Double Bass DB buying advice needed

[Eric Hochberg]

All three basses you posted could be candidates depending on what you're looking for. I like the German if it's in solid condition.

I would hire a pro bassist to accompany you to a few shops. If you get a local teacher they might know of
an instrument available or at least advise you on a partiular bass you're considering.

Be advised, basses in shops, consignment or otherwise may not be set up to your liking but can be changed.
My recent purchase spent many weeks getting tweaked to where I like it and I figured those costs into the total.

It's also a good idea to take an older instrument to an independent
luthier for evaluation before buying. Most shops will let you take a bass home for a week or two.

 

[Mark_T]

I live north of Seattle. It’s a small world for buying and selling basses. That means sellers might be motivated but also few and far between.

I would probably take a serious look in LA first.

 

[logdrum]

I bought 2 carved basses in LA Area - one up there past Simi Valley and another one near LAX. With all the orchestras in town, you have a lot of options in LA. and SoCal. I got mine from orchestra players. I think you are in one of the best placers to buy a bass. You can also take the 10 hour drive to Albuquerque New Mexico and go to Robertsons. They have the widest selection under 1 roof. If you have the cash Charlie Haden's bass is up for sale (last time I checked in the spring)

 

[logdrum]

Lemur basses are good. If they are still in business you should drive to San Clemente. That Lemur Liberty bass is good. I have played that model. The flatback even looks promising. Try it but if possible bring a DB player with you.

 

[damonsmith]

I've owned two different Upton basses. One Bohemian ply, the other (currently owned) hybrid. Bought the first directly from the shop, without playing it. Bought the hybrid one used from TB classifieds and met up with the buyer to play it, check it out, before buying. Both were good basses for me. YMMV.

It is important to stress that 6K spent at Upton will more or less get you 4K of bass when compared to all used instruments on the market. The premium for it being recently made in the US is real and needs to be stressed. Upton does decent work - not the best value for your $ in this range.
4-6K and patience can net you a solid fully carved European shop bass that will blow any Upton out of the water unless you are spending 15K or more with them.

 

[damonsmith]

A question about lessons - is it worth taking zoom lessons on DB, or should I do in-person?

If not having to leave your house keeps you from skipping lessons then Zoom is the way to go. If you can find a good teacher you are motivated to drive to, that is ideal. I find Skype to be more stable, myself.

 

[smeet]

If not having to leave your house keeps you from skipping lessons then Zoom is the way to go. If you can find a good teacher you are motivated to drive to, that is ideal. I find Skype to be more stable, myself.

That’s not the reason I was asking. It was more wondering would remote lessons with an amazing teacher be better than in-person lessons with someone within driving distance. I suppose to start with I should do in person lessons, to avoid developing bad habits or injuries.

 

[Alexis Duntov]

That’s not the reason I was asking. It was more wondering would remote lessons with an amazing teacher be better than in-person lessons with someone within driving distance. I suppose to start with I should do in person lessons, to avoid developing bad habits or injuries.

Congrats on embarking on an amazing journey. There is depth to the study and performance of this instrument that I personally never found with electric bass. Definitely see what’s available in the LA area. The best basses in your price range that I have come across are Shens. Good luck and as they say in AA, keep coming back. Keep us posted on your journey.

 

[Paul New]

Decide what you want to spend exactly, buy the Shen in that price range, then never think about buying a bass again. You do need a good shop for set up and adjustment.

 

[damonsmith]

Decide what you want to spend exactly, buy the Shen in that price range, then never think about buying a bass again. You do need a good shop for set up and adjustment.

We all agree that Shens are solid. In the 6K range, a more than solid carved instrument can be found, especially on the West Coast.

 

[sean_on_bass]

I recommend you rent a reasonable quality bass for a year (Shen, Christopher, etc., the usual suspects), engage a qualified instructor, take a lesson every two weeks, practice from a standard pedagogical method (Simandl, Nanny, etc.), and after a year, go bass shopping.

This is what i did and i think its a great path to take for anyone starting out.

Outside of that i would echo the recs here to go to a reputable bass shop and try some out rather than deal with classifieds which are higher risk.

