A jazz-growl-sustain for $2,000-$4,000 ?

artfahie · #1 06-30-2009, 08:10 PM

Living in Maine I get NO exposure to upright basses... I've spent my life playing electrics and have loved my experience with my Ergo EUB so much that:

1) I no longer touch my bass "guitars"

2) I'm thinking along the lines of a "real" acoustic.

I've been "surfing" & have found lots of information, but many years ago I heard Richard Davis, loved his growl & sound, and would like to find a bass (that when I'm good enough to make it happen) will have some kind of a dirty-growly potential.

I'm an advanced amateur, am really just into jazz, and can honestly say that my own playing has morphed dramatically since starting with the "Ergo"... in so many ways melodically & interpretively that it's hard to imagine.

I'm still just an average player, but a passion i never knew on electric has emerged... I just want to follow it through with the purchase of a really "special" upright. I wish I had more money... but this is it... any suggestions in the $2,000 - $4,000 (+/-) price range ?

Art Fahie
Maine

Bass Barrister · #2 06-30-2009, 08:36 PM

Art,

First, the bad news. The only way you will find what you want is to spend quality time with a whole bunch of basses.

Now the good news.The only way you will find what you want is to spend quality time with a whole bunch of basses.

The "sound" is so personal and each bass has its own voice. That said, you are fortunate to live somewhat close to a number of shops where you can try many basses.

A couple of places to start: Nahrmann Bass Shop near Boston, Upton Bass in CT, Kolstein, Gage and the New Standard Bass Works in NY, and Shank Strings in PA. They all have web sites. I'm sure others will chme in with other favorites.

$2k - $4k is somewhat entry level and finding something great may be a challenge, but not impossible.

One bass I can recommend without hesitation in the "Cleveland" Model made by Arnold Schnitzer and Wil DeSola of New Standard. A ply version can be had for just above your limit.
The bottom line, though, is that you have to try them out.

tbassist4 · #3 06-30-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Barrister

Art,

First, the bad news. The only way you will find what you want is to spend quality time with a whole bunch of basses.

Now the good news.The only way you will find what you want is to spend quality time with a whole bunch of basses.

...

The bottom line, though, is that you have to try them out.

+1

ctcruiser · #4 07-01-2009, 04:08 AM

I know what you mean, I haven't touched my P-bass since getting my DBs.

Definitely try as many basses as you can get your hands on.

Set up and strings can play a part in the sound as well as technique (which you noted).

Good luck!

BTW - I am from Presque Isle originally.

Ben Wilkie · #5 07-01-2009, 06:17 AM

+1 on the Gliga....

For the price, the build quality and the sound its a pretty awesome deal. I have the one with smaller, sloping shoulders and a flat back (something to do with Rabbath's bass I'm told... kurt, you might know something?) and it's served me well for classical and jazz, depending on the setup and strings.

Good luck on your quest!
Ben

arnoldschnitzer · #6 07-01-2009, 06:36 AM

The "dirty-growly-sustain" sound you are looking for has almost nothing to do with what type of bass you get. It has everything to do with the set-up, the strings, and the way you play. Take any bass, make the fingerboard almost flat (camber-wise), add Spirocore strings, pluck toward the fingerboard with calloused fingers, and you are there. However, you may want to avoid thinly-built basses, as the notes tend to decay faster.

Sam Sherry · #7 07-01-2009, 06:36 AM

Greetings from sunny Portland. (Well, OK. Greetings from Portland.)

There is no bass shop in Maine. There are a few guitar stores which hang a couple of double basses but it's really not the same thing.

Here are a couple of more names to check out:

Mark Carlsen, who's in Tewksbury, MA -- Every time Mark planed my fingerboard I smiled. He hangs around here too.

Rutman Violins, Boston -- They have some nice instruments. I suspect they're oriented more toward a classical clientele.

Upton Bass in Stonington, CT -- Easy people to speak well of. They're very nice to me (and they should be; I'm they attorney.) I have played a lot of their basses and each one they set up for pizz growled like a maternalfornicationist.

There are bass shops on Boston's North Shore and in Providence, RI; I'm sorry but I honestly can't recall the names.

Scuttlebutt is that there might be a new bass shop in Boston in the next couple of months too.

Happy hunting, hombre. Stay dry up there.

Gary Lynch · #8 07-01-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

The "dirty-growly-sustain" sound you are looking for has almost nothing to do with what type of bass you get. It has everything to do with the set-up, the strings, and the way you play. Take any bass, make the fingerboard almost flat (camber-wise), add Spirocore strings, pluck toward the fingerboard with calloused fingers, and you are there. However, you may want to avoid thinly-built basses, as the notes tend to decay faster.

What Arnold said. I am not expert but have owned 7 basses. The setup makes the growl and a better quality bass makes the better tone. Remember once you have a full on growl sustain sound, it's not appropriate for certain types of music. It does not sound right. I have three basses, each set up different with different strings and scoop for this reason.

artfahie · #9 07-03-2009, 03:56 PM

I spoke to Eric at Upton today, explained to him what I was looking for and he suggested a flatback ("Professor") bass with a maple top & spruce belly... the "upgraded" poplar one sounds great on the Upton website as well.... still this was his opinion. I'll have to get to the shop to take a look, unfortunately the instruments aren't always in stock. Any comment about either of these basses or possibly another consideration (this time in the Upton product line please).

Art Fahie
Maine

Gary Lynch · #10 07-03-2009, 06:09 PM

Upton makes a fine bass. But you first stated $2K - $4K range. Now your are looking at $5K? They do make a solid well built bass and they are in your area too. Hey, treat yourself to one. Life is short. I have not heard anyone ever complaining about their basses and they stand behind their work and will take care of you. Go for it.

Drive to their showroom and play all day to decide.

P.S. Bring a checkbook or credit card. You'll end up putting down a down payment!

artfahie · #11 07-07-2009, 08:30 PM

After doing more research... as well as talking to Ken Smith & Arnold Schnitzer I've determined it would be in my long term interest to pony-up with as much $$$ as I could muster and go to a noted-luthier like Arnold for my purchase... anyway, in a few months I'll be getting my "New Standard" hybrid LaScala... it's a bass I'm sure not to "outgrow". Thanks for the input that you guys have given me, I'm really looking forward to using this instrument as a tool to help me become a much better player !

Marcus Johnson · #12 07-07-2009, 08:37 PM

Excellent choice. Welcome to Club LaScala.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #13 07-07-2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Excellent choice. Welcome to Club LaScala.

Ditto. We're not expensive (relatively speaking), but we're a shapely bunch. Hoo-ahh!

Treyzer · #14 07-07-2009, 08:54 PM

No Bout adoubt it! That is a fine looking instrument!