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Double Bass Bass shops in midwest/first upright

A

andrewto

Jan 2, 2016
20
10
36
Detroit
#1
I live near Detroit - where are the places I should be looking for a bass in the ~$4-5000 range within a day or so drive? I've been to Wilson Violins and I'm going to call Guarneri House and the Cincinnati Bass Cellar. I've talked with Mark Leue in MA and he has a few basses I'm interested in. Thinking about taking a weekend trip and looking at those. I called Upton and they can't build me a bass in time for February. Anywhere else I should look, maybe in Chicago? I suppose if I'm going to MA then I can also look in NY. What are the shops in NY I should call?

Background - I'm a cellist and electric bass player (among other instruments), and I played upright in high school. I do a lot of musical theatre pit orchestra gigs and I just got hired to play a show that doubles on electric and upright. I've been wanting an upright for years and now is my chance to buy one. The show is in February so I have some time to find the right bass. I think I'd like a fully carved bass but I'd be open to a hybrid. I'm currently thinking about buying a new Shen vs. an older instrument that may need repairs down the road. Any advice or general tips would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
#3
David Gage in lower Manhattan (couple of blocks off Canal Street), call to set up an appointment to see instruments, Kolstein out in Baldwin Long Island (you'll have to drive or take LIRR), Geoff Morrow/ Bass Garden in Yonkers
 
#6
I'd stick to Guarneri house, it's the closest to Detroit with the most selection of higher end basses. If you're looking for something more manageable, go to Bayberry music in Ferndale, or you could try any of the Detroit Violin Company locations, Waterford or Berkley. Those two don't have a very large selection, but will either have exactly what you need or will be able to point you in the right direction.
 
#8
bherman said:
I just picked up a Shen 190 Hybrid and its a fabulous bass for the $$. Got mine used in like-new condition, but even at new bass prices its in the lower end of your range.
Click to expand...
As far as $$ to dependability, these are probably the best "brand" recomendation. A far better first bass option than I ever had! At the price point the OP is starting at, with a bit of effort a very nice instrument can be found.
Still, a Shen is always a solid option.
 
#9
Thanks for the recommendations. I'll be trying a Shen on Friday, but I think at this point I'm more interested in older instruments. Of course at the end of the day the bass with the best sound wins though.

I called Guarneri and really all they have in stock at that price point is new Chinese basses. (PS Henry, I think we might have played an orchestra gig together a few years ago) A440 doesn't have anything that interests me, and I didn't really see anything besides new Chinese instruments in the New York shops' inventory. Quantum Bass looks cool but that's quite a drive for me. Cincinnati Bass Cellar mostly has new Shens, but they do have an attractively priced carved Gliga.

damonsmith said:
I would also go take a look at this:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...
I saw that ad a few days ago. I searched for Gary Ritter and found a few recommendations on here. Someone said that Paul Keller his him work on his instruments so that sounds legit. The only concern I have is a negative review on Google where someone claimed he was dishonest and started harassing the person when he got called out. I actually am an acquaintance of the reviewer but I haven't asked her about it. I think I'll probably go check out that instrument anyway since it's not too far from me. Damon, have you dealt with Gary or did you just see the CL ad?

So far the instruments I want to look at are:
- the above bass from Gary Ritter
- these basses from Mark Leue: https://www.theluthier.us/copy-of-carved-template-page-1, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], https://www.theluthier.us/copy-of-carved-template-page-2. He also has a nice inventory of Shens, and it would be nice to compare all of them in one place
- Adam Booker's bass in this ad: For Sale/Trade - Old German Flatback 00 OBO
- this bass, just because it has a C extension (which I admittedly will probably never need): For Sale - 7/8 Gemunder Shen
- Zaret and Sons seems to have a nice selection: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I'm still looking up shops and adding to my list. Wondering about going to Canada, if there are any good shops within a day's drive of MI and how much of a hassle it is to buy an instrument there and come back to the US...
 
#11
andrewto said:
I'm still looking up shops and adding to my list. Wondering about going to Canada, if there are any good shops within a day's drive of MI and how much of a hassle it is to buy an instrument there and come back to the US...
Click to expand...

I think you'll find that the selection in Canada is not great. The only shop of note is Heinl's in Toronto. That said, you might find a few Shens at the right Long And McQuade location. The main shop here in Vancouver can have 3 or 4 sometimes, but not all L & M's are created equal. Getting a bass home from Canada shouldn't be a big deal at all if you're driving. I've done it in the opposite direction and it was just a matter of paying some tax after showing receipts. No problem at all.
 
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#12
[QUOTE="andrewto, post: 23325154, member: 287813"

I saw that ad a few days ago. I searched for Gary Ritter and found a few recommendations on here. Someone said that Paul Keller his him work on his instruments so that sounds legit. The only concern I have is a negative review on Google where someone claimed he was dishonest and started harassing the person when he got called out. I actually am an acquaintance of the reviewer but I haven't asked her about it. I think I'll probably go check out that instrument anyway since it's not too far from me. Damon, have you dealt with Gary or did you just see the CL ad?[/QUOTE]
I don't know him. If this bass is real, it is a good price. I would check it out anyway!
 
#13
Mark Sonksen is definitely a quality guy.

What the OP describes is what made me eventually decide to have a bass built by Upton. (I know, time constraints.) But it was so frustrating running here and there, trying out one poorly set up old bass after another.
 
#14
Update - I went to Wilson's locally and played Greg's personal Shen Rogeri SB 190 hybrid and really liked it. They can order me one but I obviously can't play it before buying. Greg is confident in Shen's consistency; he also bought his bass sight unseen.

I just went to Guarneri House and brought back 2 Juzeks on trial. They were my favorites in the shop but now that I've played them more I think the Shen hybrid was better. I'm hoping to get to the Cincinnati Bass Cellar in the next few days and I'm hoping I'll find something I like there, since they have a nice inventory.
 
#19
I spent about 4 hours there and took back a Shen Rogeri Willow on trial and I think I might keep it. It sounded better pizz than anything up to 10k. And I had a great panini at the cafe!
 

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