Double Bass Considering a new bass, student's first "proper" buy

[MartinBorgen]

Hello

I'm eventually going to get myself a proper bass, hopefully pretty soon, but I'll let things take the time they need. Anyhow, I'm a student, going to audition this spring (to school starting authumn 2012). I currently have a 660$-ish Thomann fullyplywood, china steam pressed.

A little worrying thing is that the neck is loose from the bottom - hasn't moved in a year though, so might just be wood shrinking.

However, I've been working a few months now to get the cash for a new bass. The question is what to get. My parents think that I should wait until after the auditions with buying up (mainly with the argument that if I don't get in, they think it's wasted money). My teacher, being very diplomatic, seemed a little doubtful about autditioning with my current bass (sounds like paper, but makes a correctly pitched noise).

I could try to rent a bass, and buy later.
I could play on the thing I have now and buy later
I could buy cheap now, and buy new much later
I could by "real" (expensive) now and "never" buying new (in the near forseeable future)

Any suggestions?

 

[tomshepp]

Convince your parents that you'll continue to study and play after the auditions and get a bass that will help you in the audition. Ask your teacher to help you find a bass that will get you through school. Get a proper bow. MHO. Best of luck!

 

[MartinBorgen]

Thanks for your support. Yes, I've been trying to suggest to them that it's not like I won't ever play bass if I'd get a sudden weird change of heart; I'd still play as an amateur! Work will continue in this area.

Although it's not like I can't buy even if parent's says no (as I've earned my own money, am juridically adult and pay rent at home) but as I'm sure you all understand, I want to keep a good relationship. I'm going to have to continue borrowing their car, eventually have to borrow money and such for a while longer.

Internal family relations aside, I will talk to my teacher about that. I'm just fishing in the huge TB knowledge base here. I'm thinking of my old motto "if it sounds good, feels good: have someone make sure it's good craftsmanship. Then it is good."

Anything you'd recommend regarding the kind of bass, you know such practical issues that I'm probably not aware of? Are there any weird kinds of bass-details I should avoid? I'm going to study classical, will also play jazz and probably almost all kinds of stuff on it.

Thanks!

 

[kwinter's mom]

I'm not an expert, or even a bass player, but I am the mom of a teen bass player.

If you were my kid, I'd be suggesting the rent, then buy option. While you're renting you can practice on a better bass, and you can take your time trying out a variety of basses. Choosing a bass is not something you want to rush to meet a deadline. When you find one that speaks to you, and your teacher thinks is appropriate, buy it.