Help us shop for a new double bass - Page 3

chuck1073 · #41 02-22-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedro

Is there a train?

If you do that trip, take the commuter rail from Boston to Prov. It'll save you alot of money for a short trip...I do it 3X per week. You can get the train sched at mbta.com.

pedro · #42 02-22-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

not to pick a nit, but I am having a very hard time trying to fathom why you'd be willing to pay $8K for an instrument to play in an orchestra for a year or two if you have no intention of doing it professionally... or why they'd want you for that matter... but anyway, enjoy the links.

Thanks Mingus, I was wondering the same thing.

Eric Hochberg · #43 02-22-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Ergle

So... any links to some fine orchestra basses/luthiers/dealers, preferably in the Southeast U.S. or relatively nearby, would be greatly appreciated.

Wallace Bass Shop
601 Starkey Rd.
Lot 209
Largo, Florida 33771

Phone: (727) 531-5032
Fax: (727) 531-5032
Cell: (412) 734-1307

Joe Ergle · #44 02-22-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedro

I'm curious what school you're going to?

Stetson University. In case you want to listen, there are some live recordings of various ensembles here: http://www.stetson.edu/music/home/listen.php

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehochberg

Wallace Bass Shop
601 Starkey Rd.
Lot 209
Largo, Florida 33771

Phone: (727) 531-5032
Fax: (727) 531-5032
Cell: (412) 734-1307

Thanks! I absolutely have to check them out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MingusAmongUs

http://www.gollihurmusic.com/luthiers.cfm
http://www.gollihurmusic.com/links.cfm
not to pick a nit, but I am having a very hard time trying to fathom why you'd be willing to pay $8K for an instrument to play in an orchestra for a year or two if you have no intention of doing it professionally... or why they'd want you for that matter... but anyway, enjoy the links.

You're putting words into my mouth. All I said was that I don't plan on playing music professionally, because I'm choosing to pursue the liberal arts (technically I am a "professional" already, since my only source of income is paying gigs). I never said that I don't practice every day, that I'm not completely in love with the bass and classical music, and that I won't be playing for the rest of my life. The links are greatly appreciated though.

pedro · #45 02-22-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Stetson University

Cool. I went to FSU but my wife's aunt and husband lived in Deland. Its been a long time but I seem to recall it was a nice campus.

Eric Swanson · #46 02-23-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck1073

If you do that trip, take the commuter rail from Boston to Prov. It'll save you alot of money for a short trip...I do it 3X per week. You can get the train sched at mbta.com.

+1 on the commuter rail Boston/Prov. Truly the best way, but the schedule lightens up dramatically on the weekends...

pedro · #47 02-23-2008, 03:50 PM

Thanks for the info on the commuter rail. Since my daughter attends school in Boston the likelihood of combination visit/double bass shopping trip is quite plausible.

MingusAmongUs · #48 02-23-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Ergle

All I said was that I don't plan on playing music professionally, because I'm choosing to pursue the liberal arts (technically I am a "professional" already, since my only source of income is paying gigs). I never said that I don't practice every day, that I'm not completely in love with the bass and classical music, and that I won't be playing for the rest of my life. The links are greatly appreciated though.

fair enough, thanks for clarifying.

JZias · #49 02-24-2008, 10:49 PM

Bruce Wallace just worked on my bass. I would recommend him as well. He's also very reasonable.

Joe Ergle · #50 02-25-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MingusAmongUs

fair enough, thanks for clarifying.

No problem. I'm sorry if I came off the wrong way here; I don't mean to seem like I'm bragging or anything. I just wanted to say exactly where I'm at so you guys might have a better idea of exactly what I need. Trust me, I'd be the first to tell you that I'm not where I'm at because I'm a great player (I've only started taking the UB seriously within the past two years or so). I was last chair at the beginning of this year, and have since moved to second because I'm reliable, respectful, and I pay close attention during rehearsals and performances.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedro

Cool. I went to FSU but my wife's aunt and husband lived in Deland. Its been a long time but I seem to recall it was a nice campus.

