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Double Bass Advice for the "returning bassist"

Rik Myslewski

Rik Myslewski

Dec 4, 2015
5
0
76
San Francisco
#1
Okay, this might sound a bit off-the-wall, but I need some advice on buying an upright bass.

Background: I'm 65; I played electric (fretted and fretless) into my early 30s; was pretty damn good, professionally, if you don't mind me saying so; haven't played much since; ruptured a disc in my neck two years ago that rendered my left arm rather "uncooperative;" surgery got it up and running again; recently took some upright bass classes to help me get more control over the left arm, and discovered that playing a stand-up was not only recuperative, but a helluva a lot of fun. A helluva lot of fun — and satisfaction.

Sorry for the long-winded intro...

Now I want to buy an upright to continue both therapy and fun — and, yeah, to pursue the possibility of getting good again — but I'm totally, thoroughly, mind-bogglingly, and embarrassingly ignorant of how to spend my $2,000-or-so budget. Uprights are individuals while electrics are rather, well, shall we say "conformists," model-to-model.

Any advice as to how I should shop? Is my budget too low? Too high?

Help an ol' returning four-string addict, m'kay?
 
#2
Hey Rik, welcome to TB! You came to the right place. Your budget sounds about in the ballpark for a pretty good beginning bass. But rather than delving much further, let me recommend that you check out these "newbie links" (especially the first one): BASS FORUM LINKS (Newbie Links): PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING NEW TOPICS

They'll be of good help to you. If you have any more specific questions, just come on back here. And tell us how your search ends up!
 
#4
It's great that surgery helped. I had a bulging disc that gave me a problem in my left arm and left my index finger in a constant state of numbness. It took a while for me to get playing again. I can't give any advice on an upright bass, but wish you the best and a full recovery.
 
#5
Lee Moses said:
Hey Rik, welcome to TB! You came to the right place. Your budget sounds about in the ballpark for a pretty good beginning bass. But rather than delving much further, let me recommend that you check out these "newbie links" (especially the first one): BASS FORUM LINKS (Newbie Links): PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING NEW TOPICS

They'll be of good help to you. If you have any more specific questions, just come on back here. And tell us how your search ends up!
Click to expand...
Hey, great resource — many thanks from this ol' noob.
 
#7
I, too, am returning to the DB (I hope) after a couple of years away (and selling my carved German roundback). I, too, have about a $2,000 budget (but will find additional funds for a a decent bag and a pickup). Before I quit, I played a couple of laminated Shen basses that are in our price range, and I was favorably impressed. (I've decided I don't need another carved instrument, or the occasional headaches that come with it, living here in Denver.) I've sent an e-mail to a local DB luthier who sells the Shens, inquiring about a rent-to-own deal on one of these basses. I think he'll accommodate my desires, but if not ...Lemur will.

Good luck to you!
 
#8
Welcome back to the low end and TB.

There are many used DB's out there, some with very low action that are easier to play. The temptation is to buy one of those for all the obvious reasons.

In the end your strength will improve along with pitch and technique and the easy to play bass may not have the tone ranges of a bit more difficult bass. So, keep that in mind.

Teachers are good generally keeping you from cementing bad technique into your style. IMO I never really played bass before I took up the DB seriously. It's a sea change and a mind blower.
 
#9
StyleOverShow said:
Welcome back to the low end and TB.

There are many used DB's out there, some with very low action that are easier to play. The temptation is to buy one of those for all the obvious reasons.

In the end your strength will improve along with pitch and technique and the easy to play bass may not have the tone ranges of a bit more difficult bass. So, keep that in mind.

Teachers are good generally keeping you from cementing bad technique into your style. IMO I never really played bass before I took up the DB seriously. It's a sea change and a mind blower.
Click to expand...
I dearly look forward to having my mind blown. As a now-retired "child of the 60s," my mind could use a good blowing as a reminder of those long-gone days...
 
#10
Eric Hochberg said:
Gael McKeon and Steve Swan in the Bay area are the guys to see for a bass.
Click to expand...
Excellent — I received similar advice from my teacher, so I'll be investigating. Thanks
My idiosyncratic problem is that although I was — 30 years ago — a more than merely competent Fender bass player (fretted P-bass, fretless Jazz), this Great New Entire World of acousticness may be either a minefield or a mountain meadow.
I guess I'll be dependent on the kindness of strangers.
 

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