Needing Input, Please Help.

Shotgun · #1 02-02-2007, 07:48 AM

Greetings,

We are looking for input from bass players as to guidance for purchasing a double bass for our son. He is only in 8th grade, but from what we hear he is exceptionally gifted for his age. He has been selected as one of the best for his age in the state, and plays both upright and electric for both orchestral and jazz types of music. He has been voted best over all musician in his school, plays in two jazz ensembles, and has teachers asking us to transport him to their respective high schools so that they can have him in their orchestras next year. What I am getting at is that he is pretty dang good, LOVES and LIVES for music and his bass playing.

We did buy him another electric bass for his last birthday, an American made Fender Jazz bass (replacing a cheap Yamaha)that ran in the 2K price range. I sat him down for hours at the local music shop and I could see in his eyes that he knew the difference between a 500 dollar bass and a real professional model, so we made the leap and bought him something really nice.

We are now in the market to buy him a good quality double upright bass, and have little clue as to what direction to go. We live in a fairly small community so all that is available is a Samuel Eastman model 95 that they are asking $2000 for. My son played it last night and said it was the best upright he has played, but his experience is limited to this one and a couple that the school district owns.

Enough for the long winded jabber... Is this a fairly decent bass for the money? I would not mind spending more if we could get something better for him, but we are not rich and this is a real investment for us and our son. I don't want to buy something only to find out that it is not a good quality and have to buy him something else in a year or two. I am looking for something that will last him, and he be happy with for years to come.

Any and all suggestions and opinions will be greatly appreciated. And thanks in advance from a couple of pretty much ignorant parents!

Jeff Bollbach · #2 02-02-2007, 08:16 AM

Eastmans are usually pretty good-if that is your only choice then I guess you are lucky. Where are you? Mebbe we can point you in a few more directions.

Ed Fuqua · #3 02-02-2007, 09:34 AM

Shen makes nice basses, Schnitzer/DeSola make nice basses, Wan/Bernadel make nice basses, and all have something in your price neighborhood. But there are also any numebr of basses out there that are nameless, pedigreeless and Not New that may be in your price neighborhood.

If you're really serious about finding the best possible bass, it may be a better investment to travel to your nearest (as Jeff suggested) LARGE metropolitan area that has a (or number of) LARGE bass shop/repair shop (like Gage in NY or Hammond Ashley in Seattle or Steve Kosica's joint in Phoenix or Nick Lloyd in Cincy or Andy Stetson, etc etc etc) and play (or have played) a LOT of basses.

You may not have experience, your son may not yet have any experience that would allow you to assess an instrument on your own; I highly recommend this site as a resource. Wherever you end up going to look at instruments, if there is a talkbasser in the same city, you may have somebody who can show up and play basses for you to listen to. If you end up in NYC and need someone to do that here, for example, I'd be happy to.

Jeff Bollbach · #4 02-02-2007, 09:52 AM

Whatta guy!

**Basschair** · #5 02-02-2007, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Bollbach

Eastmans are usually pretty good-if that is your only choice then I guess you are lucky. Where are you? Mebbe we can point you in a few more directions.

I agree: I purchased an Eastman hybrid last month as a backup bass, and it is a good solid bass for the money.

Two things: if you're not in a hurry, it'd definitely be a good idea to try out some other basses as well to check for feel and sound, and especially a size that is appropriate for him now and in the future (if he's got some more growing to do). Second, give us an idea as to what state and what part of the state you're in, and I'm sure someone here can give you a list of great stores to visit.

You've definitely come to the right website for help!

Chasarms · #6 02-02-2007, 11:04 AM

In What part of the country are you located?

TB is pretty diverse geographically. If we know where you are, chances are someone can give you some guidance as to where to shop.

Shotgun · #7 02-02-2007, 11:19 AM

We are in Bend, Oregon. Closest large area is Portland. I have phone calls in to Bass Bases and Pete's Bass Shop both in Portland but have not connected with them as of yet. Thank you for all the replies!!! I also have a call in to Chuck Hens (Strings & Things here in Bend) but he is on jury duty for the next week or two. We are kind of in a huryy as my son wants to do a bass solo in a district wide competition in 3 weeks, and he has no way to practice besides at lunch break at school. He has also been asked to join a trio (2 cello's and his bass) at the same competition. We are going to talk to the person with the Eastman and see if he will just rent it to us until we either decide to buy it or purchase something else.

**Basschair** · #8 02-02-2007, 12:13 PM

Oregon...hmmmm.....

I'm sure there are shops around there, and someone will chime in soon. I'm down the coast a ways from you, near San Francisco. If you felt like making the drive, or taking a commuter flight on a weekend, I could definitely recommend some shops to see.

