Two cheap basses - which, if either?

CalebWilson · #1 01-16-2009, 03:46 AM

http://www.allansmusic.com.au/Produc...0245A0&p=45565

http://www.allansmusic.com.au/Produc...245A0&p=147555

Does anybody have experience with these brands/models? Are they worth looking into? Or should I stick to my "Upton SS Blonde" intentions?

drurb · #2 01-16-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalebWilson

http://www.allansmusic.com.au/Produc...0245A0&p=45565

http://www.allansmusic.com.au/Produc...245A0&p=147555

Does anybody have experience with these brands/models? Are they worth looking into? Or should I stick to my "Upton SS Blonde" intentions?

Neither. Friends don't let friends buy cheap DBs from online mass merchants or guitar shops.

clink · #3 01-16-2009, 10:49 AM

I give up.

Eric Swanson · #4 01-16-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

I give up.

Gotcha, Cliink.

When they say "bass outfit" does that mean that one could wear it as some sort of cold-weather or flotation gear?

EggyToast · #5 01-16-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Swanson

Gotcha, Greg.

When they say "bass outfit" does that mean that one could wear it as some sort of cold-weather or flotation gear?

They mean that these are actually Halloween or Fancy Dress costumes.

MingusAmongUs · #6 01-16-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

LOL...

Clink, I almost heard the sound of your soul deflating on that one.

"You can actually pinpoint the moment his heart breaks."

clink · #7 01-16-2009, 02:53 PM

No broken heart here. A quick survey of threads on page one will serve as exhibit "A" in an indictment of what this place has become. It's becoming a real drag.

Bass · #8 01-16-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

.....It's becoming a real drag.

What was this place like "before"?

CalebWilson · #9 01-16-2009, 04:11 PM

I lol'd at the pictures.

But it's not actually an online store. I've been to the store, but they didn't have any double basses on stock at the time.

clink · #10 01-16-2009, 04:47 PM

Bass, that's a nice pic of you. Don't you have anything to helpful to contribute? Seriously Caleb, there have been thousands of questions like yours. Don't buy a bass from a place like that. I can't believe there isn't a better place for you to choose a bass.

I'm wondering if I'm too old for all this *&^%.....................

Bass · #11 01-16-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

Bass, that's a nice pic of you. Don't you have anything to helpful to contribute?...

I'm not interested in helping Caleb, because he is clearly not taking the advice offered in this thread (and the other one). If he had read the Newbie links, he wouldn't be considering purchasing a double bass at a guitar store.

So until Caleb demonstrates that he has read the newbie links, and maybe a few of the thousands of other threads, I won't be contributing anything of use to Caleb.

The picture may not be helpful, but it's not harmful either. It's just funny!

clink · #12 01-16-2009, 05:15 PM

I get it. How long has it been since there was a truly informative thread here?

Dave Irwin · #13 01-16-2009, 05:39 PM

Caleb, there is a lot of junk basses out there. Kind of hard to distinguish between good and bad if your inexperienced. You'll find tons of brands that you could come back here and check on for feedback, but I'd recommend searching the threads for brands that are recommended.
There have been so many similar inquiries that there is a lot of good recomendations out there.

Good luck,
Dave

CalebWilson · #14 01-16-2009, 05:47 PM

You don't seem to understand the situation in Australia (Well, the East where I live. South Australia is SLIGHTLY more accomodating, and Western Australia is slightly more so).

I'll be EXTREMELY lucky if I find ANY bluegrass instruments, let alone basses. And don't tell me that "Oh, it's used in more music than just bluegrass", because that doesn't change the fact that they are amazingly difficult to find. There's one shop which charges heavy HEAVY premiums on basses, much like paying for an American bass plus shipping, so I need to scrounge the entire Sydney basin for any trace of a shop that even occasionally gets a double bass in. This Allan's Music shop is one such "gem", but as I've plainly seen from the responses here, it aint no gem.

These kinds of responses as well as the doubts of conscientiousness from my parents makes me extremely stressed and upset. I'm sorry for changing the tone of the thread like that.

drurb · #15 01-16-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalebWilson

You don't seem to understand the situation in Australia (Well, the East where I live. South Australia is SLIGHTLY more accomodating, and Western Australia is slightly more so).

I'll be EXTREMELY lucky if I find ANY bluegrass instruments, let alone basses. And don't tell me that "Oh, it's used in more music than just bluegrass", because that doesn't change the fact that they are amazingly difficult to find.

First, I will tell you, "Oh, it's used in more music than just bluegrass." Looking to buy a ready-made "bluegrass" bass demonstrates what others have said, namely, you haven't been listening too well. Second, it doesn't matter where you are, buying from those shops is not a good idea. Again, it's been said many times in the threads here.

clink · #16 01-16-2009, 09:00 PM

Omaha?
Where are you now???????

CalebWilson · #17 01-17-2009, 12:08 AM

I don't want a ready made bluegrass bass. I want any good quality bass at a reasonable price. That's all I'm after. And as I've said, I can't afford the premium prices they charge at "The Bass Shop" in Stanmore. And they get away with these prices; they're the only shop I've ever been to and seen a DB for sale (Well, about 20).

I suppose I'll have to wait until I'm an adult.

CamMcIntyre · #18 01-17-2009, 12:58 AM

A few extremely helpful links. If you haven't seen these before, that's where the problem is.

Link 1

Link 2

Thus far, I feel like all of your threads can easily be addressed by you going through those links. Link 1 being the primary option. I've said it in every thread of yours. Read the newbie links & get a teacher. That one phrase will take care of nearly every question you have while giving you extremely valuable information. You won't even need to ask about it, it's there for the taking.

Can't find a teacher? Find the nearest University that has a music program. If you can't afford the professor, grad students-if you can't afford a grad student, an undergrad.

Dave Irwin · #19 01-17-2009, 08:14 AM

Caleb, call around to your violin shops and ask about Samuel Shen plywood basses.
internet search shows there are some shops carrying them and they are good basses.

DAve

fdeck · #20 01-17-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalebWilson

I don't want a ready made bluegrass bass. I want any good quality bass at a reasonable price. That's all I'm after. And as I've said, I can't afford the premium prices they charge at "The Bass Shop" in Stanmore. And they get away with these prices; they're the only shop I've ever been to and seen a DB for sale (Well, about 20).

I suppose I'll have to wait until I'm an adult.

There's got to be a way. Not to be a contrarian here, but getting a bass under your hands is more important than getting the perfect bass of a lifetime. The misgiving that a lot of people have is that for DB's, the value-to-price ratio can actually go negative if a bass arrives and quickly renders itself unplayable. And there seem to be dealers who are willing to sell such basses.

Is rental possible? Borrowing from a school district in your area?

How about talking your folks into a vacation to Sydney, with a bass-shaped space in the back of the car?