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Double Bass Best upright bass for $5K?

#21
So glad I found this thread. That's about my budget (maybe up to $6K ish). I am re-discovering DB after many years laid off from it. Started it during a short stint at music school, and then really only spent time and gigs on electric. I bought a Bulgarian carved bass from Gollihur in 2001 (Kremona) and got it worked on locally (upgraded endpin, fingerboard planing, new bridge), and it seems to play pretty well. But that was a sub 2K bass with about $400 in work on it. I don't ever play anyone else's basses (other than some cheap student Englehardts sitting around int he practice room almost two decades ago), so I simply don't know how "good" mine is, though I feel it seems good for the money. My goal is likely in the next year or so to upgrade (along with my skills), but the world is just too wide open. Whatever bass I buy will be the one, but for all I know I already have it. Electrics are so much easier...yes, there is variation from specific bass to specific bass, but if I buy a StingRay or other production bass, I pretty much know what I'm getting. On the NS hybirds, I assume that is still potentially an upgrade over a sub 2K carved bass?
 
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#24
where in the country you are really depends on what we can offer. I highly HIGHLY recommend Adam Bookers old german bass if you're a bigger guy and can handle the 43.5 inch scale. If not and you're in the area, im thinkin of letting my shen hybrid 7/8 go for under your price point (3k), and if neither of those is an option I would say a nice shen willow 3/4 bass used should come up under 5k, maybe around 4k and then get it setup the way you want. my 2c.
 
#28
Chris Fitzgerald said:
In my experience, yes.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Chris. I did reach out to Wil and he sent me a photo of a Pamplona in the works. It's probably a good amount of time away (maybe a year) that I'll be pulling the trigger. Will also look into the Upton hybrids. Looking for something that I can do for trio and quartet gigs, as well as using for pop sets in quieter settings with my corporate band. However, I really want to focus on the bow, as well. Looking at all of Upton's videos, I'm a little more comfortable that I don't have to go the fully carved route as long as the top is really "alive".

BTW...I discovered your YouTube channel through your link just a few days ago. Absolutely devouring the content. Thank you so much for all the effort you put into it. I'm sure you've heard it before, but it's some of the best put-together material I've seen. Thanks for that.
 
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#30
Len S said:
Thanks, Chris. I did reach out to Wil and he sent me a photo of a Pamplona in the works. It's probably a good amount of time away (maybe a year) that I'll be pulling the trigger. Will also look into the Upton hybrids. Looking for something that I can do for trio and quartet gigs, as well as using for pop sets in quieter settings with my corporate band. However, I really want to focus on the bow, as well. Looking at all of Upton's videos, I'm a little more comfortable that I don't have to go the fully carved route as long as the top is really "alive".

BTW...I discovered your YouTube channel through your link just a few days ago. Absolutely devouring the content. Thank you so much for all the effort you put into it. I'm sure you've heard it before, but it's some of the best put-together material I've seen. Thanks for that.
Click to expand...
Where are you located? Anywhere within driving distance of Wil’s house?
 
#31
bass12 said:
Where are you located? Anywhere within driving distance of Wil’s house?
Click to expand...
Probably four hours, so yeah. I'm going to probably visit him and Upton on the same trip. That Pamplona is a pretty bass. But there is one of the Upton Bohemian models that seems like exactly what I would want, and they are probably around the same price point...The Kirchner. I would love to try that bass out. I'm sure they're both stellar and we'll just have to see what fits. Right now I'm continuing to build my skills on my Bulgarian entry-level carved.
 
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#32
Len S said:
Probably four hours, so yeah. I'm going to probably visit him and Upton on the same trip. That Pamplona is a pretty bass. But there is one of the Upton Bohemian models that seems like exactly what I would want, and they are probably around the same price point...The Kirchner. I would love to try that bass out. I'm sure they're both stellar and we'll just have to see what fits. Right now I'm continuing to build my skills on my Bulgarian entry-level carved.
Click to expand...
Four hours isn’t too bad. I made the trip down to Wil’s twice before selecting my NS. All of the basses I tried there sounded and played different so I was glad I took the time I did. Wil was very patient and accommodating. The whole experience was a pleasurable one for me and I’m very happy with my La Scala.
 
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#33
bass12 said:
Four hours isn’t too bad. I made the trip down to Wil’s twice before selecting my NS. All of the basses I tried there sounded and played different so I was glad I took the time I did. Wil was very patient and accommodating. The whole experience was a pleasurable one for me and I’m very happy with my La Scala.
Click to expand...
Did he have them in stock to play different models or were the same models sounding different from each other? No matter what the only issue I'm worried about with build to order is that the final build, while I'm sure would be a fine bass, might not ultimately be one that works for me, though I'm sure with time, one learns to get "their" sound out of most basses. I've found that with my electrics, and at this point, I pretty much only gig with StringRays and can make them fit anything I'm doing.
 
