Looking in Milwaukee

[Lunchbox4u_6]

Hi guys, I'm new to the TB forums and new to upright. So new, in fact, that i don't have a teacher or an instrument yet, but I am all but prepared to purchase one. I having a hard time finding a store, a teacher, and a luthier and am wondering if some of the more experienced players on the board can help me out. thanks in advance..

J

[Lunchbox4u_6]

Also, I've read the newbie stuff and it's helped a lot, but i need some pretty specific info here. I live in Milwaukee, WI and I've only found on used Kay in a shop for $1200. The bass was nice but pretty beat up and nobody seems to carry them, so that's why i'm looking for a luthier and a teacher...to provide some guidance.

[MingusAmongUs]

Wisconsin
Green Bay, Larry Frye, String Instrument Workshop
(920) 433-0722 http://www.stringinstrumentworkshop.com siw147@hotmail.com

Madison, Double Bass Workshop - Vincent Jesse
608-204-9590
"The foremost bass specialty shop in Wisconsin for more than 10 years."

(from Bob G's luthier directory page)

Not too much near you. It looks like you may be better off trekking to Chicago, where there are several great luthiers.

It's a long haul but probably worth it in terms of money saved, trouble avoided. Hopefully someone local will chime in with better info for you.

As far as teachers go, I'm sure there are plenty of good ones in Milwaukee, but I don't know where to get that info.

[dgelting]

I'm in Milwaukee and have been playing for 20 years. What store had the Kay? It doesn't sound like a bad deal if it's playable.
I'd be happy to help get you started playing the upright.

There's also one on our local craigslist, but beware- it's one of the ebay specials.

[dgelting]

As far as store/luthiers goes; there's really not much here (Milwaukee). Brass Bell and Cascio Music will do rentals and maybe you'll be able to find a good bass in their rental pool that they'd sell you. I'd suggest checking with them after the high-school year ends when the instruments all come back.

I've had repairs done at both Brass Bell and Beihoff Music. Brass Bell was just a simple repair but they were very resonably priced. The guy at Beihoff (who's name I forget, arrgh) fixed up a bunch of cracks on my carved bass and did a good job. That was more expensive, but it should have been, it's a big job (took the top off, etc.). I also found a guy way up on Lake Superior that does repairs and he has a bass of mine right now.

I was recently shopping for a relatively cheap bass and went to all the shops here, in Madison, and Chicago. I played lots of good basses. If you have a budget - go to all the shops. If you don't, you'll have to be very patient and buy one from the TB classifieds or the Craigslist.

I PM'd you with my phone number. Call me if you want.

[EggyToast]

If you're not sure you want to stick with it, or if you want to get your feet a little wet before you spend a thousand or two on an instrument, renting for a while is probably a good idea. The basics you learn getting started will transfer to any bass, and being able to make a good sound come out of the instrument is a great way to test future basses ;D

A teacher won't care if you own or rent your bass, and you won't be good enough to really notice the difference between basses until you have some playing under your belt. So see about renting, or picking up a moderately cheap bass. You've got 2 guys in the immediate area above who are willing to help you out -- definitely contact them. Far better to spend a little time seeing what's available, than wasting money on a bad bass that you don't even know is bad.

[Lunchbox4u_6]

Thanks for the quick replys and i'll be getting in touch with the gentleman who left me his info. As far as sticking with it goes, i've been an electric bass player for 12 years and see the upright as another tool of my trade so i'm sure i'll stick with it. i do have a budget of up to $2500, but i want to get my bass, case, bow, strings, setup, pickup, etc...for that amount.

[CamMcIntyre]

Come down to Chicago when you get the chance. There's several great people. I think the easiest to get into would be A440. I had my endpin replaced there.

While they were swapping the pin, they let me play their basses. Right about an hour playing instruments I can't afford. Lots of fun. Plus they keep regular store hours vs. by appointment only.

[Martin Sheridan]

Originally Posted by EggyToast

If you're not sure you want to stick with it, or if you want to get your feet a little wet before you spend a thousand or two on an instrument, renting for a while is probably a good idea. The basics you learn getting started will transfer to any bass, and being able to make a good sound come out of the instrument is a great way to test future basses ;D

A teacher won't care if you own or rent your bass, and you won't be good enough to really notice the difference between basses until you have some playing under your belt. So see about renting, or picking up a moderately cheap bass. You've got 2 guys in the immediate area above who are willing to help you out -- definitely contact them. Far better to spend a little time seeing what's available, than wasting money on a bad bass that you don't even know is bad.

Renting is a good idea but only from a shop that specializes in double basses. I have never seen in over thirty years of playing, making basses and repairing them a bass set up properly from a general music store.
And take it out for a trial and show it to your teacher first who will know if it's ok to play on. I'm not familiar with anyone in Milwaukee, but there are several bass specialty shops in Chicago: A440, Michelle Fiore, and Mark Songsen.

[Lunchbox4u_6]

Originally Posted by Martin Sheridan

Renting is a good idea but only from a shop that specializes in double basses. I have never seen in over thirty years of playing, making basses and repairing them a bass set up properly from a general music store.
And take it out for a trial and show it to your teacher first who will know if it's ok to play on. I'm not familiar with anyone in Milwaukee, but there are several bass specialty shops in Chicago: A440, Michelle Fiore, and Mark Songsen.

Thank you. On your recomendation I am contacting Michelle Fiore to help me. Chicago is really only a stones throw away and i drive there once a week for work anyway.

[Mike Goodbar]

I can also highly recommend Michelle. She's done excellent work on my bass, and I've sent a couple of my students to her to buy hybrid Shens. Her setup is "supoib."

[dgelting]

Also SMR Doublebass in Chicago