• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Need a Cheap Upright with Moderate Quality

#21
Herbie 80's said:
I would stay away from things from Long & MacQuade. A fellow poster here works for L&M in the repair shop, and I think he might say the same thing.
Click to expand...

And you'd be wrong! ;) The store I work in has (no surprise) a pretty good selection of double basses which are or can be set up to suit the player. Our store offers a free setup for every stringed instrument, from $200 guitars to $5000 basses.

For instance, we have a new Chinese J. Heinrich Gamba in the store that I set up a couple of weeks ago and it sounds and plays a LOT better than its $2995.00 price tag. The Czech Strunals are also very decent basses in their price range - the all ply ones get a really good pizz sound and the hybrids make nice jazz basses.

The Vancouver store doesn't stock the Stentor model you've referenced but the Stentor 'Rockabilly' basses I've seen are indifferently assembled from inferior materials.

I can't speak to stores in western Ontario but you should definitely get out there and play as many DBs as you can!

Good luck! ;)
 
#22
Ibanez_Bassist said:
Whoa. I plan on joining the jazz program so I won't need a bow right? Wouldn't it be set-up when I buy it? Why would I need a new bridge and pick-up? The ones on the bass aren't good enough? Why would I ever need an amp? Very frustrated now ahaha. If all this is true..I really can't afford to university and pay like 5-6k for a double bass when I plan on doing an electric bass major.
Click to expand...

You're asking many of the right questions, which is definitely a good start. Going down the line...

A bow may or may not be necessary depending on what your teacher thinks. Like transition says, a bow is useful for developing left hand technique. I happen to love playing arco in jazz.

You should only buy from a dealer who is capable of setting it up, so yes, it will be set up when you buy it. A general music retailer is not necessarily equipped to do the work, so it's good that you're finding out who the reputable bass dealers are.

A new bridge sometimes arises... my luthier received my bass without bridge or soundpost, and he fit those things himself. You should be able to just assume that the asking price includes a quality bridge.

Pick-ups are somewhat of a crapshoot. Relatively few basses come with them, and different pickups sound good on different basses. There's lots to read here about pickups.

You'll need an amp if you perform. It's pretty rare to find a band that can play quiet enough to not drown out an un-amplified DB, and especially when you are starting out, your hands will thank you for letting the amp do at least a bit of the work.

Now a question for all of the experts here: For a jazz electric bass major studying DB as a second instrument, wouldn't a ply bass be good enough? Might an honest ply bass be a better choice than a low-end carved?
 
#23
Ibanez_Bassist said:
Whoa. I plan on joining the jazz program so I won't need a bow right?
Click to expand...

You NEED to listen to this album.

Paul.jpg
 
#27
Ahaha you guys are amazing. Thank you so much. Today I'm going to a fine instrument shop, the guy there should be able to give me some more information regarding DB's, I'll try as many as I can.

Regarding the amp, I assume that the university supplies the amp since it would be quite the hassle to lug around both the DB and the amp. Nonetheless, you have all given me much to ask and consider. I appreciate it. Stick_Player, I will definitely start listening to that album...I am such a DB noob. Ahaha. Thanks again.
 
#29
Jake deVilliers said:
And you'd be wrong! ;) The store I work in has (no surprise) a pretty good selection of double basses which are or can be set up to suit the player. Our store offers a free setup for every stringed instrument, from $200 guitars to $5000 basses.

For instance, we have a new Chinese J. Heinrich Gamba in the store that I set up a couple of weeks ago and it sounds and plays a LOT better than its $2995.00 price tag. The Czech Strunals are also very decent basses in their price range - the all ply ones get a really good pizz sound and the hybrids make nice jazz basses.

The Vancouver store doesn't stock the Stentor model you've referenced but the Stentor 'Rockabilly' basses I've seen are indifferently assembled from inferior materials.

I can't speak to stores in western Ontario but you should definitely get out there and play as many DBs as you can!

Good luck! ;)
Click to expand...

I'm sure that since you work there the instruments are great. I realized that after I posted, that it would make much more sense for the L&M basses to be good if a qualified luthier was working there.

I tried two double basses at L&M when I was first starting out, and they seemed nice, but I couldn't say now. I had an untrained eye back then. If I was you, I'd take everyone's advice on here.
 
