realistic budget for a bass?

spike thomas · #1 06-02-2007, 06:45 PM

I'm trying to find a bass within my means but I don,t have a very good idea about what to buy. I need to spend as little as possble while still getting a playable bass. I'm not cheap I just don,t have the income. I'm 16 and do odd jobs such as mowing grass or cuttung wood etc. So, what's realistic?

Scutterflux · #2 06-02-2007, 06:56 PM

First real bass that I owned I bought myself when I was 16, it was $1250 cdn and it was a 71 precision. I saved for weeks, and thankfully no one bought it in the mean time. That was in 1996 and since then I sold it for about $1850 cdn But boy do I regret selling it.

Kevin Hsieh · #3 06-02-2007, 07:00 PM

are we talking BG or DB?
i'm assuming you're talking about DB because you're in a DB forum.
a good plywood would cost you about one and a half grand U.S. i believe. i bet you could look around your area and find some used basses at schools that are for sale or some basses on sale from someone desperate for money.
check out the newbie links
they're always a good start

peekster · #4 06-03-2007, 01:15 AM

If you are talking about electric bass (I can't tell from your post), it's like falling off a log. Compared to when I started out, we're in a golden age where you can buy, for example, a Fender for probably less than US$250.

I suspect that's a pretty small number of lawns to be mowed, or cords of firewood to be cut. What the heck are you waiting for?

.matthew e wengerd. · #5 06-03-2007, 05:36 AM

Some people browse new threads and don't realize they're on the dark side when they reply. I'm pretty sure we're talking DB here.

My advice: Don't be so anxious to get a bass that you settle for something less than you truly want. I'm not implying you would do this, just warning against it either way.

Jason Sypher · #6 06-03-2007, 06:22 AM

I hate to say this because I remember how many lawns it took for me to buy anything. But you need about $2000 to get started.

CamMcIntyre · #7 06-03-2007, 06:29 AM

I agree with Jason. If you need a pickup or bow-that'll be extra, but $2000 seems like a good price point. I'd try to find a shop that sells basses instead of ordering one through the mail for the most part. Shipping gets expensive-the instrument is huge.

Pickup [don't know if you'll need one or not] will run around $200 too depending on what you get. I was thinking Realist for reference.

It will be worth the wait to save up.

LaserDrake · #8 06-03-2007, 06:31 AM

what are you speaking of guys :S ???
$2000 ***???? a beginner bass thats playable will cost around 350-400$ kinda and a small amp'll cost maybe 150-200$ (the one im using cost me 200$)

so a total 700-800$

but check ebay.com and such, you might make a kickass deal.

EDIT: This guy is 16, he probably doesnt need anything fancy.
DONT GIVE HIM THE WRONG IDEAS

CamMcIntyre · #9 06-03-2007, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaserDrake

what are you speaking of guys :S ???
$2000 ***???? a beginner bass thats playable will cost around 350-400$ kinda and a small amp'll cost maybe 150-200$ (the one im using cost me 200$)

so a total 700-800$

LaserDrake-you're on the DB side forums, NOT BG.

If it was BG, an SX/Rondo bass would run $200 or less. Small practice amp-$200 tops. Getting started in BG land is far less expensive. Heck, for the cost of my DB [NS Cleveland], i could have gotten a Sadowsky NYC and had change left over.

drurb · #10 06-03-2007, 08:46 AM

I'll assume we're talking about a DB here. With regard to that, the advice given above is dead on. For the bass itself, you can figure about $1200-$1500 as a minimum for something decent. That means playable, decent sound, built properly, and that will hold it's value. Add the other necessities and you're at $2000 easily.

Avoid the ebay cheapies. They are a waste of money. Yes, buy from a real bass shop. That way you'll get a good setup. The setup is often overlooked by newbies. Sure, you may be able to find a decent new bass on ebay but then you'll have to have it set up. That service runs about $500 and up, depending on what needs to be done. Shipping costs do not have to be all that great depending on what bass shop does the shipping. It is best, however, to play the bass you'll be buying. That coupled with the advantages of establishing a relationship with a shop/luthier often means buying local.

Read the newbie links-- at least once.

Jason Sypher · #11 06-03-2007, 09:47 AM

I'm speaking purely from an upright perspective because we are in the Doublebass forum. These days a decent Kay that has been properly set up is going to be around $2000 minimum unless you're out in the countyside somewhere and find a deal. Even then, if you do find one of those country discounts, the bass will need work. Sure a basic Japanese Fender or something like that will run about $350. My first Squier was $200. But, that's a different forum.

