renting and starting a DB

basstotheface · #1 04-05-2010, 09:27 PM

ok, so new to DB want to try and get good enough to play in school regular band considering i can only play in jazz band with my BG. this is gonna sound really conceded but ive always been very musically gifted, once again not trying to sound snobby but everyone has gifts and music happens to be one of mine, i dont know how much of EB skill transfers into DB but i assume atleast 50%. i have around a year to get good enough to atleast be able to hold down the low end in band. i know i want to rent so that i can have a good starting instrument for cheaper and itll be easier to learn on and encourage me. so here are my questions...

1.how much does renting a good DB usually cost
2.what are some good models and brands to rent
3.will i have enough time to become efficient and DB

thank you in advance everybody.

fdeck · #2 04-05-2010, 09:43 PM

I did some general searching. Of course this might vary from one town to another.

http://www.quinnviolins.com/qv_rental_main.shtml
http://www.johnsonstring.com/rental/rates.htm

Here's an incredible page with links to bass specific shops, some possibly in your area:

http://www.gollihurmusic.com/luthiers.cfm

Some places have "rent to own" programs. My advice is that this is a good deal only if you are renting a bass that you would want to own.

The other "standard advice" is to take lessons if at all possible. The other 50% are hard to learn without a teacher.

Hopefully, here's welcoming you to the dark side of DB.

Oh, and read the FAQ and newbie links. These are really valuable resources.

basstotheface · #3 04-05-2010, 09:49 PM

oh ofcourse i will be taking lessons, especially for DB which has a lot of, umm...stuff? haha i just mean that it seems like a very hard and complicated instrument to learn, sort of like the saxophone that took me 5 years to get good at. and to fdeck on your welcome to the dark side of bass comment- i heard a funny quote some DBer said, atleast you will now be hanging out with a higher class of losers.

Ed Fuqua · #4 04-06-2010, 08:25 AM

I don't think you sound conceded at all.

drurb · #5 04-06-2010, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

I don't think you sound conceded at all.

Agreed. You sound level-headed and realistic. The BG and DB are related, but very different instruments. Welcome and beware-- you might just fall in love and then you'll be talking about buying a DB. Oh, do check out the newbie links. There's a bunch of helpful info there.

Paul Warburton · #6 04-06-2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

I don't think you sound conceded at all.

Most definitely not.

christ andronis · #7 04-06-2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

I don't think you sound conceded at all.

Maybe seceded a little....

Questions for the OP:

1) do you have a teacher?
2) are you in an area where you can go look at a variety of basses?
3) are you willing to put in consistent time on the instrument?

..good luck on your quest..

S. Katz · #8 04-06-2010, 08:52 AM

I recently made the jump, and you will be surprised how much BG carries over (fingerboard knowledge, intonation) and doesn't carry over (intonation, sore muscles you didn't know you had). But every time I pick up the DB, I get something that takes a ton of experimenting with BG gear to get--the note shoots straight down my spine.

basstotheface · #9 04-06-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christ andronis

Maybe seceded a little....

Questions for the OP:

1) do you have a teacher?
2) are you in an area where you can go look at a variety of basses?
3) are you willing to put in consistent time on the instrument?

..good luck on your quest..

1. I have a teacher i know in the area at a very good school.
2. As for in the area not even close that i know of.
3. And yes im very willing to put time and effort into it