 

[LouisF]

The Liberty Bell is an excellent bass for the money, but is substantially bigger than either of the other two basses. Maybe I missed it, but are you looking for a jazz, classical, ??, instrument. That will make a difference in how much you spend -- or need to spend.

I would definitely go to the LA shops and play several basses before seeing a private seller -- especially if you are new to bass.

On the other hand, here's the link for Pete's in Portland: String Bass | Jazz Bass | Double Bass | Acoustic bass / rental bass / jazz / classical / german flat back / romanian flat back / hungarian / rubner tuners/ ebony fingerboard / flamed maple / Easman

 

[LouisF]

and 3 in LA (Lisa's website is not very helpful, but she certainly is):

Double Basses Archives - lemur music

lemurmusic.com

Los Angeles Bass Works

Los Angeles Bass Works is a musical instrument shop offering repair, restoration, setup and sale of new and used double basses. We also sell some accessories as well as new and used bows. We are located in Los Angeles, CA. Contact us today!

www.losangelesbassworks.com

Los Angeles Bass Works

Los Angeles Bass Works is a musical instrument shop offering repair, restoration, setup and sale of new and used double basses. We also sell some accessories as well as new and used bows. We are located in Los Angeles, CA. Contact us today!

www.losangelesbassworks.com

Upright Double Bass Fiddles

 

[bass12]

You say you owned a DB once in the past. Do you know what you’re looking for in a DB and are you confident about your ability to try out basses? If yes then I’d try out as many basses as you can while still in LA. If not then I’d consider paying an LA based TB DBer to accompany you in checking out basses. Change in climate would not be a deciding factor for me where buying the bass is concerned. Also, don’t think that a fully-carved DB will necessarily sound “better” than a not-fully-carved DB. Use your ears.

 

[smeet]

The Liberty Bell is an excellent bass for the money, but is substantially bigger than either of the other two basses. Maybe I missed it, but are you looking for a jazz, classical, ??, instrument. That will make a difference in how much you spend -- or need to spend.

I’m looking primarily for a jazz/pizz instrument.

You say you owned a DB once in the past. Do you know what you’re looking for in a DB and are you confident about your ability to try out basses? If yes then I’d try out as many basses as you can while still in LA. If not then I’d consider paying an LA based TB DBer to accompany you in checking out basses. Change in climate would not be a deciding factor for me where buying the bass is concerned. Also, don’t think that a fully-carved DB will necessarily sound “better” than a not-fully-carved DB. Use your ears.

I know a little but probably less than I should. Anybody on this thread who wants to be a paid guide/accompanist for me?

 

[LouisF]

Hey -- I'm happy to go around with you (take me to lunch), if you can wait till after Nov. 2. I'm tied up directing (my real job) the attached till then.
Best,
Louis

 

[smeet]

Hey -- I'm happy to go around with you (take me to lunch), if you can wait till after Nov. 2. I'm tied up directing (my real job) the attached till then.
Best,
Louis

Awesome, I’ll PM you, thanks!

 

[longfinger]

That’s not the reason I was asking. It was more wondering would remote lessons with an amazing teacher be better than in-person lessons with someone within driving distance. I suppose to start with I should do in person lessons, to avoid developing bad habits or injuries.

In person lessons with a local teacher.
They can walk around you while you play to check out posture issues, and you can do duets and play together. Skype, Zoom and others are way better than they were 5 years ago, but people still can't perform together because of Internet latency.

 

[TroyK]

Definitely check out basses in LA, but there are plenty up here if you don't find one you like that ticks your boxes. Our climate is actually very wood instrument friendly.

If you make it to Seattle and are still looking, I'll be happy to check bases out with you.

 

[smeet]

Thanks, everybody.

With your advice and some wise counsel from Louis, I went for a CL deal on a Lemur Laguna (fully carved). I talked to Jason Brown, who is the luthier that did all the tweaks and maintenance and he gave me the thumbs up on it. It sounds and feels great to me, and came with a cheap German bow and a David Gage pickup.

Woohoo!