Ah, neat! Small world. FSU has a great music program, from what I've heard. I have a couple of music major friends there. I love the campus here- it's extremely small (which poses some problems... namely parking), but all-in-all I love it. A lot of the music school is very outdated, for example the performance hall is unreasonably small, it doesn't have a proper backstage, and there isn't a pit. However, it's a very old building, and sort of matches the traditional atmosphere the school takes on music (we don't even have an electronic music department).

Anyway, it seems that the more I read about Kay basses, the more confused I become. For every avid Kay supporter, there is an avid Kay disapprover. Are they decent orchestra basses? I mean this in a general sense; obviously as an old brand, some are in better shape than others. In other words, assuming it's in decent shape (needing $500 in repair/setup or less), would a Kay be a decent choice for a lifetime orchestra bass?

Also, I know this is going to sound vague, but I would prefer to buy an older, distressed looking bass. I think the look of a well used vintage tattered bass is unique, striking, and more beautiful than a tacky, brand new looking glossy flamed bass. Plus I love not having to "fight" my E and A strings. Can anyone make a general recommendation of what to look for in a vintage bass (place it was made, brand, maker, etc.)? Given my price range ($8,000 or less), is it even possible to find a vintage bass that's in well enough repair to play without having to drop out of school to pay to have fixed? Where are generally good places to look for old basses (if other than the links I've been provided with)?

Thanks!

P.S. One more question: Are there any towns in America (again, preferably in the Southeast) that have a high density of bass makers/shops? I can't afford to do it often, but I love to travel and take road trips, and I would be willing to take a trip somewhere far away if it has a great number of bass shops.

pedro · #51 02-25-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Ah, neat! Small world. FSU has a great music program, from what I've heard. I have a couple of music major friends there.

I was only a music major for the first year then switched. Unfortunately back then the FSU music school (like most music schools at the time) were modeled after a classical conservatory. I was a self-taught rock and roller w/ some talent but no formal instruction. There was no jazz, and certainly no pop/rock. I have no idea what the music school is like there now.

My son is in his 3rd year at University of North Texas as jazz performance major.

arseniotall · #52 02-25-2008, 01:55 PM

this is a funny thread. Just to think, I have been playing a 40s Kay all these years and it has served me well. It has gotten me to gigs on every continent...BUT I have myself been shopping for a better bass for the last 5 years and haven't come close to the sound of my KAY without getting close to 10k. Maybe you could try getting the KAY setup good.

pedro · #53 02-25-2008, 01:57 PM

Quote:

BUT I have myself been shopping for a better bass for the last 5 years and haven't come close to the sound of my KAY without getting close to 10k.

Interesting that you mentioned that particular figure.

arseniotall · #54 02-25-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedro

Interesting that you mentioned that particular figure.

what do u mean?

pedro · #55 02-25-2008, 02:09 PM

Did you read the entire thread? I had mentioned that my luthier had suggested that we would probably have to spend around $10k before we got to a point where it made sense to move up from his (my son's) current '37 Kay. Just weird that you happened on the same figure.

arseniotall · #56 02-25-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedro

Did you read the entire thread? I had mentioned that my luthier had suggested that we would probably have to spend around $10k before we got to a point where it made sense to move up from his (my son's) current '37 Kay. Just weird that you happened on the same figure.

o sorry. I didnt really read the entire thread. But in my experience as far as jazz goes i think the jump to higher priced instruments is a little overhyped. I think when it comes to jazz your SOLE goal is to get wut sounds good to you. I have played well over a hundred basses in the past two years alone, and maybe 3 of them had me offering money to the owners. Meanwhile I go home to my KAY which just has that sound i hear in my head. But i will admit that it is a little harder to get that sound out of a plywood. If i could get "that" sound with the playability and projection of a carved bass then I'm buying. But i have found this to be rare.