Need help choosing upright bass!

Amnesiac425 · #1 11-02-2010, 12:36 PM

Hi. I am attempting to find a used 3/4 upright double bass for my boyfriend who is an experienced bassist. It's supposed to be a surprise, so I don't want to ask him what the best brands are. I realize that really good basses are worth thousands, but I've seen basses on ebay and Craigslist for $500 - $1200. Does anyone have any suggestions for me as to which brands to look for, which to LOOK OUT for? I realize some brands fit some people better than others. My boyfriend is 5'8, 165 lbs, long arms and fingers, slender. What would be best? I'd appreciate any help. THANKS!!!

Eric Hochberg · #2 11-02-2010, 12:45 PM

While I love your intentions, these instruments are so personal in terms of what works and doesn't for each of us, I think I would just make up a gift certificate if I were you and let him do the shopping. If you want to educate yourself, read the noobie links.

dvh · #3 11-02-2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

While I love your intentions, these instruments are so personal in terms of what works and doesn't for each of us, I think I would just make up a gift certificate if I were you and let him do the shopping. If you want to educate yourself, read the noobie links.

A hearty + infinity to that one...

Rocky · #4 11-02-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnesiac425

Hi. I am attempting to find a used 3/4 upright double bass for my boyfriend who is an experienced bassist. It's supposed to be a surprise, so I don't want to ask him what the best brands are. I realize that really good basses are worth thousands, but I've seen basses on ebay and Craigslist for $500 - $1200. Does anyone have any suggestions for me as to which brands to look for, which to LOOK OUT for? I realize some brands fit some people better than others. My boyfriend is 5'8, 165 lbs, long arms and fingers, slender. What would be best? I'd appreciate any help. THANKS!!!

Hi, If you read all the newbie links here on Talkbass you will get lots of great information. In general you will need to spend around 1500.00 to get a decent bass although I suppose you could get lucky buying something used in this economy. My advice, and the advice of many would be NOT to buy any bass off of ebay! The 500.00 basses you are referring to are known as CCB (cheap Chinese basses), and they are total crap! The CCB's will need another 500-1000 just to make it playable, and you will never get that money back. The best thing to do is to find a reputable luthier in your area, and ask them whats available or if you happen to find a bass somewhere ask them to look it over for you. I think its really sweet of you to want to do this for your BF, but be careful that you don't get burned, and as mentioned its best for your BF to actually play the bass before buying for a good fit. Best of luck to you!

joshmickelson · #5 11-02-2010, 03:36 PM

Yea, perhaps find a local luthier that carries brands like cristopher, eastman or shen and see if they have a decent return policy.

Jake deVilliers · #6 11-02-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnesiac425

Hi. I am attempting to find a used 3/4 upright double bass for my boyfriend who is an experienced bassist. It's supposed to be a surprise, so I don't want to ask him what the best brands are. I realize that really good basses are worth thousands, but I've seen basses on ebay and Craigslist for $500 - $1200. Does anyone have any suggestions for me as to which brands to look for, which to LOOK OUT for? I realize some brands fit some people better than others. My boyfriend is 5'8, 165 lbs, long arms and fingers, slender. What would be best? I'd appreciate any help. THANKS!!!

I *love* what you're wanting to do here but have to agree with Eric. Go ahead and give him a card cut out in the shape of a double bass but let him choose the instrument that speaks to him as a musician.

Have fun!

Violen · #7 11-02-2010, 05:04 PM

I think it is possible you guys just got trolled.

On the other hand OP, You really wanna spend closer to that 1200 mark.

Things that are good:

"I played this in college for x (more than one) years but dont have time/bought a better bass/ect"

This means in either jazz bands or orchestras.

"i bought this from this store here locally and they will work on it"

Before you buy, if you are dead set, please post a link to what you are buying.

Please dont post a link to those cheap basses on Ebay, the ones from China or Tennessee.

A bass for 700 dollars is still not enough unless you get lucky and its a KAY or a KC Strings.

I do know where there is an englehart for 800 bucks...

crowsmengegus · #8 11-02-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnesiac425

Hi. I am attempting to find a used 3/4 upright double bass for my boyfriend who is an experienced bassist.

Experienced double bass player or bass guitar player?

fdeck · #9 11-02-2010, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crowsmengegus

Experienced double bass player or bass guitar player?

Must be bass guitar. No experienced double bass player would let his boyfriend say "upright double bass." If there's anything we're persnickety about, it's terminology.

bassteban · #10 11-03-2010, 12:08 AM

My DB is completely obscured by massive, non-migratory herds of dust-buffalo- but I've been(mostly)happily married for 17 years, & I feel you would serve your relationship far better by purchasing a maximum of $50 on lingerie & a nice bass-heavy *romantic* CD. You must already have a few candles & access to a bathtub. You're welcome.

