I need another bass. Unique situation.

PRUNEFACE · #1 02-21-2011, 04:14 PM

Okay; need your help guys!
1.) Need to sell or trade my Shen. A bit too difficult to go between my Maggini and Shen. Causes pain in the left hand.
2.) Need a bass for school because I get my most satisfying musical experience through the school's highest concert band, the symphonic band. Shen did have this role but it causes me difficulty switching between the two basses.
3.) I need a bass that I can play outside. I am going to be in the marching band (hence the uniqueness) in the pit (aka on the sidelines) and will NOT be playing in the rain if there is rain. Our marching band is 2nd in the state of Florida, and is going to be playing at the BCS Bowl Halftime Show next year. It's an excellent program.
4.) I need a bass that amplifies well. I have a Gage Realist Soundclip.
5.) I need a bass that handles arco well too. I have my Kolstein Maggini for true, orchestral-focus work, but would love my other bass to be usable if I need to play while work is done on my Kolstein.

Questions:
1. Would a carved hold up outside? Would it withstand travel for away games?
2. I am currently considering trading my Shen towards either a New American Standard or an Upton or a larger Shen. I would also prefer a five string. Which maker and which construction (laminate, hybrid, carved) would YOU go with in my situation?

Eric Hochberg · #2 02-21-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRUNEFACE

Questions:
1. Would a carved hold up outside? Would it withstand travel for away games?

2. I am currently considering trading my Shen towards either a New Standard or an Upton or a larger Shen. I would also prefer a five string. Which maker and which construction (laminate, hybrid, carved) would YOU go with in my situation?

1) Yes probably, I've done countless outdoor gigs with my carved bass for 30+ years with little trouble. Just don't knock it around, be careful...and don't put it in the luggage hold of a bus. Avoid rain, hot direct sunlight, freezing cold, etc. And if you know you will be hard on it, get a ply or hybrid.

2) Get the bass you like and can afford, simple as that. Get a solid bass, well made. The basses on your list are all potentially good choices.

LouisF · #3 02-21-2011, 04:42 PM

Not to disagree with Erich, but if you're playing football games (as well as concert repetoire) with the band, I'd look at one of these:

http://www.shankstrings.com/inventory/5under/1.html
(which you can get in a five string, I think)

or an Upton Deluxe or a Cleveland laminated.

It's going to take a pounding.

Louis

PaulCannon · #4 02-21-2011, 05:48 PM

I don't understand the situation. What's wrong with the Shen, exactly? Is it not something a luthier could address? Can it be fixed?

Stev187 · #5 02-21-2011, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulCannon

I don't understand the situation.

I'm with Paul. What, exactly, causes pain in your LH when switching between the basses? Does this mean you need a bass with the same kind of neck/setup as your Maggini? If the setup is different, might you have the same problems with a new bass?

As far as carved basses go outside, I think they are all different. I camped in a tent with mine at festivals for a week at a time with no problems; others had theirs explode. In general, I think a laminate bass would be a better choice for your outdoor gig, but it all depends. That American Standard looks like a nice bass; I had one of the originals back in the day. The scale length might be longer--they're big.

--Steve

PRUNEFACE · #6 02-21-2011, 06:43 PM

OK; the problem with the LH is that the neck on the Shen is too skinny when compared to my Kolstein. It's a great neck, but switching between the two everyday (1 hour on the Shen after a few hours of Maggini) is difficult physically without extreme pain. I've had my teacher check-out my left hand on both basses and said it is fantastic. He said that the only problem he could see is that the necks are very, very different.

Stev187 · #7 02-21-2011, 07:10 PM

If that's the source of your problem (the difference in neck sizes), then you need to work backwards from that. You need to find an "outdoor" bass with neck to match the Maggini. I've got more questions:

Are there any other variables that could be causing your LH pain? Do you always play the Shen in the same environment? What else could be causing the issue?
Is it stupid to ask if you can play the Maggini on both jobs for a while? Can you do that for just a while to verify that it's the neck difference that's causing your problem?
Could it simply be that your time on the Shen is your 3rd solid hour of playing? Perhaps it's not the bass but just general fatigue (e.g. the last hour being played on the Shen)? If you swapped basses would the outcome be the same?

It's worth asking more questions before you buy a new bass.

--Steve

PRUNEFACE · #8 02-21-2011, 07:36 PM

Well I think it's best to exhaust every possibility we can for posterity haha.
But to Steve, to:
1.) No, not that I can think of or my teacher who has a DMA in bass performance. I always play in the same humidity/temperature etc. (even same two rooms!) The only thing that makes any sense is the neck OR the strings... But I don't want to purchase a new set of strings when the set I have is already relatively low/medium tension (Obligatos) as it just doesn't make sense for that to be the problem when they're not that tight/tense.
2.) No, not stupid at all! BUT I don't have a means of transporting my bass to and from the school everyday. I personally don't feel comfortable leaving a bass that is appraised for as much as it is at school overnight where who-knows what happens with regards to temperature, humidity etc.
3.) No, as I can play immediately after I get home on MUCH more physically "trying" pieces without any problem or fatigue.

Eric Hochberg · #9 02-21-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisF

Not to disagree with Erich, but if you're playing football games (as well as concert repetoire) with the band...

Louis, he's playing at the game, not in the game.

