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Double Bass Bass for University Level Jazz Student
- Thread starter dieterdiettrich
- Start date
- Apr 19, 2004
- 808
- 42
- 48
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Conklin Guitars (Basses)
At 10 grand you need to be not looking Online, you need to be taking some of that cash for travel money to go try some basses. For 10 grand you need to play as many basses as possible.
If i had 10 grand to spend on a bass, i know exactly where i would go, and I would get myself a 7/8ths 5 string from KC STrings. But that dosen't mean it would work for you.
For Jazz if i had a 5 i would use that Eb and that C all the time. Those would be great notes. My suggestion is to compile a list of Shops you can afford to travel to and spend a whole DAY at each one. Just play and play and play. Video tape yourself with different basses that either speak to you or you sound good on. Then weigh the results. Its what i did and i ended up with my Monster.
If i had 10 grand to spend on a bass, i know exactly where i would go, and I would get myself a 7/8ths 5 string from KC STrings. But that dosen't mean it would work for you.
For Jazz if i had a 5 i would use that Eb and that C all the time. Those would be great notes. My suggestion is to compile a list of Shops you can afford to travel to and spend a whole DAY at each one. Just play and play and play. Video tape yourself with different basses that either speak to you or you sound good on. Then weigh the results. Its what i did and i ended up with my Monster.
Recording myself on different basses is a great idea. I don't really want to spend 10 grand, but if I find something I really love, I could rationalize at that price, but not much higher on my budget.
This is a great idea. If you are going to school in January, then that is pretty close. Go with what you have, and when at school make friends with the other bassists and try all their instruments too. Talk and network. You'll have more info and resources once you're a few months into your university studies. Your new teacher can guide you as well and point you in a few good directions.
For a jazz bass, don't be scared to spend less money as well. For example, a Shen SB200 is priced around $3500-$4000+taxes new.
- Dec 13, 1999
- 11,736
- 8,941
- 70
- Disclosures
- Chuck Sher publishes my book, WALKING BASSICS:The Fundamentals of Jazz Bass Playing.
Listen to Paul Warburton on 5 string, if it's a sound you have in your ear, you'll find yourself using a lot.
$5-10K covers a lot of ground, if you're sticking with 4s, so like Eric said, play a lot of basses. You might be able to find more bass for your buck looking at older instruments rather than just new builds. I'd definitely suggest a trip to the Northeast, Gage in particular (at least the last time I was in there) pretty deep inventory in that price range.
$5-10K covers a lot of ground, if you're sticking with 4s, so like Eric said, play a lot of basses. You might be able to find more bass for your buck looking at older instruments rather than just new builds. I'd definitely suggest a trip to the Northeast, Gage in particular (at least the last time I was in there) pretty deep inventory in that price range.
Yeah I'd like to hit some actual shops up north, see what they have sitting around. I've listened to Paul Warburton and definitely like his playing. I got the idea of a five string from listening to Red Mitchell, but not wanting to tune in fifths. I don't think I'd use the low B TOO much though, being that in jazz playing I kinda prefer to hang in the mid/high range.
- Dec 13, 1999
- 11,736
- 8,941
- 70
- Disclosures
- Chuck Sher publishes my book, WALKING BASSICS:The Fundamentals of Jazz Bass Playing.
Dieter, the cats you play with are gonna say "hey bass player, we want some freaking bottom!".
I'd be careful about wanting a 4/4 bass. My teacher is 6' 5" and plays a 7/8 size.
One thing that doesn't get said often enough in these "what should I buy?" discussions is that you shouldn't fret (pun intended) too much over your choice. If your current bass will get you started, stick with that. Just because you're going to college doesn't mean you have to have a new instrument. And because you've got enough money to buy a good bass, there are probably quite a few good basses in your price range, any and all of which would make you happy.
I think college will a great chance for you to try other people's instruments and therefore add to your personal databass (yet another pun) before purchasing.
IMHO, the time to buy a new instrument is when you really feel the need for one, the time when you feel like you just can't <insert musical goal here> on your current instrument but you can on another. Then you know. I think we can almost guarantee that what you might buy right now will change if you wait until you've been in college for a year.
-S-
One thing that doesn't get said often enough in these "what should I buy?" discussions is that you shouldn't fret (pun intended) too much over your choice. If your current bass will get you started, stick with that. Just because you're going to college doesn't mean you have to have a new instrument. And because you've got enough money to buy a good bass, there are probably quite a few good basses in your price range, any and all of which would make you happy.
I think college will a great chance for you to try other people's instruments and therefore add to your personal databass (yet another pun) before purchasing.
IMHO, the time to buy a new instrument is when you really feel the need for one, the time when you feel like you just can't <insert musical goal here> on your current instrument but you can on another. Then you know. I think we can almost guarantee that what you might buy right now will change if you wait until you've been in college for a year.
-S-
Steve, you're right. I don't plan to buy a new bass until a year or so into college. My current bass isn't too shabby, I'd just like to get something a little higher quality, at some point in the foreseeable future.
