• 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 Help buying a used DB

P

pjhkiwi

Nov 14, 2022
6
0
#1
I've just started to play the DB again (played a little decades ago) and have been thinking about buying a used DB. I saw a Christopher DB303T listed for what seemed like a super low price ($600) including a Steiner Brazilwood Bow, Meisel MBS Stand, and shipping). Unfortunately, it's too far away for me to go see, so I have to rely on the seller's description and photos. The price certainly seems right but I don't want to end up having to spend $$$ to get it playable.

Also saw an Upton laminate listed for sale here, and while it's a lot more money ($2500), I do know about Upton's reputation. Again, it's too far away for me to see and I'm not sure if the seller would be willing to ship it.

So my questions are: Would you buy a DB sight unseen? Do you think the Christopher price is a steal? Is the Upton a better option (assuming it could be shipped), especially if I was keeping it for years.
 
#5
Clarify, if you were to buy the Christopher, how would you take possession of it? Would it be shipped?

$600 for a Christopher Hybrid is a very good price. They have a reputation for being well made, lots of good luthiers in SoCal to take care of reasonable issues and budget to fix it with.

So if it's too far of a drive to check it out, but driving distance for a pickup, it might be worth it. If you have to buy and have it shipped, it's pretty risky.
 
  • Like
Reactions: basspraiser
#6
I'd never buy a double bass without first being able to see it and play it, and I'm pretty sure a majority of your responses are going to say something to this effect.

You are in an area where there are lots of instruments. Moreover there are quite a few reputable double bass shops and luthiers in your area. It would be best to visit them if possible. There you will find instruments that are not only ready to go, but you'll have some level of recourse should something fo wrong. There is no substitute for expertise when it comes to this process.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jason Sypher
#7
Was it this instrument here, and did you just mistyped, dropping the initial ‘1’ off the price? That’s the cheapest Christopher hybrid I can find online at the moment.

Generally, it looks like the Christopher Hybrids have a new price of circa $3500, and a used price circa $2000-2500. So if one has a price tag of $600, the price doesn’t seem right, it seems wrong. The options are that the seller has no idea what they have, OR, it has some really serious problems. You wouldn’t know which of those it was without going to look at it.

If the price were $1600, like the link above, then I might suspect that the seller simply wants a fast sale, so they have priced it attractively under market value. But It would still need looking at to make sure there weren’t $1000 of work needed.

Just my two cents.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RSBBass
#9
In this range you should be able to find something locally. A decent Hybrid will play better than a plywood bass both arco and pizz. You will pay more for the Upton being made in the USA. As far as Upton's rep: they make solid basic basses that cost a lot more than comparable solid basic basses for people who want a solid basic instrument made in the USA. They make pretty nice basses in the upper rage, but there is nothing but nice basses in that range anyway.
If you can't find anything locally buying in this range sight unseen from a reputable shop is going to be fine. You are going to get a solid instrument to get you going that you will likely outgrow. The finer points are not going to be that fine - outside of set up. That is the reason to get it from a good shop. Shipping will be a bummer, however. Likely worth a road trip.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jmpiwonka, AGCurry and Jason Sypher
#12
pjhkiwi said:
I've just started to play the DB again (played a little decades ago) and have been thinking about buying a used DB. I saw a Christopher DB303T listed for what seemed like a super low price ($600) including a Steiner Brazilwood Bow, Meisel MBS Stand, and shipping). Unfortunately, it's too far away for me to go see, so I have to rely on the seller's description and photos. The price certainly seems right but I don't want to end up having to spend $$$ to get it playable.

Also saw an Upton laminate listed for sale here, and while it's a lot more money ($2500), I do know about Upton's reputation. Again, it's too far away for me to see and I'm not sure if the seller would be willing to ship it.

So my questions are: Would you buy a DB sight unseen? Do you think the Christopher price is a steal? Is the Upton a better option (assuming it could be shipped), especially if I was keeping it for years.
Click to expand...
Something strange here

Same bass listed on Reverb as SOLD.

Christopher 3/4 Hybrid Bass DB303T with Steiner Brazilwood Bow and Meisel MBS Stand | Reverb
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back