Good Uprights for Jazz?

[mrjasonpries]

I've been shopping around for a good upright bass for jazz playing, but I have no frame of reference to compare a "good" bass to a "bad" bass, besides the piles of junk at my school. I'm a student, planning on majoring in music (jazz) with my primary instrument being upright, and I'm looking for a good bass between $1000 and $2000.

[mrjasonpries]

I was also wondering about the company Engelnhardt and the ES9 on this website... http://www.urbbob.com/engelhardt.html

They say engelhardt bought Kay basses...and i just played an old Kay bass the other day, and, it was less than amazing...to say the least, my friends and I shot pool balls at it.

[mpm]

Stop that, you'll hurt the pool balls! Check out (not necessarily in this order) Shen, Eastman, Christopher, and American Standard, for really good laminates and carved tops. I have my own favourites, but I think you should make your own informed decision. They all are readily available in the continental 48 states.

[mxr255]

I would try those companies also. I actually know a couple of guys who are majoring in bass using a Shen Hybrid bass That goes a little above your price range, but would be worth a look. The most important thing with any of these basses is to find a shop that knows what they are doing with the set up process. That can turn any of those basses into completely playable basses for a young jazz musician. Good Luck!

Matt

[Gufenov]

i just played an old Kay bass the other day, and, it was less than amazing...to say the least, my friends and I shot pool balls at it.

Maybe it was a good bass with a poor setup? You said, in an earlier post:

...I have no frame of reference to compare a "good" bass to a "bad" bass, besides the piles of junk at my school.

A lot of successful musicians got that way playing Kay basses. Everyone has their preference, but make sure your selection is based on sound reasoning rather than snobbery.

[mrjasonpries]

Ahh, I wasn't clear on the whole kay bass thing when i posted it. They Kay base I played, was an electric bass, which, I do have a great deal of experience playing on different models. The pick up was actually under the pick gaurd, the body was made of metal. I tried adjusting it, but the screws on the bridge was stripped, and truss rod was broken, because there were two frets, the 13th and 14th on the d string i beleive, and they both played the same note. I guess the original owner bought it at sears for $90 dollars. I was not sure if the quality of the electric Kay bass reflected upon the quality of the Kay uprights. I can understand how my comment came across snobish though, understandable. Maybe that will offer some clarification

[mrjasonpries]

Sorry about the bad grammar, I think faster than I type.

[Marcus Johnson]

There's a Christopher Hybrid for sale in the TB classified section, in the S.F. bay area.

[frigo]

if you want a good bass, you need ONLY a handmade one i know a great italian liuther if you need.
gf.schiavo@virgilio.it
he's really great
he recently renewed a '51 Tarantino, and, man should hear it now

[BassGreaser]

I knew not many people talk about Strunal, but I own a Hybrid 5/20 and I love the bass. The bass is about 8 months old, and it sounds great! It's not the best bass, but I love her