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Double Bass Buying a DB in Montreal or in Canada??

L

low-down&dirty

Feb 19, 2010
45
0
#1
Hi to all,

I'm taking the plunge into learning the DB. I have a teacher in mind that hopefully will be able to help me with some of these questions but I find it is always good to get a few opinions.

Where do Canadians get their DB's from? Any good Canadian stores? Good shops in Montreal...I imagine so as MTL is a big bass town.

Also does anyone have experience shopping across the border or ordering? I'm wondering about bringing a bass back by car?

Also I prefer buying used...is shipping a DB a bad idea?

Any info is greatly appreciated.
 
#4
low-down&dirty said:
...Also does anyone have experience shopping across the border or ordering? I'm wondering about bringing a bass back by car?

Also I prefer buying used...is shipping a DB a bad idea?...
Click to expand...

I live in Canada. My first DB was ordered from Upton in the fall of '06. There was no problem importing the bass. It was packed in a secure crate for shipping.

I imported a second bass (for a spare) more recently, and know 2 other people who ordered basses online. Without problems.
 
#6
Violin Etc on St Urbain street just south of Sherbrooke should have a few double basses. Just a block away is Jules St. Michel, they have quite a few double basses downstairs and upstairs.

Some basses come up for sale in Montreal's craigslist as well as kijiji. There's some there now...

Try putting up ads in the 4 Universities, as someone may be selling.

If you want to check out something in Ottawa you can go here..
http://www.peterdawson.ca/bass.htm


Do you have a price point in mind?
 
#8
Thanks for getting back to me.

I'm not sure about a price point....I get the feeling I can find something decent under 3,000$ especially if I buy used. I'd like to get a bass that will be good enough that I will want to eventually play it around town....but that is also sturdy & won't require too much maintenance. I would go over my budget to get a quality bass that has exceptional value.
 
#9
low-down&dirty said:
Thanks for getting back to me.

I'm not sure about a price point....I get the feeling I can find something decent under 3,000$ especially if I buy used. I'd like to get a bass that will be good enough that I will want to eventually play it around town....but that is also sturdy & won't require too much maintenance. I would go over my budget to get a quality bass that has exceptional value.
Click to expand...

If I were you, I would go to Toronto, Boston or even New York is not so far away. Try a bunch. Je parles par expérience, 3000-4000$ c'est quand même une bonne somme, tu ne regretterais surement pas d'essayer les basse chez Upton Bass, ils ont maintenant un magasin à Boston. I do not think that you will find a bass of the same quality as Upton bass or Shen in Montreal. Jules St-Michel offers Strunal Hybrid at the price you can afford, they are OK, but they are 7/8 and has a Eb neck. If your are tempted by Strunal, bring it to Gilles Blouin for evaluation before buying it ,he is on the corner of st-urbain very near Jules St-Michel. If they they do no want you to bring it...

If you want to talk about it, PM me, we can speak on the phone.

François
 
#12
When you cross the border with your bass, you have to declare it and clear it through customs. There won't be any customs or duty, but you will have to pay GST/PST on the spot. You will need an invoice with a clear description of the item, and the country of origin must be on the invoice. Other than that, pretty much a piece of cake.
 
#14
I would suggest checking out all the Montreal basses first, one by one, before traveling to the next city. Check local, before checking out distance buys. Then, if you still want to look around, check out Ottawa and then Toronto. Then if you still want to search, go to the USA. Border issues can be a hassle, and you'll lose about 1% -2% via commission on any currency exchange you'll need to make to buy USD. The actual rate is quite good now compared to 1 year ago. Make friends and try out people's basses that are not for sale. It will all help inform you on your tastes.

There's a Shen listed on Toronto's craigslist. Good be a good deal.

You'll save a lot of money buying a recently made bass that's been "previously enjoyed" (discount price), than buying a brand new one from a store. (retail price + taxes)
 
#17
I would certainly try and call the music staff at schools to get you pointed in the right direction, either the universities (as was suggested before), or good high shools also (Joseph Francois Perrault). Good luck.
 
#18
I bought a Thompson Plywood bass from String Emporium in Arizona. Steve Koscica was great to deal with. What does that have to do with Montreal? Well, I live in Ottawa and Steve shipped the bass to PET airport for me to pick up.

The bass is great and within your budget, even with shipping and other costs. It was really well packed and arrived in perfect condition.
 
#19
Marton said:
I bought one the Chinese basses that Mario Lamarre sells, and it's an awesome instrument for the price. They're fully carved, and $6000 IIRC.
Click to expand...

This is what I'd do. I've heard very positive things about his instruments. He orders them from a luthier in China (who makes them himself), and when they arrive at his shop, he does the set up himself. If you know who Mario is, you'd know that he does a good job.
 

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