Looking to buy 1st upright

SirChronique · #1 06-15-2006, 11:30 AM

High! I have been playing fretless bass for some time now and was hoping to move over into some upright playing. I'm not really sure if I want an EUB or an acoustic upright. They each appeal to me equally but an eub would be easier to transport from place to place. Are there any upright bass worth buying for under $1k? What are some good brands to start looking into? I don't mind if it is a 4, 5, or 6 string but I would really like a 5 string with a high C if that is possible at all.

Marcus Johnson · #2 06-15-2006, 11:54 AM

Interesting username.

Anyway, most of your questions will be answered by first visiting the newbie links at the top of this forum. All of these topics have been discussed at length, and collected by the mods for easy viewing. Then, you can come back and ask specific questions regarding how to get started. Welcome.

SirChronique · #3 06-15-2006, 12:37 PM

The sticky's helped none whatsoever. They might have been helpful if I was willing to sell my vehicle to buy a bass, but I found nothing in my price range. I just found alot of links helping me decide what type of bass I want, but none actually helped me find one, so I guess I wasn't looking in the right area.

What is the quality like on this insturment? "Sojing Upright Electric Bass " I saw some of these for sale in my price range, are they good or an el cheapo? Can anyone describe the sound of this bass?

rumblinbass · #4 06-15-2006, 12:42 PM

You might want to contact Bob Gollihur...

http://www.gollihur.com/kkbass/basslink.html

He will be able to help you narrow your search a little and take a look at the stuff he sells. Look through his site, there is a ton of information.

ToR-Tu-Ra · #5 06-15-2006, 12:52 PM

Why don't you just buy a $500 CCB, realize it's crap, sel it (or turn it into fire wood), then get a real bass and be done with it?

What newbie links show is that there rarely is a decent (let alone good) bass for under $1,000-1,500

rumblinbass · #6 06-15-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToR-Tu-Ra

Why don't you just buy a $500 CCB, realize it's crap, sel it (or turn it into fire wood), then get a real bass and be done with it?

What newbie links show is that there rarely is a decent (let alone good) bass for under $1,000-1,500

+1

SirChronique · #7 06-15-2006, 01:09 PM

Good. Then why not have just said that in the first post and save me alot of time? If there is nothing in my range you should have just told me rather than have me look for something i'm not going to find. Too bad I don't just have piles of cash lying around everywhere or else I could buy a "real" bass.

But the site was helpful. I'm looking at an ns 5 string I think, but i've got some time to consider it while I save up.

Eilif · #8 06-15-2006, 01:14 PM

Definately check out the englehardts, I love mine, and it currently sells new from Bob for just under 1k plus shipping. You can probably find one used for a good deal less. Watch craigslist.

You will find really cheapo instruments for well under 1k, and they might look nicer (thick, aged looking finishes and old looking tuning machines, etc.) they may even sound as good for a while, but there are too many horror stories around here for me to belive that chances are in my favor for one to last more than a few years.

An englehardt is super sturdy and will (by all acounts and my experience) last much longer, so you can upgrade in a couple years and resell to someone else. I can't think of any other 1k bass that I would be willing to purchase.
My englehardt does not have the tone of more expensive instruments, but it sounds good, and I know that it is going to last and that I will be able to resell it with good concience if I so choose.

rumblinbass · #9 06-15-2006, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirChronique

Good. Then why not have just said that in the first post and save me alot of time? If there is nothing in my range you should have just told me rather than have me look for something i'm not going to find. Too bad I don't just have piles of cash lying around everywhere or else I could buy a "real" bass.

But the site was helpful. I'm looking at an ns 5 string I think, but i've got some time to consider it while I save up.

If you don't have the time to do the research then maybe you shouldn't spend the money on an upright.

If Bob's site would have been around, or even if I would have known someone to ask, I would have saved a lot of time and money in the long run.

robgrow · #10 06-15-2006, 02:44 PM

Chris,

Take a look at http://bassesonline.com/roma.html The laminated model Roma is the lowest cost double bass I'm aware of that anyone here has commented favorably on. Although I'd recommend saving up to buy a better instrument, the Roma will probably get you started.

Marcus Johnson · #11 06-15-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirChronique

. Then why not have just said that in the first post and save me alot of time?

.

Because 1) I'm not interested in saving your time, and 2) because it's all been said in the NEWBIE LINKS a million f***in' times before. Good luck with Your Quest.

Whit Townsend · #12 06-15-2006, 04:58 PM

I've had a ROMA about a month now. Had to replace my old Kay and was on a budget. Its well constructed, and sound is very comparable to most later model Engls I've heard. You'll have to set it up, professional would prob charge around $100 plus different strings if you prefer. The action at the nut not low enough mainly. I'm still tweaking mine myself, but I've played for a long time and am comfortable w/the job. I think its a good deal. The Eberles for a little more are prob an even better deal, but I needed a bass immediatly and didn't have time to save for more.

