Looking for possible basses, how about this one?

[debozkurt]

Hey everyone,

I am relatively new to the upright bass, having originally played electric for a few years.

Currently I am taking lessons and learning through my college, where I am also using one of the school's instruments.

However, I was looking into actually investing in an instrument of my own, and was wondering if this bass looks decent for a student bass...One that will give me plenty of space as both a beginner and at an intermediate level.

Please take a look, and leave some feedback, if possible.

Thanks!

Here

[drurb]

Originally Posted by debozkurt

Hey everyone,

I am relatively new to the upright bass, having originally played electric for a few years.

Currently I am taking lessons and learning through my college, where I am also using one of the school's instruments.

However, I was looking into actually investing in an instrument of my own, and was wondering if this bass looks decent for a student bass...One that will give me plenty of space as both a beginner and at an intermediate level.

Please take a look, and leave some feedback, if possible.

Thanks!

Here

Heavens, no! First of all, I suggest you read the newbie links thoroughly. Many of your questions will be answered there. Second, NEVER BUY A BASS FROM A GUITAR SHOP! The bass in the ad is what we around here call a BSO (bass-shaped object).

Unless you find some incredible deal on a used bass, you will have to spend a minimum of about $1500 for a decent laminate (ply) bass. The setup work is crucial and that cannot be stressed enough. You will want to have the instrument set up by a qualified luthier. That includes proper carving and fitting of the bridge, planing of the fingerboard, properly hanging the tailpiece, adjusting the nut, etc., etc., etc. A poorly set up bass will fight you all the way.

Please fill out your profile. Where are you located? Is a teacher available to check out basses with you?

[reedo35]

Yeah, I gotta admit that one sounds to good to be true, especially with the stand and two sets of strings thrown in. Seems to me I've seen this BSO before. Also, I thought "Kerfling" was used mainly on guitars, not basses..

[christ andronis]

Originally Posted by debozkurt

Hey everyone,

I am relatively new to the upright bass, having originally played electric for a few years.

Currently I am taking lessons and learning through my college, where I am also using one of the school's instruments.

However, I was looking into actually investing in an instrument of my own, and was wondering if this bass looks decent for a student bass...One that will give me plenty of space as both a beginner and at an intermediate level.

Please take a look, and leave some feedback, if possible.

Thanks!

Here

I think it's pretty evident that there are alot of people here who would sincerely like to help you. Reading the Newbie links is a great start. You also should really fill out your profile with a little more detail so that people can steer you to a particular person or place. Buying off ebay(which I love) is not a good way to get a bass, especially your first one. You really want to talk to someone who knows the instrument and try a bunch out. It will also make it easier to deal with repairs, etc. if you buy locally.

Good luck in your search.

peace

[flint]

I went the route of renting, and all my rental money went towards the purchase of a bass. It cannot be stressed enough how important the setup can be. It can really make or break your experience. It's good that you're already taking lessons, and are commited to this. Maybe you could ask your teacher where they suggest you start looking for a bass.

[debozkurt]

Thanks a lot for the help so far guys, I appreciate it.

I suppose I will look around locally...and talk to my teacher about it.

..as well as put aside more money, haha.

Thanks!

Derrick

[TheSuzie]

Those cheaper ebay basses are also frequently impossible to repair when they break - they are usually glued together with industrial adhesives instead of hide glue. This pretty much makes them a throw away if anything goes wrong internally and it will. Because of improperly aged (read green) wood these sort of basses are frequently subject to neck or endpin block cracks. Someone I know just got one new and returned it because of a neck block crack.

Sometimes I get taken in for a moment because they do take nice pictures but best to beware these "bargains"

Peace,
S

[drurb]

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

Those cheaper ebay basses are also frequently impossible to repair when they break - they are usually glued together with industrial adhesives instead of hide glue. This pretty much makes them a throw away if anything goes wrong internally and it will. Because of improperly aged (read green) wood these sort of basses are frequently subject to neck or endpin block cracks. Someone I know just got one new and returned it because of a neck block crack.

Sometimes I get taken in for a moment because they do take nice pictures but best to beware these "bargains"

Peace,
S

+1 on all of that. This is a good example of why they are no bargain at all. If you repair it, you end up with a poor excuse for a bass after having spent far more than you should. If you toss it, well, same story.

