recommendation needed for travel DB

funkythumb · #1 02-19-2009, 07:11 AM

I'm mostly an electric player who doubles on DB. I have a nice Wilfer for upright gigs around town.
My main corporate Top 40 band has been working steadily for 3 years and may now require me to take a DB on the road for dinner sets and mainly for cosmetic reasons.
I'll mostly travel in a van and perhaps in a plane. Mostly a van with limited room.
Though I don't need to buy anything today, I'm trying to get a jump start on the research as to be prepared when I have to buy.
I basically need something fairly inexpensive, and preferably with a thin body. Because of the cosmetic issue, I need something that has a body of an acoustic ( no EUBs) but is thin in width to store in a van.
As horrific as it sounds, I found a Carlo Robelli which suits my size and price needs. They tend to be junk, so I'm asking you guys for something along these lines that may be more road worthy.
Again this is mainly for a dinner set playing standards and I won't have to worry about upper register soloing.
thanks

Dbassmon · #2 02-19-2009, 07:22 AM

Roadworthy = plywood. Not indestructible but not as delicate as a carved bass. Certainly cheaper.

Forget buying a really cheap bass. It will not be cheap in the long run as has been pointed out on every thread on the subject.

Some very nice plywood basses out there starting at $2000+/-. You know the brands... go play a few.

EUB may also be an option but if you want to play arco, probably not a great option. It is a lot easier to deal with on the road and in a van. Sounds like for a dinner set, it would be a very acceptable compromise.

funkythumb · #3 02-19-2009, 07:48 AM

Good point. THanks.
As disgusting as it sounds, the tone quality of the instrument won't be a huge factor for the dinner set on this gig.
We always play super low -- medium volume for people who hardly pay attention.
I need a substantial body for appearances on weddings and corporate gigs. No bowing for this gig.
We're a great sounding band but for the dinner set, we're selling an image.

Ed Fuqua · #4 02-19-2009, 08:31 AM

A bass with a body that is the same size as a regular bass in every dimension except width doesn't really give you much more room. And the popsicle sticks aren't going to give you the same "visual presence"; my suggestion would be to check out a Czech-Ease. The bass in it's hard shell case will fit in the back seat of an NYC cab (generally Crown Victorias) along with you.

mheintz · #5 02-19-2009, 03:22 PM

Call Bill Merchant. He has a new bass that is exactly what you describe. It is thinner than a regular bass and has a detachable neck, but otherwise looks like an upright. It actually sounds quite good. I don't know if he has a production model yet, but the version that I heard was actually quite good albeit not a huge sound.

Jeremy Darrow · #6 02-19-2009, 08:26 PM

Take a look at the Eminence bass. I have been using one for over a year and have been happy with it. The neck is removable and if fits into a checkable gold club case. As far as stage appearance goes, at a recent show a friend of mine, who is a full-time luthier, mentioned how good the bass sounded and how it's appearance gave the impression of a bass so effectively that he didn't realize it was not a full size bass until I set it down at the break.

Tejano Bass · #7 02-19-2009, 09:44 PM

http://www.merchantbass.com/acoustic/traveler.htm

funkythumb · #8 02-20-2009, 07:13 AM

thanks all. I'll check out Bill's stuff and the C-Ease

funkythumb · #9 02-20-2009, 07:39 AM

I just checked out Bill's Traveler bass and you guys nailed it. Thanks. That's exactly what I was looking for.
Now I've just to find a way to pay for it. :-) !!!

drurb · #10 02-20-2009, 08:23 AM

I've played one of the ply Merchant Traveler basses and it sounded remarkably good for a bass with such narrow ribs. I played it at Upton's shop (where they are made) before it was shipped to Merchant.

funkythumb · #11 02-20-2009, 01:01 PM

What's everyone's opinion on the Czech Ease vs. the Merchant Traveler.
1. Sound quality
2. Portability

Ed Fuqua · #12 02-20-2009, 01:35 PM

http://www.czech-ease.com/support.php

The CE in a hardshell case is about the same size as a cello. The sound thing is, I think, something you're gonna have to assess in person...

Rvl · #13 02-20-2009, 05:40 PM

Why dont you have Bill Merchant make your Wilfer into a detachable neck?

Thanks

Robert VanLane

funkythumb · #14 02-20-2009, 07:24 PM

That's not a bad idea but I think I'd like to keep my Wilfer as is. Also, it'd be just as bulky in the van and I'd still have to buy a case for it for air travel. I need a thin body for minimal room on top of all the other gear. Plus I don't want to take my $7,000 Wilfer on the road.
I'd rather buy the Merchant. I can travel in the van with it with the soft shell case and use the hard case for plane travel.

Nagrom · #15 02-20-2009, 07:54 PM

http://foldingbass.com/

This is the one I'm thinking of. Anybody seen one first hand?

funkythumb · #16 02-21-2009, 09:40 AM

Well the price is definitely better but it's still bulky.

longfinger · #17 02-21-2009, 09:58 PM

Hey,

I know you said no EUB for cosmetic reasons, but some EUB's are quite beautiful. I have this one

http://www.ariaguitars.com/int/03_pr...b_04_1000.html

but with a wood colour throughout, (No sunburst). Whenever I bring this to shows and rehearsals people say how beautiful it is. The fact that it is not a regular DB get's even more attention as people gawk at it. Physically, playing it is not exactly the same as playing a standard DB, it's a bit different, but less so in the lower registers. The scale length is 1050mm.

For DB with a small body check out this one..
http://www.lamario.ca/basse-semiacou...p?lang=english

This should physically play exactly like a standard DB. Sounds like it too with the proper amp. Practical. Well made. Not as pretty.

funkythumb · #18 02-23-2009, 02:40 PM

The Aria looks very cool. Me likey!! How much is it?

funkythumb · #19 02-24-2009, 09:41 AM

The Merchant Traveler is by far the perfect bass I'm looking for. Only problem is that it's $4,500, money I simply don't have.
I might be able to get the Eminence 4 string for a thousand less than that. It's not as close to what I want but might do the trick if my band leader likes the appearance.
Keep the suggestions coming!! You guys have been of great help in finding what's out there. Thanks!

Keyser Soze · #20 02-24-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkythumb

I'm mostly an electric player who doubles on DB. I have a nice Wilfer for upright gigs around town.
My main corporate Top 40 band has been working steadily for 3 years and may now require me to take a DB on the road for dinner sets and mainly for cosmetic reasons....

I'm surprised that no one has addressed your last sentence above.

You're a member of a successful band. They, collectively, want you to buy what is, essentially, a prop. You already own "the right tool for the job," your Wilfer. But the band chooses to travel to out of town gigs in a fashion where your Wilfer cannot be accommodated. They want "the look" of an upright bass, but seem to be far less concerned with it's sound and playability.

I'd suggest that the band (the entity) should pay for the prop bass.

If they don't want to do that, the band should, collectively, absorb the costs of transporting your Wilfer, whether it be a van rental or airline / air cargo fees and case rental or of renting a bass locally.

You shouldn't be personally responsible for buying a prop so the band will "look better." No one else in the band is being asked to do that, are they?