Is this a good deal. Craigslist Content

thehamsterman · #1 08-14-2009, 01:45 PM

So i've been playing upright bass since 6th grade (now a junior in college) and i never bought my own bass. Now, music is just a hobby, and i've been looking for an upright to just mess around on and keep my chops fresh.

SO i found this bass on my local craigslist. I don't know much about this brand, but the search results on this model are mixed.

anyway, for 175, is this a good deal?

link http://cedarrapids.craigslist.org/msg/1320505330.html

thanks all

-keegan

naturalkinds · #2 08-14-2009, 01:49 PM

I don't know. But if it really stinks, you could use it for firewood, and not be at much of a loss.

jnuts1 · #3 08-14-2009, 01:54 PM

i don't think i have ever seen a broken upright for 175

FutureTense · #4 08-14-2009, 01:56 PM

Search is a great place to start. I don't know much about double bass, but I was also actually checking out that listing as I'm in the area. I don't see many people from CR on here.

And the thread:

Craptastic China Bass for Newbie...

longfinger · #5 08-14-2009, 02:06 PM

Since you're both in Cedar Rapids, go and check it out. The bass will be of low quality, but that is already reflected in the purchase price. A decent set of strings for double bass is about $175. $175 for the bass, with the case? Oh boy. Ha Ha.

Try it out. A great thing about a 'disposable' bass like this is that you are potentially getting a patient that you can affordable 'operate' on. That is, you'd be able to buy a 'setup and repair' book and experiment on this bass. You can learn a lot. Players with nice basses are generally scared of touching their basses for setup/repair lest they damage them. You'd have no such problems. If the bass breaks down on you, you'd even have a carcass you can dissect and examine. Dr. Frankenstein paid Igor good money to find opportunities like this.

If it really cracks and breaks apart, you could open it up and poke around, then use a saw and cut things off, and make an EUB with the neck, headstock, tailpiece and bridge, and a long beam for a new body.

BTW, as firewood, this bass is not good as varnish can be toxic when burned. You could better make art sculptures with it, or even use it as a prop in a local made movie where a bass get's used, or smashed.

This bass can open up all sorts of opportunities for you!

drurb · #6 08-14-2009, 02:12 PM

It would make a nice planter.

Sure, you could have all kinds of fun working on it yourself but if you are looking for a double-bass to PLAY and on which to improve, then I strongly suggest you pass.

jazzyitalian · #7 08-14-2009, 02:15 PM

That sounds awfully low. Make sure you inspect it in person before buying.

Bijoux · #8 08-14-2009, 02:27 PM

Dude! I spend $150 on a dinner with my wife! after adding the tip is about $180!!!
buy the bass! if nothing else give it to your grandma as a piece of furniture! at least you can make Grandma happy on X-mas!

drurb · #9 08-14-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bijoux

Dude! I spend $150 on a dinner with my wife! after adding the tip is about $180!!!
buy the bass! if nothing else give it to your grandma as a piece of furniture! at least you can make Grandma happy on X-mas!

Hmm. I typically spend far less on dinner and far more on a bass!

IMO, $175 is better spent on an enhancement to a real bass than on purchasing a BSO.

DrBassie · #10 08-14-2009, 02:58 PM

Craptastic China Bass for Newbie...

Steve Swan · #11 08-16-2009, 07:34 PM

If the bass makes you happy at this price, don't put any more money into it. Play it until you move onto something else and then sell it for $250.00. Good luck!

gbaker · #12 08-16-2009, 08:50 PM

If it is still there, take cash and go play it. You know something about basses, trust yourself. If it plays decently (or if you can determine how to make it do so cheap). If it is sound, not falling apart, with the bass bar in solid and a decent neck. If it is not stolen.

THEN BUY IT.

At this price you can always sell it and probably make a profit. Go!