Double Bass Lost in the Options

[mbrsart]

Background: I'm a starving college student who misses his Palatino, left back in California due to lack of space in the trailer. I'm going back home for Christmas, possibly flying. If that's the case, it eliminates bringing my bass back unless I can freight it up to Washington. So I have several options:

1. Drive home for Christmas so that I can drive back with my bass
2. Try and rent a bass up here
3. Get a new (better) bass

If I wind up switching my major from Computer Science to Double Bass, I'll need a bass, and I'm skeptical that Walla Walla University has any instruments I can rent (haven't asked yet though). Any thoughts?

 

[Cyrus Pansch]

Don't switch your computer science degree for a double bass unless your really really really really good... (or want to go into education someday i.e: teach school orchestra & lessons)

 

[jlilley]

As far as renting, I'm not aware of any place to get an instrument on the East side of the state. But if you make the trek to the Seattle area Hammond Ashley and the Bass Church both rent good quality instruments.
Good Luck,
John

 

[MingusAmongUs]

I guess I am basically canceling out my own advice here, which is not to take advice from anyone on an internet forum about career and life choices. If you want to switch your major, go for it. Think it over hard, and be practical but make your own choice and live with it.

Me, I went to music school -- "jazz school" even -- and here I am making a living as a web programmer. If I make a few extra bucks on the occasional gig, then that's spending money mostly, and I have the luxury of picking and choosing my gigs. That's just the choice I made. If you put your mind to it, yadda yadda.

As to your question, driving is probably the simplest and cheapest option in the short term. I'd explore that option first. But, it would be awfully convenient to have a bass in both places. If you think you're going to get a new anyway, might as well start shopping now.

If rentals are available, and you can get one that's well set up, that's probably an equally good option. I did that for $100 a month I think before going to college. Ended up owning that sucker after a year or so, and still do (a decent Epiphone).

 

[Eric Swanson]

Drive home, get bass, drive back. If you are really a broke student, nothing else sounds practical.

You can think about the sacred mysteries at your leisure, once you have your bass. The decision to switch majors, etc. is essentially unrelated. Keep it simple.

 

[conte2music]

Having a nice bass is great, but having less debt as a new graduate is even better. If you have any extra money...put it towards your school expenses. I really wish I would have done this.

+1 on driving to get your bass and call it a day!

 

[mbrsart]

Somebody who works here at the university emailed me about the music department having basses, but she told me to ask the interim department chair (which I was going to do anyway).

I'm not set in my decision; I enjoy programming but not nearly as much as music. And Cyrus's advice makes plenty of sense; in today's world you have to be a virtuoso to make it at all.

I think what's barring me from wanting to continue as a CS major (I'm a music minor) is C++. One of the ugliest languages I've ever seen. And it's what they're cramming down my throat.