Newbie Needs Advice

dpskala · #1 02-19-2011, 08:01 AM

Hi,

I'm considering buying an upright bass, and would appreciate some advice. I'm basically a bluegrass banjo player, and have played off and on for <mumble> years. In a previous life, when I played in a group, I used to double on bass for simple accompaniment/rhythm when banjo wasn't required. I always enjoyed that, and over the years have often mused that it would be really neat to own a bass and have it sitting there in my living room to pick up, play and enjoy when the mood strikes. I do that with my banjo.

Anyway, the price always scared me off. Recently while poking around the Internet, I found that brand new student 3/4 instruments are not all that expensive. Specifically, I saw an ad for a Cecilio CDB-200 for about $600. Now I didn't just fall off the turnip truck -- I realize that you get what you pay for, and that this is not a concert quality instrument, nor is it ever likely to be a collector's item. It is Asian made, plywood, and I'm sure they cut corners in making it. But is is worth the price? Would it work for me? Besides just playing for my own enjoyment, I might occasionally take it out to a bluegrass jam to play with others.

I know that really cheap guitars and banjos can be a real discouragement to the beginner, because the action is such that they are hard to play, and they usually don't sound all that good. The student bass comes with an adjustable bridge, so presumably you can diddle the action to your liking.

Anyway, I'm looking for some perspective. What are the pluses and minuses of buying such an instrument?

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #2 02-19-2011, 08:11 AM

Where are you located? In some areas, used Engelhardt or Kay basses pop up regularly for $600 or a little more than that. Unlike many of the cheap Asian basses, those instruments, if healthy, will sound decent and play well, and not self-destruct under string tension.

Refer to the newbie links at the top of the page. It should be an eye-opening read.

Dave Irwin · #3 02-19-2011, 08:13 AM

Check out the newbie threads at the top of the forum. There are lots of threads on the subject. The news won't be good.

**Francois Blais** · #4 02-19-2011, 08:54 AM

For that price, you'd better look at second-hand instruments.
Like this, but it's a 1/4 scale: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f210/1...-drop*-682554/

waleross · #5 02-19-2011, 09:21 AM

The posts here on this side of the forum are giving you great advice. Hold on to your cash and really research. If you are already playing bluegrass music then find some local bands and people you know to get a line on a bass. The picture in that ad gives you an idea of what you can get for under $1000. Best of luck

dpskala · #6 02-19-2011, 08:20 PM

OK, thanks to all of you for responding. I guess the main thing I learned from y'all and from poking around here is that, in contrast to smaller stringed instruments, structural integrity is paramount. A beautiful instrument with great tone and volume is not so great when it self-destructs under string tension!

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #7 02-19-2011, 08:24 PM

Yes and no. Structurally solid instruments tend to have poor acoustic performance, and vice versa. These type of basses are often the worst of all worlds. They fall apart, and before they do, the little sound they make is not pleasing.

I played one that had bark on the neck block. Bark!

Jsn · #8 02-19-2011, 09:09 PM

That Cecilio is what we call a BSO--Bass-shaped Object. For the most part, they sound horrible, don't hold tune, and are painfully difficult to play. You would spend another $600 just getting a set up and a decent set of strings on it (BSOs typically ship with strings that double as baling wire).

This isn't instrument snobbery talking. Buy one of those and you'll likely regret it by the second or third week.

Better to save up something in the neighborhood of $1500, and buy an entry level laminate from a reputable firm like Upton, String Emporium, Lemur, etc.

tstone · #9 02-19-2011, 10:13 PM

>> I played one that had bark on the neck block. Bark!
Perhaps the maker thought that leaving the bark on would give the bass some growl.

forester · #10 02-20-2011, 06:48 AM

pussywillow?...naw,dogwood.

Dave Irwin · #11 02-20-2011, 07:23 AM

Basses in the "craptastic" catagory generally won't have great tone either. As stated above, there are quality entry level basses in the 13-1500 area and I've seen them sub 1000 used.
These are often from Samuel Shen, Eastman, or Christopher So I'd look for used basses from one of these brands.

Good luck,
Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpskala

OK, thanks to all of you for responding. I guess the main thing I learned from y'all and from poking around here is that, in contrast to smaller stringed instrs, structural integrity is paramount. A beautiful instrument with great tone and volume is not so great when it self-destructs under string tension!

dpskala · #12 02-20-2011, 09:35 AM

OK. again thanks for the good information. My (wrong) instinct is to extrapolate from the smaller stringed instruments. For instance, a cheap banjo, especially if not setup at all, sounds terrible, and is extremely difficult to play, damn near cutting through your fingers if you are a begilnner. A deflinite turn-off. If properly setup, it can sometimes be made to play with acceptable ease, and to sound almost mediocre. But structural issues are not in play.

In poking around, I find that used entry level instruments can be had for about $800 up, and reasonable quality new start at $1400 or so from a knowledgeable dealer who will setup up properly. The big problem with a bass is geography and shipping. Most individuals don't want to ship (can't blame 'em), and shipping is expensive in any event. And especially with a bass, especially with my level of ignorance, I think I'd really like to see and play the thing before I put down any serious cash. So if I buy used, I have to wait around until a satisfactory candidate pops up within a reasonable distance.

I'm in Fort Wayne, IN -- there are a couple of good dealers in Cincinnati who sell good quality new entry level stuff - maybe a 3 hour drive.

dpskala · #13 02-20-2011, 09:37 AM

OK. again thanks for the good information. My (wrong) instinct is to extrapolate from the smaller stringed instruments. For instance, a cheap banjo, especially if not setup at all, sounds terrible, and is extremely difficult to play, damn near cutting through your fingers if you are a begilnner. A deflinite turn-off. If properly setup, it can sometimes be made to play with acceptable ease, and to sound almost mediocre. But structural issues are not in play.

In poking around, I find that used entry level instruments can be had for about $800 up, and reasonable quality new start at $1400 or so from a knowledgeable dealer who will setup up properly. The big problem with a bass is geography and shipping. Most individuals don't want to ship (can't blame 'em), and shipping is expensive in any event. And especially with a bass, especially with my level of ignorance, I think I'd really like to see and play the thing before I put down any serious cash. So if I buy used, I have to wait around until a satisfactory candidate pops up within a reasonable distance.

I'm in Fort Wayne, IN -- there are a couple of good dealers in Cincinnati who sell good quality new entry level stuff - maybe a 3 hour drive.

thebassbass · #14 02-20-2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpskala

OK. again thanks for the good information. My (wrong) instinct is to extrapolate from the smaller stringed instruments. For instance, a cheap banjo, especially if not setup at all, sounds terrible, and is extremely difficult to play, damn near cutting through your fingers if you are a begilnner. A deflinite turn-off. If properly setup, it can sometimes be made to play with acceptable ease, and to sound almost mediocre. But structural issues are not in play.

In poking around, I find that used entry level instruments can be had for about $800 up, and reasonable quality new start at $1400 or so from a knowledgeable dealer who will setup up properly. The big problem with a bass is geography and shipping. Most individuals don't want to ship (can't blame 'em), and shipping is expensive in any event. And especially with a bass, especially with my level of ignorance, I think I'd really like to see and play the thing before I put down any serious cash. So if I buy used, I have to wait around until a satisfactory candidate pops up within a reasonable distance.

I'm in Fort Wayne, IN -- there are a couple of good dealers in Cincinnati who sell good quality new entry level stuff - maybe a 3 hour drive.

I live in fort wayne. If your willing to drive to Cincinnati there is the Bass Cellar and Nick Lloyd. Thay are your best bet. At the very least you can get the feel of what a good one sounds and plays like.