New Double Bass thoughts

peterpalmieri · #1 02-11-2010, 10:52 AM

So about a year ago I started a thread where I was considering upgrading and then uncle toad told me to throw a set of Spiros on the bass and I've rode that wave for many months now.

So I am currently playing a Kolstein Hybrid Busetto that I bought about 3 years ago now. A little background I'm 36 years old I had gone to Stony Brook Univeristy where I majored in music and at the time owned a great Adreas Morelli bass. Soon after I got out of college I dropped the "music thing" got married and started working in business and sold the bass too. So now 14 years later I am back playing DB for the last 3 years mostly jazz but struggling to keep up on my Simandl practice with a 6 month old son at home.

My wife and I do not have modest means but there are many priorities over which a new bass takes a back seat to. I'm figuring I could put together about $7k in the next month or so and if I buy a bass from Kolstein can probably roll in a substantial amount from trading in my current bass.

Now that everyone probably knows more about me then they need to my question really is in this price range <$10k am I going to be able to make a significant upgrade? Is it worth my time, energy and money or should I wait for a future date where I may be able to come up with a more substantial sum?

I'm sure I left something important out. In any case thanks for your time and thoughts in advance.

Pete

AMJBASS · #2 02-11-2010, 11:02 AM

The short answer would be yes, spending upwards of $10K on a bass will give you(generally) a SIGNIFICANTLY better sound and feel to that of a Hybrid bass. Its been said many times, but you really need to go and play as many basses as you possibly can. In that price range you can find a lot of older German/Tyrolean/Bohemian basses, some of which can have just a terrific sound.

Arnold · #3 02-11-2010, 11:57 AM

I'm drooling over your AC in the classifieds....
That said, I've been surprised at what my Upton ply is capable of doing, so much so that I have another Upton (hybrid) on the way. I'm not suggesting either of these instruments, but instead a drive to upstate CT to play some of their better basses.. I do live in Astoria and you're welcome to be in touch and come by and check one out when they happen to be here.
Peace.
ASG

KimblesNimble · #4 02-11-2010, 12:07 PM

are you going to become a professional musician? if not why would anybody in their right mind pay 10 grand for a bass?

Jason Sypher · #5 02-11-2010, 12:14 PM

The question, though totally valid, cannot be answered. You either know why or you don't. You should check the classifieds in TB, I see a number of good deals in your price range. A juzek would serve you quite well. For something smaller check out Richietime's small 3/4, it's a killer.

farmerdude · #6 02-11-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KimblesNimble

are you going to become a professional musician? if not why would anybody in their right mind pay 10 grand for a bass?

Why not? Lets see, a $35,000 new car/truck....in a couple of years it will be worth $5,000....a $10,000 bass many years from now will hopefully be worth at least $10,000. So, buy cheap transpertaion, play nice bass....

Ed Fuqua · #7 02-11-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KimblesNimble

are you going to become a professional musician? if not why would anybody in their right mind pay 10 grand for a bass?

Are you LOST? I only ask because you don't have DOUBLE BASS listed in your profile.

Ed Fuqua · #8 02-11-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian Juras

The short answer would be yes, spending upwards of $10K on a bass will give you(generally) a SIGNIFICANTLY better sound and feel to that of a Hybrid bass. Its been said many times, but you really need to go and play as many basses as you possibly can. In that price range you can find a lot of older German/Tyrolean/Bohemian basses, some of which can have just a terrific sound.

That's a LESS THAN not a GREATER THAN sign AJ....

Rockman · #9 02-11-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arnold

I'm drooling over your AC in the classifieds....
That said, I've been surprised at what my Upton ply is capable of doing, so much so that I have another Upton (hybrid) on the way. I'm not suggesting either of these instruments, but instead a drive to upstate CT to play some of their better basses.. I do live in Astoria and you're welcome to be in touch and come by and check one out when they happen to be here.
Peace.
ASG

Stonington is as far south as you can be in CT, upstate would be Storrs. Not relevant I know, but this may be. Upton now has a story in Boston.

AMJBASS · #10 02-11-2010, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

That's a LESS THAN not a GREATER THAN sign AJ....

Not sure I follow.

peterpalmieri · #11 02-11-2010, 12:30 PM

Thanks for the thoughts so far guys. Over the past few years I've played just about every bass in the Kolstein shop, he's got a great inventory so I've got a pretty good idea of what's out there in the price range I'm looking for. I also know some of his basses that are valued in the low 20k range for the most part are significantly better then the lower priced stuff and I don't want to make the decision and in a short time realize I should have saved up for something better. That's not even mentioning the truly wonderful 50k type instruments that I could not consider.