Paul Warburton · #11 11-03-2010, 03:49 AM

Interesting Thread.
A possible unisex OP, a lengthy double spaced post

and a wise ass.

Good luck to y'all.

drurb · #12 11-03-2010, 06:57 AM

Hmm... now I see two wise-asses (I know-- now there's three).

Bass · #13 11-03-2010, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

....A possible unisex OP...

I assumed the OP was gay. And not in a bad way like TalkBass Rule #4.

Jason Sypher · #14 11-03-2010, 09:23 AM

Right off the bat "Amnesiac" is a highly unusual choice for an avatar for a woman... The only common usage of that word in the last decade is as a title for a Radiohead album. I'm guessing it's someone from the electric side of the forum trying to kick the hive.

Amnesiac425 · #15 11-03-2010, 01:22 PM

To Jason: Yes, Amnesiac is from the Radiohead album...my favorite band. I am not from the electric side of the forum however, just joined Talkbass to get some good advice about good basses.

To fdeck: Double bass, not bass guitar. I think you are the persnickety one. haha

While the gift card idea is great, my BF would NEVER let me spend the money on a bass if he knew what I was up to. He's not great at accepting gifts, so it's kind of a situation where he needs to come home to a bass in the living room with a big bow on it. He hasn't played in several years, but he is dying to have one and can't afford one himself.

I hate to admit to you pros that I know nothing about basses, but I know nothing. I'm a singer so I focus more on that stuff. I'll check out the "newbies" links as some suggested.

Someone on craigslist in my area is selling a 16 year old Carlo Robelli for ~$850. I looked that up and found prices for a new Robelli to be around $950, so $800 seemed like a lot for a bass that's 16 years old. What do you guys think? Again, I don't know which makes are quality and which are cheap. I definitely wouldn't buy a bass without seeing it first, so ebay is for sure not an option. I was looking on there to get some ideas.

As "joshmickelson" mentioned, are Eastmans, Shens, and Christophers good ones?

I'm sure some of you think I should probably give up on this idea, which I probably should, but I'm gonna drag out my options until I decide it's not do-able.

THANKS for all the posts!!!

Eric Hochberg · #16 11-03-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnesiac425

As "joshmickelson" mentioned, are Eastmans, Shens, and Christophers good ones?

In general, yes. If you find one, get it checked out by a bass luthier before you buy. Also, used German made instruments can be good buys.

Paul Warburton · #17 11-03-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnesiac425

I'm a singer .

Sorry, justa a good-hearted joke. Nothin' personal.

Don't buy a bass off of Craigslist unless you know a bunch about basses and/or your significant other has repair skills.
More than likely the bass will need a set-up and posibly new strings which can add anywhere from $500 to $1000 and even more. Do check the Newbie links as Eric suggested.
And, yeah, as others have said, I think you should give up the idea, as thoughtful and as loving an idea as it may be. It's a big, very personal purchase and the percentages are not in your favor, but the best of luck.

Jason Sypher · #18 11-03-2010, 03:36 PM

Sorry, at least I got the gender correct. Amnesiac is a brilliant album. Some of those songs are not that difficult on piano if you play a bit...

I think your best bet is to surprise him by taking him to a shop, randomly, by chance and then buying him the bass he is all giddy about. This way you are 100% sure it's right. Your range is a little low so you may have to adjust your budget accordingly. A Shen bass is a great value for close to that range....

You'd be surprised how many trolls post postings just like yours to get the old boys riled up.

Cheers and good luck. It's an amazing gift.

Paul Warburton · #19 11-03-2010, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

You'd be surprised how many trolls post postings just like yours to get the old boys riled up.

Just what the hell do you mean by that????

Paul Barsic · #20 11-03-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

I think your best bet is to surprise him by taking him to a shop, randomly, by chance and then buying him the bass he is all giddy about.

That's kind of like what my wife did for me, but without the random part. She spent a few months on Craigslist, and she got me to look at a few of them. When I found the right one, she had already put aside the money to buy it. It was money that I had earned from my job, but she was the driving force behind the purchase. I hadn't played in 10 years, and now I play every day. I am very grateful.

The best gifts you can give are research and encouragement. When he finds the right one, then you can help him with the money. Help him figure out how to start playing the bass again. It's not as exciting as putting a ribbon on a bass and surprising him, but the disappointment of having spent more than a grand on an instrument that he does not enjoy playing should be a big disincentive.

For the record, I bought an Eastman VB-125 hybrid (carved top, plywood back) bass just over a year ago, and I'm still very happy with it.