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Double Bass Getting my first Double Bass

#22
Eric Swanson said:
Mr. Rushdie, so sorry hear about the break up with Padma. Tough break there...I can't imagine how you could possibly do better, but good luck...:)

Regarding basses, there are lots of options. Take your time.

Hard to make hard/fast generalizations about this stuff. Example: I was playing arco and pizz on a Kay M-1 over this last week that had been beaten/neglected within an inch of its life and it still had some really nice, responsive stuff happening. Sounded and played way better than some cheap carved basses I have played, pizz or arco. So go figure...

Since others haven't said it yet, remember that whatever bass you buy, you may still need money for a bow, strings, and a setup, depending on what you work out.

+1 on traveling to try basses. In my limited experience, this ain't much like buying a BG. Even with two or three basses made by the same firm, instruments' characteristics can vary from bass to bass.

Fit is a personal thing. More like dating than shopping, IMHO.
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THAT I did know about -that was why I was in the price constraints that I listed above. And I'm sorry I can't give location -I'm a minor. The area does not matter becasue shipping fees are not a problem (as long as the bass is half decent!).
 
#26
PRUNEFACE said:
I'm sorry I can't give location -I'm a minor. The area does not matter becasue shipping fees are not a problem
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Even if you gave the name of your street, with a moniker like Pruneface the chances of anyone identifying you are microscopic. so not revealing anything about your approximate location is just plain silly. Ask your parents if they mind, if you're worried.

The area DOES matter because getting a bass delivered is only half the equation in owning a bass. The advice given above needs to be read and understood.

But I see you know most everything already now, and are wealthy to boot, so good luck and enjoy the bass. :hmm:
 
#29
Matthew Tucker said:
Even if you gave the name of your street, with a moniker like Pruneface the chances of anyone identifying you are microscopic. so not revealing anything about your approximate location is just plain silly. Ask your parents if they mind, if you're worried.

The area DOES matter because getting a bass delivered is only half the equation in owning a bass. The advice given above needs to be read and understood.

But I see you know most everything already now, and are wealthy to boot, so good luck and enjoy the bass. :hmm:
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Well, if this is what you mean, i live in the southeast on the water, so very humid mst of the time. However, i am not in south florida so winter temps can get down to about 30
 
#30
PRUNEFACE said:
Well, if this is what you mean, i live in the southeast on the water, so very humid mst of the time. However, i am not in south florida so winter temps can get down to about 30
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Okay, don't panic. Can you see anything out the window? Describe the landscape, what types of trees? Is there a billboard or streetsign or something else that might help us identify your location? Bang on a pipe to make some noise and for God's sakes stay on the line until help arrives!
 
#31
Well that does help a bit, because if you live right on the water you will need a bass that won't fall apart in the humidity. You will probably need to find someone in the locality who can work on your bass if it does have problems. I bet you if you gave a few more clues about where your mooring is, someone will chime in with a suggestion of a luthier to visit who 1. might well have a bass or two to sell and 2. may have some tricks for keeping basses working well in that particular environment.

Lets say you lash out and buy a carved bass for $5000 (or even a hybrid for less). How will you feel if it develops a belly crack, or the lower bout seam pops, or the neck comes loose? Who will you go to for help? You'll need to develop a relationship with a luthier in your area, and the better the bass, the more you'll need that. Generally, the better the bass, the more responsive it will be to setup adjustments.

If you buy a cheap plywood beater bass you can always hone your own luthier/carpentry skills on that. But that's not what you asked for.
 
#32
Matthew Tucker said:
Well that does help a bit, because if you live right on the water you will need a bass that won't fall apart in the humidity. You will probably need to find someone in the locality who can work on your bass if it does have problems. I bet you if you gave a few more clues about where your mooring is, someone will chime in with a suggestion of a luthier to visit who 1. might well have a bass or two to sell and 2. may have some tricks for keeping basses working well in that particular environment.

Lets say you lash out and buy a carved bass for $5000 (or even a hybrid for less). How will you feel if it develops a belly crack, or the lower bout seam pops, or the neck comes loose? Who will you go to for help? You'll need to develop a relationship with a luthier in your area, and the better the bass, the more you'll need that. Generally, the better the bass, the
more responsive it will be to setup adjustments.
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Mobile-P'cola are the biggest cities arond so there. That's all I'm telling :p
 

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