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first upright bass -chinese laminted

Discussion in 'Basses [DB]' started by englehart blues, Nov 30, 2001.

  1. Nov 30, 2001 #1
    englehart blues

    englehart blues

    Nov 30, 2001
    Houston
    Hey All'

    Great site, I have been reading posts for about a month and learning a lot about the UB. Anyway, I came across a guy in my area (houston) who specializes in importing musical instruments from China, Korea, -asia et.al. I looked at a new laminate bass from China and it looked pretty nice, the price is only $575. We even slapped the bridge on and I strummed it a bit (being only a beginner). It sounded ok I think. It has an ebonized fingerboard and I noticed the soundpost was in. The finish was ok, although I noticed they didn't finish the inside (looking through the f-holes) and there was finish splashed a bit inside -a bit sloppy. This thing looked pretty nice and I think I will buy it as a basic beginner bass to start learning.
    Anybody have any suggestions? A trip to the luthier is going to cost, I think I can put this this thing together and start playing immediately and if I don't like it I can sell to someone else for about what I paid for (....well, that's what I think.......).

    -any suggestions or advice will be greatly appreciated
     
  2. Dec 1, 2001 #2
    anonymous0726

    anonymous0726 Guest

    Nov 4, 2001
    From your description I have some doubt as to whether this should be your first bass. At least try to get it to a luthier before you spend any money. You can generally expect to spend about $2,000 for a good plywood -- if you want one right now -- and from $1,000 - $1,500 if you shop around and have adequate luck.
     
  3. Dec 1, 2001 #3
    Don Higdon

    Don Higdon In Memoriam

    Dec 11, 1999
    Princeton Junction, NJ
    That's just too cheap to be true.
    There should only be bare wood inside. Any varnish that you see is evidence of a sloppily made instrument.
    Stay away. You could never resell this except to someone else with no knowledge.
    Search these threads for comments on entry level prices.
     
  4. Dec 1, 2001 #4
    gruffpuppy

    gruffpuppy

    Aug 15, 2000
    In your basement.
    I got a cheap Asian DB for $440.
    Is it a good starter bass, no.
    If you can afford better then spend more, if not save your pennies.

    The bass I have sounds cheap, is built sloppy, and is a real pain to play. I am saving up for better, I would recomend you do the same.
     
  5. Dec 1, 2001 #5
    englehart blues

    englehart blues

    Nov 30, 2001
    Houston
    Ok, the wedding is off! I can do some more learning of music theory on my own in the meantime and save money for something better. Also, I clearly need to learn more.

    I played the thing and it was the first time I held a DB and plucked the strings. What an experience, the whole thing resonating and humming around you! I hear DB on the radio and in recordings and the sound is so clean, -the tones so clear. I did not hear this when I played that chinese laminated bass although the sound really was cool (but, I am only a very new beginner). Maybe the thing to do is buy a DB from a luthier, so that it has already been maximized for performance.

    Thanks for the advise, and look forward to hearing everyone's comments in the future!
     
  6. Dec 1, 2001 #6
    davegr8house

    davegr8house

    Aug 13, 2001
    Franklin, Tennessee
    I played the thing and it was the first time I held a DB and plucked the strings. What an experience, the whole thing resonating and humming around you!

    OK, got em, set the hook...Reel em in real slow...:D