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Double Bass Does this bass look okay for the money?

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#21
No newbie should go anywhere near this "deal." I don't see any twist in the neck. When I looked at the pix, I thought that it could be a reasonable very low-end instrument. It looks to be better than the usual CCB/BSO. Indeed, it would need a bridge and a complete setup. Whether it is even worth it (and I doubt that it is) is something that would need to be determined by a seasoned player or luthier.

Bottom line for FreakyFruit: Pass. Forget about it. Read the link provided for the wiki here. Buy a decent instrument.
 
#23
Gene Fryer said:
how can anyone decide on a purchase with so little info... do we forget what it was to buy anything for $325 at some points in our life...
"just buy a decent bass" maybe Freaky Fruit can't right now
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Then he should save his money. Sure, there are stories of talented DIYers fixing up and maintaining CCBs and the like. Unless a newbie is talented in that area and is willing to put up with the inevitable necessary tweaking and modification, then he/she should buy a decent instrument. That could be a new or used instrument.

There's plenty of information for one to decide that the bass in question is not a prudent purchase for a newbie. Plenty.

Remember... such basses often turn out to be poor economy. By the time one ends up having it fixed up (unless it can be done on one's own), the bass for the dollar turns out to be quite poor.

I sure didn't forget what it meant and means to spend $325. In this case, it doesn't buy a bass worth having. No matter how much money one has to spend, it's best to be prudent with it.

Markse said:
A question for the more experienced bass guys here: how low would the price have to be on this or a similar bass for you to consider buying? Clearly this isn't a good deal for a beginner but what about you guy that buy and fix up a lot of basses?
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It depends if one has to pay a luthier to do the work. It also depends on whether one wants to keep the bass as a beater bass or try and re-sell it. It's not a bass I'd be interested in paying to have fixed up and then sell. That's true even if it were free. There are other basses out there that would be far more desirable for that purpose.

As a beater bass, well, it's not a bass I'd choose at all even for that purpose because, again, there are others that would be far more desirable. So, I wouldn't be interested even if it were free. Well, okay, if it were free then I'd give it to someone else who would want it.
 
#24
That bridge looks new. My guess is somebody had a bad bridge, bought a blank on ebay and didn't know to trim it to the right height so they cut the feet off! I have far to much experience with these type of basses. These basses are known to self destruct in more way then one. Endpin block, neck, bass bar, I can't see if these problems have developed YET but they will. If you were a proffessional luthier who could fix this bass up yourself it would be one thing but clearly your not. You can walk into any music shop and buy this bass brand new with a decent bridge for $500. As is, the bass will cost you $325 but by the time you get a decent setup (probobly $500+), you are most of the way to a nice shen.
 
#25
chris1125 said:
That bridge looks new. My guess is somebody had a bad bridge, bought a blank on ebay and didn't know to trim it to the right height so they cut the feet off! I have far to much experience with these type of basses. These basses are known to self destruct in more way then one. Endpin block, neck, bass bar, I can't see if these problems have developed YET but they will. If you were a proffessional luthier who could fix this bass up yourself it would be one thing but clearly your not. You can walk into any music shop and buy this bass brand new with a decent bridge for $500. As is, the bass will cost you $325 but by the time you gepins.t a decent setup (probobly $500+), you are most of the way to a nice shen.
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I don't think that the newbiest newbie would be dumb enough to cut the feet off. As I suggested before, I think it might have been adjustable and the person either lost the feet or sold the adjusters for a few bucks and couldn't figure out how to re-attach them without the pins.
 
#26
gerry grable said:
I don't think that the newbiest newbie would be dumb enough to cut the feet off. As I suggested before, I think it might have been adjustable and the person either lost the feet or sold the adjusters for a few bucks and couldn't figure out how to re-attach them without the pins.
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It's hard to tell how high the action is in the crappy pictures on my phone, but if it's a decent height and you added feet and adjusters to the equation the action would be higher then the roof. This is not the original bridge, basses straight out of china are usually bad, but they're not completely unplayable.
 
#27
chris1125 said:
It's hard to tell how high the action is in the crappy pictures on my phone, but if it's a decent height and you added feet and adjusters to the equation the action would be higher then the roof. This is not the original bridge, basses straight out of china are us ually bad, but they're not completely unplayable.
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I'm not talking about optimum string height. It doesn't matter-- just trying to think of a reason the bridge is shoe-less.

It would be really funny if we are all being trolled. :D
 
#28
FYI- a friendly reminder that there have been price increases on Shen and other basses from wholesaler to dealer-$1500 is a little outdated if increases are considered by the dealer.

parts and accessories have also gone up from supplier to dealer- for a decent starter bass from a reputable shop, $1700 would probably be minimum +-for the basic instrument. Also, when one thing goes up-everything else usually does, too-shipping cost...
 
