Some help needed...

[daniari]

Okay, I've been playing bass for about five years, and have made it a priority in my life equal to school work/hanging with friends/etc. I'm first chair in my high schools top orchestra and I made all-state, yet through all this hard work, my parents are not only just now deciding to buy me a bass, but making the LIMIT $2,500. Even the low-end basses I've checked out are more than that! A professional that played with my orchestra recommended Shen and Hima basses as cheap, but worthwhile investments and all of the ones I've found are $3,500+

Are there any websites with cheap, yet good basses? Thanks.

[Martin Sheridan]

Why not ask your parents to hold the $2500 and get a part time job and add your money to theirs? In fact by showing that you are that sincere, maybe they would be willing to increase their share when they see what you've saved.

Secondly, your teacher can help educate them about the real cost of a good instrument.

[shadygrove]

This is going to sound harsh, but I'm taking your parents side on this one. They are offering you enough money you can get into a Shen hybrid. If have your heart set on fully carved, IMHO maybe you should consider how to make some money instead of putting it all on your parents.

You've played long enough to know how important setup is to the sound and playability of a doublebass and how you have to play each one you are considering buying. What if you buy a bass that has a good reputation off the internet that you think is what you want and then it isn't? Or the setup is not at all what you want?

My advice is be patient, shop around and play a lot of basses, and see if you can scrape together some more cash if you want to go fully carved. It sounds like you've worked hard and have a lot of talent and I can understand how you'd want a bass you can continue to grow with.

Good luck with your search !

[jallenbass]

Where do you live? There may be some good older instruments reasonably close to you that would fit the bill. I agree with Martin and Shady. Get a job and raise the ante.