Jazzdogg · #12 06-03-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike thomas

I'm trying to find a bass within my means but I don,t have a very good idea about what to buy. I need to spend as little as possble while still getting a playable bass. I'm not cheap I just don,t have the income. I'm 16 and do odd jobs such as mowing grass or cuttung wood etc. So, what's realistic?

We might be in a position to steer you toward a good deal, without huge shipping cost, if we knew where you lived.

In San Juan Capistrano there's a great bass place called
www.lemurmusic.com

They expend the same effort setting up their least expensive basses as they do on their more expensive instruments. As a result, instruments generally aren't available for same-day pickup (setting up a bass to suit the needs of a particular player takes time), but you're practically assured of great playability even of you buy one of their "economy" basses.

The last time I was there I played their "Laguna" model, and it was a very respectable bass for $2,400.

If you have an opportunity, take a seasoned double bassist with you whenever you look at instruments; that's what I did when I bought my first upright, and his guidance was invaluable.

Good luck!

Kevin Hsieh · #13 06-03-2007, 10:12 AM

going off on a tangent from price, you're 16 so i assume you're in high school. are there any jazz bands or orchestras in your school? i would recommend you enroll in one of the programs and see if the director will let you borrow the bass for the next couple years until you graduate. then you'll have more time to mow lawns or maybe you can start playing some gigs with some friends from band.
when it comes to DB, it's best not to rush. kudos for coming onto this forum and checking out what's going on. good luck

jrlynch · #14 06-03-2007, 12:22 PM

a suggestion: score a decent used full scale electric upright in the short term. get your fingers together, save for the real deal.

mapleleaf4evr · #15 06-03-2007, 01:56 PM

As someone else has already said, location is important. There are enough people in the TalkBass family here to give you some very good advice, and point you in the right direction in the area where you live. As for me, I was student when I got my first upright. It was pretty shoddy, but it was only $400 (now that was 25 yrs ago, but if you look around, you can find a bargain). I had to get a new bridge, new strings and the fingerboard planed, but I had a good teacher, so he was able to get some of those things done for me at cost, or less. I think I got an used set of spirocores from him too until I could afford my own. I think there are a number of very good laminated instruments out there for $2000 or slightly less. I also would not worry about a pickup or amp right away, buy a bow instead. Learn how to get a good sound first without using the electronics.

spike thomas · #16 06-03-2007, 02:33 PM

I live in Marbury Alabama (middle of no where!) and the only people I know who play upright, play bluegrass. That's how I got interested. My band director said that he did't know a whole lot about teaching bass. I appreciate your replies. My income is limited because I spend half my summer in Huntsville Al. It's hard to keep customers happy. So far I have $200 saved. Yeah I know. I want to be able to bow it in concert band but I also love Jazz. So it needs to be a little versitle.

drurb · #17 06-03-2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike thomas

...My band director said that he did't know a whole lot about teaching bass.

Hmm. The most important thing you will need is a teacher!

spike thomas · #18 06-03-2007, 04:37 PM

Well, I think my band director can help me with that. He's in the Montgomery orchestra (bassoon player). He said he might be able to talk to some of the DB players.

lloccmttocs · #19 06-03-2007, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike thomas

Well, I think my band director can help me with that. He's in the Montgomery orchestra (bassoon player). He said he might be able to talk to some of the DB players.

cool a bassoon director, I've had good experience with bassoonist they've all seemed to be nice people. One of my directors was a drummer and he's always very loud and never lets me use a bow even when I know I should use a bow. Sorry, off topic. Upton's basses are awesome, I live down the street from them so I pop in occassionally and my new Proffessory comes in sometime this week. Plus free shipping, unless that special expired. Laminated basses are cheap and not a bad starter. If you love jazz and want a unique bass you could always try the swingmaster, I always liked the pinstripes on it, but they said I'd probably get made fun of alot if I pulled that out for all my orchestra concerts. I've heard alot of good hype about Hybrids, I was going to buy one for myself but did the thing that was going to put me in dept for the next year and bought the most expensive bass they make. Oh well, who cares that my bass is worth more than my car.

John Sprague · #20 06-04-2007, 07:20 AM

Spike, welcome!

How to buy a decent bass cheaply:
Contact your local shops, let them know what you're looking for, and your budget. A new, playable bass will start around $1500. But a used one can be had for less. Check out the newbie links here to find out what brands are acceptable, then check Craigslist.com regularly, let your friends and family know you're looking for a bass, let the area players know, and sooner or later a deal will pop up.
A great deal requires patience.

Also, let us know where you're from, so we can help you more.

Good luck!