Double Bass Buy a local Cremona or hold out for better?

[LeslieD]

+1 for the Shen 3/4 bass. Don't go with the 1/2 or 1/4 basses that are made for children.

 

[Battlstarcanada]

+1 for the Shen 3/4 bass. Don't go with the 1/2 or 1/4 basses that are made for children.

OK, Its final. I'm going to stop messing around and just go buy the Shen from Bob my local guy. Thanks everyone.
Can you tell I have trouble making up my mind on these things?.

 

[Matt Ides]

Good choice and it is always best to buy local so you can establish a relationship when you need repairs to the bass and are thinking about upgrading. Sometimes they will throw in basic bag, bow, and rosin to get you up and running.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Shen. Period. Get the best bass you can afford, the save for peripherals.

Hey Jason, you dropped this: >n<

 

[Eric Swanson]

Shen. Period. Get the best bass you can afford, then save for peripherals.

+1

I was renting an SB150 recently while I was bass shopping (from "Johnson String Instruments'" "The Bass Shop" - great folks, great service, great setup).

I had to think long and hard before I actually spent more money on the fancier instrument.

Stunningly good value, if set up properly...IMHO

 

[Battlstarcanada]

Hey Folks,

I haven't had a chance to visit my local bass shop yet but I've stumbled on a local guy selling a late 50's early 60's Schuster bass that comes with a really nice bag, bow, and a Realist David Gage pickup included for a little cheaper then the Shen SB80 is going for at the bass shop.

Here is a video of the guy playing it:
YouTube - Shuster bass - walking

What do you guys think?. Should I get this or the Shen SB80?

The guy says it's been played by a local jazz guy for the last 20 years and maintained by a local Luthier.

 

[longfinger]

Hey Folks,

I haven't had a chance to visit my local bass shop yet but I've stumbled on a local guy selling a late 50's early 60's Schuster bass that comes with a really nice bag, bow, and a Realist David Gage pickup included for a little cheaper then the Shen SB80 is going for at the bass shop.

Here is a video of the guy playing it:
YouTube - Shuster bass - walking

What do you guys think?. Should I get this or the Shen SB80?

The guy says it's been played by a local jazz guy for the last 20 years and maintained by a local Luthier.

What you end up buying is up to you, but this bass is worth checking out in person. And check out the other bass the same guy has videos of on youtube. And then go visit your local shop.

 

[Battlstarcanada]

What you end up buying is up to you, but this bass is worth checking out in person. And check out the other bass the same guy has videos of on youtube. And then go visit your local shop.

I'm going to go play it tomorrow. I'll let you guys know if I get it or not. It looks and sounds like it has a lot of character!.

The other bass he has is way out of my price range! $8000+
He will probably let me play it though. It will be really interesting to hear & play such different basses at the same time though.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

I'm going to go play it tomorrow. I'll let you guys know if I get it or not.

Before buying it, you need to have it looked at by a bass luthier to make sure all is well. If Beerman is the only guy around, he may know this bass already. I"m sure he'd be happy to have you as a repair/maintainance customer even if you don't buy the Shen from him.

 

[mbsmith2]

Bob's shop did a restoration on my bass and I couldn't be happier. Late getting to this thread, but I would suggest you go to Bob's before buying, if only because he has quite a few to choose from and play. He or Gael (if Gael's still there--he's planning to move to SF and start a shop) will take the time to show you around and point you in the right direction. When it's time to upgrade I'll be going back to him. Good luck!

 

[jumpjibe]

You are so close to Greensboro -- making the visit to try out / listen to basses in your price range there is a no-brainer.

Last year, I picked up my first DB from Bob (a very nice Jaeger) & everything about the set-up was perfect. During that visit, the final selection came down to 3 basses, with listening comparisons that lasted several hours. Also picked up a stand and an inexpensive CF bow.

More recently, I had Gael check out a second DB purchased from the builder who had made it 30 years ago. Gael installed a new endpin (had to ream out the hole), adjusted the bridge & let me switch out some different brands of strings from other basses. As with the Jaeger, this one wound up wearing Bel Cantos.

John (also in Durham)