Looking for a good Starter Double Bass?

[icehead]

I've played electric bass for years, but I'm recently going to try to return to playing after 12-13 years off. I want to try the Upright Bass. i'm looking for a teacher this week in Nashville TN. Any ideas for a beginner Upright bass? what is a good beginner priced bass $400-900, $1000-2500? any help please?

[StereoPlayer]

ditto

[xxjazzbassist]

Kay makes great sounding beginner level basses and they are darn near indestructable. Kays have a huge vibrant sound and generally feel pretty good beneath the hands. Englehardt (sp?) makes great beginning level basses and are generally first choice for band directors in the area when they want to purchase a new bass. Englehardts are also pretty durable and sound great with either jazz or classical. Kays IMHO tend to be better for jazz and bluegrass playing where Englehardts tend to be better for classical and I prefer the feel of englehardts over kays, But try and find both and give em a try to see which one YOU like. if i remember right both these basses generally hang around to $1,000 to $1,500 but if you can find a used one on craigslist they are generally cheaper. if you are looking to buy new i would recommend spending no less than a grand. My past music teacher have purchased cheap basses and they were plagued with problems (missing sound posts, peg boxes that were too small for bass strings, bridges that literally snap in half, cracking along seems) spending the money at the start will get you a bass that will last a long time even as you progress to intermediate levels

[Ben Mitchell]

There are others out there as well. Such as Strobel, and I believe Eastman makes a couple beginner basses. Along with many more. You should try to find a shop in your area.

[icehead]

thanks everyone for the guidance. I hope to learn alot here.

[nachodaddy]

You shouldn't have much trouble findin' a new or used bass in or near Trashville. I took up the DB myself just in February. Down the road apiece in Chattavegas. If you've got up to $2,500 to spend, you're really gona have alotta choices, new and used.

[Eric Hochberg]

My student's Shen SB80 ($1.5k setup) sounds and plays great for what it is. Highly recommended unless you have more to spend. Then I'd look at their hybrid models.

[Steve Swan]

The Shen SB 80 is a great place to start. You have a good source for basses, setup work, and maintenance followup at Dustin Williams' violin shop in Nashville. I've heard nothing but great reports from his customers.

[drurb]

I suggest that you read the newbie links carefully. Your question gets asked here a few hundred times a year, at least. The newbie links contain a wealth of information. The minimum you can expect to pay for a decent new instrument delivered with a proper setup is around $1500. There's no way around it. A proper setup is paramount! Stay away from guitar stores and online musical mass merchandisers. Buy from a real bass shop. IMO, there are good reasons to steer clear of the Engels and Kays in favor of, for example, the Shens that have been recommended here.

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by drurb

IMO, there are good reasons to steer clear of the Engels and Kays in favor of, for example, the Shens that have been recommended here.

IMO, the solid upgraded Kays (endpin, fingerboard...) that are around command a premium price, $2-3.5K, and don't sound better that the ply Shen. They also have the disadvantage of a too thin neck, again IMO, and poor neck/block construction (unless that has been fixed up along the way).

[mkandolf]

I'm extremely happy with my Gollihur Classic model from Englehardt. Purchased new at Gollihur Music - Upright Bass Specialists: Instruments, Pickups, Preamps, Amplifiers, and Accessories. Bob and Mark are great guys to deal with as stated by many on the DB forums. My total setup complete with bag, K&K electronics, new strings, stand, bow, was probably still under $2500. The bass alone is $1149 and a great value.

The luthier that set it up for me and put the new strings on was impressed with it and said it is nothing like Englehardts from earlier years that have a bad reputation. I've had mine for two years now and it's been great to gig with.

Here's the link to the actual page:

Engelhardt Gollihur Classic and Supreme EXCLUSIVE Basses at Gollihur Music - Double Bass, Upright Bass, String Bass Specialists

My review is at the bottom at the page!

[drurb]

...and while you're clicking around try:

This

This

This

This

This

Also, go to the main Basses forum one level up and search for skinny neck. That ought to tell you about the concern.

[PRUNEFACE]

What I started with was a Shen SB180 -which I still have (but is technically sold... to fund another Shen!) and I believe the Shen SB150 is the same bass minus the extreme flame on the back and the tuners arent the same as on the SB180.
Are you looking to learn classically, or for jazz, or both? A carved top would be ideal either way, but if youre going to be bowing (in my limited experience, as I have only bowed on a few plywoods) I would certainly look at a hybrid in that price range.
I believe Wayne Holmes and Nick Lloyd and Bass Cellar all sell Shen's at excellent prices. I have actually ordered my Shen Willow 7/8 Willow Five String from Mr. Holmes. Will post regarding that in a week or two with my first impressions.

[PRUNEFACE]

Originally Posted by Steve Swan

The Shen SB 80 is a great place to start. You have a good source for basses, setup work, and maintenance followup at Dustin Williams' violin shop in Nashville. I've heard nothing but great reports from his customers.

Mr Williams is a great guy. He was very helpful when I was beginning to look at basses last year (the search ended in New York with my Kolstein, however) and he treated his customers quite well while I was in the shop. (I know you have all seen the music store owners who are rather rude to customers....)