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Double Bass Help picking bass

J

jnmhorn

Jun 28, 2005
19
0
#1
Hi,
My parents have realized that they can save money if they buy me a cheaper bass rather than renting. I am looking for something under $900 (good China okay). Can you help me with some choices?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
any good ones here?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16222&item=7331726573&rd=1
I'm not sure about the brand.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16222&item=7331725439&rd=1
same here

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16222&item=7331843588&rd=1
Bonn

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16222&item=7333212384&rd=1
Milano


How are Devillis? I have seen a lot of them but have gotten mixed reviews. Some people bought them but then changed the strings. I have been playing since (Apr 2003) and this is just a at home practice bass and maybe sometimes at camp but at school I got one. Maybe I might play with it at Berkeley High Jazz ( great band). Just give me some input. The Milano looks good and I think the rental I have is a Milano, looks just like it.

Thanks in advance!
 
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#2
First, you should check out Newbie links in the "BASSES SECTION"
Second, I would never buy a bass I can't play first in less I had no other choice.

But! If this is the only choice you have, I look at the this one [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] . With a Strunal you have a little better chance on knowing what you are getting, with the e-bay stuff............
 
#3
Since you choose not to fill out your profile, it's almost impossible to help you. Particularly important is where you're located so we can suggest some dealers that might help you.
As Aaron says, you should not attempt to purchase a bass with out first seeing and playing. If you've armed yourself with some facts from the Newbie links, you should still take your teacher or an experienced bassist with you to check things out for you.
These basses will not be adjusted, so you'll still need the services of your local bass luthier to dress the fingerboard, have the bridge cut correctly...possibly add bridge adjusters and set the sound post. Also, probably get a better set of strings and just general set-up kinds of things.
 
#4
Paul, if he is asking these newbie questions and his parents are buying him a Bass, chances are he is a kid.

Second, if he tries one of those Basses or your Bohmann or my Gilkes, do you think he will have a clue at the difference between a $900. Bass and a $30.-$70,000. Bass? .. Not likely.

If the 70k Bass has a poor setup and the 900 Bass plays easier, he might think it is better. A kid might pick a Crissie over a Maggini if it plays easier as he has not yet developed his taste for tone. A clean glass ring over a dirty diamond ring looks better to the untrained eye.

GET A TEACHER TO HELP YOU CHOOSE THE BASS. Shopping for a Bass is different than buying furniture. Looks, scratches and finish condition are not the most important things to check for.
 
#8
Okay guys, I am in Berkeley, CA ( you might have guessed that from my school?) anyways I have somewhat of a local guy who is willing to sell me a Palatino for $549
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
My rental bass right now is an Enesco (which is from Romania) and I have been looking for it to no avail. Should I just go for an Engelhardt?
 
#11
In that case you have probably ruled out the palatino and most of the ebay basses.

Engelhardts are good entry level instruments and you can get one from a highly trusted online source--Link Removed. If you do not know Bob, he is a regular contributer here and is held in high regard by the overwhelming majority of TB folks--most of us have a pretty good collection of the bumper stickers he sends out with each order. Bob will answer any questions you have and can connect you with a decent instrument.

Some other highly regarded Chinese basses are Shen, Christopher, and Kohr. In most instances they will actually have a better tone than the Engelhardts. Shen's US representative is John Sprague -another TB regular. You can send John and PM and he might be able to connect you with someone in your area who carries the Shen instruments.
 
#12
jnmhorn said:
Okay guys, I am in Berkeley, CA ( you might have guessed that from my school?) anyways I have somewhat of a local guy who is willing to sell me a Palatino for $549
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
My rental bass right now is an Enesco (which is from Romania) and I have been looking for it to no avail. Should I just go for an Engelhardt?
Click to expand...

Welcome to TBDB...I gotta tell you though, your response to these efforts to help you are just confusing me.....
My bad, on not getting the hint about the high school reference, but it's still not helping me stack up any more answers for you.
Somebody else, hopefully, might help. I can't get my brain around that last post.
 
#15
eroy said:
Can't be the same Enesco...that was a brand from the distributor I worked for. Those basses should retail over $9K...fully carved, oil varnish...
Click to expand...

Most likely it is a different company; The only instruments I got from el-google by searching "Enesco" that went anywhere were these

Link Removed [2nd one down]

http://www.lashofviolins.com/instruments.html
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] is the one on this site and it said "4/4 Gliga Vasile-Romania 1999 also known as Enesco" under the $800.00 to $ 1400.00 section.

And then I ended up at [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] too many times so I gave up. :scowl:
 

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