Double Bass Choosing Between 2 beginner basses.

[Colin_D]

Hi, I've decided after much hemming and hawing to make the DB leap, I've read the stickies and and tried as many basses as I could get my hands on (live in an area with limited access to uprights) I've been offered a great deal on either the entry level Eastman laminate or the entry level hybrid. I have tried both of them and like the sound out of the hybrids a little better, and the offer I've got is the either the laminate or the hybrid for 250$ more. My first inclination is to go with the hybrid, since it's not much more, and I like the sound a little better. I am just wondering if that is below entry level for a decent hybrid.

I have searched the forums and from what I have found people have been pretty happy with them, but I know Eastman offers several levels of hybrid this one would be the model 90 and the laminate would be the model 80.

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In short I would rather have a serviceable and reliable economy model, than a more plush model that was suffering from "economy of assembly" even if the price were exactly the same. I also realize that neither of these will be a "Mercedes" but, after going through and liquidating most of my electric equipment and doing some saving I realized that as much as I would like a more expensive bass, It will take me a year or two of saving to jump into the next price bracket.

Thanks so much for any input you all could give, I am trying to line up a teacher for right away once I actually drop the cash, but so far I haven't been able to find anyone closer than an hour and a half away, which I don't mind driving to for lessons, but it makes it hard to find someone to give advice.

 

[Rob Thompson]

Eastmans are good basses. I own one. For an extra $250, I would go for the hybrid; I think you will appreciate the difference in sound more as you begin to develop your DB skills (especially if you learn to use a bow, which you should).

You've probably heard this already, but let me emphasize: get a good setup, done by a bass or violin family luthier (not a guitar person). The importance of this cannot be overstated. Perhaps someone could recommend where to go to get your setup work done. Where are you located?

 

[Colin_D]

Thanks, I'm in North Central Iowa. About an hour and a half from Des Moines or Waterloo/Cedar Falls, 2 hours from the twin cities.

 

[Rob Thompson]

Thanks, I'm in North Central Iowa. About an hour and a half from Des Moines or Waterloo/Cedar Falls, 2 hours from the twin cities.

Have you been up to the twin cities to look at basses? It's not New York, but there's quite a few ready to play at All Strings Attached, and Chris over at Quinn could sell you a nice eastman hybrid for probably close to whatever you're buying one for (though they don't stock very much in the showroom). Scott Jensen at Quinn does a very good setup.

 

[Colin_D]

I went ahead and put money down on the hybrid today (sold an amp and cab that I will no doubt miss, but I'm hoping I will miss them less than I will enjoy the upright). When it comes in I will get ahold of Quinn's about doing the setup for me. Thanks for the advice, I haven't felt so "out in the sticks" as I did when I started looking into DB in a long time

 

[fdeck]

I went ahead and put money down on the hybrid today (sold an amp and cab that I will no doubt miss, but I'm hoping I will miss them less than I will enjoy the upright). When it comes in I will get ahold of Quinn's about doing the setup for me. Thanks for the advice, I haven't felt so "out in the sticks" as I did when I started looking into DB in a long time

Trust me, once you've had the new bass for a few weeks, you won't miss the amp and cab.

Welcome to the dark side!