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Double Bass Is this a great deal, or... Not?

smeet

smeet

Gold Supporting Member
Nov 27, 2006
9,198
13,437
65
Sammamish, WA
www.reverbnation.com
#1
Hey all, I'm not a DB player yet, but I wanna be, and I came across this, the guy seems to be asking $500 for bass/bow/softcase/pickup. Is it a screaming good deal that I should snap up, or just meh?

I have 1959 3/4 Kay bass that I bought from David Gage in NYC also where I've always got all maintenance.
It's got a large bottom and sounds just as good and loud as 7/8 or full size bass. In fact, when people see it, no one guesses it's 3/4 bass.
So if you're looking for a typical 3/4 size bass this might feel a little bit big for you.

It has David Gage's REALIST pickup which is best that doesn't disguise bass' own acoustic sound. A lot of DB pickups out there just ruin the beautiful acousticness of bass.

Bow is LOTHAR SEIFERT german bow. I play both jazz and classical and this bow does make classic, profound DB sound even with pirastro jazz string.
As far as bowing, you know more than half is about the bow. You can expect the deep bowing sound with a generic bow that kind of comes with new DB at an instrument shop.

Mooradian soft case which is probably one of the best DB soft case in market and a solid flight case. By the law of flight industry, you are required purchase 2 or 3 extra seats unless you ship in a flight case. Barely you get lucky to put your bass in a closet on a plane. From my experience, KLM was kindest to offer it w/o an attitude.

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Click to expand...
 
#11
It's funny.
I'm actually the one posted the ad on Craigslist.
I don't know why "Smeet" missed out a part of my posting but I also posted a flight case with it, and clearly stated in the posting that $500 is only for the flight case and plz email for price for others.
Yes, I started out as a classical bass player until I did both jazz and classic. So I had a couple of bows.
It might seem strange that the bow values just as much as the bass.
But I gotta tell you. It's not your average Kay bass even then, it wouldn't cost $500 for the bass.
 
#12
Also on the note of "Thumpie" I don't know why you'd say it's unecessary but not everybody lives in sunny, perfect climate like california or Arizona, etc. I just moved out to West Coast and realize it's much better for instrument over here.
I have a humidity meter and have kept up to the right humidity and other necessary maintenance.
As for the bass size, it's 3/4 but slightly larger bottom, you can't really tell much difference but when I tried my colleague's 3/4 mine felt a bit larger which made me think it gives me a good reverb and resonance.
Yes, the pegs were installed that way since the David Gage shop inspected, certified and sold me.
Here is the full listing if you want to see.
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#16
sowhat59 said:
It's funny.
I'm actually the one posted the ad on Craigslist.
I don't know why "Smeet" missed out a part of my posting but I also posted a flight case with it, and clearly stated in the posting that $500 is only for the flight case and plz email for price for others.
Yes, I started out as a classical bass player until I did both jazz and classic. So I had a couple of bows.
It might seem strange that the bow values just as much as the bass.
But I gotta tell you. It's not your average Kay bass even then, it wouldn't cost $500 for the bass.
Click to expand...

I responded to your ad on the first and never heard back. :atoz:
 
#17
sowhat59 said:
Also on the note of "Thumpie" I don't know why you'd say it's unecessary but not everybody lives in sunny, perfect climate like california or Arizona, etc. I just moved out to West Coast and realize it's much better for instrument over here.
I have a humidity meter and have kept up to the right humidity and other necessary maintenance.
As for the bass size, it's 3/4 but slightly larger bottom, you can't really tell much difference but when I tried my colleague's 3/4 mine felt a bit larger which made me think it gives me a good reverb and resonance.
Yes, the pegs were installed that way since the David Gage shop inspected, certified and sold me.
Here is the full listing if you want to see.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Plywood basses generally don't need dampits. And they leak, so in this case, you're probably doing more harm than good.

Bass sizes aren't standardized. For a rough guide, see:

http://www.gollihurmusic.com/faq/2-SIZES_DOUBLE_BASS_SIZING_FAQ.html

Yes, the Kay's lower bout might be larger than some, but again, there isn't a "standard."

*Reverb*?
 

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