bass construction question

[dharmarider]

Hi all

I am a new double bass player. Currently, I am renting a bass from my instructor. I am doing my research for my own double bass, having read the newbie links I have learned a lot. I agree with all that the newbie links are a great place to start your research.

I know that individual basses sound different, set-up & cost of a bass impacts how a bass sounds, etc. But on a theoretical level:

How does the bass’s construction method (laminated, hybrid or carved) impact its tones?

Is there a preferred construction method to play Jazz, Bluegrass, Rockabilly, Blues, Rock and Roll and Swing, as individual music styles?

If you could only have one bass, to play all these styles of music, which construction method would you choose?

Thanks for your help.

[arnoldschnitzer]

Laminated basses have a simpler tone and are more durable in general. And they tend to be easier to amplify. A carved bass, or one with a carved top, will usually have a better arco response and tone. For the types of music you describe, a good quality laminated bass ought to be the ticket, IMHO.

[nicklloyd]

As another perspective... bassists will sometimes match the instrument for the conditions the bass is played in. Clubs/outdoor gigs/touring/extreme humidity (or lack of humidity) are better suited for plywood basses. Hundreds of bassists make a professional wage using plywood basses.

If you plan on doing a lot of orchestra/musical theater/arco work, a hybrid or fully carved instrument would be suitable.

As you mentioned, you are new to the upright bass. You also express interest in building a bass, and the different construction methods... learning the different types of setups for different musical styles and techniques would be a huge help in your endeavor to understand bass design.

[drurb]

While all of the above is true, I would like to guard against the notion that if you're playing mostly jazz and pizz, that there is not a HUGE improvement in terms of tone yielded by a quality carved bass. Indeed, for arco and orchestra work, it is certainly desired. IMO, it is also highly desirable for jazz as well. I was "brought up" in the classical world. I now mostly play jazz and have done so with laminated, hybrid, and carved basses as the budget grew. No way I'm going back! Just my opinion folks.

By the way, this does NOT mean that I believe that all carved basses are better than all hybrids or laminates. In fact, I'd take any of Arnold's models over a cheapie carved any day of the week.

[dharmarider]

Thanks for your responses.

Today I spent a couple of hours in a bass shop. I tried playing all of the basses under $6000 and listened to the owner and another customer play most of them. I don't remember most of the brands... besides the Shen SB80.. which was on the low end, there were $3000 & $5000 carved. There were others, more expensive basses, but I did not go anywhere near them

So what is the price range of a Quality laminated and carved bass? I imagine that "Quality" is impacted by one's budget as well as one's intended use... meaning a professional Jazz player may be looking at a different level of bass then a amature.

[flint]

I have found that you can get a quality laminate for sub 2k if you go with a reputable far east manufacturer like shen , christopher or even the Upton(which is european). The hybrids from these companies generally start in the 2.5-2.75k range, and their fully carved can be had from the low end of 3k and up.

Another option is Arnolds New American Standard, which i believe starts in the 5k range. Everyone says it's well worth it, but I have yet to get my mitts on one to try.