[ZombieGhosTrain]

I read the whole thread before I looked at the link...assumed it was an Ebay dealie. Clicked the link and said "hey, that looks familiar", as I have that bass. I didn't buy it through ebay, and through a mix-up with the company I only paid $600 for it, and I've had it for about a year. I had to spend about $200 dollars to have it setup by a luthier (bridge cut, nut, strings) and I haven't really had a problem with it yet. BTW, the strings they provide are useless. I play it daily, so it is getting use, and I've traveled with it, and it has held up. But, I know, that it won't for as long as a slightly more expensive bass would. It plays pretty well for my purposes (rockabilly/slapping), but you sound like a more serious player if you are in college taking classes, move up a step and, IMHO, don't buy this bass, it was just my only option, as I had parents to deal with, and if I spent any more, than I should've been paying for other things (gas, insurance), if I had that kind of money. Wait it out. Good luck!

[Silversorcerer]

One set of good strings costs more than $100. 2 sets valued at $120 are 2 sets you can do without. That Ingles stand looks pretty solid. $80 bow? Probably not a favor. The exterior lining is sometimes called the corona;- kerfing is called that because there are slots (known as kerfs) cut into the material so it bends easier. It's always on the inside of a guitar when it is used and never on the inside or outside of a DB. It would be hard to call something other than ebony ebony, but ebony can be good or bad. That cheap it is probably not the good stuff. I don't see the word "laminated" anywhere. Is this supposed to be a carved instrument? That flaming looks like a sprayed on flaming. I mean it is there on something that is maple but I can't see how that is naturally figured maple. Check out the price on a piece flamed maple from a wood dealer large enough to build a bass from and that will tell you something.

I hesitate to say the ad is blatantly misleading, but this looks to me like a cheapo laminated bass and for that price with all the free acessories I can't believe without seeing it that it is otherwise.

[Yukon4]

Is anyone familiar with "Hans Kroger" basses? I've seen fully carved (front, sides and back) Hans Krogers for under $2000? Would something like this sound any good, or is it nothing more than a "BSO" as explained in another post?

I'm thinking of either a fully carved Hans Kroger, or a laminate Upton... I've read lots of good things about Upton, but can't find any info on the Kroger.

Thanks!

[TheSuzie]

Yukon4,
A lot of the names on less expensive basses mean little except to a few industry insiders. Just like less expensive electric basses, the same or similar double basses may appear with different labels from different commercial dealers. Also sometimes basses from different factories are labeled as different models of the same line by some distributors.

There are a number of bass specialists on this board and whether it is the already mentioned Upton, Nick LLoyd, Ken Smith or one of the many others who frequent this board, you can usually trust their advice and experience. A quick PM or two can yield a lot of information from the professionals here, who are not allowed to promote their own products publically due to the board rules. A quick PM can also get you a reference from those of us who have been customers or received help and advice from these folks. If you read the archived posts and/or hang around a bit, you will get a feeling for who is who here. It also helps to have a profile filled out, especially your location so people can tell you who is in your area. There may be an highly experienced DB luthier and dealer right down the street. If not, it may still be worth driving an hour or even a few to be able to deal directly. There is nothing like seeing and hearing for yourself. Heck it isn't cheap to ship a DB even a relatively short distance so the driving can easily be justified.

Peace,
S

[Brent Norton]

I dunno - I really like the painted-on "flame." Especially since it's a main selling point of the bass.





Ugh.

[Jeff Bollbach]

Originally Posted by Brent Norton

I dunno - I really like the painted-on "flame." Especially since it's a main selling point of the bass.





Ugh.

Brent-
I dunno if you have ever seen good painted flame. Some early 19oo's basses had painted flame that was true artistry. If you weren't thinking "refraction" you'd be fooled.

[godoze]

I have seen an old bass or two with fake flames and jeff is correct; i woulda never guessed...

[Ken McKay]

Some faux flame is even carved in across the back and sides.

[Brent Norton]

I dig it, fellas - I've seen some pretty amazing painted-on flame, too. I've even some old Kay basses and cellos with pretty convincing painted flame. The bass in question, however, does not display this.

[MonetBass]

One very important reason not to buy a bass off of eBay: don't buy one unless you've played it first. Buying an instrument is very personal and it should be based on how it feels to you. Same goes for car purchases.