#29
Gene Fryer said:
FYI- a friendly reminder that there have been price increases on Shen and other basses from wholesaler to dealer-$1500 is a little outdated if increases are considered by the dealer.

parts and accessories have also gone up from supplier to dealer- for a decent starter bass from a reputable shop, $1700 would probably be minimum +-for the basic instrument. Also, when one thing goes up-everything else usually does, too-shipping cost...
Click to expand...

On the forums right now you could get a great hybrid shen for a lot less then $1700 that doesn't need a dime put into it. What's the going rate for a good used sb80? In this market you could get one for not much more then $1000 that will be a reliable instrument for years to come.
 
#30
Gene Fryer said:
FYI- a friendly reminder that there have been price increases on Shen and other basses from wholesaler to dealer-$1500 is a little outdated if increases are considered by the dealer.

parts and accessories have also gone up from supplier to dealer- for a decent starter bass from a reputable shop, $1700 would probably be minimum +-for the basic instrument. Also, when one thing goes up-everything else usually does, too-shipping cost...
Click to expand...

Yes, yes, but Shens are still available new from highly reputable shops at right around $1500... a bit more with accessories (e.g., bow, bag, etc.). Many of us here really do know the marketplace quite well, Gene. :) It took me under a minute to find three different highly regarded shops throughout the country offering them.

Edit-- another minute and I'm up to five. That includes Gage's shop where prices, if anything, tend to run a bit higher.

For now, $1500 is still the number.
 
#31
eh, sometimes there are good deals. I got an American Standard for $99-from craigslist. I then proceeded to get it effed up instead of repaired...but it was a good deal, even if I had to put a whole new neck on it (which I do now.)

This comes with a bag and a bow...at $100 for the cheapest bag and $50 for the cheapest bow (and those look to be the cheapest) he still may be getting an ok deal. And it may be the best way for him to get into uprighting. Lots of married people can't drop $1500 right away...but $325 followed by a whole bunch in repairs may be easier for the wife to stomach. :)
 
#32
chriscrob said:
eh, sometimes there are good deals. I got an American Standard for $99-from craigslist. I then proceeded to get it effed up instead of repaired...but it was a good deal, even if I had to put a whole new neck on it (which I do now.)

This comes with a bag and a bow...at $100 for the cheapest bag and $50 for the cheapest bow (and those look to be the cheapest) he still may be getting an ok deal. And it may be the best way for him to get into uprighting. Lots of married people can't drop $1500 right away...but $325 followed by a whole bunch in repairs may be easier for the wife to stomach. :)
Click to expand...

If someone cannot afford a decent bass they should rent one. I don't know why this is so hard. Also, this isn't so hard either: find a teacher. The teacher can help you when you're ready to buy your own bass--after renting.

What I have described is the quickest, cheapest and least risky way to start playing now.
 
#33
FreakyFruit,
You may at this point have figured out that some of the advise you've gotten here is completely self serving.
Some is stock dogma.
And some ain't bad at all.
My advise is since you seem to be close enough to the Bay Area for a day trip you should check out basses there. Not even necessarily to buy but just to see what you can get for what price. This is also the time to ask in person what repairs (like a new bridge) cost. I'm sure there are some folks around here that could steer you to the places that have basses. If not in this thread then start a new one.

Take a lesson with a good player just to talk about instruments.

If you lay the groundwork you'll know when you've found the right bass.
 
#34
I think most threads that are started by a newbie and not followed up end in quibble like this.

It's unfortunate because DRURB is a great source of information, and I read a post of his just earlier today saying that he wasn't an expert in Juzeks and that he'll leave that up to different posters. A fine example is right here: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f1/help-info-my-juzek-898949/#post12899476 - look at post #2.

I found TB : DB to be a bit 'intense' (or whatever adjective you want to say) when I first started posting / reading as well, but I think it is the way it is for a good reason. I think all of the full-time posters here sincerely want to help new players, intermediates, advanced, and professional players. In turn, this makes us gain knowledge, and respect for each other.

For example, if I ever want to buy an amp, I'd ask DRURB for a good recommendation, or if I want to get a tailpiece carved, I'll ask Jake Devilliers (which I inquired about just two days ago in fact), and if I want to know more about D'addario Kaplan strings (which I now love!!!), I'd ask Kurt Muroki. There is a wealth of knowledge on these forums, and while it may present itself harshly at times (Paul W ;-), it is meant to be helpful.
 
#37
Now that the dustup has settled, I think it's time to close this. The OP certainly got a near unanimous answer, with some good advice thrown in for good measure. Thanks to all who graciously spend their time trying to help the newbies, and also to those who help out by reporting posts when things start to go south. Much appreciated. :)
 
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