#30
Hey guys...So I went to the Fine Instrument Shop today and I found a bass that is in my price range. It's a small shop that mainly sells violins but also sells cellos and DB's...I believe someone referred me to the shop earlier within the thread.

Here's the info on it.
ABS - 3/4 - 1955 Eastman m.95
Plywood back and sides. Carved Spruce Top.

It's also an outfit so it comes with a case and a fibre glass bow.
The cost comes to $2900 + Tax which accumulates to $3277

How do you guys feel about this instrument. I thought that it felt reasonably well, perhaps I could get him to adjust the string height but mainly it feels pretty good. Another thing about it is that it offers an adjustable pick-up.

Does anyone have experience with this model of Eastman?

Thanks again guys. :)
 
#31
That Eastman bass could be a good fit for you. I'm not sure what some of those letters and numbers mean though. ABS, 1955.
I assume it's an Eastman Model 95. like this
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
It's a fairly new instrument right?
Adjustable bridge, but pick up must be added right?


Did you play the more expensive basses just to try them out and get a feel for them?

There's this on a GTA CL.
Fully Carved 3/4 Acoustic Upright Bass

An X-Sun bass perhaps like the ones in the store, but at a used-discounted, no taxes, price and all loaded up. Something to check out.
 
#32
longfinger said:
That Eastman bass could be a good fit for you. I'm not sure what some of those letters and numbers mean though. ABS, 1955.
I assume it's an Eastman Model 95. like this
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
It's a fairly new instrument right?
Adjustable bridge, but pick up must be added right?


Did you play the more expensive basses just to try them out and get a feel for them?

There's this on a GTA CL.
Fully Carved 3/4 Acoustic Upright Bass

An X-Sun bass perhaps like the ones in the store, but at a used-discounted, no taxes, price and all loaded up. Something to check out.
Click to expand...

Ahaha, I'm such a noob I'm really not sure sure about the pick-up and I meant adjustable bridge =x. Yeah it was that Model 95 there. I tried a bass that was $3500 alone without an outfit, I was still happy with what the Eastman outfit felt like though. That link approaches the 4k range and I'm really not sure how deep I'm going to dive with double bass. Basically, I just need a DB to last me 4 years, if I'm really into it which i may be, I will sell the beginner model for something more suitable. For now I intend on doing an Electric Bass Major though because I am definitely not competent enough on a DB to major on it, especially at a school like UoT.

Are there any models that are close to the range of the Eastman 95 that are a bit cheaper? I will likely buy the model 95 but I may just wait to see if I am accepted + get more perspective instead of hopping in on this purchase.
 
#33
The price difference is not as much as you think.
used X-Sun on GTA CL, is $3700, bass, case, adjusters, bow, p/u, bass wheel
shop Eastman is $3277, bass, case, adjusters, bow, no p/u, no bass wheel. P/U and bass wheel together could cost about $300 with taxes. So they'd both cost about the same.

The CL bass does appears to be all solid woods, not laminated back and sides like the Eastman. The 1st owner will take the loss in the buy-sell transaction. 2nd owner will buy at a used price and likely re-sell it for about the same price years down the road. That's what happens when buying new vs. used. (eg you won't be able to sell the Eastman for the same price you bought it, likely 70% of the price. 2nd owner though will be able to resell for about the same price as bought)

Something to do if you are so inclined. Contact CL seller and find out details of that instrument. Go back to shop and try out similar instrument they have and get a quote for it. Go check out CL bass and see if it measures up as a musical instrument. What's the price difference? Is it a good deal? Find out.

Take your time and do your leg work. No big rush to buy. Deals are always happening.
 
#35
I think that Sun bass looks worth checking out. I've played a couple of Suns and a couple of Eastmans. The Eastmans were decently put together but sounded dead. The Suns were definitely a cut above. They seem to tend toward the bright side, but for jazz/pizz, that may be fine.
 
#39
Waltjie said:
This is the bass I've got, and I think it's not bad at all... But then again, I've never played anything else! ;)
Click to expand...

I didn't mean to insult your bass! :(

I have set up three of them now and they can sound pretty good for the money but I'm a little concerned about longevity, especially where the fingerboard is concerned.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back