Should I trade

JeepSahara · #1 07-05-2011, 01:25 PM

OK I have wanted an upright for awhile a finally was able to borrow one for a bluegrass gig over the weekend and of course I loved playing. Here is the deal I have a friend who has a Kiso-Suzuki student model that he wants to trade me even up for my Alvarez 6 string electric bass. In looking on Ebay and the local music store the most I could sell the Alvarez for is around $300. I know the Suzuki upright is very entry level, but it has to be worth at least $300. So should I trade? Here is a quick pic of the upright:

ThumpPlunkJunk · #2 07-05-2011, 01:48 PM

Do you or did you take lessons to play the upright?

JeepSahara · #3 07-05-2011, 02:10 PM

No I have never taken any lessons for upright, but I have been playing electric for 20 years. I never had the opportunity to play an upright and the guy that plays banjo in our bluegrass group asked me if I would want to try. I am not that great of a bass player but I think I did alright over all, but I also kept it pretty simple as well. I know there are much better uprights out there than this Suzuki but I don't have the money to get one for awhile and I don't see being able to get one for $300 no matter how good or bad it is. I don't play the 6 string hardly at all. It is a back up and I have other basses for back up if I do trade. But to answer your question if I do get an upright I would like to find someone to take lessons from.

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #4 07-05-2011, 02:16 PM

That's a fair trade. A Suzuki sold on eBay last summer for about that much, IIRC. I've heard that they were on the small side, which made them easier for small persons to play, but which robs them of acoustic volume.

Oh, and find a teacher. I made the leap about a year and a half ago after 20 years of electric bass playing, and they are completely different animals.

Jake deVilliers · #5 07-05-2011, 05:12 PM

If that's a 3/4 size DB and its healthy, go for it! What's the string length?

tstone · #6 07-05-2011, 05:33 PM

I was going to ask the same question. It looks small -- either that or the scroll is oversize. Nothing wrong with playing a 1/2 size bass, but you should know what you're getting into.

JeepSahara · #7 07-06-2011, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KUNGfuSHERIFF

That's a fair trade. A Suzuki sold on eBay last summer for about that much, IIRC. I've heard that they were on the small side, which made them easier for small persons to play, but which robs them of acoustic volume.

And that is something I didn't know or think of, but now after playing a different one over the weekend thta will help with judging this one. Thanks!