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Double Bass Is this a steal?

A

adytum

Feb 23, 2009
21
0
#1
Hi! I've been wanting to start playing double bass for a while, and have been on the lookout for something affordable to start with.
Then I came across this:


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I don't know much about these basses, so I'm wondering whether you guys could judge from the pictures. $250 is what he's asking for. It's a 3/4 size bass, in what he describes as imitated ebony fingerboard, and body in imitated laminate. Isn't that a bit strange? It's supposed to be brand new, and he says he inherited it, but knows absolutely nothing about instruments. Haven't got a response to my question about brand and logo yet, but I assume it's from Asia and pretty cheaply built.

So, any thoughts? Any ideas about what I could ask the seller?
 
#3
adytum said:
Hi! I've been wanting to start playing double bass for a while, and have been on the lookout for something affordable to start with.
Then I came across this:


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I don't know much about these basses, so I'm wondering whether you guys could judge from the pictures. $250 is what he's asking for. It's a 3/4 size bass, in what he describes as imitated ebony fingerboard, and body in imitated laminate. Isn't that a bit strange? It's supposed to be brand new, and he says he inherited it, but knows absolutely nothing about instruments. Haven't got a response to my question about brand and logo yet, but I assume it's from Asia and pretty cheaply built.

So, any thoughts? Any ideas about what I could ask the seller?
Click to expand...

The plausible facts that the seller has given you (ebonized fb, laminate) imply that the quality of the instrument is low, but for $250, you already knew that. Apart from the obvious concerns about bass-shaped objects, though, there are other things that raise red flags for me:

First, why is it that the seller "inherited" a "brand new" bass? It's not inconceivable (yes, it means what I think it means), but that fact seems irrelevant given that it's brand new, except possibly to explain why the seller "knows nothing" about instruments.

Second, why does the seller have pictures of the instrument that are catalog-quality (ie, on a perfect white background)? Most amateur sellers have low quality pics against the background of their living room, backyard, garage, etc, but this guy has a white box and a stand allowing him to take pictures where you can't see what's holding the bass up.

These don't say much to me about the quality of the instrument, but they imply to me that the seller is lying to you about at least these things, and hence I'd be suspicious that the seller isn't telling you the whole truth about other things as well.

I'd suggest you find a more reputable dealer to work with.
 
#4
The proffesional quality pics are very strange indeed... From those pics it is clear that the bass is practically unplayable. The bridge is way off from where it should be and the action is way to high because of that. You're going to need to take it to a qualified luther where you'll have to spend hundreds to get it in good playable condition.
 
#6
You will probably have to have a complete setup on it: redo the bridge, have the fingerboard contoured properly, the nut redone, the tailpiece redone with the proper afterlength, etc., not to mention new strings. The setup and a new set of strings can each cost more than the asking price of the bass. I can tell just from the pictures that the nut slots aren't nearly deep enough, and it has an anodized aluminum tailpiece that will whang in sympathy causing wolf notes until you get a good hardwood tailpiece and tail cable adjusted to the proper afterlength.

Now, if you're willing to learn to do all the work yourself and shop for a used set of strings on the forum, like I did, it could be a great learning experience if the neck joint is secure, etc.
 
#11
adytum said:
I'm very grateful for the responses, and I'm obviously not buying it. My savings account will probably be the means to which I buy my first double bass, rather than an impulse!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

You're welcome and good for you! By the way, it wasn't "obvious" that you weren't going to buy it but it sure is wise. :)

You might not believe how many folks come in here with a similar question, gather the same type of responses, and then basically argue with the people who gave the advice that it really does make sense to go ahead with such a purchase.

Again, wise choice. :)
 
#12
This bass isn't in Houston, TX is it? There's someone here who sells basses for $200 - $300 and the story goes that he inherited it from someone. I actually bought one for $275. The guy said it was made in Indonesia. I was lucky. The only set up needing to be done was lower the strings and I think I paid $30 at Lisle Violin. That was 4 years ago and the bass is still being played by it's 4th owner. Not suggesting that you will be this lucky, but very curious as to the location of the bass given the story you have.
 

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