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Double Bass Need a new bass (DB forum thread)

S

skittles767

Nov 15, 2010
23
0
#1
ok so ive been playing for almost 8 years now... and my teacher... who played with left over salmon btw... told me i should consider getting a new bass... now i have no idea whats a good brand to start looking at... i wanna know what brands sound good but are still affordable... prefferably a carved bass...
 
#2
I'm sure we'd like to give you some advice.
You haven't given us any details, and you have no info on your profile either (a personal pet peeve of mine):rolleyes:

What type of instrument are you playing now?
Orchestra/solo or jazz/bluegrass use?
New or Used?
Where do you live?
How long are you willing to wait?
What can afford to spend?

Give us someting to work with..:help:
 
#5
SRT80 said:
Don't take this as a "bein' a jerk" comment....cause it's not. I'm a beginner. But is there any reason why you are still takin' lessons after 8 years of playin'? I know we learn somethin' knew everyday. But I would think after 8 years of playin' you would have your own knowledge about different basses.

I would also think if your teacher wants you to get a new bass, he/she should be able to point you in the right direction.

Just my thoughts,
Steve
Click to expand...

not about basses... 8 years still doesnt show everything as im only 16... all im asking is for brand ideas guys... nothing else... i know where the stores are... i just want some good brand names to take a look at
 
#7
3k Mylz said:
Well need some details to help you on your way bud.

What do you have now, what do/don't you like about it? What kind of music do you play? What is your favorite song to play?
Click to expand...

i got the info on my profile now... its just kinda crappy laminate bass... 3/4 size... just not as fluent? as some carved basses that ive tried from the bass community
 
#8
Brand is not important (see the forum for the bad exceptions.), at the very least not compared to the individual instrument. For instance my main bass is a 10 year old Eastman, but I wouldn't buy a 3-5 year old one(standards seemed to fall).

The only real question is what do you think of when you say affordable? because the highest number a slab guy through out is barely a quarter of what an "affordable" fully carved bass will run you.

To everyone else:THIS IS A DOUBLE BASS QUESTION.
 
#9
Since you've given us no usable info..
Where you live, how much can you spend...etc...

I'm just gonna say to to checkout Upton Bass, they have basses of all different price ranges and different makes.. I'm sure Eric would be glad to chat with you and help guide you in the right direction.. We can't recommend something unless we know how much you can spend. Basses vary so much in price, from low low to High high..
 
#13
Chris Fitzgerald said:
Thread cleaned, DB reference put in title. To the OP: what kind of music are you most interested in, and what kinds of ensembles will you be using the bass to play in? The more information folks have, the more they can help you.
Click to expand...

Ok so I play everything... Classical... Jazz... Latin... I'm Hoping to do bass as my career and have thought about a studio musician... So I guess a universal bass
 
#15
skittles767 said:
Ok so I play everything... Classical... Jazz... Latin... I'm Hoping to do bass as my career and have thought about a studio musician... So I guess a universal bass
Click to expand...

Though bass is only my sideline, I'm pretty passionate about it, and my tastes include both classical and jazz.

In my view, you aren't going to buy a bass, at this point, that you will play when you audition for a big-city symphony, so you can put that out of mind. What you'll be doing for the foreseeable future will be: Taking lessons and practicing of course, playing in school and community groups, and similar work.

For that purpose, you could probably get a lot of mileage out of a decent hybrid or carved bass in your price range. While you're a student, your bass is likely to spend a portion of its life in transport and in uncontrolled environments. A hybrid might have the advantage of durability against those rigors, and I'd advise keeping the ply for use in Bad Situations.

I had similar intentions when looking for a new bass. In my view, you should focus on the quality of a bass for classical playing. In the under $10k price range, I doubt that you will find a bass that's good for classical but unsuitable for jazz. There may be some $30k beasts that are for orchestral work only -- a matter that I'm ignorant about. The only factor I've noticed is that jazz players seem to prefer a bass that isn't absolutely huge. When it comes to playing both styles on one bass, you may have to fuss around with strings a bit. Or you might find that your ply is sufficient for jazz work that's typically amplified.

Don't wipe out your entire bass budget and leave nothing left over for a good bow.

After years of plywood playing, I found that I had to spend many hours on carved basses before I could really form an opinion about which ones I liked better than others. Since you have a bass that's at least functional, you have the luxury of time to make a good choice.
 
#16
Have somebody drive you to shops in the area. Your area might include Robertson's in New Mexico and The String Emporium in Phoenix or Cody's shop in Dallas. Basses vary considerably and there is no substitute for spending time with the one you will be taking home with you. I won't give you brand names because as has been said, you can do a search but the name on that little piece of paper doesn't tell you how it will play and sound.
This may help:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43093
 
#17
You have a good chunk of change I'd concur with others and say play as many as you can.
Also the reason we wanted to know where you live is because, in that range of $$ you might find something used at local shops or with local players.

Your 16 so I realize you might not have the means to drive around everywhere searching for basses, I'd say do this..

Get your Camera
Go to surrounding area music stores, and play DB's and take pics.. and notes of likes and dislikes etc and details of basses..

As you try them post the pics and your thoughts on the instruments here in this thread.
Then we'll be able to give thoughts on particular instruments and if the instruments look sound.. and you'll have gotten a little more experience of the different feeling and sounds of instruments, then you'll be able to make a more informed buying decision.

You are lucky to have saved up 6k or have very supportive parents..
They must be great to have been getting you lessons for 8 years already..
So tell them you how much you appreciate them and how much it really means to you.. : )

Plus we all like different things, in basses especially in dimensions and necks..
So, just have some fun and enjoy the searching and buying process a bit and post back here on what you've found locally.. pics always help a ton.. plus we like the eye candy..;)

Best,
 
#19
You really do need to go out and try as many instruments as you can though. Its less about brand names when it comes to Double Bass. Although, the carved Shen basses(especially the 7/8 model), seem to be very consistant. A bass like that won't run you 6K, and would be a great work horse for many different styles. Try as many as you can.
 
#20
maybe send a pm to paul warbutton and ask him about some shops to check out...i think he's in colorado isn't he?

maybe he knows of a few basses for sale even.

you should see if your teacher can help you choose an instrument. he should.
play many basses and choose on that sounds and feels good to you and your teacher.
 

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