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Double Bass Finding the First instrument

#2
Take a look at the newbie links. They contain a wealth of information. Then c'mon back with questions. If you are buying a new bass, then the minimum you will need to spend for a quality instrument with a good setup (very important!) is around $1500. There's no way around it. You'll end up spending that one way or another. Stay away from guitar stores and on-line musical mass merchants. Buy a bass from a real bass shop.

3025
 
#3
drurb said:
Take a look at the newbie links. They contain a wealth of information. Then c'mon back with questions. If you are buying a new bass, then the minimum you will need to spend for a quality instrument with a good setup (very important!) is around $1500. There's no way around it. You'll end up spending that one way or another. Stay away from guitar stores and on-line musical mass merchants. Buy a bass from a real bass shop.

3025
Click to expand...

I agree. Play as many as you can and ask a million questions. Contact a luthier close to you and ask him/her a lot of questions too. Your luthier will become one of your best friends. Do not buy one quickly. Take your time. The bass for you should be special. You will hear it talk to you.

That's my 2 cents.
 
#4
Guys, she's only 14 years old and so smart! that's because she's a
bassist and a Talkbass member! Welcome Jess, let us know about your teacher
mind and any additional question about your first bass search.
 
#8
Phone this guy he's in London
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=536843
He might do a better deal
That's a beautiful looking bass and for the price quite reasonable
Also ask him where the bass was repaired and ask the shop if they recommend it
It's always good to get a 2nd or 3rd opinion

Personally I would recommend going to London with your teacher (and parents) . Hit as many shops as possible and try out a bunch of mid-high end basses to get a good feel for quality. Ask your teacher to audition some and stand back and listen. At the end of the day , go to see that Talkbass member's bass and try it out. By that time you will have a grasp of what sounds good and will be able to make a good decision.
And including your parents will show them the difference between low/mid/high

If that isnt possible then ask a London talkbass member to audition it for you and report back

I always recommend buying a used bass
Its had a chance to settle and as the wood ages it gets warmer sounding
And also by that time it should have had the necessary setup and repairs

Thanks

Robert VanLane
 
#10
Thanks everyone for the help! Much appreciated

I live in liverpool so checking things out in London is abit tricky but thanks for the advice. Also i've bin looking at that bass but i'll have to wait until i get the money before i can go looking at stuff. What does everyone think of this
Invalid Link Removed
(the one at the bottom)

Thanks again for the help
 
#11
I know this has already been asked thousands of times, but does the size matter? I'm 5'10 and i currently play a school bass which is 3/4, and my bass teacher thinks it's too small because i can't move the endpin. Would it be better to get a full size or am i being picky? Thanks for your help
 
#12
3/4 is considered a "full size" double bass although there can be a lot of variation between basses labelled 3/4. I'm 6'4" and my 3/4 is plenty large enough. The problem when you get into 7/8 and 4/4 basses is a longer string length can make too long a stretch between notes in lower positions. Is the end pin stuck or just too short? You can always get a longer end pin if a bass is otherwise a good fit.
 
#15
I'm sorry they don't have any other information on the website, but i can always go and have a look in the shop nearer the time. About the endpin, it's like a really big old block of wood on the end that doesn't move, my bass teacher had a look and called it an 'abomination', so that sums it up quite well. The bass i'm using at the moment is an dark old school bass but besides that i have no other information.
 
#17
JessRyan said:
I know this has already been asked thousands of times, but does the size matter? I'm 5'10 and i currently play a school bass which is 3/4, and my bass teacher thinks it's too small because i can't move the endpin. Would it be better to get a full size or am i being picky? Thanks for your help
Click to expand...

So, I'm less than an inch taller than you, and I can't stand basses bigger than 3/4 'cause I can't reach around them comfortably; in fact, my bass is a little on the small side for a 3/4. Save the big basses for the 6'4" and taller folks. I do have about 5" of endpin out when I play, so obviously an adjustable pin is necessary.
 

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