Double Bass Need affordable bass for beginner 12yrs old

[mikestro]

I have 3 kids playing stringed intruments, one is playing double bass for the first time this year. I am on a very tight budget and Id rather purchase than rent. I am starting to regret encourgaing my son to take up DB at his school. He plays electric guitar and that was not offered at his new school so I figured DB would be a logical progression. His school does not offer rental of the basses. After a little research I realized that its virtually impossible to get a good DB in the 700 - $900 range which is all I can afford. The added cost of strings and maintenance is really throwing me for a loop. He's playing 3/4 size at school and that was recommended by his teacher.

So far everything I found in my price range is not really highly spoken of. So far I have researched Cremona, JZ, D'luca, Josef Bremen. Has anyone heard of these brands and are any of these cheap basses any good.

HELP!

 

[Doner Designs]

Does your school district have a jazz band? If so, maybe electric bass would be an option. Much cheaper and an easier transition from guitar too.

Any Squier would be a good choice in electric. I'm not able to help with DB.

 

[Stick_Player]

You might want to get a few other recommendations as to the scale for a 12-year-old. Unless your kid is on the much taller with larger hands size - a 3/4 might be on the "too-large-size" side.

My 12-year old plays on a 1/2 size. I have a 3/4 and it's too big for him. I do NOT believe in the "he'll grow into sales pitch". I'm sure there are plenty of stories to the contrary, though.

Having said that, buying a 1/2 size bass and expecting to move up to the next size by trading it in, you most likely will take a $$$ hit. I knew this going in. Hopefully my actuarial spread-sheet has shown that I will, in the end, be better off than renting.

The DB is a beast. Having an instrument that is easier to play will help encourage more time on it.

This is not an easy decision. But if you are in the Philadelphia are, I would think you could find a decent 1/2 size (or even a 5/8 size) to rent and then apply that rent (or a portion) to a future purchase of a better 3/4.

That's just my plan for my son and it is working out. He actually started on a 1/10 scale (which I purchased, still have, and will never part with). We then rented 1/8 and 1/4 sizes before purchasing the 1/2 size. I see keeping this 1/2 size for a few more years.

This is NOT an inexpensive undertaking - NO string instrument path is. These are not $300 bass guitars for beginners/hobbyists.

Best of luck! And it's great that you are doing this!

 

[Barongket]

You might try Ideal Music in NYC. They often have new old stock basses in various sizes in stock. I've bought 2 basses from them on line at good prices. I agree with stick player; it's an expensive undertaking, basses, bows, lessons, music etc, it adds up. I do, however, find it well worth the expense, my son who started lessons when he was 5 is now in the bass section of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra as an eight grader. I also still have his first 1/10 size bass.

 

[Vlad Estragon]

You're not going to get anything but problems if you buy a $700-900 bass.

My teacher works with a lot of kids and speaks highly of Invalid Link Removed in Williamsport, PA. They have a rent-to-own program that allows you to trade up in size as your child grows. I played a fully carved Shen they sent to my teacher to try out, and in my limited experience, it was very nice indeed.

 

[Luke S Mouse]

You can always try a pawn shop for a used Ibanez or Squier. Of course you'll have to test them and everything, but they do the job.

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

You can always try a pawn shop for a used Ibanez or Squier. Of course you'll have to test them and everything, but they do the job.

Dude, You accidently wandered off onto the dark side .



OP, first of all, I'm self taught hack of a BSO player, so take the next keeping that in mind.

If Your son likes playing DB enough for keeping it as a hobby/semi-profession then do him a favour and please don't stop now.

DB opens many doors that are not even there for BG players, and if he wishes to play BG on the side at some point, no harm done.

I do know that a BG is cheap introduction to bass frequencies, but as rare BG players tend to be, DB players will never fail to find a paying gig.

And I don't mean it's all about money, it sure ain't, but it'll help in the desicion making. IMHO anyway.

As for the size, I'm pretty comfortable with any, but if the teacher has recommended 3/4, he must have his reasons. "Reducing" the size will not considerably lower the price in that price range anyway, and will make finding a good deal from hard to impossible.

We Finns tend to be pretty tall, so I can imagine about 20% or so of boys that age over here would have no problems playing a 3/4. I obviously don't know the situation over there, but unless his eyebrows aren't way below the nut there shouldn't be any problems.


Regards
Sam

 

[Hqubed]

There is a 1/2 size in PHL here [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] very reasonable. I have no interest, just passing on information.

I will say my son begain playing at age 11 on a 1/2 size which lasted him 9 months as he could not wait to move up "to a real" bass. Many (except his private teacher) told us the 3/4 was too big for him and he should be using the 1/2. He however practiced more and with more effort on the 3/4, the mental part of the process . He than shot up 8 inches in a year and is now on a large 3/4 or small 7/8.

Best of luck to you and your son.