looking to buy intermediate bass

taongmakulit2o1 · #1 03-29-2008, 07:23 PM

I've played electric bass for almost 6 years now, and I started playing upright a year ago in my school orchestra. Now, I know my playing is still kind of a work in progress, but I'm now looking to buy a decent intermediate bass, despite never owning a double bass before. I play in my school orchestra and recently trying upright in our jazz band as well. I also hope to use bass playing as means to get into/pay for college so I also want a bass that I can use through most of (if not all of) college. Are there any basses you guys could recommend?

I also live in a southwest Chicago suburb, if any of you guys know a good place that sells basses near this area, that would be useful as well.

Finally, it would also be useful to know what I should be looking for in a bass while I shop around. My lesson teacher told me big sound and adjustable bridges are what I should look for. Would you have any other recommendations? What would be the ideal price range in general for decent intermediate bass?

Answer to any or all of these questions would be greatly appreciated!

drurb · #2 03-30-2008, 09:55 AM

See here.

taongmakulit2o1 · #3 03-30-2008, 05:10 PM

I've checked there already, but I still really don't understand some of the things refered too. Example: I hear things like hybrid, laminated, etc. of which although I understand the physical difference, I don't understand the aural difference, which is why I posed the question of recommendations of what I should look for in a bass for both jazz and orchestra.

Also, I don't understand how good these basses being recommended are. Example: I see the basses Kay, Engelhardt, Strunal, and Vienna mentioned. Would those be beginner or intermediate? Could those take me through college? Also I've never played them before, and not knowing a bass shop in the Chicago area, advice now would be great if I can avoid ordering them and having to pay fees to ship them back if I don't like them. Which leads also to the question I posted before: if anyone knows a good shop close to the southwest Chicago suburbs?

So, I've checked the newbie section, but I guess I'm still too much of a newbie because that info is still confusing to digest.

Some more concrete answers to any of the questions I've asked, or even clarifying questions, if anything I've said has confused you, would be a more useful/productive use of forum space for me. Thanks.

drurb · #4 03-30-2008, 06:15 PM

Okay, I'll try. No matter how much you read here, no matter how many questions we all answer, the best thing you can do is to have an expert (e.g., your teacher) on hand to guide you. The first important question concerns your budget. What is it? The absolute minimum for a decent new bass is around $1500. As for laminates (plys), hybrids, and carved basses, I'll repeat something I've posted a number of times:

Think of ply, hybrid, and carved as three overlapping distributions (bell-curves, if you will), with the mean value of "quality" being lowest for the plys, intermediate for the hybrids, and highest for the carved ones.

Carved tops generally have a more sustained and "complex" sound. Why would you order a bass from a Chicago-area shop? Get thee in the car and see them, play them, listen to them, and learn about them. Looking for shops in the Chicago area or anywhere else? Start here. This and this are examples of fine shops in your area.

This should give you something to chew on.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #5 03-30-2008, 07:15 PM

Heed the above advice. To understand the aural differences in basses you have to play them and have someone else play them while you listen. No amount of advertising or reading the opinions of others will make it as clear to you as seeing and hearing for yourself.

CamMcIntyre · #6 03-30-2008, 08:27 PM

There's several string shops in Chicago. I think they're listed on Bob G's luthier links page [link is in the newbies links thread].

I've heard good things about A440 & then Mark Sonksen [Sonksen Strings] is a really nice guy. He did a bow rehair for me-seeing his shop made my jaw drop. When i'm ready for another bass-i'm going to talk to him as a first stop.

drurb · #7 03-30-2008, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamMcIntyre

There's several string shops in Chicago. I think they're listed on Bob G's luthier links page [link is in the newbies links thread].

I've heard good things about A440 & then Mark Sonksen [Sonksen Strings] is a really nice guy. He did a bow rehair for me-seeing his shop made my jaw drop. When i'm ready for another bass-i'm going to talk to him as a first stop.

The Gollihur and Sonsken links are in my post above.

taongmakulit2o1 · #8 03-30-2008, 10:28 PM

@ drub and CamMcIntyre:
Sounds good. I'll give those a try. I didn't check that luthier page, because I didn't know what a luthier was...

lol. Thanks a bunch!

