Double Bass Buying new basses in Canada

[Ivan R]

I have visited Bella Music this week. Jim Doucet is a very kind, patient and knowledgeable guy. He does not carry a great variety of basses, but was gentle enough to spend 45 minutes of his day lecturing me on the ABCs of double bass.

I tried two basses there: one Christopher ply and one hybrid. The later sounded signifficantly brighter. Still, at $3300, it was a little too steep for a Chinese instrument.

I wish I could try more basses around Edmonton. All I have tried so far was the Schoenbach ply (Czech) and the two Chinese Christophers mentioned above.

 

[Vince Waldon]

Yup, that would kinda be the selection in Edmonton as far as I can tell. :-(.

There was a shop on Whyte that googles as carrying Shen but when I talked to him recently it seems he no longer brings them in...volume too low.

Far as I can tell, theres not much money in trying to compete with Long & McQuade rental basses in Edmonton.

 

[Vince Waldon]

Having said that, so far I am enjoying my Christopher very much as I transition from EB.

 

[Ivan R]

Hey, Vince.

Give me a heads up next time you're playing. If i am not working, I'd be very happy to hear a fellow TBer playing.

regards,

Ivan

 

[Vince Waldon]

Ha....clearly you've not heard me play, or you'd be less free with your spare time.

 

[Vince Waldon]

All kidding aside, the jazz vocal group I play bass for will be doing their end-of-season concert "Jazz Through The Ages" on June 1st...couple of hours of Jazz standards, modern jazz, a bit of pop....larger group and small ensemble stuff. Will remember to send you a PM when their website goes up.

I hope to have 4 or 5 numbers ready on the upright to go along with all the EB stuff...fingers crossed!

 

[Ivan R]

Thanks, looking forward to.

 

[peiisaac]

Kai Arvi is still building. Living in PEI. Google search should find his website.