Bob Golliers prices on Engles are also a good deal. The rosewood figerboard model is about same as a Roma in price The Roma has an Ebony board, You prob have the same set up issues with the Engles, but you may luck out.

godoze · #13 06-15-2006, 05:35 PM

if you can afford an ns5 string you can afford a decent real double bass...

Frank Louis · #14 06-15-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

I think its a good deal. The Eberles for a little more are prob an even better deal, but I needed a bass immediatly and didn't have time to save for more.

It's funny that you mention that Whit. When I bought my Roma, I played the Eberle as well, and listened to the luthier play both basses. I was hard pressed to really tell the difference in the sound, both pizz and bowed. I just preferred the look and feel of the Roma, and I had the money to buy either. Hell, if my wife wasn't with me I probably would have bought the Wilfer ! ! !

Sippy · #15 06-15-2006, 10:49 PM

I know most people don't listen to the "Don't buy the $500 to learn on.. go with the 1.5-2k" I wish I listened lol.. my bass is fine. It's not a tone monster, but a lot of work and money had to go into it to make it what it is. Please for your sake. By the decent bass.

damonsmith · #16 06-16-2006, 12:35 AM

I have said this before but I would buy an Ergo: http://www.ergoinstruments.com
Just have him set the action higher so it feels like an upright. ergos are both cheaper and better than most, if not all, plywood basses, and they will be useful for travel and other things when you upgrade to decent acoustic. You should also get a wood bow.
I had an Englehart for a year when I started and hated it. After that I was able to get a decent loud, clear and even German factory flatback bass that I still play and love.

ZombieGhosTrain · #17 06-16-2006, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sippy

I know most people don't listen to the "Don't buy the $500 to learn on.. go with the 1.5-2k" I wish I listened lol.. my bass is fine. It's not a tone monster, but a lot of work and money had to go into it to make it what it is. Please for your sake. By the decent bass.

He's got a great point...but some of us get lucky

. I got a $700 bass online (higher end ccb I suppose) and after a setup, I'm golden. But, I am not as experienced in tone with uprights as most here, so I could just be ignorant as to what "real" tone and sound is. It's all about how serious you are, what you want to make of it, and how dire of a financial situation you are in.

fish slapper · #18 06-16-2006, 08:37 AM

My advice is to rent first to make sure its for you and to have a better idea of what's required before you sink too many bux. Sticker shock of what you really need to spend is common. When I first thought about getting into upright, I looked on line and found basses for around $500 and thought "that wouldn't be too bad". Well a lot of research, six months of lessons on a rental and I ended up spending $2k on something I will probably out grow in another year or so.

Good rule of thumb on the lower end of the price list is that a DB will be comparable in quality to a similar BG will be the same price x10. IE, if you play a $500 electric, a similar DB will be $5000.

SirChronique · #19 06-16-2006, 12:05 PM

Okay! Then I will just save and get a good one that will last for my first one, but I don't have a large amount of money immediatley so it will have to wait a month or four before I can afford one, but I really like the electric acoustics with the small hollow bodies. I'll definitley play around on a few before I decide so I can get one I like. I don't know if rental is possible in this area of southern Indiana or not.

I appreciate it that some of you are helpful, some of you douchebags get so hostile at the slightest thing! There is absolutely no need for that! I DID look over the newbie links and they weren't helpful for me, your telling me to get off my ass and do my own research, but that is what I'm doing by posting this in the forum!!!!!!!!!!

And this post did serve the purpose I intended it to, and the links did not, so if you want to be a dickhole just don't reply to my posts because I just want helpful information. I took a good look at all of the information you guys posted and I'm trying to learn what I want to know, so you can be less rude.

rumblinbass · #20 06-16-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirChronique

I appreciate it that some of you are helpful, some of you douchebags get so hostile at the slightest thing! There is absolutely no need for that! I DID look over the newbie links and they weren't helpful for me, your telling me to get off my ass and do my own research, but that is what I'm doing by posting this in the forum!!!!!!!!!!

And this post did serve the purpose I intended it to, and the links did not, so if you want to be a dickhole just don't reply to my posts because I just want helpful information. I took a good look at all of the information you guys posted and I'm trying to learn what I want to know, so you can be less rude.

You're right - what was I thinking!

Sending you a link to a site where entry-level basses are sold -that was stupid! Not to mention putting you in contact to a guy that has been playing upright bass for probably close to twice as long as you have been alive and he even built his own EUB -you're right, I shouldn't have wasted your time! His site has a ton of information that someone just getting into upright needs to know...and should want to know. This guy could answer questions you don't even know you have and could have helped you find a bass.

I guess this is what I get for tyring to help a high school kid. I guess it is a little to much to expect you to do a little reading.

Edit:

I didn't tell you to get off your ass to do anything! I merely provided you with a resource with which you could go through and look for what suited you. I'm not going to do your legwork and find a bass that falls within your constraints! Some of these other guys that have given you specific basses to look at probably keep up with Uprights and/or have been doing there own research lately!

I find it funny that you are saying that I'm being rude (among a few other explicatives) when all I did was try to give you some information.