Shotgun · #9 02-02-2007, 03:00 PM

Well here is the latest. The person here in town that has the Eastman has agreed to rent us this bass for the time being. We will now have some time to visit a few shops and let my son play a few instruments before making a rash decision. He has also agreed to bring in a few more instruments in the coming weeks for us to see. He is looking for some requests from us as to choices. Looking for some ideas as to what might be a good instrument in the 2-3K price range.

Thanks again for all your help. We are somewhat lost, but the offer of renting for a few months will at least get us through the immediate problem.

**Basschair** · #10 02-02-2007, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shotgun

Well here is the latest. The person here in town that has the Eastman has agreed to rent us this bass for the time being. We will now have some time to visit a few shops and let my son play a few instruments before making a rash decision. He has also agreed to bring in a few more instruments in the coming weeks for us to see. He is looking for some requests from us as to choices. Looking for some ideas as to what might be a good instrument in the 2-3K price range.

Thanks again for all your help. We are somewhat lost, but the offer of renting for a few months will at least get us through the immediate problem.

In that range, there are hybrid Christophers and Eastmans which are nice. Though I don't have experience with them, Shen is a name that pops up here as well...

Michael Case · #11 02-02-2007, 03:33 PM

As mentioned above Samuel Shen basses are good for the money. Also Upton bass, you can see their ads on this sight, the Hawkes Hybrid seems to be pretty popular. Also, check out www.bassesonline.com. They have a good line of basses in your price range.

PoorPlayer · #12 02-02-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike da mook

As mentioned above Samuel Shen basses are good for the money. Also Upton bass, you can see their ads on this sight, the Hawkes Hybrid seems to be pretty popular. Also, check out www.bassesonline.com. They have a good line of basses in your price range.

Upton also sells Shen with some nice upgrades.

D McCartney · #13 02-03-2007, 12:07 AM

It's a little farther, but if you could make it, Hammond Ashley is a good place to do some comparison shopping.
http://www.hammondashley.com/

robgrow · #14 02-03-2007, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike da mook

Also Upton bass, you can see their ads on this sight, the Hawkes Hybrid seems to be pretty popular.

+1 for the Upton Hawkes Hybrid. I got one as a 2nd bass replacing a more expensive fully-carved instrument and couldn't be more delighted with it. The Upton Hawkes Hybrid sells for $2900 setup and ready to go. This is an excellent European-made bass for a very reasonable price, and I recommend it highly. http://www.uptonbass.com

Greg Clinkingbeard · #15 02-03-2007, 11:01 AM

Another vote for the Upton. robgrow talked me into it and I couldn't be more delighted.

I compared it to many others basses in the price range, including a fully carved Eastman and I think the Upton wins. Unless they have changed their policy, Upton will pay the first $150 of the shipping.
To Kansas City I paid just under $50.

greitzer · #16 02-03-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shotgun

Well here is the latest. The person here in town that has the Eastman has agreed to rent us this bass for the time being...He has also agreed to bring in a few more instruments in the coming weeks for us to see... the offer of renting for a few months will at least get us through the immediate problem.

Sounds like you're doing business with a decent guy. After you've rented the Eastman for awhile, if you decide you want to buy it after all, ask if he will count the rental payments you've made toward the purchase price.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #17 02-03-2007, 11:50 AM

Better yet, ask him NOW what portion of the rent would go to purchase. Many shops will apply all or a portion to purchase.

Shotgun · #18 02-04-2007, 01:01 PM

Actually, the deal I have is that ALL the rent will go toward a bass purchase through his shop. Does not have to be this Eastman, it can be any bass we purchase with him.

So a question would be, does Upton deal with distibuters? If not, than I would be giving up the rental money. Not that big of a deal, but I really do want to make a deal with this local dealer. He is a GREAT guy and so far has bent over backward to help us out. So is there any way to do this? The local shop I am dealing with is called Just Joe's Music, and I really do want to have Joe involved somehow.

JeffKissell · #19 02-04-2007, 01:23 PM

Stick with the local guy if you can. I'm sure the Upton basses are first quality, but it sounds like you are receiving good care and customer service in your own town...ALWAYS better than buying off the internet. There are TB players much closer to you who may be able to assist. Also try calling the local universities and/or community symphonies (Portland Symphony?) for advice. There are quality basses available to you in your price range in your area. Good luck!!
-J

philip sirois · #20 02-04-2007, 01:44 PM

I love the upton guys, but local is the way to go. If you help this guy stay in business, he'll be there when you need him. Better than asking questions over the internet imho. What happens when you have a problem? It might be just a little thing that your guy could take care of cheap and easy, you can't ship it back to connecticut. If you think he's the kind of guy that will appreciate
your business by taking care of you, it's well worth it. I'm sure he'll have access to some nice basses for you when the time comes to buy.The upton, while a nice bass for the money, is not a miracle of nature or anything. Spend the next few months playing a lot of basses and talking to people, you'll find something. Just like learning to play, in buying an instrument, you gotta embrace the process. Have fun.