#34
I think I've played all of the New Standard models, from the Clevelands to the LaScalas to the Pamplonas. I find them all great and have never played a bad one, but I don't care for the large body shape of the Cleveland as much as the other two. They are kind of like buying a new Honda car: you know what you're going to get, you know that it's never going to break down if you take care of it, and you know that when you get in and turn the key you're going to get where you're trying to go - and really, that's why you bought it in the first place.
 
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#35
Len S said:
Did he have them in stock to play different models or were the same models sounding different from each other? No matter what the only issue I'm worried about with build to order is that the final build, while I'm sure would be a fine bass, might not ultimately be one that works for me, though I'm sure with time, one learns to get "their" sound out of most basses. I've found that with my electrics, and at this point, I pretty much only gig with StringRays and can make them fit anything I'm doing.
Click to expand...
Between the two visits I was able to play all of the different models Wil offers (though not in every construction category, e.g. hybrid). I also got to play a couple of different La Scalas and a couple of another model (either the Cleveland or Pamplona - I don’t remember). As I mentioned before, they all sounded different - even within the same model. Playing all of the basses “in stock” there were a couple whose sound really spoke to me. One was the La Scala and the other was a Ruggieri. I had a tough time choosing between the two and would have gladly bought both had I been able to afford them. On the other hand there were a couple of basses that did nothing for me in terms of the sound. So it goes with wooden instruments...
 
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#36
MattyHoskins said:
Hi all, I've had an old Kay that finally croaked when it slipped out of my hands and fell two feet and hit the floor. First time I've done that in 28 years. Same bass I've had forever. I'm an intermediate player. I used to play a lot more but now it's more for church and small gigs. I used to do a ton of orchestral but now I mostly do arco and pizz at about 50/50 ratio. I'm also wanting this upgrade to kick me into getting back into playing more, probably at a community symphony and some folk/bluegrass local stuff. I'm looking for the most versatile and reliable bass for around $5k. Any suggestions?
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This Hungarian luthier would make anything you could conceive of for less than 4K...made me a great 1/2 size 5 string, to collaborative specs, fully carved with hand tools and good wood choice.https://www.facebook.com/bango.istvan.18
 
#37
Chris Fitzgerald said:
I think I've played all of the New Standard models, from the Clevelands to the LaScalas to the Pamplonas. I find them all great and have never played a bad one, but I don't care for the large body shape of the Cleveland as much as the other two. They are kind of like buying a new Honda car: you know what you're going to get, you know that it's never going to break down if you take care of it, and you know that when you get in and turn the key you're going to get where you're trying to go - and really, that's why you bought it in the first place.
Click to expand...

And you know you will never be able to fit a DB into it.
 
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#38
I would say you shouldn't get another bass unless something just isn't there for you on the bass you have. If seems uneven, not clear enough, not enough low end, etc. Any well set up carved bass should serve you well.
I would casually check out basses until another one speaks to you.

Len S said:
So glad I found this thread. That's about my budget (maybe up to $6K ish). I am re-discovering DB after many years laid off from it. Started it during a short stint at music school, and then really only spent time and gigs on electric. I bought a Bulgarian carved bass from Gollihur in 2001 (Kremona) and got it worked on locally (upgraded endpin, fingerboard planing, new bridge), and it seems to play pretty well. But that was a sub 2K bass with about $400 in work on it. I don't ever play anyone else's basses (other than some cheap student Englehardts sitting around int he practice room almost two decades ago), so I simply don't know how "good" mine is, though I feel it seems good for the money. My goal is likely in the next year or so to upgrade (along with my skills), but the world is just too wide open. Whatever bass I buy will be the one, but for all I know I already have it. Electrics are so much easier...yes, there is variation from specific bass to specific bass, but if I buy a StingRay or other production bass, I pretty much know what I'm getting. On the NS hybirds, I assume that is still potentially an upgrade over a sub 2K carved bass?
Click to expand...
 
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#39
GretschWretch said:
And you know you will never be able to fit a DB into it.
Click to expand...

?
I have a CRV which fits at least 2 DBs in it (I know because I've done it), and also a '97 Civic hatchback that was my main gig mobile for many years. It not only holds a DB, but also the amp, dolly, stool, and for one trip, a passenger who is 6'10".
 
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