| If you are in an area where you could play some double basses that other converts are playing, it will help inform you more. I have talked with many converts in the last couple of years. I can't think of one convert who got a carved bass. I'm sure that there are some converts who start out with a carved, but I haven't met one(just my experience) I think that most converts get a good ply or hybrid(maple sides and back, with spruce top-generally)because they don't want to overdo it, in case they don't take to the upright, and maybe go back to playing nothing but a horizonal. Things that most of them were concerned about: feel of the neck(size,etc) set up-easy to play-the best strings-many like Spirocore, good pick-up-FullCircle is pretty popular, finding a teacher for the upright technique, and maintenance-just to list some of their concerns that I remember. I hope that you will be able to get what you are needing without spending extra money experiementing.
There are so many variables in the set up- so many different strings, etc. I would encourage you to gain as much knowledge as you can before you buy the bass and before you decide how you want it set up. Good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of the double bass/ists | 