Budget-wise isn't too big a deal. I'm getting it on scholarship, though, not to say I don't want a bass at good value.

@ clink too:

I totally understand the importance of listening to the bass yourself part, but the only thing is, I'm not quite sure what I'm suppose to be listening for. I was told by my lesson teacher that it should have a "big" sound. Could a bass that sounds soft from my perspective playing it, still have a "big" sound if it sounds good to a person 20 ft away?

The thing is, I'll only have my ear (and the seller's) to go on. I totally value the sellers opinion of course, but at the same time, they're trying to make money, so, just because they say this is a great bass, is no reason for me to just take their word on it.

I'm not sure if it's an easily answerable question, but what constitutes a "good" bass sound? Will it just hit me that, "Hey! That's a good bass?"
I've only played on an ancient school bass, so I don't have much to compare to. If it sounds better than a school bass, it's still not much to go on, you know?

Or, let me put it like this, I've been listening to some Brian Bromberg for example, and I like the way his bass sounds. Should I try to find a bass that's close to that sound? @ drub: Would that be a "complex" sound in your opinion? And then, would a bass that sounds like that pizz. be good bowed in an orchestra?

Thats a bunch of kind of random questions, but it'll be my first bass, so I'm kind of overwhelmed.

Something that remotely answers any of those questions (if possible) would be a blessing! Clarification questions are also welcomed!

Eric Swanson · #9 03-31-2008, 04:40 AM

+1 on all of the above advice and experience. Only additional thing I would add, just for reiteration, is not to rush this. The joy is in the journey, if you don't don't need an instrument immediately for gigs, etc. Don't make a rash decision just to "be done with it." Basses are usually easier to buy than to sell.

I would respectfully suggest that one tries to avoid getting all "hot" about any instrument, as much as possible. Play lots of instruments, get a really good bassist (who can use a bow well) to help you out...do whatever PG-rated activity you can do to get them to accompany you; barter with them, bribe them, beg them, whatever.

Don't get caught up in thinking that any bass will make your life perfect ("If I buy this now, everything wil be alright, my world will be complete, I will be whole, and etc."). EVERY instrument has its' issues, costs, advantages and disadvantages. Try to spend the time learning about what you , personally can deal with, then go for that...

drurb · #10 03-31-2008, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

...No matter how much you read here, no matter how many questions we all answer, the best thing you can do is to have an expert (e.g., your teacher) on hand to guide you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

Heed the above advice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by taongmakulit2o1

I totally understand the importance of listening to the bass yourself part, but the only thing is, I'm not quite sure what I'm suppose to be listening for... what constitutes a "good" bass sound?..Or, let me put it like this, I've been listening to some Brian Bromberg for example, and I like the way his bass sounds. Should I try to find a bass that's close to that sound?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Swanson

...Play lots of instruments, get a really good bassist (who can use a bow well) to help you out...barter with them, bribe them, beg them, whatever.

Hello taongmakulit2o1-- anybody home? Ah, impetuous youth! Seems like you're not listening. The folks who have responded to you are veterans. We're all basically telling you the same thing. We cannot, nor can anyone, impart to you in words what you should be listening for. (There's also the matter of what to LOOK for.) We're trying to help make sure that you make the right decision for yourself. If you visit reputable luthiers, such as those suggested, you will be able to place a great deal of trust in their opinions. These people are not selling time-shares!

Look-- you're a neophyte who is trying to make a complex purchase where important decisions must be made along a number of dimensions. You cannot garner the requisite expertise overnight. Just in case the message hasn't gotten through:

Get an expert to help you. Do what you need to do to have this person accompany you in your quest, at least at the beginning.

Now, it would also help us help you if you'd answer another question I asked, namely, "What is your budget?"

You said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by taongmakulit2o1

Budget-wise isn't too big a deal. I'm getting it on scholarship, though, not to say I don't want a bass at good value.

That answer contained little, if any, useful information. We can point you to $30,000 basses that are very good values. Are you considering those?

Your transmitter is working fine; your receiver needs some tweaking.

