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Double Bass Buying a new Bass: Help!

Caroline Miller

Caroline Miller

Guest
May 18, 2015
16
3
34
#1
Hey yall,

Six years ago i picked up learning the upright bass. My mom got me a Carlos Rosebelli for $900.
Last night, my bass dropped and the neck was severed. Repairs would be $500-$600. Apparently the Rosebelli is a piece of crap and paying this much is not worth it.
So, now that the emotional trauma is setting in. Where do I go now?
I use it for my band, The Maggie Valley Band, which is folk and Americana. I play mostly slap but bow every now and then. Let me tell you though, I can't afford a $2,000 bass just yet. I was hoping to get a bass amp this summer and now I can't due to this accident.

So: opinions: Englhardt, Schenn, Eastman, etc.?

No to: Rosabeli, Karmona, etc.

Thanks for the suggestion Mark! I live in Maggie Valley, NC just outside of Asheville. So yeah, if there is any suggested retailers for basses please let me know.
 
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#4
Also, with a little bit of a drive to Greensboro, Bob Beerman at Bass Violin Shop is an excellent luthier and has a nice selection of basses in stock.

I have two of 'his' basses, both Shens. A 7/8 carved flatback I bought new from Bob, and an SB80 plywood that I bought used from a private party who had bought it from Bob. I got the SB80 for $1000 and added Spiros (another $2xx) and it's a great little bass.

Here is the link to his current inventory UNDER 2K [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
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#6
John Sprague said:
I agree, Bob the Beerman is excellent, and the nicest guy you're gonna meet. You can also check out Acoustic Corner right down the road in Black Mountain. They'll have less stock than Bob, but they are right there.
Click to expand...

I like John's suggestion and from their website the Acoustic Corner sounds like a really nice shop! They say they've got another Shen coming in June:

from their website: BASS: Samuel Shen upright bass, 3/4, model SB88. All laminate maple construction, ebony fittings, bridge adjusters, brass tuning machins. AWESOME varnish finish, Helicore Hybrid strings; padded bag. Nicely setup in our own shop. $1595 Sold, another here in June

Looks to me like they do everything right with the setup and it's great if you can have a local shop/luthier.
 
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#8
Caroline,

Sorry to hear about your bass, but welcome to Talkbass DB. The first thing I would do if I was in your shoes, is to contact James Condino, as others have suggested. Here is a link- j. condino

There may be options that you are not aware of, and James can offer you the benefit of his experience. James is legit, and you can trust that he will guide you well, with your best interests in heart and mind.

Joe
 
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#9
Caroline Miller said:
Hey yall,


...Last night, my bass dropped and the neck was severed...
So, now that the emotional trauma is setting in. Where do I go now?

...So: opinions: Englhardt, Schenn, Eastman, etc.?
Click to expand...

Hi Caroline,

I can only offer a happy ending to a similar experience; my inexpensive bass fell and snapped the neck (among other even more costly damage). The story ends, eventually, with me getting a much nicer bass, now, than I had before.

Along the way I rented a Shen SB 150 and it was ridiculously good for the money. I still wish I had that Shen, as a second bass.

So, I'm sorry for the emotional upheaval, but hope that the journey ends happily. It certainly has for me...

Good luck!
 
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#10
Eric Swanson said:
Hi Caroline,

I can only offer a happy ending to a similar experience; my inexpensive bass fell and snapped the neck (among other even more costly damage). The story ends, eventually, with me getting a much nicer bass, now, than I had before.

Along the way I rented a Shen SB 150 and it was ridiculously good for the money. I still wish I had that Shen, as a second bass.

So, I'm sorry for the emotional upheaval, but hope that the journey ends happily. It certainly has for me...

Good luck!
Click to expand...


Thanks Eric! I hope so too!! So would you recommend a Schen over a Englehardt(2015 vs.1979) or Eastman?
 
#11
In a word, "yes."

I have no horse in this race, no affiliations with any of these brands. This is based only on what I've played and seen.

I would only offer, as have others, that a friendly working relationship with a bass luthier who isn't too far away really helps. A local person who can sell and setup a Shen would be sweet...

The setup is so important, as is having someone who can adjust the bass as you need it...
 
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#12
Sage advice from Mr. Swanson, as usual!

Shen and Eastman offer some fine instruments at very competitive prices, but a healthy, well set up Engel or Kay could also be a good choice.

I have a Shen SB80- it's a great bass, and purchasing it second hand from a friend made it very affordable, but setup is key.

"Out of the box", a "meh" bass with a good setup is better than a good bass with a "meh" setup, even though the latter has more long term potential. Of course, you want to buy the best bass you can afford, and maintaining a relationship with a bass luthier is paramount to getting the most out of which ever bass you select.

Joe
 
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