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Double Bass Inexpensive Basses in U.K?

#21
Hope you're doing the right thing Jim - ain't you got a rather expensive MO for checking out basses? That looks a very interesting EUB - a harmonics generator in it? - like those things that claim to emulate valves by adding mid range harmonics? That string arrangement just blows me away. BTW, don't try to prop a DB against a radiator for long or else! I hope it's worth it.

If you were around or indeed are around Manchester you can come round mine and have a good play on my bass to see what you think. Even if you hate a bass playing it for a while might give you an idea of what exactly you want. There has to be someone freindly in the vicinity? Is Norfolk really the back of beyond?

[Since Bruce is about I just gotta ask (sorry Bruce)- did you ever try an NS bass before buying this?]

The question you need to know the answer to (fairly fast we now know), is what should you expect, and how do yo know you've got it, from a £1,200 bass? This has to be one for teachers out there who get to play a lot of student basses. I spent about that but I still I don't feel qualified to answer the question. What about our esteemed luthiers or (ALL HAIL) Bob G. After all the criteria are the same (its only the exchange rate that varies!:D ) wherever. Good luck!
 
#23
Originally posted by Mike Crumpton

The question you need to know the answer to (fairly fast we now know), is what should you expect, and how do yo know you've got it, from a £1,200 bass? This has to be one for teachers out there who get to play a lot of student basses. I spent about that but I still I don't feel qualified to answer the question. What about our esteemed luthiers or (ALL HAIL) Bob G. After all the criteria are the same (its only the exchange rate that varies!:D ) wherever. Good luck!
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Yes - this is the crux of it and I have been thinking that one of Bob Gollihurs Carved Bulgarian basses might be a better bet - as in, the best DB for the buck!! Or £ as we are discussing!! ;)

Link Removed

So - Bob will arrange for direct export from Bulgaria to the UK and given the dollar - £ exchange rate favouring us now - these might fall into your price range?

So - Bob's site says :

"As received from the shop in Bulgaria, your price is $2075* plus shipping, usually $200-250 "

Using an online currency converter :


2,350.00 USD United States Dollars = 1,302.67 GBP United Kingdom Pounds

1 USD = 0.554328 GBP 1 GBP = 1.80398 USD
 
#25
Originally posted by junglejim
cheers Bruce...
they look interesting dont they...(if very shiny!!)

are you thinking of getting a DB soon also?
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Well - I've been looking for the last 2-3 years - unsuccessfully!! ;)

If I had found one two years ago - then I probably wouldn't have bought my NS CR5. But the thing was, I couldn't find any basses to try that were in my price range, apart from the Andreas Zeller bass, which I didn't like.

Whereas, the Bass Centre had several NS basses that I was able to try and they even offered me credit terms, which was the clincher!! :)

There are other things that swayed me - like the fact I have small first floor flat and my girlfriend will proably move out if I buy a Double Bass and the people downstairs will throw bricks through the window if I practice too long!!

EUB is ideal for this situation as it breaks down to a small tube that can be stored in a cupboard and can be played/practiced at low volume at any time - even through headphones - without annoying anybody else!!
 
#26
Originally posted by junglejim
cheers Bruce...
they look interesting dont they...(if very shiny!!)
Click to expand...

They're not all shiny :

matte3a.jpg
 
#27
Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield
Well - I've been looking for the last 2-3 years - unsuccessfully!! ;)

If I had found one two years ago - then I probably wouldn't have bought my NS CR5.
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well same here!!!!..reason i bought EUB.
plus the easy transportability appealed.

but...

I have the room..no neighbours to complain..my wife musician also....and a DB will fit in the car ok i think!...so....i have no excuse :)

So I think DB here i come....(when i find one and sell the EUB that is!!!!)

J
 
#29
Bruce, its strange that Footes only had one bass in the shop, they used to regularly have 4 or 5,of varying prices. Bridgewood and Nietzert in Stoke Newington (London) usually have a few in too, also Healey Violins.
You are right about the Bass Centre (now the House of Guitars), they are always helpful.
I would think twice about buying from the states. I recently got stung on a deal, and the New York based dealer won't give me my money back. I was advised by two luthiers here to take him to court and sue him, but I spent just about my last penny on this bass and can't afford lawyers fees in two countries. I'll have to save up and get the bass sorted.
I know this forum isn't the place for personal grievances. So for the price range you are in, just remember that the States is a long way away , and a single lawyer's letter is £150.00.
 
#30
Originally posted by simandlhandle
Bruce, its strange that Footes only had one bass in the shop, they used to regularly have 4 or 5,of varying prices.


