Thompson Plywood Bass

Thor1972 · #1 10-13-2008, 05:37 PM

I am posting this thread to let anyone and everyone looking for an inexpensive Upright to check out the Thompson plywood upright at the String Emporium in Chandler,Arizona. I talked to proprietor Steve Koscica about them because I was looking for a better bass than the one I got off an Ebay store. He was enthusiastic about his product and that meant alot to me. There are salesmen and then there are people who believe in what they are selling. Steve is that guy who truly believes!!! I got my bass air cargoed to Albany, NY where I live. When I went to pick it up, it floored me. It was expertly packed for shipping and as Steve told me playable out of the crate (despite having to be re-tuned, but that's strings for ya). The Thompson comes professionally set-up and has an all inclusive 2 year warranty. It also includes the cover. Do not let the $1250 price tag on the product page scare you, it is worth 3x's the price and can give the higher priced plywoods a run for their money. So if anyone is in the market for an inexpensive bass with all the options and features of the more costly counterparts, GO TO STRINGEMPORIUM.COM and take a look at the "cheap basses under $3000" page and then call Steve yourself to talk to a fellow bassist and GREAT HUMAN BEING to get more details about these extraordinary basses.

Marcus Johnson · #2 10-13-2008, 05:58 PM

Steve says thanks. Alot.

drurb · #3 10-13-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor1972

...it is worth 3x's the price.

Congrats on your new bass! It's great to be happy with a new "baby." Worth $3750? That would place it in the league of some really nice hybrids. Seems a stretch.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #4 10-13-2008, 06:50 PM

Pics?

Marcus Johnson · #5 10-13-2008, 06:55 PM

While we wait, here's a picture of a local delicacy;

Thor1972 · #6 10-13-2008, 07:44 PM

When I say "worth 3x's its price" I am speaking from my playing other basses in the $3000+ price range and finding the Thompson had all the same features and felt/sounded better in my opinion. As for pics, go to Stringemporium.com, Steve has a bunch on the "Basses under $3000" page under the Thompson heading.

Ozonbass · #7 10-13-2008, 07:47 PM

Thanks for the tip...I'm looking for an entry level upright. I'll check it out...and the spam musubi brings back memories!

bassphase · #8 10-14-2008, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozonbass

...and the spam musubi brings back memories!

You mean that's not photoshopped? There's really spam sushi? I'm gonna be sick....

bob

Marc Piane · #9 10-14-2008, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozonbass

Thanks for the tip...I'm looking for an entry level upright. I'll check it out...and the spam musubi brings back memories!

www.sonksenstrings.com

www.allthingsbass.com

www.a440violinshop.com

All good people. Support local business.

drurb · #10 10-14-2008, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor1972

When I say "worth 3x's its price" I am speaking from my playing other basses in the $3000+ price range and finding the Thompson had all the same features and felt/sounded better in my opinion. As for pics, go to Stringemporium.com, Steve has a bunch on the "Basses under $3000" page under the Thompson heading.

I'm curious to know what $3000+ basses you played that were actually inferior to a ply bass selling for $1250. Granted, it seems like the Thompson is a good value for $1250. I could certainly see how it might compete with ply basses selling for more.

It seems likely that those $3000+ basses you played that were inferior to the Thompson ply are particularly poor values. That one can find grossly over-priced basses is no surprise. The basses that are really worth $3000+ are some really nice hybrids and some entry-level carved ones. Given the availability of those in the marketplace, it seems quite a stretch to suggest that the Thompson is "worth" $3750. I'd be really surprised if that Thompson ply bested the several brands of nicer hybrids mentioned in these threads that sell in that range.

Big Rich · #11 10-14-2008, 09:23 AM

Thor, glad to hear that you are happy with the Thompson. I am seeking an entry level DB. I was leaning toward the Upton Standard bass. Did you pursue this bass at all? It is a bit more expensive than the Thompson ($1700 plus strings). It seems that they both are given a pro set up. If the quality of the basses are comparable I may go with the Thompson. I will call both stores and get a feel for both of them. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Eric Hochberg · #12 10-14-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

While we wait, here's a picture of a local delicacy;

Best laugh of the day!!!

Eric Hochberg · #13 10-14-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Rich

Thor, glad to hear that you are happy with the Thompson. I am seeking an entry level DB. I was leaning toward the Upton Standard bass. Did you pursue this bass at all? It is a bit more expensive than the Thompson ($1700 plus strings). It seems that they both are given a pro set up. If the quality of the basses are comparable I may go with the Thompson. I will call both stores and get a feel for both of them. Any suggestions? Thanks.

You gotta go see and play them!!

Marc Piane · #14 10-14-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Rich

Thor, glad to hear that you are happy with the Thompson. I am seeking an entry level DB. I was leaning toward the Upton Standard bass. Did you pursue this bass at all? It is a bit more expensive than the Thompson ($1700 plus strings). It seems that they both are given a pro set up. If the quality of the basses are comparable I may go with the Thompson. I will call both stores and get a feel for both of them. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Make sure you play them first. Mail order or internet sales are EVIL when it comes to musical instruments. Chicago has several nice shops as does Kansas City. I'm sure there's stuff in St. Louis too. Point is the ONLY way to judge a bass is to play it.

Big Rich · #15 10-14-2008, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingers

Make sure you play them first. Mail order or internet sales are EVIL when it comes to musical instruments. Chicago has several nice shops as does Kansas City. I'm sure there's stuff in St. Louis too. Point is the ONLY way to judge a bass is to play it.

Thanks, ehochberg and fingers. I will definitely take your advice. Although, I am so new to the DB that my lack of experience is a concern. I am sure I will feel the difference in the instruments. Didn't mean to hijack the thread. The Thompson looks nice, Thor. Congrats.

Eric Hochberg · #16 10-14-2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Rich

Thanks, ehochberg and fingers. I will definitely take your advice. Although, I am so new to the DB that my lack of experience is a concern.

Take an experienced player with you. Pay them if you must.

Big Rich · #17 10-14-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehochberg

Take an experienced player with you. Pay them if you must.

Ahh, yes. That would be the thing to do. Thanks, again.

Marc Piane · #18 10-14-2008, 10:41 AM

If you come to Chicago you can pay either me or Eric

Bass · #19 10-14-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingers

...Chicago has several nice shops as does Kansas City. I'm sure there's stuff in St. Louis too. Point is the ONLY way to judge a bass is to play it.

Here's one that looks nice:

http://www.stlstrings.com/instrument...es/plywood.php

Is this one handmade at KC Strings? The Thompson is probably imported from China?

Eric Hochberg · #20 10-14-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingers

If you come to Chicago you can pay either me or Eric

Bidding war...