at a lot of basses and not be in a hurry to buy. also, be willing to try basses that are a little above your price range, just for comparison's sake. you may find something that you can afford that has qualities of more a more pricey instrument.

BassPlayer3187 · #8 01-19-2010, 03:23 PM

The bass comes with a bag and good strings, no pick up and no bow. The place will set it up for me before I leave the store with it.

Thanks for all your help!

Marcus Johnson · #9 01-19-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassPlayer3187

The place will set it up for me before I leave the store with it.

That really means nothing unless you're dealing with a double bass luthier. If it's a typical music store that happens to have a double bass on the floor.... it's pretty rare that anyone in the place will have the vaguest idea how to properly set up a DB.

With all due respect, and as Square Bear said, I hope you take a deep breath and do some additional homework before you plop down your hard earned coin on a bass. 2-3K can buy you a nice bass.

pallino · #10 01-19-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian Juras

Do a search. There is a link at the top of the basses forum with TONS of information on basses in your price range. There are MANY threads on this already. Find a teacher in your area that can help you find an instrument to suit your needs. Look for shops that specialize in the Double Bass.

+1 - don't stop on the first bass you find.Go look around and try more basses you can in that price range.
You can find great hybrid or plywood basses for under 2000$, that will suit for jazz, if sided by a good pickup/amp choice.
i have a german Musima ply bass build as a tank and with a very good sound that i paid only 600 euros, which equals around 900$.i have gigged everywhere and made recordings with it with great results.

fmooney · #11 01-19-2010, 03:38 PM

I have had great experiences with Wayne Holmes Bass & viol. He is in Tenn but can ship anywhere check out his site he has about 40 to 50 instuments of all age and prices. He is also a fine repairman and is extremely fair. Check him out. I bought an Englehardt upright and cello from him. Very pleased.

FM

http://holmesbassviol.com/photos_and_prices

BassPlayer3187 · #12 01-19-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

That really means nothing unless you're dealing with a double bass luthier. If it's a typical music store that happens to have a double bass on the floor.... it's pretty rare that anyone in the place will have the vaguest idea how to properly set up a DB.

With all due respect, and as Square Bear said, I hope you take a deep breath and do some additional homework before you plop down your hard earned coin on a bass. 2-3K can buy you a nice bass.

It's not a typical music store. It's a sting shop with professional luthiers. Obviously someone in a guitar store isn't going to know what to do with a string bass. And in response to your other statement I am doing my homework which is why I'm on here as well as many other sources. Otherwise I would've bought that bass the other day when I was in the store if I wasn't "taking a deep breath before I plop my hard earned coin on a bass"

Marcus Johnson · #13 01-19-2010, 05:41 PM

Tryin' to help you, dude. You're the guy that said you have "no idea on the price of uprights".

drurb · #14 01-19-2010, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmooney

I have had great experiences with Wayne Holmes Bass & viol. He is in Tenn but can ship anywhere check out his site he has about 40 to 50 instuments of all age and prices. He is also a fine repairman and is extremely fair. Check him out. I bought an Englehardt upright and cello from him. Very pleased.

FM

http://holmesbassviol.com/photos_and_prices

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Greg Clinkingbeard · #15 01-19-2010, 06:46 PM

I see nothing wrong with a satisfied customer recommending a shop. Were we to ban that practice many of us would have nothing to do.

Paul Warburton · #16 01-19-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

This ad brought to you by...

Les, the offer of the Valium in that other thread applies to this one. Lemme know.

Bass · #17 01-19-2010, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

I see nothing wrong with a satisfied customer recommending a shop. Were we to ban that practice many of us would have nothing to do.

Hey, don't forget to check out these guys! They sell pretty good basses at a reasonable price.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #18 01-19-2010, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

Les, the offer of the Valium in that other thread applies to this one. Lemme know.

If that's all you got, send it. You take Paypal? This place is beginning to kill me.

Square Bear · #19 01-20-2010, 03:40 AM

a student of mine just bought a hybrid from upton. it's NICE, and was not very expensive at all.

Paul Warburton · #20 01-20-2010, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

If that's all you got, send it. You take Paypal? This place is beginning to kill me.

Hey, I'm a bass slut granted, but a drug dealer I ain't (at least not yet) I'm thinking TB is ripe for some biz though lately, if I were. Between the Trolls, Shills and crazy-whack kids, the older members here don't have a chance for any sanity. (if we had any in the begining).
Anyway you need stronger stuff.....