Well I used to work near there and went in between about March and May two years ago - but I was very unimpressed - just a dark basement at the back which didn't seem to have room for much stock and all they had were two identical Andreas Zeller basses - which sounded dull even in the assistant's hands!!! :(

They were pretty unhelpful and I could see nothing to encourage me to go back again!! They struck me as an anachronism that would die out pretty soon! :hmm:




Bridgewood and Nietzert in Stoke Newington (London) usually have a few in too, also Healey Violins.



Any links to websites or addresses - so I can see where they are, what sort of thing hey have?


I would think twice about buying from the states. I recently got stung on a deal, and the New York based dealer won't give me my money back. I was advised by two luthiers here to take him to court and sue him, but I spent just about my last penny on this bass and can't afford lawyers fees in two countries. I'll have to save up and get the bass sorted.

I know this forum isn't the place for personal grievances. So for the price range you are in, just remember that the States is a long way away , and a single lawyer's letter is £150.00.
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I must say that I agree with you 100% and I would never buy a bass without trying it really - although I have bought strings, books,small accessories online from the US with no problems!!

However - having been on TB for 4 or 5 years - I have heard such good things about Bob Gollihur and never anything bad - that I would make an exception in his case!! :)

So - I thought it worth mentioning here - especially as the basses would be shipped direct from Bulgaria to the UK, rather than coming across the Atlantic - and they do sell for about £1200 +P&P !! And look like good specs - fully carved, ebony fingerboard etc.
 
#31
I think I've heard of Healeys before - but they're in Surrey aren't they - not London as such?


EDIT - just found their website - looks to have a pretty good list :

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

But unless you know, how would you find these places - I'm sure I have searched the web for many hours and never found their website - although I've seen them mentioned !!

I suppose you look for "violin" first and them find those who sell basses as well.... :hmm:
 
#32
Originally posted by simandlhandle
Bridgewood and Nietzert in Stoke Newington (London) usually have a few in too,
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Ah - found them on google :


Invalid Link Removed


"violins" again! I was always searching for Double Basses and they don't come up!!

They don't look as if they have that much stock - but Healeys certainly look worth paying a visit!!

Athough - none of these are anywhere near offices that I work in - which is usually when I get to London shops!! ;)
 
#34
Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield
Where did you get this? Also are there any websites that host pictures or give more details?

I was talking to a guy a few weeks ago who was playing Double Bass at a local Jazz jam I go to and he had bought an Andreas Zeller bass but didn't really like it.

Last week he came along with a different DB ,which sounded much better - he told me how he had just seen an ad in the local paper !! :eek:

So - this family wanted to sell, as the player had died. This bass was really nice and had a Fishman mic/pickup system included - and the guy I was talking to, got the whole lot for £600!!

So I can testify that he sounded a whole lot better with this bass,more tone and volume - but had paid less!! Now he's trying to sell the Andreas Zeller bass!! ;)

I never seem to get his kind of luck!! :bawl:
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#36
It sounds like the Stentors are worth investigating - although from my point of view, I'd want to try one out first, before committing myself to buying...

So... JFB101 (to be "formal"!! ;) ) - what have you used yours for - how would you characterise the sound?

Any - pros and cons that you have noticed?
 
#37
Hi Bruce

I use my Stentor DB mainly for playing with local amateur orchestras and also in pit orchestras for Amateur Dramatics. The DB has a nice rich sound when using the bow and since I've had the soundpost repositioned both the A & E strings have a quite pronounced sound. I haven't tried using a pick up yet although I will probably go for the Realist (£140) and see what it sounds like through my Ashdown Bass Combo.

I really chose the Elysia as it is recommended on Stentors Web Site by Gary Karr I'm sure he wouldn't put his name to a product if it wasn't any good. I know you take a chance without trying a DB out first, but as I've already said I'm very pleased with my purchase.
 
#39
Hi,

I was wondering where I might find a student (cheap, but not nasty!) bass in the UK? I've seen many American places, such as Bob's site, but don't really know where I should be looking here in England, especially as I don't have a specific make / model in mind. I'm an electric player just starting out on the double, and have decided that an EUB may not be the way to go. Any ideas? Thanks!
 
#40
Bert's Jazz said:
Hi,

I was wondering where I might find a student (cheap, but not nasty!) bass in the UK? I've seen many American places, such as Bob's site, but don't really know where I should be looking here in England, especially as I don't have a specific make / model in mind.
Click to expand...

Have you actually read this thread....? :confused:

I'm not trying to be funny - but this thread is basically a list of places to buy DBs in England - if you read it , it answers your question?

So what are you asking...? :confused:
 

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