String Emporium Thompson Upright Bass

fooloso4 · #1 06-07-2008, 02:26 PM

I have been spending way too much time here since discovering this site. I have read all the noob stuff as well as many other posts and am getting quite an education!

I have a pretty good idea of what is out there now and what to stay away from. I would like to buy new from a place that will do a proper set up for me before it is sent out, rather than buy used or something new that will still need to be set up in order to avoid unplesant surprises.

I am considering the Shen SB80 but came across another bass that looks promising:

It is a Thompson Bass from String Emporium. I don't think it is on the website yet, but Steve sent me a link to a page called "Cheap Upright Basses". I found several positive posts about Steve and his shop but nothing about this brand bass, probably because it is just becoming available.

Is anyone familiar with this bass?

Thanks.

JAKBOUND · #2 06-15-2008, 09:06 AM

It looks like the site has been updated with the information on these basses.

jayarroz · #3 06-18-2008, 08:32 PM

Don't buy an upright without playing it, every bass has a different sound. Pick one that sings to you, old, new, carved, plywood, chinese, american, french, guacomole....

pdbass · #4 06-19-2008, 03:26 PM

Even if there's a "30 day, money-back guarantee", unless your mail-order bride insists. . .

hamnhock · #5 04-17-2009, 08:00 PM

My mom had been goofing off on my Bogdon cardboard box bass and decided after about two weeks she was ready to graduate to a full size 3/4 bass, she was very determined. As a good son it was my responsibilty to make sure she got the best one she could afford. I looked on Ebay, Musicians Friend, and our local hometown music store. I also talked to the guys at Upton Bass and I just wasnt getting the answers to the questions I wanted. I felt like there should be a decent upright for under $2000. thats when I stumbled onto the TalkBass Forum and read about Steve Koscica and his Bass company, The String Emporium. I went to his website and looked at the Thompson Bass and thought, this is what we are looking for. Mom and I gave Steve a call and we were greeted by a very polite, helpful, enthusiastic gentleman who didnt try to convince us we needed something else and was thrilled we were interested in his Thompson Bass. I explained to Steve my mom had no musical training and this would be her first instrument. Steve was so helpful and encouraging. He was able to put my Mom at ease about making a purchase of this amount and took any trepidation that she had right away. Steve had informed us that they had a new shipment of Blonde Thompson Basses and Mom informed us thats what she wanted, at this time arrangements were to have the Bass flown to the closest airport. A very painless procedure dealing with this fine gentleman. Needless to say Mom and I went to pick up the Bass. It was in perfect shape and it was in tune! Mom thought it was the most beautiful Bass she had ever seen.We got it to Moms house and she hasnt stopped playing it. So if you cant tell by now...We love the Bass and Steve is one of these rare fine people that will go out of thier way and bend over backwards to make sure you get what you want. Mom can say she bought their very first Blonde Thompson.

LouisF · #6 04-17-2009, 08:17 PM

You just may have the coolest Mom in town!

Louis

shadygrove · #7 04-17-2009, 09:44 PM

Thanks for sharing that Hamnhock... your Mom looks very happy with her bass !

Hope she has a teacher to help out with that musical training and avoid injuries and you'll send her to TalkBass to hang out with us.

Jake deVilliers · #8 04-17-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamnhock

My mom had been goofing off on my Bogdon cardboard box bass and decided after about two weeks she was ready to graduate to a full size 3/4 bass, she was very determined. As a good son it was my responsibilty to make sure she got the best one she could afford. I looked on Ebay, Musicians Friend, and our local hometown music store. I also talked to the guys at Upton Bass and I just wasnt getting the answers to the questions I wanted. I felt like there should be a decent upright for under $2000. thats when I stumbled onto the TalkBass Forum and read about Steve Koscica and his Bass company, The String Emporium. I went to his website and looked at the Thompson Bass and thought, this is what we are looking for. Mom and I gave Steve a call and we were greeted by a very polite, helpful, enthusiastic gentleman who didnt try to convince us we needed something else and was thrilled we were interested in his Thompson Bass. I explained to Steve my mom had no musical training and this would be her first instrument. Steve was so helpful and encouraging. He was able to put my Mom at ease about making a purchase of this amount and took any trepidation that she had right away. Steve had informed us that they had a new shipment of Blonde Thompson Basses and Mom informed us thats what she wanted, at this time arrangements were to have the Bass flown to the closest airport. A very painless procedure dealing with this fine gentleman. Needless to say Mom and I went to pick up the Bass. It was in perfect shape and it was in tune! Mom thought it was the most beautiful Bass she had ever seen.We got it to Moms house and she hasnt stopped playing it. So if you cant tell by now...We love the Bass and Steve is one of these rare fine people that will go out of thier way and bend over backwards to make sure you get what you want. Mom can say she bought their very first Blonde Thompson.

