• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass first upright PLEASE HELP!!

funk generator

funk generator

Supporting Member
Nov 3, 2009
1,948
685
Johnson City, TN
#1
Ok guys, i decided i need to get into upright! :) im a college student, so not to much money to spend. Im also not willing to sell my electrics haha.

So whats a good cheap starter bass that i can get my money back out of when i upgrade to something decent.

I was looking at something like this

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Would this be a good buy? any sugestions? Please help!
 
#3
Guess it's about my turn. There's nothing in your link but the home page of the company.
Have you checked the Newbie links under this Basses forum? If not, please do that then come back with more information about price ranges and what, more explicitly, you may be looking for.

EDIT: Andrew and I posted at the same time. Ditto.
 
#4
I used to play upright, if you have a teacher(you have one don't you?)then have him or her help you. There is always somebody with-in your area selling or has one they should sell. Most teachers know from their students, players basses for sale. Today is different due to the internet but word of mouth is still a great way to buy an instrument. There is of course some on-line ships that I window-shop in and dream a little....One is :
http://www.stringemporium.com/
Maybe they can steer you in the right direction.....good luck :cool:
 
#5
Sorry guys, didnt see the noob post :) i checked it out. I dont think there are any good upright stores close. I might drive up to knoxville and check it out. I dont have a teacher yet, im still hunting for one. My guitar teacher said he might know a guy willing to teach me.

My price range was around $600, but it apears that 600 wolnt get you a good upright at all, so im now debating financing (i hate debt so was trying to avoid it)

I was looking at something like the Thompson plywood upright with the old varnish finish.
 
#6
$600 is less than a third of what you need, so yeah, finance it. Get a reasonable bow too, you're going to need it for practice purposes even if you're not intending to play classical... but hold off on that until you know which of the two styles of bow your teacher is happiest to teach.
 
#7
Keep saving and watch Craigslist and the classified ads here. Engelhardts, Shens, Christophers, and Eastmans can all be decent to very good instruments and used ones can be found for $7-1200. Be willing to delay the gratification for a while and seek out a decent instrument that you can grow with.

Take a Saturday and drive up to Fretwell's shop in Staunton VA, or head over to Nashville to [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], Link Removed, Nashville Violins, et al. If you have a little more time, you can find a pretty good selection of entry level basses Link Removed. A 2-300 mile drive is time well spent when searching for a bass. E-mail these folks. I have personal experience with all the aforementioned Tennessee shops and have found them all to be helpful and accommodating. While I've never dealt with Fretwell, I've heard lots of good things about them.

Take your time, email, do some research. In the long run, you'll be glad you did.
 
#10
I just wanted to ring in on the need to research and check out all the options for a URB before making your purchasing decision. I started on upright back in 1978 and then switched over to electric. After countless electro-funk gigs, I decided to go back to my roots and really learn the upright. (Yeah, I got TWO teachers! - both pros) Last year I made the decision after a heck of a lot of online time and word-of-mouth research to visit Jerry Fretwell in southern VA. He really helped me out and set me up with an new Englehardt EG-9. I've played over ten gigs on it (blues and folk gigs) and have numerous positive comments from both the audience and pro musicians.

Yeah, the Englehardts are not renown for "concert" or classical tone. But, if you're like me and are getting into upright, the old Kays or newer Englehardts are good basses for the money. For blues, country and bluegrass, they’re very hard to beat for the sound vs. price!

P.S., Jerry and his crew provide good set-ups!
 
#11
Thanks so much for all the help guys!! After much talking with my teachers and parents. Im going to take up 2 part time jobs and pay cash at the end of summer :) or so is the plan! Till then im going to try every upright i can and try to locate some teachers.

Thanks again for all the help!
 
#12
I would second the recommendation of Fretwell's. Also, James Condino down here in Asheville has some great Kay's and other American ply's coming through his shop from time to time.

There is a guy down the mountain from here near Morganton that has a whole basement full of American basses.

So, you have some good options for checking out basses in a 2 or 3 hour radius of Johnson City. Good luck!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back