purchasing a double bass for school.

catoblepas · #1 08-31-2008, 06:31 PM

i'm going to be studying double bass in school this upcoming year, and am in a position where i have to purchase a double bass. however, funds are incredibly tight at the moment; i've found this on ebay, and was wondering what you guys thought, keeping in mind that i am capable of making small modifications and such:

http://cgi.ebay.com/EBONY-FITTED-3-4...ayphotohosting

thanks,
evan

Marcus Johnson · #2 08-31-2008, 07:37 PM

Treyzer · #3 08-31-2008, 08:01 PM

If it sounds to good to be true... It probably is... Don't think you want to buy something like this unless you play it. Maybe your current teacher could provide some valuable help

envika · #4 08-31-2008, 08:16 PM

rent one?

catoblepas · #5 08-31-2008, 08:58 PM

can't feasibly rent because i'll have to have it at home all the time. my teacher is an electric bassist, as am i; i'm attending a music school next year and will need a bass for practice at home and possibly performance.

any suggestions on what to get for a complete beginner? budget is around 1000, i know, it's low....

shadygrove · #6 08-31-2008, 08:59 PM

catoblepas...

If you haven't already, take some time and read the newbie links in this forum. They will explain why it is worth spending more for an instrument that can be repaired, won't implode on you, and have resale value when you are ready to upgrade your instrument someday. Every now and then someone will get lucky with a CCB (Cheap Chinese Bass - like most of the "incredible deals" on Ebay) but those people are very much in the minority and usually have put a lot of work into the bass to get it playable.

It is very important to play the bass you are going to buy, and if you are not knowledgeable about what makes a good bass take your teacher with you or find another upright player to go with you so you can both play the basses and hear them from a distance.

There are some good student basses from China though, the two brands I've played are Shen and Christopher, and as envika suggested, rent to buy can be a good way to go if you are otherwise unable to beg or borrow your way into a decent instrument.

shadygrove · #7 08-31-2008, 09:08 PM

For a little more than 1k you might be able to get into an Englehardt or Shen.

I see you are in New York. Ideal music has Eberle laminate basses for $950 with a basic "shop setup", or you can do as many people do and get one without setup for $850 and have it set up to your spec's. I got one with the basic setup and other than having to file down the nut slots a little on the E and A strings it was playable and came with Helicore orchestra strings which sound good for pizz and reasonably good for a plywood bass for arco. See the basses and story behind the liquidation at www.bassesonline.com

LouisF · #8 08-31-2008, 09:40 PM

+1 Steve and Ideal are probably the best bet in that price range.

LF

drurb · #9 09-01-2008, 09:57 AM

If you've read the newbie links and other related threads, you will find that if you are buying a new bass, then the minimum budget must be about $1200-$1500. That's for a new bass that is a decent instrument, has a good setup, and is ready to play. The importance of a good setup is paramount and simply cannot be overestimated.

LouisF · #10 09-01-2008, 10:32 AM

http://www.bassesonline.com/intro2.html

You should expect to spend $200-$300 for a basic set-up that will at least get you started in school