i am REALLY struggling (finding a first bass in the UK content)

funkmangriff · #1 05-07-2009, 07:22 AM

im sorry if other people have braught this up (i know they have!)

but ive got £1500 to spend on a three quarter size double bass

i dont know ANY makes or brands that make double basses, i have looked but am clueless as to whats good quality and whats not!

the information i can find of all the threads ive read is -

"you should spend around £1500 on your first double because you'll end up spending that much anyway"

which is great advice, BUT what brands should i be looking for, and which ones should i be avoiding.

id need the bass for -jazz, country a bit of classical, just something thats a bit versatile but well made, with good volume and sustain.

PLEASE if anyone could advice me i'd be HUGELY grateful!

(plus im not really willing to go over £1500, but will by no more than £300 more, thanks!)

drurb · #2 05-07-2009, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkmangriff

im sorry if other people have braught this up (i know they have!)

but ive got £1500 to spend on a three quarter size double bass...

If you haven't already, take a look at the newbie links. They contain a wealth of information. Buy a bass from a real bass shop and not from a mass merchant or guitar store. It's unlikely that a reputable shop will ever sell you a brand or instrument that is better avoided. It seems you'll be looking for a laminated bass. Several brands are discussed in these threads regularly. Where do you live? From your profile, it seems like this is your first foray from EB to DB, so I'll say it before someone else does. You would be well served by finding a good teacher to set you on the right path, establish good habits, and avoid injury.

funkmangriff · #3 05-07-2009, 08:03 AM

yeah, thanks for the advice but i really have searched everywhere, and everyones given me the same answer u have, infact u seem to pop up in all of them giving people this advice! (thumbs up)

problem is, i live in south wales (in great britain) and tbh it sucks for music shops, looks like ill have to travel to find a shop!

thanks for ur advice though drub, its much appreciated

JeffKissell · #4 05-07-2009, 08:14 AM

Save the 1500 for now...
Use the 300 to rent a bass and take a few lessons. More than likely you'll be in a better position to buy after that little bit of experience and interaction with a teacher. Plus you'll have an advocate to help you shop.
Good Luck!
-J

MIKMAN · #5 05-07-2009, 01:15 PM

[QUOTE Save the 1500 for now...
Use the 300 to rent a bass and take a few lessons. More than likely you'll be in a better position to buy after that little bit of experience and interaction with a teacher. Plus you'll have an advocate to help you shop./QUOTE]
THE best advise. If however you plan to proceed buying an instrument right now, try the Contrabasse Shop and make a search for the Bulgarian Kremona basses, represented in UK by a company named Sandarac. They will help you to start decently your venture in this side of the moon.
Mike

Andrew McGregor · #6 05-07-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkmangriff

yeah, thanks for the advice but i really have searched everywhere, and everyones given me the same answer u have, infact u seem to pop up in all of them giving people this advice! (thumbs up)

problem is, i live in south wales (in great britain) and tbh it sucks for music shops, looks like ill have to travel to find a shop!

thanks for ur advice though drub, its much appreciated

Well, at least you won't have to travel all that far... mate of mine was living in Alice Springs, in the middle of Australia. Nearest bass shop was 2100 km away. He drove there.

Tony F · #7 05-09-2009, 08:07 AM

You could also try Thwaites in London (yes, I know that's not close to you... sorry!)

There's nothing new in your price range on their website (http://www.thwaites.com/) but they've usually got a lot of good used basses, and they know their stuff. They sold me my first bass for a ridiculously low price, threw in some extra strings and a tatty old case, and got me started with an instrument that served me well for twenty years!

At the very least it's worth a phone call. Tell them what you need and the state of your budget, and they may have something they've taken in part exchange that they'd let you have for a decent price.

Cheers,

Tony

duckyincarnate · #8 05-10-2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkmangriff

problem is, i live in south wales (in great britain) and tbh it sucks for music shops, looks like ill have to travel to find a shop!

You don't have to travel as far as you think. Cardiff Violins has a good selection of double basses in stock and they are a very good string shop. Head over there and play some basses!

http://www.cardiffviolins.co.uk/

chancletarock · #9 05-10-2009, 10:34 AM

honestly this might sound like a stretch but when i was living in barcelona, casa parramon had some great hybrid DBs for 1800-2200 euro...i think 1500 GBP covers some of that spectrum right? if i were living that close to all those other european luthiers, i'd just take a ryanair flight and check 'em out.

bejoyous · #10 05-10-2009, 11:15 AM

Try these folks: www.contrabass.co.uk . I'm not sure how far they are from you but they might be able to advice you over the phone at least.