Greetings everyone. During the last few months I have had the desire to learn the double bass. While I am new to the double bass, I am not new to music. I played trombone in the high school band and also in the local youth symphony. This was from the 70's until I graduated high school in 1982. I am 46 now.
I had some musical skill and ability, and it is my regret that I didn't stick with music after graduating. I still remember most everything about sight reading bass clef. I could keep time and had perfect pitch to a degree, as I could tell you what note was being played without looking, and I could hum whatever note you requested from memory. In the youth symphony we even had a few trombone parts which were in tenor or alto clef. I adapted.
My point here is that in taking up the double bass, the "reading music" part of the learning curve is fairly complete.
I have been reading the various forums and websites to learn what I can about the instrument. That being said, I must admit that I violated some advice I have seen given to others when purchasing their first double bass. Yes my friends, I purchased a 1941 Kay M-1 bass off of eBay! I can sense some of you cringing now!
The bass belonged to the seller's father who used it to play in big band and swing bands. His father passed away in 1993. He isn't a musician himself. He was selling the bass because he was getting married and needed the money. He originally asked $3000. From what I have researched on the net, that isn't a bad price when the economy is doing good. But these are tougher times. I paid $1500 which seems about average in these economic conditions. I live next to Louisville, Kentucky. He lives in Detroit. He asked me how I wanted for him to ship the bass. I opted to drive up on a Sunday and pick it up myself.
So I did. I drove up. He also threw in a bow and a music book for the bass along with a padded case. The bow has an end missing that he couldn't find. I didn't quibble about that because the bow was an extra thrown in. He also recently put on new metal strings. He didn't know what exact kind they were. Remember that he is not a musician himself.
He also indicated that the bass had a marble or something rolling around inside. He is no bass expert, and neither am I, though I am learning bit by bit. After I got home I looked inside through the f-holes and saw that it was a piece of wood rolling around. What was that? - I wondered. Yes indeed, the sound post! Does this sound like the blind leading the blind?
So was this bass a good buy for the money? I won't know before I get it checked out. From reading the board I can see that my next step is to get it checked out, set up, and get the sound post put back in place! I should note that the bridge is off, and thus the strings are currently loose. I have learned that it is a no-no to tighten the strings with no sound post in place.
So then, who to take it to? Is there a good bass luthier in the Louisville area? Someone on here who was selling a 1952 Epiphone from this area had his fixed at First Quality Music in Louisville. Anyone had any experience with them? I have seen others here recommend either Nick Lloyd in Cincinnati, or the Cincinnati Bass Cellar. So if I go to Cincinnati, which place? Indianapolis and Nashville are also viable options.
After that, I will take lessons. Who should I contact in the Louisville area about lessons? My goals? I prefer to learn jazz, to pluck the bass. But I am a strong believer in learning the correct way, and I have read that one should begin by learning with the bow aka classical music and so forth. And that is fine and dandy, as I have played in a youth symphony before, years ago.
I have included photos of the bass below, and will upload more photos as followup replies. Can my bow be fixed?
I had some musical skill and ability, and it is my regret that I didn't stick with music after graduating. I still remember most everything about sight reading bass clef. I could keep time and had perfect pitch to a degree, as I could tell you what note was being played without looking, and I could hum whatever note you requested from memory. In the youth symphony we even had a few trombone parts which were in tenor or alto clef. I adapted.
My point here is that in taking up the double bass, the "reading music" part of the learning curve is fairly complete.
I have been reading the various forums and websites to learn what I can about the instrument. That being said, I must admit that I violated some advice I have seen given to others when purchasing their first double bass. Yes my friends, I purchased a 1941 Kay M-1 bass off of eBay! I can sense some of you cringing now!
The bass belonged to the seller's father who used it to play in big band and swing bands. His father passed away in 1993. He isn't a musician himself. He was selling the bass because he was getting married and needed the money. He originally asked $3000. From what I have researched on the net, that isn't a bad price when the economy is doing good. But these are tougher times. I paid $1500 which seems about average in these economic conditions. I live next to Louisville, Kentucky. He lives in Detroit. He asked me how I wanted for him to ship the bass. I opted to drive up on a Sunday and pick it up myself.
So I did. I drove up. He also threw in a bow and a music book for the bass along with a padded case. The bow has an end missing that he couldn't find. I didn't quibble about that because the bow was an extra thrown in. He also recently put on new metal strings. He didn't know what exact kind they were. Remember that he is not a musician himself.
He also indicated that the bass had a marble or something rolling around inside. He is no bass expert, and neither am I, though I am learning bit by bit. After I got home I looked inside through the f-holes and saw that it was a piece of wood rolling around. What was that? - I wondered. Yes indeed, the sound post! Does this sound like the blind leading the blind?
So was this bass a good buy for the money? I won't know before I get it checked out. From reading the board I can see that my next step is to get it checked out, set up, and get the sound post put back in place! I should note that the bridge is off, and thus the strings are currently loose. I have learned that it is a no-no to tighten the strings with no sound post in place.
So then, who to take it to? Is there a good bass luthier in the Louisville area? Someone on here who was selling a 1952 Epiphone from this area had his fixed at First Quality Music in Louisville. Anyone had any experience with them? I have seen others here recommend either Nick Lloyd in Cincinnati, or the Cincinnati Bass Cellar. So if I go to Cincinnati, which place? Indianapolis and Nashville are also viable options.
After that, I will take lessons. Who should I contact in the Louisville area about lessons? My goals? I prefer to learn jazz, to pluck the bass. But I am a strong believer in learning the correct way, and I have read that one should begin by learning with the bow aka classical music and so forth. And that is fine and dandy, as I have played in a youth symphony before, years ago.
I have included photos of the bass below, and will upload more photos as followup replies. Can my bow be fixed?
Sounds like you know what to do. Since I'm from Boston, and can't help with who to take it to, I'll just say enjoy your new bass.
