Double Bass First double bass?

[rstellar13]

So I had to join my school orchestra, never really played upright in a serious setting pretty much just for fun really, but now i have to be serious, so my parents offered to buy me my bass, my teacher recommend a Finocchio, I guess he builds them by request, so not much on his site about it, but Frank Finocchio is taking AGES to respond to any message its been a month and no meeting has been established yet, so im getting a little impatient.
Can i get any upright for around $1000 that is well build and a solid quality? Phase any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Fair Warning]

Try Craigslist for a used Bass. $1000 sounds like enough. THat wont get you any good new bass.

 

[lorianb]

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f1/ba...-please-read-before-posting-new-topics-43093/

...you can your question again after a couple of days of reading.

 

[hopdemon]

Your only about an hour from Mike Shank in Elizabethtown Pa You should give him a call..It's Shanks Strings... Look it up online

 

[ArtechnikA]

MasterBass! (the '!' is important)
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/member.php?u=159264
Right there in Allentown, works with the opera, great guy.
IIRC does lessons and I bought a cabinet from him.
Send him a PM and see if he can't get you pointed.

 

[drurb]

So I had to join my school orchestra...but now i have to be serious, so my parents offered to buy me my bass...my teacher recommend a Finocchio...

The above doesn't convey much enthusiasm for the double bass. If you want to join the orchestra and play the double bass, then you have a shot at success. The commitment in terms of time, energy, and money is far too great to be approached as merely something you "have to" do.

My understanding is that Invalid Link Removedbuilds guitars. Is your teacher a double bassist? I don't understand why he'd recommend a builder who doesn't specialize in the instrument you're seeking.

From the link lorianb suggested, THIS is the place to start.

Unless you hit some amazing deal, $1000 is not going to do it. Consider $1500 to be the bare minimum to buy a decent new instrument.

Time to pull up a chair and do your homework.

 

[Steve Swan]

If you can get your budget increased to about $1500, you will do much better. By all reports, the previously mentioned Shank's is a tremendous resource for you. Good luck in the start of your doublebass journey!

 

[rgarcia26]

This came across my FB page this morning from Mark L:

I dont know if you can see the post:
$1850 for a Fully carve Shem, looks to me like a sweet deal

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=727520867265172&set=gm.712966235385565&type=1&theater

Ps I am not Affiliated to Mark on any way.
He does ship too Lol

 

[Ed Fuqua]

My understanding is that Invalid Link Removedbuilds guitars.

Plus I don't know of anyone who does a bass build for around $1000....

 

[MrLenny1]

Look for a used student model.
Get some more info here on TB.
DB is a really tough instrument & very few beginners stay with it.
If you get one, get an adjustable bridge so the action doesn''t kill you.

 

[TroyK]

...
My understanding is that Frank Finnochio builds guitars. Is your teacher a double bassist? I don't understand why he'd recommend a builder who doesn't specialize in the instrument you're seeking.

From the link lorianb suggested, THIS is the place to start.
Unless you hit some amazing deal, $1000 is not going to do it. Consider $1500 to be the bare minimum to buy a decent new instrument.

Time to pull up a chair and do your homework.

You're wasting your breath, I'm afraid. This thread repeats itself over and over and over. Another BGist, who owns a "BC Rich USA / RIC / Warwick / Gibson T / Lakland P / Fender Jazz, Blacktop Jazz", but no doublebass according to his profile told him what he wanted to hear right off, so he'll mostly likely ignore all further advice.

This exact scenario has played out in this forum hundreds of times over the last decade.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

I'll add that it is possible to find a Shen or Christopher used on craiglist for $1000. Just not very often...

Talk with your orchestra director and bass teacher, he/she may know of some ex students that have given it up and may want to sell...

 

[Rebop]

There was a used Upton ply for sale a week or two ago for 1000. Good deals do pop up.

 

[Hqubed]

This came across my FB page this morning from Mark L:

I dont know if you can see the post:
$1850 for a Fully carve Shem, looks to me like a sweet deal

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=727520867265172&set=gm.712966235385565&type=1&theater

Ps I am not Affiliated to Mark on any way.
He does ship too Lol

More info on this Shen here (no affiliation)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[rstellar13]

You're wasting your breath, I'm afraid. This thread repeats itself over and over and over. Another BGist, who owns a "BC Rich USA / RIC / Warwick / Gibson T / Lakland P / Fender Jazz, Blacktop Jazz", but no doublebass according to his profile told him what he wanted to hear right off, so he'll mostly likely ignore all further advice.

This exact scenario has played out in this forum hundreds of times over the last decade.

Alas I dont own any of those except a jazz, and a blacktop which are both for sale because i mainly play fretless, I do have a custom BG on order from Chris Stambaugh, so before you be pompous, you could try and help me out.
I have rented before, and use my schools DB, but now my teacher and I decided i needed my own.
You are right, i am not that enthusiastic for orchestra, but I am excited to play it for my gypsy group and the Jazz band.
I guess Finocchio makes DBs on order and it supposed to be a great deal.
I really do appreciate the advice and will look into these builders and places to look for a deal.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

rstellar, you have PM.

 

[lorianb]

A fender is not a bad thing in and of itself...especially not that sweet 70's Pbass sitting longingly in the corner while I work (struggle) on intonation.

 

[lorianb]

To stay on topic though, the Shen 180 in that link is very similar to the one I bought a few months ago. A wonderful instrument for that price. Being patient, playing different basses and coming back to them is a worthwhile investment.

 

[Bert Slide]

so before you be pompous, you could try and help me out.

HAHA! Welcome to the DB forum. You can get some really good advice here but oftimes it comes spiced with a slight dash of what tastes like condescension and arrogance to those of us who come searching for humble fair for modest budgets.

+1 on the Shen 180. I got mine here on the classifieds for a great price.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Because we get the same questions, and lost bass guitars players who don't read the forum headings, all. The. Time. Just saying it gets old.