need bass advice

[audiotom]

I am a 2 year bass player, had a freak accident that sidelined me for 9 months (dislocated left index finger playing tetherball)

I was at my friend/instructor's house and played his Yamaha EUB and the wider rounder neck of an upright works with my finger which can't fully bend down onto an electric fretboard

I was considering getting an Emminence EUB, but would eventually like to go double bass

I'm up in Michigan on vacation and stopped into Elderly Instruments (huge store). They had twelve uprights up to a $5000 inlaid version. This German 3/4 is in great shape, plays extremely well and has a very nice mellow resonant tone

http://elderly.com/vintage/items/110U-5002.htm

it had one minor neck repair on the seem that was 1/4 inch, professionally repaired. It plays and looks beautiful

Asking price is $2250 (which I have, no problem) and I've placed an offer to get back to the person on consignment.

I'd be curious to hear what to look out for, your comments on this bass, and any other alternatives to consider

I live in New Orleans, so I'll have opportunity to play out when I develop my db skills



thanks

Tom
audiotombATmsnDOTcom

[audiotom]

I'll also mention that I've been playing in the 1 2 3&4 method and working through Simandal on electric
should be a nice transition to UB

[philip sirois]

I think it's ok for that money but nothing you have to jump on I wouldn't think. It seems that you haven't really played enough basses to make an informed decision. Considering basses like the Upton laminate sell new for under 2 grand with no repairs, set up, with new strings, free shipping, this bass doesn't seem to be an extraordinary deal.

[Silversorcerer]

Without playing that instrument it is hard to tell much. Except that there are several better deals available as far as price point goes. Fully carved Kremona from Gollihur (see the other threads), which is about the same price, and the laminated basses Ken Smith offers at quite a savings over the one you saw, and of course the ever popular Upton Hawkes, or which ever flavor of Engelhardt laminate you might choose, the Christopher hybrids, about that price depending on where you shop and you get a real sweet carved top. And surely there are others as well. Check out bassesonline.com for some interesting new old stock.

I did see a really nice German made laminate a few months ago at Atlanta Bass Gallery. They mostly deal with electrics so it was a rare specimen in their inventory. That DB really surprised me because it sounded almost like a carved top and was very well made. If the one you saw is like that, it could be a sweet deal, but it really is a matter of trying some more basses out and comparing set-up, sound, accessories and warranties and service.

Simandl study notwithstanding, do not expect to self-teach yourself how to play a DB. Get a few lessons from a pro teacher at least. Almost nothing about bass guitar technique is transferable, while it may help in the music theory department.

Do follow through on the decision to play the DB in any case. It is a wonderfully rewarding experience that will open up many musical avenues for you.

[audiotom]

thanks guys

I held off on that bass played nice, great tone, real nice laminate. didn't project quite as much as I would like

- the Upton Hawkes Hybrid looks interesting if a bit more

I live in New Orleans so a trip to Atlanta could work
not many for sale in Louisiana (you would think there would be more)
so being able to play 12 uprights in Elderly was nice
and will give me a good grounding
man I have the upright bug
and just read a number of threads on others first upright mistakes
but if I go with one of the new ones it will be fully on reputation unless someone lives near me and is willing to try out

my instructor / friend is an upright player and will be teaching me weekly. I had a lot of fun playing the various basses again today - but held out with all the other alternatives

thanks for the input, glad I wasn't impulsive

[clink]

The price looks just a bit high, but without playing it nobody can say for sure. You have to play a lot of basses to fine tune your preferences. If you choose to purchase a bass without playing it, you may get lucky (as I did) but it's not a good bet.

[audiotom]

it's a nice bass, plays real well, but could project more

as for buy without trying
I was refering to the Upton and Gollihur new uprights

[Silversorcerer]

If you do come to Atlanta, I'll be glad to show you the DB I got from Bob Gollihur, and there are two shops here that have a good number of double basses. Emile Baran in Decatur and Ron Sachs in Norcross. I've seen some really fine basses in both places. Ron Sachs has a website, so you can get a bit of a preview there. I don't think Baran's does, but that shop has been around a long, long time. I can tell you that the set-up work at Baran's is first class and they are pretty nice people. I've heard good things about Ron Sachs but Norcross is out in the burbs so I haven't dealt there much.