Now that I've reread the OP, I suggest talking with Kolstein and seeing if he can get you a bass with the same neck design as the Maggini model for your 2nd bass. Then, if it makes you feel more comfortable, get a hybrid, as you say you are going to bow, assuming you'll be happier with that.

Stev187 · #10 02-21-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRUNEFACE

2.) No, not stupid at all!

Well, since I didn't manage to be stupid on the last post, here's a really way-out idea. If you really have it narrowed down to the shape of the neck (assuming the string length and set up are similar), here's an off-the-wall idea:

Instead of replacing the bass, could you have a luthier take measurements/plaster cast of the Maggini neck and build a maple "prosthetic" to attach to the back of the slimmer neck? The woodworking part would be simple carving (maybe someone could do it with CNC equipment). It could be attached in a manner that is easily reversible when you are no longer the player of the Shen (hide glue?). Having something like this done would cost less than a new bass.

It's so crazy it might work. I'll watch to see how many people think this is an impractical and silly idea. I'm already tilting that way, but "unique situations" call for unique solutions, right?

--Steve

P.S. Just read Eric's post, and that's a much better idea.

Jsn · #11 02-21-2011, 08:21 PM

To tell the truth, I think your best bet is to sell the Shen and get the folks at Upton to whip you up a hybrid with the same neck profile as your Maginni. You'll have an instrument that's neuromuscularly familiar, but much more durable and outdoors-worthy (also leave-at-school worthy).

Yeah, you could go the fully-carved route, but I imagine any tonal complexity it might provide would be lost in the amplified setting of a big, noisy, packed football stadium.

Stev187 · #12 02-21-2011, 08:36 PM

Eric and Jsn nailed it; replace the Shen with a bass that has the same neck as your Maggini. I also like the idea of getting a laminate or hybrid since it will be your "road" bass.

Um, and forget my sill "prosthetic" idea.

--Steve

fdeck · #13 02-21-2011, 08:36 PM

I hate to ask if this would be a good use for a Fender bass.

How about fattening the neck by inserting a shim between neck and fingerboard. Granted it's major surgery, but it might still end up being cheaper than trading out your bass, and your luthier can duplicate the geometry of the Kolstein.

BassNoob1 · #14 02-21-2011, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRUNEFACE

Okay; need your help guys!
1.) Need to sell or trade my Shen. A bit too difficult to go between my Maggini and Shen. Causes pain in the left hand.
2.) Need a bass for school because I get my most satisfying musical experience through the school's highest concert band, the symphonic band. Shen did have this role but it causes me difficulty switching between the two basses.
3.) I need a bass that I can play outside. I am going to be in the marching band (hence the uniqueness) in the pit (aka on the sidelines) and will NOT be playing in the rain if there is rain. Our marching band is 2nd in the state of Florida, and is going to be playing at the BCS Bowl Halftime Show next year. It's an excellent program.
4.) I need a bass that amplifies well. I have a Gage Realist Soundclip.
5.) I need a bass that handles arco well too. I have my Kolstein Maggini for true, orchestral-focus work, but would love my other bass to be usable if I need to play while work is done on my Kolstein.

Questions:
1. Would a carved hold up outside? Would it withstand travel for away games?
2. I am currently considering trading my Shen towards either a New American Standard or an Upton or a larger Shen. I would also prefer a five string. Which maker and which construction (laminate, hybrid, carved) would YOU go with in my situation?

Honestly, I'd say play an electric bass outside. Whether it's electric-upright or just an electric bass, you're never going to be heard through a piezo pickup, and definitely not through a mic.

PRUNEFACE · #15 02-21-2011, 08:48 PM

Well they also want the appearance of a double bass

But does anyone have experience comparing the Cleveland Laminate and the Upton Deluxe Laminate?
Any experience with either's five stringers?

BassNoob1 · #16 02-21-2011, 08:52 PM

At least up here in the north, marching bands are beginning to have more and more electric instruments. I just use my Squier during marching band. Rain doesn't necessarily hurt anything on an electric as long as you dry it off ASAP and it's not out in the wet for more than a little bit.

fdeck · #17 02-21-2011, 09:05 PM

LOL, I played electric bass in the high school marching band, in 1979. Of course we didn't know what we were doing, so the band teacher bought this giant Traynor tube head and 18" folded horn, both second-hand. The amp was mounted on a cart and powered by a car battery plus inverter.

standupbassman · #18 02-21-2011, 09:18 PM

There's no point in having the appearance of an upright if you're not going to be heard. I've played multiple uprights through a 4X12 and couldn't get the volume i needed without serious feedback. Tell the band director that an electric will work better. As long as it doesn't get really wet it'll be fine. Also, why would you want the appearance of an upright?

ole Jason · #19 02-21-2011, 10:03 PM

+1 on using electric bass for marching band. It works so much better than upright imo. One of the few cases where I definitely give the nod to electric. If you're getting into pit work you'll want the ability to double anyway.

rake · #20 02-21-2011, 10:20 PM

Obviously I don't know your personal circumstances, but have you given any thought to finding a fairly cheap used hatchback? That could solve the transportation issue, allowing you to use your Maggini exclusively.
I'm on board with the previous comments: to get a DB up to the volume you'll need, it's most likely going to sound like a (terrible) slab anyway. EUB seems the most sensible route for the pit gig.