A worthwhile bass?

[Dralcoffin]

Hey guys, I'm still pretty new to the world of the upright bass (playing since October) but I'm saving up to buy my own. I live in Iowa, and have been looking around at Midwest violin shops for basses. I have a rental from a local general music store, but frankly it's a crappy rental.

This one at A440 in Chicago has especially caught my eye: Double Basses > $2,000 - 4,000 > Kay S-8 Double Bass, 1954 : Chicago Stringed Insturments

It's a 1954 Kay S-8 for $2700 and the pictures look like it's in decent condition. Of course I won't buy it until seeing it in person and playing it, and I won't have the money raised for probably another year, but how does it look to your more experienced eyes? The really low price tag both draws me in and makes me a little anxious.

Thanks.

[fdeck]

Since you won't have the money for a while, I suggest taking one or more trips to shops that you can reach within a day trip, including:

Double Bass Workshop, Madison WI (no affiliation, but I'm a happy customer)
Sonksen Strings
Michelle Fiore's shop
A440
KC Strings

Any that I've forgotten? Check Bob Gollihur's luthier links. The process of shopping for a bass changed a lot of my conceptions about what I wanted.

In my view, $2700 is a lot of money for a ply. Kays have a certain "vintage" appeal.

[Dralcoffin]

Originally Posted by fdeck

Since you won't have the money for a while, I suggest taking one or more trips to shops that you can reach within a day trip, including:

Double Bass Workshop, Madison WI (no affiliation, but I'm a happy customer)
Sonksen Strings
Michelle Fiore's shop
A440
KC Strings

Any that I've forgotten? Check Bob Gollihur's luthier links. The process of shopping for a bass changed a lot of my conceptions about what I wanted.

In my view, $2700 is a lot of money for a ply. Kays have a certain "vintage" appeal.

OK, thanks. There's a violin shop here in Iowa City (Reck Violins) that has a plywood for $1800 that is nagging at me and wood basses in the 5k range (and up, way up). There's also Becker Strings in Des Moines, and I'll see what's at those you recommended.

(And I love the Gollihur site.)