Great story HAM, thanks!

Eric Rene Roy · #9 04-18-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamnhock

...I also talked to the guys at Upton Bass and I just wasnt getting the answers to the questions I wanted.

I'm sorry we were not able to answer your questions to the degree you needed. We were trying something new in our front end approach, but that was not working (OBVIOUSLY, hence your comment!) and we decided to go back to just Gary, Jack and I taking the time to talk to our customers.

I wish your mom all the best and many happy years of bass playing!

Paul Warburton · #10 04-18-2009, 09:49 AM

MOM steps up!!! Beautiful.
Right on.

drurb · #11 04-18-2009, 11:23 AM

Wow-- great story! So many times you hear of a mom buying a bass for her kid--but a son helping a mom to buy hers? I hope she has a great time. It seems she will! Congrats on your purchase.

By the way, new players are fortunate these days to be able to choose from among a number of basses under $2000 that are way beyond just "decent." The Thompson sure doesn't stand alone in that regard. That wasn't so 10-20 years ago.

Gary Lynch · #12 04-18-2009, 03:45 PM

Back to Upton. They were very friendly and answered all my questions. Even when I bought a Juzek instead of an Upton they were still very gracious and friendly. This is good business. I know that if I want a custom plywood bass built, I'll go to Upton and do business with them.

Yes indeed, there are many basses to choose from under $2K. In fact some are under $1500 including a first class painstaking set up. I think we are entering a new cycle of the veneer bass. Players 50 years from now will have a whole bunch of plywood vintage bass to play!

Now to the thread, is your mother married? If not you can bet a long line of suitors will be knocking at the door!

brrrnkelluh · #13 04-27-2009, 10:56 AM

I just bought one of these bad boys and I'm really impressed with it so far. I live in AZ, so I just went over and picked it up. Mr. Koscica was incredibly helpful and friendly, and made sure I got everything that I needed for a really great price. He was out of the bows I wanted, so he's offered to order one specifically for me and have it drop shipped to my place for an amazing price. The customer service is top notch, seriously.

The bass itself is absolutely beautiful. It's got a really big, round tone, and even though it's priced like a student model, it certainly doesn't play like one.
They come fully setup, and considering that he's a bass player himself, he definitely knows what he's doing.

Gary Lynch · #14 04-27-2009, 11:11 AM

Great news. Steve seems like a man trying to do his best. Also great that a real palyable bass can be had at that price.

washtub_bass · #15 08-10-2009, 01:02 PM

hey hamnhock, THAT's FANTASTIC !!!!!

i always say the the Bogdon Box Bass is not a replacement for quality wood and fine luthier craftsmanship... but rather ist a crazy fun, bass to see, hear, and play. AND what a cool cool mom!

Chris Newark DE · #16 01-09-2010, 11:27 PM

I purchased a Thompson upright from Steve Koscica back in Sept. 09 and I am very satisfied with the instrument.

I have been playing guitar for over 25 years and wanted to take up the double bass. Being well acquainted with the challenges of learning an instrument, I know that it nearly impossible to learn on a poor instrument. The Thompson was perfect for me. The set up was beautiful, low action, very easy to get around. The sound is great. (I did get the pickup as well) It's worth every penny. If you're skeptical, give Steve a call and see what he can do for you. I definitely recommend the Thompson upright and String Emporium.