point me in the right direction for a purchase

[thesneakyjesus]

hi,
I'm finally, after a year or two of back and forth, actually going to buy a new instrument in the next few weeks before school starts. I live in richmond va and intend on stopping by as many shops as I can over the next few days.

As far as what I'm looking for: A bass that has a big sound, warm, dark, and very punchy. I have been playing an eastman for years and just can't live with the small sound anymore. I've also been playing a mixture of synthetic gut strings for ever, and am ready to embrace the steel string world for presence and clarity. I've got two olive and two dominant strings on right now and they just don't give me what I want. Maybe it's just the bass though...
A bass that works well unamplified is a must. It it's 99.9% pizz jazz work with the use of a bow to practice and for maybe a passage or two in a big band or occasional bowed solo.

I'd like to start with shanks, because I've heard such great things about the shop and the service. They have a 7/8ths kolstein fendt that insterests me, has anyone played this bass?

There is also a 7/8ths bass with a c extension that really wets my whistle, but looks like it's 15,000... shrug.

Also, I'd like to stop by Ken's shop when I'm in PA. Does anyone reccomend any particular basses he is carrying at the time? I just like all the things about Ken's shop, his history, and his knowledge of the instrument.

I've heard the Kolstein shop is phenomonal, but might be a bit overwhelming. What should i expect there?

Lastly, the new standard guys really peak my interest. I'm not that interested in a hybrid instrument, or having to wait a long time to get my bass made, but they have been so cool on this site that I think they deserve my business.


david gage..
is it even worth it to travel into nyc? I know his shop is phenomenal, but I don't really want to go that far and deal with all that traffic if I don't have to. I definitly need to sell my current bass and am not really sure how I'd get into the city with the bass. I guess I'd just drive right in with my matrix. Is it like bass heaven there?

also,
bobs house of basses
this is where i purchased this instrument. I've never been THAT happy with it, and would generally like a trained luthier to look at my bass and set it up VERY professionally, which I feel I didn't get at BOBs. He is a great man, fantastic player, but I'm just skeptical to go back. Any one know of any basses there that really shine?

lastly,
consignment
should I just put this bad boy on craigslist?
try to sell it on consignment at a shop I buy?
just trade it for some baseball cards?



thanks everybody. I've used this site almost exclusively to research basses for the past two or three years and am really excited to make my purchase, but I just feel like I need some guidance and direction before i make the leap. Any pointers are great.



p.s
I've got a pretty nice bow that has had the little cork stopper at the tip pop out. Where should I go to get this repaired?

[CamMcIntyre]

You could see if someone has a New Standard in stock. I don't know of the shops in your area though. I know Mark Sonksen had a fully carved Cleveland in his shop and then I think there's a few other guys that will have one on hand. No idea who though. This is my obligatory "I love my Cleveland" post.

[K_Shizzle]

I was just down at David Gage last weekend. It truly is bass heaven. If you go down there, you'd deal with a fella named Sam Finlay. He's very knowledgable and helpful. Call ahead before you stop by and he can set you up with a good selection in your general interest.