Looking for a bass

bassgod94 · #1 09-15-2010, 07:32 PM

Looking to buy a 3/4 (or similar) size bass for $8,000 or less. Found a Shen bass I really liked for around $4,500. A little about me, I'm a high school junior and I absolutely LOVE to play music, both classical and jazz. I'm a decent bassist, performed at Carnegie Hall at age 15 with a symphony orchestra and need to buy my own bass for college. NOT going to major in music performance but I am going to major in music (haven't quite decided yet). I need a good jazz bass that has a big enough sound to play well in an orchestra as well. Any suggestions?

Rick Auvil · #2 09-15-2010, 07:41 PM

$8,000 dollars will get you a nice instrument! Check around and play a few.

bassgod94 · #3 09-15-2010, 07:57 PM

yeah I figured that, anything else?

drurb · #4 09-15-2010, 09:39 PM

Oh yes, much more! Please help us to help you by telling us where you live.

Andrew Hamilton · #5 09-16-2010, 06:24 AM

For around 8,000 I think I would try to check out the Kolstein Fendt. About one in five of those instruments seem to be really spectacular and will blow everything else out of the water in your price range. Just have to find that 1/5.

drurb · #6 09-16-2010, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Hamilton

For around 8,000 I think I would try to check out the Kolstein Fendt. About one in five of those instruments seem to be really spectacular and will blow everything else out of the water in your price range. Just have to find that 1/5.

I'm sure we could all assemble a list of worthy candidates both new and "pre-owned."

I was trying to narrow things a bit by finding out where the OP lives. For $8k, I think there are quite a few fine options.

bassgod94 · #7 09-16-2010, 02:32 PM

I live on the east coast, smack dab in the middle, about an hour and a half from Schenk's bass shop, already checked them out and liked the Shen flat back there

Jason Sypher · #8 09-16-2010, 03:02 PM

For that money I'd be more inclined towards a La Scala or an old solid Juzek....

Steve Swan · #9 09-16-2010, 05:33 PM

Just because you have $8,000.00 to spend, you shouldn't feel embarassed to spend much less than that on the bass that is your favorite. I'd look at all of the basses that are available to you in the $4-8,000.00 and pick your favorite. It sounds like you already have a contender at just over the $4000.00 mark. Let us know how it turns out!

bassguy001 · #10 09-17-2010, 01:57 AM

When looking for a double bass, we look for the sound that we love, not the price tag.
If you can get one that is at a reasonable price and with the sound you love, why not? you don't have to spend all $8k. Save the money, and you may never know, later on, you might come across a better one, or you can use part of the saving to get yourself a really good bow. But remember , must have a good set up ( as I had a very bad experience of getting a double bass with a very bad set up). Good luck

Tejano Bass · #11 09-17-2010, 03:43 AM

Check your PM . . .

Paul Warburton · #12 09-17-2010, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

For that money I'd be more inclined towards a La Scala or an old solid Juzek....

+1.

Eric Hochberg · #13 09-17-2010, 09:00 AM

Adlerburg · #14 09-17-2010, 09:11 AM

Junior in HS with $8k to spend on a bass? Man, I was born into the wrong family!
I know cats that'd take out a whole zip code for that kind of cheese..... slj

I'm not really sure, but one would think you'll find one or two worthy instruments in that price range

bassgod94 · #15 09-18-2010, 12:58 PM

by $8,000 I mean to say that that's the most amount of money I'd be able to spend and pay it back in a reasonable time, parent's are public teachers, I'd love to currently have $8,000

Adlerburg · #16 09-18-2010, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod94

by $8,000 I mean to say that that's the most amount of money I'd be able to spend and pay it back in a reasonable time, parent's are public teachers, I'd love to currently have $8,000

I'm kidding dude! 8k or 80k... mo' power to ya!
-Mick

bassgod94 · #17 09-19-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adlerburg

I'm kidding dude! 8k or 80k... mo' power to ya!
-Mick

I thought you were, I think we'd all like to have 80k to spend on a bass, or a few, think I'm gonna go with a Shen flat back I really liked, it had great tone to it and it was nice and loud. I'd describe the sound as "big and booming" if that makes sense. What do you guys think about a jazz bass though? I liked the Shen for orchestral music but not so much for jazz, what's a good "hybrid" bass?

PaulCannon · #18 09-19-2010, 12:22 PM

Don't forget to find a good bow, if you haven't got one already. It's very difficult to find truly exceptional bows for under 3k, so if you're happy with a $4,000 bass you should consider spending a little extra on a bow to match.

Eric Hochberg · #19 09-19-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod94

think I'm gonna go with a Shen flat back I really liked, it had great tone to it and it was nice and loud. I'd describe the sound as "big and booming" if that makes sense. What do you guys think about a jazz bass though? I liked the Shen for orchestral music but not so much for jazz, what's a good "hybrid" bass?

You should try the Shen with Spiro Mittels or Weichs and hear how it sounds for jazz. Those strings are brighter than so called orchestral strings, which may help that bass jazz-wise. Another option, if you like that model of Shen, is to try a few of them. There may be sound differences among same model basses.

Eric Swanson · #20 09-19-2010, 01:53 PM

+1 to trying lots of Shens, if you like that model. Don't limit yourself to just what one store happens to have in inventory. Eric Hochberg is so right; there can be a lot of variations from bass to bass. I must say, though, the Shens I have played (only about 4-5) have been consistently very good; I haven't played any that didn't sound good. Their workmanship is also predictably good, which is nice when considering a big purchase.

That said, my thoughts would be not put all the money into the bass. If would want to save enough for a really good bow, as well as some for strings, setup, etc.

I would have to say that I have become a Shen fan. I rented one for a few months from "The Bass Shop" in Waltham; frankly, it was terrific, considering what it would have cost to buy. I seriously considered purchasing it, and saving many, many thousands of dollars. Spending $4-5 on a bass leaves you with $1500-2000 for a bow, plus money for strings, a bag, and setup work...

I would much rather have a good bow on an average bass, than vice versa...

Trying to play a better bass with a poor bow is a little like having a race car but not being able to feel the pedals or steering wheel. That is just my experience, having spent a few hundred hours of my young life struggling with a lousy stick or two...

Just my 2c.