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Double Bass Help! Looking to buy my first upright

SG-Jazz

SG-Jazz

Dec 24, 2007
436
13
Los Angeles
#1
So ive been playing the electric bass for almost 15 years now and am finally gonna start learning the upright. I am a noob, I have about 1500 and no direction to go as far as good brands and such.

Which String bass has the best bang for the buck?
Is there any decent basses around 1500?
Should I save more money to get something better?

Any suggestions would be very appreciated, Thanks
 
#2
Welcome to the dark side.
1) Read the newb links.
2) Get a qualified teacher. He/She can help with the instrument.
3) Buy a bass from a respected luthier/bass shop.
4) Do not buy a bass from a large music retailer.
5) Play, or have your teacher play the bass you buy.
6) Be patient, persistent and have fun.:)
Best!
 
#3
tomshepp said:
Welcome to the dark side.
1) Read the newb links.
2) Get a qualified teacher. He/She can help with the instrument.
3) Buy a bass from a respected luthier/bass shop.
4) Do not buy a bass from a large music retailer.
5) Play, or have your teacher play the bass you buy.
6) Be patient, persistent and have fun.:)
Best!
Click to expand...

+1. The simple answer to your question is a decent Engelhardt can be had in your range. As mentioned, just be careful what you buy.
 
#9
SG-Jazz said:
Thanks for the tips guys.

That shen SB80 looks really sweet! As do most of those uptone basses on there website.
Click to expand...

Watch out on shipping on the Uptons. I ordered an SB80 from them with my credit card and the total was $1515 including shipping. Later in the day, they notified me the revised total including the shipping was going to be $1874. I cancelled the order. I suspect shipping to LA would be as much as shipping to SF.

Is there a big difference in tone between the sb80 and sb100?
Click to expand...

I doubt it. It appears to me the differences are all cosmetic. I have the SB90.
 
#10
These are the Shen dealers in California. Many are closer to you than Steve Swan, but I don't know what they do as far as setup. Steve has them set up by Jeff Sahs in Sacramento and Jeff is one of the best bass luthiers in California. Steve will also make you a very good deal on the bass.

  • DAUGHERTY VIOLIN SHOP Eureka, CA 707-445-1957
  • HAMMOND ASHLEY San Diego, CA 858-623-0036
  • FANTASTIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Pasadena, CA 626 794-7554
  • METZLER VIOLINS Glendale, CA 818-246-1306
  • OZZIE'S MUSIC, INC. Poway, CA 619-748-4721
  • STEVE SWAN GUITARS Millbrae, CA 650 515 1014
  • JIM WIMMER Santa Barbara, CA 805-569-5964
  • WORLD OF STRINGS Long Beach, CA 562 599-3913
 
#13
I'll throw in that I'm quite satisfied with an SB80. I'm actually an 7 or 8-year player of electric bass with only the last couple of days really digging into the upright. I made a lot of improvements in my playing on the electric recently and it made a huge difference in my upright playing. I went from hating it early this year when I got it to loooving it right now. I'm already looking for an act to gig with and I've only been serious about playing it for the last 3 days. I plucked on it now and then before but my left hand would give in. After a lot of left hand improvements on electric, I have no issues with the upright. I was playing some Iron Maiden on it 3 days ago and went "Damn, when did this happen?" ;)

It's worth noting the SB80 is my first upright and the only one I've played. I did a lot of research and consulted a local string shop and we agreed that it's the best fit for me. The shop also had an awesome $50/month rent to own with 100% of rent going toward the price ($1550). They also allow me to upgrade if I want to whenever I want and apply 100% of the money paid toward the new bass. I doubt I'll do this for a long time but it's excellent to be able to.
 
#15
Thanks for all the help fellow bassists and thanks for that list michaeln, its very helpful.

Is it worth being patient and try to save more money for something better?

Or am I getting the best I can right now unless I can get $3000 or higher?

In the meanwhile for the 1500 dollar range Engelhardt, Shen, and uptone stand out alot to me. Im gonna start going to stores to find and try everything out.
 
#16
SG-Jazz said:
Thanks for all the help fellow bassists and thanks for that list michaeln, its very helpful.

Is it worth being patient and try to save more money for something better?

Or am I getting the best I can right now unless I can get $3000 or higher?

In the meanwhile for the 1500 dollar range Engelhardt, Shen, and uptone stand out alot to me. Im gonna start going to stores to find and try everything out.
Click to expand...

Will you be able to find a discernible and $1500-worthy difference? Think of that as you try different basses. It might not hurt to have a more experienced player sample tones for you as well.

Me? I'm just about 22 and still in college. A $1500 playable ply bass makes the most sense to me. I don't feel I'd be deserving of a more expensive model because I may not be able to appreciate (or afford) it yet!

If you really want a $3000 bass, keep an eye on the used market. I've bought most of my electrics and amps for under half of what they're worth just because I've been patient enough to find the deals.
 
#17
If you read some of the thousands of virtually identical threads on the topic, you may see that there is a gradual increase in quality and value from $1500 to $3000.

In my modest experience, at that price range, the Shens are sterling options; every one I have played was just great; after renting one for a few months when I was "between basses" I became a Shen True Believer. Many luthiers like them for their sound, clean fabrication and design.

Hope that this helps. Again, reading some of the previous 3000 +, or so, similar, if not identical, threads may provide further insight and info.
 
#18
Jon, at World of Strings in Long Beach is very good at setting up Double Basses. He did a great job on four different basses, a German Hybrid, An old Kay, a David Gage Czech-Ease and a Carved Shen that I've owned. Each bass is quite different from the other, both in the way they were built and in what they needed. But they each played and sounded great after Jon worked on them. I only wish that someone of his caliber and experiance lived where I am now...
 
#19
I really dont wanna have to buy another upright in the near future. So if I can I wold like to get one that can take me into the next few years with no worry. I am planning on playing and learning classical on it too but currently will be playing jazz on it with my band.

As a beginner upright player I am leaning towards the shen sb-80. I am very curious and would be patient, so I can save more money to get a Upton UB standard double bass or a hybrid shen SB-150.

Do you guys think for my applications and for future professional use, a hybrid or the more expensive uptone, would be better for me?

I havent had a chance to try out any uprights around me yet, except for my teachers, so bear with me til I can gain more experience. Any suggestions now are much appreciated
 

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