Upright for my wife- Whats the best.?

MandolinMayhem · #1 10-26-2009, 12:10 PM

Im looking for an upright bass that both me and my wife could learn on. Were wanting to spend 1500.00 or less. I have looked at several models and just want some opinions on what would be best.

Im looking now at the Englhardt Swingmaster also theres a really nice looking Hamburg Natural on ebay that we liked.

Can you recommend a good starter bass..?

Which would be the best of the two mentioned..?

Also they both state that they have solid tops..? But is that really the case..? I read somewhere that most basses are not solid anymore and most have laminate tops.

Your help would be appreciated.. We play mostly Bluegrass but would def use it for other genres to.

Eric Hochberg · #2 10-26-2009, 01:06 PM

Check out a Shen SB80. Very nice bass for the money. Buy it from a bass shop that includes set up. You'll be ready to play.

Read the newbie links. Basses come in 3 categories of construction for the most part these days. Fully Laminated, solid carved top with laminate sides and back (hybrid), and fully carved. Oh, I forgot, carbon fibre, too.

tomshepp · #3 10-26-2009, 05:13 PM

Hook up with a person who knows DB in your area, then shop around. Try to find a bass that works for you in terms of sound and playability.

I personally would have reservations about buying a bass on ebay.

Others on this forum who are in your area should have some suggestions. Best of luck.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #4 10-26-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehochberg

Check out a Shen SB80. Very nice bass for the money. Buy it from a bass shop that includes set up. You'll be ready to play.

+1

These are nice workhorse basses. Let us know where you're located, and maybe someone can suggest a shop nearby.

Quote:

Read the newbie links. Basses come in 3 categories of construction for the most part these days. Fully Laminated, solid carved top with laminate sides and back (hybrid), and fully carved. Oh, I forgot, carbon fibre, too.

[derail]
For some reason, my hybrid is all carved except the back AFAIK. Is this unusual?[/derail]

mjt0229 · #5 10-26-2009, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

+1

These are nice workhorse basses. Let us know where you're located, and maybe someone can suggest a shop nearby.

[derail]
For some reason, my hybrid is all carved except the back AFAIK. Is this unusual?[/derail]

Funny, I always assumed that "hybrid" meant "carved top", and therefore plywood everywhere else. But I don't see why that must be necessarily true.

Eric Hochberg · #6 10-27-2009, 02:30 AM

There's an SB 100 for sale in the classifieds, set up by a really fine luthier, for a few hundred more than your budget. I'd consider that one!

MandolinMayhem · #7 10-27-2009, 08:20 AM

Thanks for the advice guys... Im in Oklahoma City and theres not many places i can go to even play a bass. Anybody know of a place around here.? I would be willing to drive to Dallas even

Paul Warburton · #8 10-27-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandolinMayhem

I would be willing to drive to Dallas even

Our guy Cody Sisk. TBDB recommended.
http://www.dallasstrings.com/

Good luck.

finalrequiem · #9 10-27-2009, 01:25 PM

Guys, please stop giving him advice. That is supposed to be studio money that *I* can reap the benefits of. Plus he's gonna keep trying to make me switch from electric!

Edit to add: I'm NOT his wife!

standupright · #10 10-27-2009, 01:32 PM

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