As an example his Fendt basses I believe go for around $9k (don't quote me) and they are great basses and significantly better then what I'm playing today. On the other hand he's got some older basses along with my favorite his Lafaro Prescott copy (don't think he has it in the shop anymore) that was in the low to mid 20k range.

Let me be very honest, I'm not sure my current skills neccesitate a $20k bass but my hands and ears would certainly appreciate an upgrade from my current instrument.

Ed Fuqua · #12 02-11-2010, 12:32 PM

Peter's post is looking for advice about making an upgrade from a
$2800 bass to a bass costing LESS THAN $10K, that's what < means. Your post talked about spending MORE THAN $10K, which would be >$10K.

That's all I was saying...

AMJBASS · #13 02-11-2010, 12:36 PM

Sorry Ed! I meant up to $10K. One of the downfalls of conversing through printed words instead of face to face. Anyway, all is well.

Peter, I wish you luck in your bass search. There are so many good resources out there now that it shouldn't be too hard finding something that really speaks to you in your price range. Make sure you check out Gage Strings if you get a chance as well.

peterpalmieri · #14 02-11-2010, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian Juras

Sorry Ed! I meant up to $10K. One of the downfalls of conversing through printed words instead of face to face. Anyway, all is well.

Peter, I wish you luck in your bass search. There are so many good resources out there now that it shouldn't be too hard finding something that really speaks to you in your price range. Make sure you check out Gage Strings if you get a chance as well.

I will plan on going to Gage and Bollbach before I buy anything but I've honestly had a very good relationship with Barry Kolstein over the years, I also have the luxury of being close enough to his shop to drive over on my lunch hour. I've also been taking lessons on and off with a wonderful teacher here on the island John Dewitt and I will see if I can't drag him along when I get close in making my decision.

Jason Sypher · #15 02-11-2010, 01:03 PM

I personally find, at this juncture, more at Gage right now, in that Price range. If I were you I'd also talk to Arnold. There's a fully carved New Standard that probably sounds incredible. If it were me i'd be looking for one of those special Juzeks that show up for 8 or 9k and sound great pizz and arco....

peterpalmieri · #16 02-11-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

I personally find, at this juncture, more at Gage right now, in that Price range. If I were you I'd also talk to Arnold. There's a fully carved New Standard that probably sounds incredible. If it were me i'd be looking for one of those special Juzeks that show up for 8 or 9k and sound great pizz and arco....

That makes sense thanks for the advice. The one issue is that the used DB market can be a pain in the butt and I know Barry would take in the bass that he sold me as an uptrade. I'm not sure the other guys will do that, which means either my budget shrinks, I come up with additional cash or possibly sell my bass and have nothing until I make a decision.

AMJBASS · #17 02-11-2010, 02:31 PM

I have always been very impressed with Barrie's service. Definitely check out what he has in stock. When I was looking for a new(old) bass a few years ago he helped me in the right direction, and actually found a bass for me which I ended up buying.

drurb · #18 02-11-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arnold

That said, I've been surprised at what my Upton ply is capable of doing, so much so that I have another Upton (hybrid) on the way. I'm not suggesting either of these instruments, but instead a drive to upstate CT to play some of their better basses..

+1! The better Uptons may not be Peter's cup of tea but it's sure worth finding out. I own one of the Concerts that start at $9k and consider it to be a huge bang for the buck.

Menacewarf · #19 02-11-2010, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockman

Stonington is as far south as you can be in CT, upstate would be Storrs.

I'm pretty sure in this case upstate is just meant to say away from NYC, where the OP lives.

peterpalmieri · #20 02-11-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KimblesNimble

????? umm no Im not LOST, Im pretty sure Im on the doublebass aspect of the forums, but I just read EVERY POST that looks interesting under new post tab. I dont shun off upright players posts or ask why they are in an electric bass forum when the play upright. I do realize high end DB's are expensive (usually more so than there "inferior" counterparts). The only reason I posed the question is because the OP said:

"So now 14 years later I am back playing DB for the last 3 years mostly jazz but struggling to keep up on my Simandl practice with a 6 month old son at home.

My wife and I do not have modest means but there are many priorities over which a new bass takes a back seat to"

14 year hietus
6 month old baby
more important priorities
struggling with Simandl

*Im sorry Im not trying to be a jerk, it just seemed by the OP that maybe a 5 K bass may be better for the situation he depicted and the LOST comment kinda p***ed me off a bit

Ok no big deal. But for the record I have been working very hard I'm not struggling with Simandl I'm struggling to dedicate enough time to practicing with the 6 month old baby. And yes I circle back through the Simandl stuff regularly.

When I mentioned means I meant I am capping my budget because it's the smart thing to do at 10k that's all. I choose to have nice musical equipment rather then a BMW. And don't have a bigger budget so we can do some home remodeling. My baby isn't starving or anything..