Upright bass in Montreal (QC)

bigou · #1 10-21-2010, 06:53 AM

Hi everybody. I want to bought a bass to make the transition from electric to upright. I read everything for newbies in this forum. I search craigslist, kijiji. I visit many store in Montreal (Steve, Italmelodie, etc). I also paid a visite at Jules St-Michel...

Here's my question:

In Montreal it's seems to be imposssible to find a good begginner upright for a decent price (I mean 1000$-1200$). Please give my advice, place I did not visit, people I have to talk to in town to find the instrument for my need.

PappaK · #2 10-21-2010, 07:53 AM

Salut!
I'm in Montreal as well. For your price range, Jules St-Michel MIGHT have something, but your best bet is to keep checking Craigslist and Kijiji - but even then, unless you really know what to look for - your chances of getting a lemon are higher. You could even consider placing a want ad.
I'm a bassist-turned-guitarist-turned bassist and I'm actually getting my first upright on Saturday... but I ordered it from a small shop in Ottawa (Peter Dawson Violins) based on the fact that I'm a lefty and they could get me a factory lefty at no extra cost. When I did call Jules St-Michel, they were very helpful. At the time, their most "affordable" upright was "around $1400 to $1500 depending on the strings", so perhaps it would be good to check them out again. It would be worth the extra $$$.
Bonne chance...

bigou · #3 10-21-2010, 08:27 AM

I talk to people at Jules St-Michel yesterday. The affordable bass was 2700$

They're a couple of used one on kijiji and craigslist but nothing really interesting. I will keep lookingfor the one. Merci!!!

**Francois Blais** · #4 10-21-2010, 08:33 AM

Hi.
$1000 to $1200 will limit you to second-hand instruments.
That's not what I'd call a "decent" price.
It may be lots of money for a BG, but for a DB you're really looking at the lowest range.
Get a look at classifieds boards in music schools or the like.

Good luck!

PappaK · #5 10-21-2010, 09:00 AM

Good point, François.

Bigou, I assumed you were looking for a used DB - based on your budget. The one that Jules St-Michel told me about was used. Sorry I didn't clarify.

bigou · #6 10-21-2010, 09:12 AM

Of course I'm looking for used DB. It's hard because I did not know what to look on a DB to avoid problems with the instrument? My other problem it's If I'm not able to make the transition from BG to DB I have to sold the DB (and probably lost money in the adventure). Rent the bass is a solution but I did not like to play an instrument that's not mine... and it's expensive too!!! I think the only way it's to be sure that I really want to play DB and set my mind taht way.

PappaK · #7 10-21-2010, 09:19 AM

Yep, just go for it!

**Francois Blais** · #8 10-21-2010, 09:47 AM

You may want to rent for a few months to see it you really want to play upright.
In the meantime, you may even find a bass that suits your wallet...

us_soccer · #9 10-21-2010, 01:32 PM

Many places allow you to rent for a few months and then use that money to reduce the purchase price of the bass in case you decide to buy it.

I did this with my used Shen SB-100 -- was just starting the upright, played it for 2 months, fell in love with the instrument, and then bought it!
Good luck!

Herbie 80's · #10 10-22-2010, 01:53 PM

Hey OP,

I live in Montreal as well. I'm a classical player here, actually. First off, you're going to be starting on a very expensive route. If you are truly interested in DB, rent one from Jules Saint Michel for a while (I think they do that), and see how you like it.

If you end up liking it, prepare to give out $50-100 dollars per lesson depending on who you get them from. McGill has some of the top bass players in North America, so there is a lot going on. There are also a lot of great jazz players here, like Fraser Hollins and such. Depending on what you want to learn, you have a lot of opportunities.

I guarantee that if you find a bass on Kijiji or craigslist (I've seen a few recently, very crappy DBs that a beginner would like for a week, and then hate) it won't be very good. The bass players that I know go to Jules Saint Michel or Mario LaMarre. I've never heard of someone going to the luthier at Steve's, however, I'm sure some people do.

Jules Saint Michel is a fantastic place, and I highly recommend it. They are fantastic, and if you spend a lot of money there, they remember you and give you fantastic deals. They are very helpful, and if you tell them a price range and ask them specifically for their help, I'm sure they will try their best.

You can also try Mario LaMarre's shop, but I'm sure his beginner basses are quite out of your price range as well (he's one of the top luthiers in Canada and has a huge waiting list).

So, if you get a DB and are serious about it, you have A LOT of opportunities here in Montreal. However, I highly recommend renting one, talking to a DB player (you can contact Joel Quarrington, Fraser Hollins, and such easily, or you can go to Dies Onze, copy the bass players names down on the posters and email them, or just talk to them after the show), and research it indepth. Also, you are getting yourself into a lot. Double bass is encompassing if you are serious. But it's so worth it. So so worth it.

wpatton11 · #11 10-28-2010, 02:57 PM

Salut,
I live just over the border in Vermont and have seen a few basses go by on Craigslist that might be from Paul Perley's shop in Berlin, Vt. - good prices and I know he's got quality and will be very honest with you. Metropolitan Music is here in Stowe, they are mostly international mail order but have a number of basses, mostly Jusek (it''s an outgrowth of that company, I believe) and others - I've played a few, very nice but highter $$ than what you mentioned. Then there's the border.... I broght one thru the other way about 12 years ago, picked up in an antique store on rue Notre Dame - turned out to be a 1920's Epiphone, so no duty.
Bon chance.