Takamine TB10 as alternative Upright Bass - answers

[Sarah Bee]

I'm an upright bassist and have been on the hunt for something different, something "smaller" (ha!) to take on the road with the bands I play in, but I refuse to give up arco for an electric bass, and I refuse to play that god-awful-alien-stick thing they call an Electric Upright.
So I spent a few months searchingfor alternative options in my price range, which is sadly no more than 3,000. I came across the Takamine TB-10, and with it's curved fretboard and bridge it seemed like it could be an interesting alternative and very portable. Slick-looking too.
But I had a hard time getting any information on whether or not the curve of the bridge really made it possible to bow. I heard some yes's and some no's from talkbass forums, but I was still confused. To make matters worse, I contacted Takamine directly and couldn't get a straight answer from them.
So I figured I'd give it a shot. I ordered it form Guitarcenter.com and waited 2 months for the thing to arrive. When it came I was in the middle of stirring an hour-long roux for gumbo which can't be left alone. So I left the box unopened for longer than I could stand. When I finally opened it, the first thing I did was - you guessed it - tried to bow it.
My heart sank.
I felt a sick let-down. I drank some wine. Felt better.
It is not bowable. At all.
I hope anyone with that question finds this post.

I was hoping the curve of the fretboard and bridge would lend it to bowing but it's not the case. Plus the body of the bass gets in the way of the bow, without C-bouts, so it's impossible to reach the g-string.
Since it was such an expensive instrument I was paranoid about dinging it. So when I discovered it's un-bowability, I put it right back in the box. Sad to say I have no idea what the pickup sounded like. Hey, it was Fat Tuesday, I was making gumbo and had a very curious 3-year old wanting to touch mommy's new bass. I couldn't let it get damaged.

So now I've got my eyes on the Eminence, which will probably fulfill my needs, but isn't as unique at the TB-10 would have been. After playing a show with Yonder Mountain String Band and seeing Ben's Eminence, and seeing Esperanza Spaulding playing one (gosh, what wouldn't sound good in her hands??) I'm feeling a little better about it.

Also, I'm secretly considering having a guy I know make the bass I'm dreaming of...he makes curved, bowable guitars for a band from Iceland called Sigur Ros. So it's possible, I think...

Any thoughts?

[Rocky]

I was looking at this just the other day on Bob Gollihers website.. the 4 string model with removable neck is around your stated budget, and might be to your liking.

Eminence Electric Upright Bass at Gollihur Music - Double Bass, Upright Bass, String Bass Specialists

[colliningram]

Might not be exactly what you're looking for but there are a few companies that make upright basses with removable necks. They're a nice solution when lugging the thing around is becoming a burden but you still want quality acoustic tone. They are also airplane legal if that is an issue for you.

Heres a link to the first guy who made them. I think Christopher might make removable neck basses as well.

Jean Auray Luthier - Double bass specialist - Models

[ztpbassman]

I'm surprised you haven't considered the BSX Allegro, made in Pennsylvania. They do everything you need and the necks come off. I've played everything from Jazz to Rockabilly with mine and it is a workhorse that plays well, has onboard electronics, and doesn't give you the feedback problems inherent in a lot of upright pickups. Check one out. I think it might be what you're looking for.