Good quality DBs for amateur orchestral players

[Bass Barrister]

At least once a day, someone posts here looking for a "cheap" entry-level bass. Less often, there have been several threads discussing "pro" level basses (ca. $20K). What I have not seen is a discussion of good quality, reasonably priced, basses for good orchestral players who don't play, or rarely play, for money.

At the outset, I want to make it clear that anyone, pro or amateur, is free to spend what they feel is right for the best bass that meets their needs and makes them happy. For many of us who don't do it for money, and don't have a business write-off, this means limited funds. Notwithstanding, there comes a point where the basic carved Romanian $4k bass just doesn't do it any more in terms of sound and response.

For me, "reasonably-priced" means $8k - $12k. I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that this will normally get you one of the better shop basses, such as a better-grade Juzek/Wilfer or some "maker unknown" German/Bohemian/Czech product. That does not bother me if it sounds good and is easy to get around on.

I doubt that I'm the only one here in this category and am interested to hear what you all have to say.

[mjt0229]

I live in Seattle and play in a few community orchestras here. My instrument is a Kai Arvi, which came in on the upper end of your scale. I also looked at a Golia which was similarly priced, but I liked the sound of the Arvi better. My Arvi replaced a $4K Cailin Wultur Romanian bass (which I haven't gotten around to selling yet - anyone want one?).

In my orchestras, I tend to encounter two schools of thought on instruments. The first is to play a cheap plywood bass, but to play it so well that no one notices that your instrument is thin sheets of wood glued together with the grain running orthogonally to each other.

The second school tends towards older carved instruments, usually German, which can be had for $8-10K at many shops.

[LouisF]

I was lucky to find a bass by Jorge Vasquez de Anda in that price (10-12K) range. It won a silver medal in Cremona in '85 and Gary Karr had toured Mexico with the bass. I sold my Gagnon Maggini (12K) to pay for it, as the Maggini was just to broad shouldered for me now.

There are other options to the shop Germans (no slur on them) on high end Chinese (there are now $10K Eastman, Christophers, Suns etc). I think it does take some looking, and a willingness to explore.

Louis

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Well, you don't like the Romanian Basses so I will leave them out as I have played a few nice ones. They just don't sound old. Remember, Wilfer/Juzeks are not high quality handmade Basses either. They are mainly Shop Basses made for Export for the most part. I have seen all grades of them as far as condition, sound, aging and tone. Some are ok in an Orchestra and some not. Still, when playing one solo, the sound is not all that pleasant under the ear sometimes.

I had a 7/8 Shen Gemunder model maple roundback 800 series. I played this Bass on a variety of jobs including Symphony and I always got compliments on it. Maybe mine was better than the average but it was loud, powerful, deep, smooth and always surprised people when I told them what it was. It was made in 2001 and just sold it last year as I rarely used it anymore. Still, I think it was a great Bass and would not mind playing it if I had no other choice. I have owned more Wilfer/Juzeks (labeled both ways) from all periods of make than I can remember to count and I still think this Shen was a better Bass inside and out.

[bassat88]

If you look in the Classified Adds, I'm looking to sell my czech bass for 8500. The bass sounds great for jazz or classical and it got me into school and into great programs like the New York String Orchestra Seminar. I'm in New York City so if you're interested feel free to email me.

andrew.trombley@gmail.com

or

amt2@juilliard.edu

[Jeremy Darrow]

I have a 7/8 Shen Gemunder flatback at home on approval as I type, like the one Ken described, but with an X-braced flat back. I am more pleased with it every time I pick it up. These basses fall quite a bit beneath your price range, but I assume that you wouldn't complain about spending less than 5K for a great bass. I believe that some players in professional orchestras are using these as their second basses. Give them a look, I think that you'll be really pleased, good luck.

Jeremy

[eeyorebass]

Originally Posted by Bass Barrister

For me, "reasonably-priced" means $8k - $12k. I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that this will normally get you one of the better shop basses, such as a better-grade Juzek/Wilfer or some "maker unknown" German/Bohemian/Czech product. That does not bother me if it sounds good and is easy to get around on.

I doubt that I'm the only one here in this category and am interested to hear what you all have to say.

I hope to be in the same category in a few years, and at the top of my list is a hybrid or fully carved La Scala from New Standard. I know it might not have the character of an older carved top bass, but it won't be as hit or miss on the quality. Same with the Shen basses previously mentioned.

Jeremy