help me choose a carcass

jweiss · #1 03-09-2009, 04:57 PM

I'm ordering my first double bass from Lemur Music (see this thread for some related discussion).

They were kind enough to give me my choice of three new carcasses that they received and that have passed their quality inspection. These are the "Encinitas" model. Although I can't see them in person, they forwarded photos (front/back) of all three. My choice will be built specifically for me. Any of you have a preference?

#1

#2

#3

My teacher is digging #1. He likes the color and striping on the back. I don't really know enough about these things to have a strong opinion, but I like the uniformity of the finish on #3, although I like the color of #1 better.

Thanks! I can't wait to get started on this journey!

Jeff

Marcus Johnson · #2 03-09-2009, 05:39 PM

Well, they're all pretty. I read the other thread, and I still think a road trip is in order for a purchase of this magnitude. It does not matter at all what a bass looks like. The best one will always be the one that speaks for you. Even though you haven't played much DB, you still have a musician's sense of what works for you, a sound in your head. Buying a bass "carcass" is sort of like trying to choose between a Ferrari and a Lamborghini without any wheels on 'em. How could you know?

Maybe an option would be to pay a pro in Lemur's area to help you in your choice. I still don't know how you can evaluate a bass without any fittings... maybe I'm misunderstanding that part? Every bassist is going to require a different setup than the next, depending on his/her needs. I ended buying a bass from the mainland without playing it, since I live on a little island in the middle of the Pacific, with virtually no choices for bass shopping. It turned out very well for me. But in the process of the construction of the bass, I was in constant contact with the luthier, with very specific info regarding the setup, based on my having played DBs for quite a long time.

I do wish you the best of luck... the basses look pretty nice.

jweiss · #3 03-09-2009, 06:01 PM

Hi Marcus - thanks very much for your thoughts.

Since none of these basses are built yet, and there are no Encinitas basses in the shop, I would not be able to play each of them and compare them or even play another one of the same model.

Lemur was nice enough to give me an opportunity to choose the bass carcass that I wanted them to build for me. Obviously this choice will only be based on appearance.

The bass will be built to my specifications (guided primarily by my teacher), including setup, strings, pickup, hardware, etc.

I have had a chance to hear a carved Laguna bass since the previous thread that I posted, since one of the students in my improv class got one a month ago. It has a very nice sound, good projection and appears to be well made. He is very happy with it and so is his (my) teacher.

In terms of the Ferrari versus Lamborghini, as a race car driver I would have to take the Porsche

But that is a very different situation since I can readily find the specs of these cars, and my experience with driving and modifying different cars, as well as my knowledge of how different components of the car affect performance, would guide my choice from there. I have no such experience with double basses and thus I am relying on my teacher and this wonderful community to guide my choice.

Cheers,

Jeff

Marcus Johnson · #4 03-09-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jweiss

In terms of the Ferrari versus Lamborghini, as a race car driver I would have to take the Porsche

Jeff

Same here! Can't fit the bass in any of them, though.... there's a new carbon fiber Porsche Cayenne thing at the auto shows that might do the trick.

I actually prefer the tops on the first two.... they look a little more "handfinished" to me. Just my preference, I like 'em old n' funky.

jweiss · #5 03-09-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Same here! Can't fit the bass in any of them, though.... there's a new carbon fiber Porsche Cayenne thing at the auto shows that might do the trick.

I actually prefer the tops on the first two.... they look a little more "handfinished" to me. Just my preference, I like 'em old n' funky.

Ha ha, how about scroll first, through the passenger door, over the door bars?

Now that would be cool!

Thanks for your thoughts on the carcasses! I also like the variation on the fronts of the first two. Plus they seem to be a little bit less orange than the third.

Nathan Parker · #6 03-09-2009, 06:34 PM

I vote for number one.

jweiss · #7 03-09-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan Parker

I vote for number one.

Thanks! I guess a poll would have been a good idea...

Greg Clinkingbeard · #8 03-09-2009, 06:40 PM

Jeff,
Marcus is right again. Unless you are buying a bass to look at (you can't see the pretty flamed back while you are playing) it doesn't much matter. What does matter is how it feels to you and sounds when you play it. Of these choices, I like #1 best.

About three years ago, I bought a bass solely based on reputation from a shop 1200 miles away. They finished it for the look I wanted and set it up exactly to my specifications. Sure, it is a nice bass, but I became frustrated that it didn't sound the way I expected and I have since traded it. Having played a hundred or more basses, they are all very different. I think it is best to play a bunch of basses and choose the one that you don't want to put back in the rack.

Your plan probably won't leave you disappointed, but there is that possibility. Best of luck.

jweiss · #9 03-09-2009, 06:48 PM

Thanks for your thoughts clink!

I don't know if I mentioned this in the previous thread or not, but 6 or 7 of my teacher's students have purchased basses from Lemur over the past 10 years (Solana and Laguna models), and he has been very pleased with all of them.

If this bass gets me through my first three years or so of playing I'll be very satisfied.

It seems that a consensus may be forming on #1...

Greg Clinkingbeard · #10 03-09-2009, 07:11 PM

In that price range, insisting on playing the bass before buying is less important. I just think it is a better way to go. As long as you don't expect it to be a life-long partner, you won't be disappointed. Lemur certainly has a great reputation, so you're on the right track.

oldfretless · #11 03-09-2009, 07:39 PM

As a race car driver, you would know you can build a lot of engines with the same parts, and they will all dyno differently. I think what everyone is saying is, race with the engine that dyno'd best, not the one that had the shiney pistons.

lunarpollen · #12 03-09-2009, 07:42 PM

The wood on #1 is beautiful. The grain, the color....

jweiss · #13 03-09-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldfretless

As a race car driver, you would know you can build a lot of engines with the same parts, and they will all dyno differently. I think what everyone is saying is, race with the engine that dyno'd best, not the one that had the shiney pistons.

Well I think the question here is even simpler: Do you like the red, blue or green paint job on the race car?

jweiss · #14 03-09-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunarpollen

The wood on #1 is beautiful. The grain, the color....

Thanks!

Ghost_Note · #15 03-09-2009, 10:09 PM

I love the stain on #2 but I prefer the grain on #1. I'd go for #1.

Which ever you select, enjoy your new bass.

jweiss · #16 03-09-2009, 10:11 PM

Thank you!

chris dammann · #17 03-10-2009, 01:55 AM

wow. i admire your faith.

dmusic148 · #18 03-10-2009, 01:59 AM

I wish you luck. You won't have a clue about how it sounds/plays before it's complete. I would never buy a bass this way, but again, good luck.

Marc Piane · #19 03-10-2009, 06:10 AM

I went bass shopping with 10K burning a hole in my pocket. Ended up coming home with a bass that cost half that. Best bass I played. Went on a nice vacation and still had money to put in the bank. I'm just sayin.

Bass · #20 03-10-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan Parker

I vote for number one.

Me too, number one.