Upright Bass rentals...1 year

[sk8terguy316]

I have been thinking about renting an upright bass for one year t olearn on and in that year work up enough money to buy it. How much in your ecperience (on average) does renting an upright bass for one year cost? In your area or anywhere.

[kurtsnyder]

I'm renting an old Englehardt for $40 a month, and you can get a carved for about $65 a month here in Nashville. The carved is a pretty nice Chinese that has about a $4000 value. So, $65 x 12 is $780. Look for a place that will let you put your rental money towards the purchase of the bass. That's what the guy does down here.

[GW in Ohio]

I'm currently renting a Shen SB-100 from The Loft in Columbus.

It's used, but it plays good. I'm in my second month of renting at $50/month.

I'd consider buying and putting the rental money toward a purchase.

[Chasarms]

Originally Posted by kurtsnyder

. . . Look for a place that will let you put your rental money towards the purchase of the bass. That's what the guy does down here.

That's the way to go. Just make sure you are clear on the policy. Most places will give you 100% of the rent toward the purchase of the bass if you buy the actual bass you have been renting. They will give something like half toward a different bass.

With that in mind, if you can afford it, try getting a bass that you plan on keeping for a while. It's almost like an interest-free loan.

[greitzer]

Ditto, one more reply like the others. I'm in the San Francisco area. When I first took up the bass, I rented for a year, at either $50 or $60 a month (I can't remember, but I'm sure it was one or the other). So over a year that would be $600 to $720. The place where I rented it, would apply the total amount of rental payments to purchasing the bass if I wanted to (I didn't).

Renting is definitely the way to go. Everntually, when you're ready, you'll have a good idea of what type of bass you'll want to buy, and you'll be a better judge of how different basses sound and feel.