Marc Piane · #11 03-31-2008, 07:16 AM

I bought my bass from Michelle Fiore www.allthingsbass.com (its my music on her site). Mark has been my doctor of choice for years. I've dealt with A440 a bunch of times and 3 of my students bought basses from there. All 3 are great. Can't go wrong with any of them.

My suggestion... hire a pro to go with you. They will likely know what they are looking at and can play the bass for both a quality assessment and so YOU can hear what the bass sounds like. PM me if you need some help.

EDIT: I see that you have Jeff Greene listed as your teacher. Great player. I'm sure he can help you too.

drurb · #12 03-31-2008, 07:29 AM

Yet another experienced player weighs in with the same advice! I see a pattern.

Wow-- love the music on Michelle's site!

Marc Piane · #13 03-31-2008, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

Wow-- love the music on Michelle's site!

Thanks. The first tune "Owl's Groove" is an original by a good friend and awesome piano player Damian Espinosa. That was a fun session. The second is an original of mine called "Ordeal".

drurb · #14 03-31-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingers

Thanks. The first tune "Owl's Groove" is an original by a good friend and awesome piano player Damian Espinosa. That was a fun session. The second is an original of mine called "Ordeal".

Beautiful sound! I've never met Michelle but have recommended her based on her fine reputation. From the reports I've gotten back, she takes very good care of her customers.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #15 03-31-2008, 09:38 AM

Taothat'satoughone,
Ten different basses can sound vastly different, especially with different strings, string heights and other setup variables. I understand how you might not know exactly what to look for when shopping. You NEED to take your teacher or another experienced player with you and just go play a ton of basses, in different price ranges. There is NO other way. An experienced player will be able to discern the core of the basses strengths and weaknesses. Before actually buying a bass, it should be strung up with appropriate strings and set up for your playing style. A good shop will do this for you.

Any idea that you can just mail order an Acme 2000 series bass because it is recommended here is just plain stupid. Recommendations for that bass may come from a range of bluegrass, rockabilly, jazz, classical players or maybe just some kid who thinks the big thing looks cool. Coupling that with the fact that we all hear differently and have a different approach to playing, the recommendations may not be relevant to your decision. Trust me, I've been there. I still had a nice bass, but it wasn't the right one for ME.
I suspect you will want to choose a hybrid or carved bass. You will want to be able to put a bow on it and not scare cats.
If you haven't already read all the newbie links on this site, do it now.
Good luck

Bass · #16 03-31-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

...you can just mail order an Acme 2000 series bass because it is recommended here...

Would you please provide the website / link where I can order one of these? Thanks!

drurb · #17 03-31-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass

Would you please provide the website / link where I can order one of these? Thanks!

YES! Right here!

Jake deVilliers · #18 03-31-2008, 11:57 AM

I purchased the Acme 2500 Hybrid Half-ton and have been very pleased with its performance!

Can you recommend a string for my kind of music?

Greg Clinkingbeard · #19 03-31-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

I purchased the Acme 2500 Hybrid Half-ton and have been very pleased with its performance!

Can you recommend a string for my kind of music?

http://home.nc.rr.com/tuco/looney/acme/clue.html

taongmakulit2o1 · #20 03-31-2008, 04:55 PM

@drub - sorry for my difficulty. I guess the idea of purchasing a bass has kind of overwhelmed me. I couldn't help trying to gouge a simple "this is the perfect one for you! get it here!" kind of response, which I guess, in retrospect, is hardly (if ever) possible.

As for the money thing, I guess my point was, I didn't want you guys to not clue me in on a nice bass just because of the price, you know? Now of course $30,000 is out of the question, but I did say I was a beginner and looking for an intermediate bass. Do intermediate basses really go as high as $30,000?

If they do, I apologize for my lack of sensitivity to the amount even amateurs invest in a bass. My intent was only to just be aware of some of the higher end basses out there, even if they are a little bit more pricey; use them for comparison or something like that.

For the sake of completeness, and in all honesty, I think anything more than $3,000 would be overkill for someone like me. I just don't want a hunk of junk, you know?

Anyways...

I appreciate all the help in finding stores and advice you guys have given me, I'll do my best to try to bring my teacher along too.

Thanks again everyone, and I hope to come back to you guys in a couple weeks with a new bass in tow.