I live in a double bass dead zone (Utah) and I have urges. What do I do?

ej22tgc8 · #1 08-29-2010, 08:12 PM

My situation is this, I have one large music store that carries Shens and a local luthier that makes basses ranging from 1.7k-12k. There are some other stores in the area that carry basses that are more suspect (i.e. $800 no-name Chinese).

I am not a huge fan of buying brand new instruments, so I have been looking for some used basses but I live in a dead zone so the only things that show up are the Chinese cheapos.

I am willing to drive 3-4 hours to check out a bass but my nearest neighbors are Idaho, Wyoming, and Northern Nevada (Wendover, Elko). As far as I am concerned these are even deader zones.

I don't think I would buy a bass without playing it first. My thought is that an instrument should feel as natural as an extension of your body (blegh! sounds corny as I read it back, but I'll stick with it). So I'm wary of buying online.

Long story short. Where do I look to find a decent used bass? What social circles should I infiltrate? Do any Utah (and surrounding states) locals know of awesome secret bass stashes?

-John.

FletcherML · #2 08-29-2010, 08:18 PM

I'm out in Idaho Falls and I never have come across anything. We definitely are in a dead zone for anything bass. But I love my fenders so I don't really need any more than that haha

Alucard817 · #3 08-29-2010, 08:23 PM

well its utah what do you expect?

you may have to go online. most places have excellent return policies. one place i go for used basses is
http://www.musicgoround.com/
shipping might be lower then posted (highest possible) got my squier P bass from them, still my number one go to bass.
at musicgoround you can directly call the store that has what you want and ask as many questions as you like.

BillyB_from_LZ · #4 08-29-2010, 08:28 PM

Poke around here:

http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/

And then click on the US States link on the right and choose Utah and then there are other cities...

If you buy new from Musician's Friend (or similar) you get a pretty generous return period. They do sell used gear there too (and the nicer stuff is returnable as well).

Greg Clinkingbeard · #5 08-29-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alucard817

well its utah what do you expect?

you may have to go online. most places have excellent return policies. one place i go for used basses is
http://www.musicgoround.com/
shipping might be lower then posted (highest possible) got my squier P bass from them, still my number one go to bass.
at musicgoround you can directly call the store that has what you want and ask as many questions as you like.

Shen is not an electric bass. Maybe you're lost.

newwavefrank · #6 08-29-2010, 08:33 PM

I also live in utah. I usually get my used basses on ebay. Sure you take a risk, but you can also get some killer deals. I had a Kubicki in very good condition that I paid $850 for. Had a Warwick steamer that ran $700. I guess I just wait for a good deal then take the chance. If I dont like it and I didnt pay too much for it I can usually get my money back. Watch Craigslist and KSL.com too. It isnt every day, but I have seen some good deals on some nice basses on those sites as well, and of course they are local so you can try them out. Finding used basses in stores isnt easy to do no matter where you live.

Alucard817 · #7 08-29-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

Shen is not an electric bass. Maybe you're lost.

Im wondering if you may be. i was replying to the fact that the OP doesnt often go for new gear. i never said anything about shen.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #8 08-29-2010, 08:37 PM

You're lost too.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #9 08-29-2010, 08:43 PM

OK. The OP's question is essentially 'where can I buy a nice old double bass in my area'. Shen was a new brand mentioned in the post.

This is a link to Samuel Shen basses:

http://www.cscproducts.com/

ej22tgc8 · #10 08-29-2010, 09:38 PM

Yup, looks like we got a bunch of BG junk mixed up in our DB.

-John.

BillyB_from_LZ · #11 08-29-2010, 09:51 PM

I got to this link from the TalkBass home page because the title caught my eye and didn't even realize that it was in the DB forum until now...oops... I suspect that I'm not alone.

Bass · #12 08-30-2010, 06:44 AM

No problem BillyB, New Wave Frank and Allu Card!!

Come back and visit any time!

John Sprague · #13 08-30-2010, 08:06 AM

I am definitely lost.

Briant Summerhays in Orem may have something, or can point you to other possibilities, 801 226 1760. Same for Luke at Whittlesticks in Cedar City, 435-867-4424. It looks like Peter Prier in Salt Lake carries some basses, 801-364-3654.
That's all I've got.

Bass Barrister · #14 08-30-2010, 04:19 PM

Go west young man, Go west (CA).
or . . . south (String Emporium in AZ),

more local, have you tried to contact some DB players in the Utah Symphony? One of them might have a source.

ej22tgc8 · #15 08-30-2010, 06:00 PM

I found a "slightly used" SB80 today. It had been rented out for 1 year. With no bow they want $1860 for it. That seems a bit steep for a used SB80 IMHO.

SLivinghouse · #16 08-30-2010, 06:44 PM

Shen's are very nice basses. If that doesn't work, I know Steve Swan in the SF area sometimes makes out of state trips, but don't know if he goes that far. Maybe you could coax him with a case of beer...but that may require an out of State trip as well.

Los Angeles area has many shops. Maybe it's time for a vacation.
Sounds like urges may be a frustrating thing to have in Utah.

gbarchus · #17 08-30-2010, 07:32 PM

I lived in Reno, NV at one point and was looking for a bass. I found a Karr in Sacramento, one of those where the wife was selling it but I was discouraged from buying it because I lived in the desert. I went back to Reno and found a '60s blonde Kay bass in excellent condition that had been in the desert all its life! I used that bass for almost 10 years before I sold it and bought a carved bass.

I think orchestra players and bass teachers may be your best chance.

Gale

theweed42 · #18 08-30-2010, 07:47 PM

I lived in Boise when I wanted to buy my first "real" bass. I ended up having to go to Hammond Ashley in Seattle to find any sort of selection.

There's no replacement for shopping at a good violin shop. Especially for something as expensive and dependent on personal preference as an upright. Look for a cheap plane ticket to Seattle or LA and just try out a ton of basses. Chances are, any used ones you find will be in way better condition there. Quality is a mystery factor when you buy from a private seller. You can find gems out there, but it may take a LONG time.

If you have to drive, anything is going to be far away. But Robertson's in Albuquerque is a good shop. And there might be a few places in Denver to check out. Good luck!

TobyBrodel · #19 08-30-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLivinghouse

Sounds like urges may be a frustrating thing to have in Utah.

bwahahahaha!
excellent!

fdeck · #20 08-30-2010, 08:11 PM

Just a note about used basses... when I began shopping for a bass in earnest, I formulated a set of assumptions about what I wanted: Used bass, roundback, violin corners, etc. As I played more and more instruments, those assumptions fell by the wayside for two reasons:

1. Outside of NYC and a few other magical places, if you rule out entire categories of basses, your pickings get pretty slim.

2. Many of the older basses that seemed affordably priced were either in poor condition or had issues with tone and playability.

As I played more and more basses, I gained confidence that I could trust my ears and hands to guide me. I ended up on the cusp of buying a brand-new Shen (the big Rogeri roundback), but my luthier had "just one more bass" for me to try. In any event, I came away with the other bass, but also with the impression that the basses in Shen's line are all of good quality and appropriately priced.