I played upright throughout late elementary into early high school but those were all school instruments and I never had the chance to buy one, considering no one would hire me for a job and I didn't have a car to move it around. However, I'm getting my license soon and I'm buying my neighbors mazda. Still, I will likely have a low budget for an upright. I am still in high school and want to study jazz in college so I figure I should sharpen up my chops between now and senior year when I start applying. I am thinking of finding a used one. Does anyone have any tips for what to look for, good brands that last or anything else in that regard? I play a lot of electric but I figure USM or Bennington aren't gonna take me seriously if I show up to an audition with my electric.
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Double Bass Does anyone have a reccomendation for a good starter upright?
- Thread starter lordofthebass
- Start date
BobDeRosa
Commercial User
- May 16, 2012
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- Owner, Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camps
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but $800 won't get you much of an upright bass. I bought my Juzek for $800 about 20 years ago, but it was a wreck (broken neck, body cracks, etc.) and it took another $1500 to get it into decent playing shape. You might want to consider renting a bass to get your chops in shape and to play your audition and build your savings for a decent bass for school.
I bought a Gollihur Ed in December (arrived in January). Not too expensive and I'm very happy with it. They're a little more expensive now, but still a good value.
NDB – Gollihiur Ed, not set up for Rockabilly | TalkBass.com
NDB – Gollihiur Ed, not set up for Rockabilly | TalkBass.com
Mark Lieu in Ashfield MA has a German 3/4 bass from the 60s for $850. A bit of a drive but you won't find much around for that kind of money. It's on the Boston craigslist.
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This question comes up a lot. You have no idea how enormously lucky you are that someone produced this option for you in 8 replies. You should be in your car, headed to MA with cash now.
It is possible to find a decent bass under $1K and it looks like someone has found one for you. Ordinarily would we tell you to budget $2 and expect a Chinese laminate or MAYBE hybrid.
And it's from a reputable luthier that many of us know. Another big plus!
BobDeRosa
Commercial User
- May 16, 2012
- 2,444
- 4,402
- Disclosures
- Owner, Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camps
I completely agree with @TroyK. Much better deal than my junkyard Juzek. The universe is smiling on you.
Keep an eye out on Craigslist for a Christopher or Shen. You can sometimes find them in great shape for $1000-$1500. I own a Christopher and the quality is pretty dang good. Sure, it doesn't have quite the booming sound of a 50 year old Kay, but it's great for a starter and is all I need for bluegrass jams and playing in our church gospel group.
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Funny you guys are recommending this Luthier. I’m in Western Maine and he does have the nicest basses in New England. Very informative guy!
IMO until you're ready to buy a long term instrument it's best to rent, especially if right now you don't even want to spend $1,000.
EDIT: didn't see the recommended German bass, go for that!!!!!
EDIT: didn't see the recommended German bass, go for that!!!!!
This is kind of an aside, but since you mention college... I know a couple of people who are in college music programs right now. They are both in classical performance, which is its own beast, and tends to have a fairly standardized process. For instance you can major in violin performance at any large university and the application process will be pretty much the same. Every prospective music student has a private teacher. Every private teacher understands the process, and provides a "college preparatory" curriculum.
Jazz is a bit more hit-or-miss. Not all colleges have jazz studies programs. Only the bigger colleges have big enough programs to provide you with a breadth of ensemble experience with top caliber students. So you have to begin doing more in-depth research to find out what this "thing" of studying jazz in college entails. At the very best, having a teacher who can guide you through the process would be quite helpful. We have some real jazz educators here, such as @Chris Fitzgerald who might be able to paint a more accurate picture.
I think something you can do right now is to find a half dozen universities that have posted the audition requirements for their jazz studies programs. They tend to be pretty similar. Start to get excited about nailing those requirements.
My own story is that I went to a college with a very limited music program, and played bass in the jazz band while majoring in something else.
Jazz is a bit more hit-or-miss. Not all colleges have jazz studies programs. Only the bigger colleges have big enough programs to provide you with a breadth of ensemble experience with top caliber students. So you have to begin doing more in-depth research to find out what this "thing" of studying jazz in college entails. At the very best, having a teacher who can guide you through the process would be quite helpful. We have some real jazz educators here, such as @Chris Fitzgerald who might be able to paint a more accurate picture.
I think something you can do right now is to find a half dozen universities that have posted the audition requirements for their jazz studies programs. They tend to be pretty similar. Start to get excited about nailing those requirements.
My own story is that I went to a college with a very limited music program, and played bass in the jazz band while majoring in something else.
