How to Buy a DB

[ole Jason]

Is it common to buy the bass before the bow? Does it really matter which comes first if you're happy with it?

[bassist31588]

Originally posted by ole Jason
Is it common to buy the bass before the bow? Does it really matter which comes first if you're happy with it?

it's common. I would reccomend buying a bow with the bass though. Unless you're playing jazz, 98% you will need a bow, whereas in jazz 99% of the time it's without a bow.

Classical - You will need the bow
Jazz - it's reccomended you buy one and practice with it for better intonation etc, but it's not 'entirely' necessary.

Edit: jazz is played without a bow. I "meant" to 'practice' scales and disciplinary routines with a bow.

[BerkleeBassGirl]

That is such great advice for those of us that are electric players...and dont even know where to begin when looking for a double bass! I have looked around and i'd say i've played about 6 different basses, now this is my first bass and my price range is about 1500-2000. Now i've played mainly plywoods in that range and the last three i played, were the same brand of bass and they felt really great and i had them played for me and they all had different tones but all rich tones. they were i think 1900, and they were plywood basses. Now for my first bass is a plywood the good way to go? Or do you think would it be more worth my while to look for a differnet wood? or is there nothing wrong with a starter plywood bass, ahh..as you can see... lol help! ha
-Katy
Also Kay basses, there was a blonde Kay for i think 1500 ... would that be a good bass to try?

[Chasarms]

Originally posted by BerkleeBassGirl
That is such great advice for those of us that are electric players...and dont even know where to begin when looking for a double bass! I have looked around and i'd say i've played about 6 different basses, now this is my first bass and my price range is about 1500-2000. Now i've played mainly plywoods in that range and the last three i played, were the same brand of bass and they felt really great and i had them played for me and they all had different tones but all rich tones. they were i think 1900, and they were plywood basses. Now for my first bass is a plywood the good way to go? Or do you think would it be more worth my while to look for a differnet wood? or is there nothing wrong with a starter plywood bass, ahh..as you can see... lol help! ha
-Katy
Also Kay basses, there was a blonde Kay for i think 1500 ... would that be a good bass to try?

In your price range, I think plywood is probably not only the best option, but maybe the only option. Any carved bass in that price point is either going to be of questionable materials or in need of a great deal of work.

Plywoods may have limitations tonally, (although many sound very good) but they make for great starter basses. They are durable and thus easier to take care of. They are also less susceptible to the elements and seasonal humidity changes.

If you are out playing them and getting a sense of what you like and don't like, you are on the right track. Especially if you are accompanied by someone else who knows a little bit about basses.

There is nothing wrong with Kay basses. They are quite desirable in some circuits. Just be aware that even the very newest Kays are approaching 40 years old and many are 60-70 years old and are still circulating.

If you choose to consider a Kay, the best advice is to make every effort to have the bass looked over by an experienced and trustworthy third party. A $1,500 bass can easily turn into a $3,000 bass with a couple of extensive repairs.

Chas

[runeight]

Greetings,

Yes, you are correct! I am really new at this DB thing. I play the electric Bass but have been leaning towards the DB. Problem is, I know nothing about them. I have read the threads for hours now!

Please explain the size structure of these Double Basses. 1/8-1/2-4/4? Don't have a clue. Does it have anything to do with the Scale of the instrument?

Trust me. There will be many more questions from me! Thank you everybody.

runeight........

[Chasarms]

[quote=runeight]Please explain the size structure of these Double Basses. 1/8-1/2-4/4? Don't have a clue. Does it have anything to do with the Scale of the instrument?[quote]

As borrowed from a previous post by our own Herr Branstetter:

The smaller instruments of the violin family have be standardized for quite a long time. However, basses have not and there are a lot of grey areas as far as what size a particular instrument is. Although basses are not standardized as far as sizes go, here are some typical string lengths and body lengths for a given size (from the George Boran book Making a Bass Viol).

Size ----- String Length ------ Body Length
4/4........1100mm (43.3")......1200mm
7/8........1075mm (42.3")......1133mm
3/4........1050mm (41.3")......1100mm
1/2.........965mm (38.0")......1020mm
1/4.........900mm (35.4").......935mm

[runeight]

Greetings,

I have been searching for that answer for days!

runeight

[runeight]

Greetings,

Without going into detail, would you please tell me the do's and don'ts when shopping for a DB. I usually purchase quality instruments. It took me 50 plus years to realize "you get what you pay for". I would prefer a solid top, sides and back. Really not to interested in "plywood" models either. Low humidity here in the great state of Arizona.

My budget is between $1200 to $1500 dollars.

Thank you for any and all replies...

runeight

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by runeight

Greetings,

Without going into detail, would you please tell me the do's and don'ts when shopping for a DB. I usually purchase quality instruments. It took me 50 plus years to realize "you get what you pay for". I would prefer a solid top, sides and back. Really not to interested in "plywood" models either. Low humidity here in the great state of Arizona.

My budget is between $1200 to $1500 dollars.

Thank you for any and all replies...

runeight

Lessee, without going into any detail...
A quality, carved bass with a $12-1500 budget....hmmmmmm..

I'd say, look for one of those elderly matrons with a recently deceased bassist husband, who has absolutely no idea what those damn bass fiddles out in the garage are worth, and turn on the charm.

Prayer might help too.

[John Sprague]

That's a pretty tough price range for a fully carved bass. If you're patient and don't mind driving to look at things, then you may find an older bass in that price range that's pretty darn good. It will just take time. And like Ed Funkwand says, tell everybody and their sister that you're looking for a bass, maybe one will pop up that way. Doubling or tripling your allowance will definitely help. You might want to reconsider a good quality hybrid, there is some respectable stuff on the market.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Shouldn't this be in "Basses"?

[bassist14]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Shouldn't this be in "Basses"?

+1
+ sticky

[tjh20]

i think people know most of this but are unsure where to find the right bass for them

[drurb]

Originally Posted by tjh20

i think people know most of this but are unsure where to find the right bass for them

Actually, I don't think newbies know a fraction of the valuable information here, let alone "most" of it. As to where to find a bass, there are numerous links and suggestions in the collection of newbie links.

[dubul.bass]

I'm in Virginia about 2 hours from DC. Can anyone comment on where/how to shop for a classical bass (for advanced amateur)... for example,
1. first drive to NYC and try out 50 basses and figure what you're looking for (along with advice from your bass teacher)
2. then check ebay and talkbass forums and single out something in your region that looks good
3. then drive to the bass to try it before buying
(note: this is just an example to explain my question)

[wdnewman]

Read ALL the post under the newbie links of this section. Then start googling upright basses for sale and bookmark all the interesting dealers like String Emporium, etc. and read ALL the information they put out. Then start selling off all of your old junk so that you can afford whatever it is you want. Stay away from Ebay, and be very careful with Craigslist, although sometimes neat stuff shows up there.

[reedo35]

Wow, I can't believe it's been 9 years since I originally posted this- And it became a sticky in the newbie links. Time sure flies.

[Big Daev]

Hello! Thanks!, TalkBass, for allowing me to join you. I have lurked here for years, and I've learned a lot from all of you. I play gospel folk, and bluegrass. I've been using a bass guitar and a borrowed double bass. I need my own instrument. Before I order one from Gollihur or fretwell, does anyone know where I can find one in or near upstate South Carolina? I've had no luck with Craigslist, and the most common dbs around here are made with buckets and mop handles. Thanks!

[Big Daev]

never mind