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Double Bass pretty sure I will get flamed for this but...

#41
LouisF said:
For $79 + shipping over you budget, you could go here. It's not great but it will be dependable:

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It's an okay bass for it's price.

For the OP: Keep in mind that new basses, especially in that price range depreciate a lot in the first few years. You're better off looking for a slightly used bass here on TB. Basses for sale in that price range come up frequently, often because the seller had given up on trying to learn to play the bass.

Cremona's slogan should be "The Bass that Makes You Want to Quit". It's that bad.

Since you mentioned that you have the means to afford more, but won't spend more out of principle. Most people will not buy junk out of principle. Keep in mind that to get that cost down to $1000, a lot of compromises in quality of material and labor had to be made. Just like everything else produced, there is a point of diminishing return, but there is a point of value. Far below that point of value is junk, where things are destined to be thrown in the trash after a couple of uses and not worth fixing [DEL]if[/DEL] when something breaks.
 
#42
Uprightbass.com--Yes, YES, YES!!! Great post and such a wonderful slogan for Cremona!

drurb said:
...The main point I was alluding to in my response was that, among carved basses, that kind of outlay will not a fetch what I would consider to be a decent one. To be sure, any of the Eberles beat a Crapmona. Still, if I had a budget of $2k, I would not choose the carved Eberle. Just my opinion.
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Drurb--I definitely agree. I'm curious about the carved Eberles since I have a ply and a hybrid that are great for bluegrass and other folk music....but probably would pass on a carved Eberle as well when it comes to actually forking over 2k.
 
#43
whitespike said:
Unfortunately, the Eastman is much too far away... couldn't imagine the pain in the arse/cost to ship... I live in Austin, TX.
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What did you think of that Strunal in Houston? I posted it on the first page, if you didn't catch it.


Good to see you're patient on this, I have seem other threads on the forum turn into shouting matches where the OP argued against the advice they sought. I personally wouldn't even be looking at new basses, especially not for your price range... age does wonder for these instruments, even on the lower end, and the more basses you go look at and get your hands on the more that will become apparent.

I wish I had known talkbass when I was looking around for my first bass!
 
#46
Nagrom said:
Tough crowd. Imagine hanging here with a Cremona.
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I think it's happened. My bass is nothing to shout about, and I don't get any guff about it.

It's one thing to advise someone who has the whole world of basses to choose from. But once a person owns a bass, it's probably the one they will be playing for a while, and the advice tends to turn towards helping the player make the best of it.

In both cases it's a matter of helping out a fellow bassist.
 
#47
whitespike said:
Thanks for everyone's helpful information. I would be a fool to not listen...

I saw the one in Houston, but honestly I don't want a six hour round trip unless I know I want the bass. And I will only know if I try it!!! I am thinking finding one in Austin is key, and shouldn't be too hard with some patience.
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I'm with Gornick......kind of like he says, players come in asking for advice then decide they want to look like they know more than they really do about these wonderful instruments. Those are the threads where we hear Noob's from the other side whining about how rough and "unwelcoming" we are over here.
Yeah, you done good. Hang in and good luck with finding your bass.

EDIT: Six hour round trip drive?
Big deal. Why, when I was a youngin' I WALKED in a DAMN snow storm in 6 below for 5 MILE.................Never mind. :hiding:
 
#48
Hey OP,

You're in Austin? Please check this out (German ply, 1950s, $1350). Possibly a good deal, and you don't have to worry about scratching up your shiny new bass!

Cheers,

Paul (Eh_train)

Edit: Why don;t I put in the link while I'm at it?!

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#49
6 hours round trip? Pack up the car with some snacks and drinks, a stack of CD's, and maybe a friend or two. Find a few other places to stop along the way. Make it exciting.

Read some of the threads on how to audition a bass and go do it. It will be a great experience even if you don't buy the bass.
 
#54
#56
whitespike said:
I saw the one in Houston, but honestly I don't want a six hour round trip unless I know I want the bass. And I will only know if I try it!!! I am thinking finding one in Austin is key, and shouldn't be too hard with some patience.
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Pfft. I'm in Austin also, and I know the trip to Houston isn't that bad. However, you can find good deals in Austin. Just be patient. Uprights show up in the Austin Craigslist ads every couple of weeks. Besides that, you can check the bulletin board in the DB area of the UT music building, and also at ACC. Have you checked all the violin shops?
 
#58
Paul Wornandbrokendown said:
An' surrounded by a packa hongry Grizzled Barr'.
They do come in packs don't they?
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I don't know about that--as long as you've been around a sabertooth might have been a bigger threat.



whitespike said:
honestly I don't want a six hour round trip unless I know I want the bass.
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Spike,

Perhaps I am wrong, but it appears that you're giving this some serious thought and want to get the best bass you can afford. I also get the impression you don't want something that will self-destruct or that you will outgrow within a couple of years. You also seem to have the patience to wait for the right bass.

With that in mind, is a 6 hour round trip not a small price to pay? Quite a few of us spent months or years searching for the right bass. I probably played at least 30 different basses and logged close to 1,000 miles of driving before settling on my current instrument. Looking back, I don't think of any of that time or expense as wasted.
 
#59
Steve Killingsworth said:
I probably played at least 30 different basses and logged close to 1,000 miles of driving before settling on my current instrument. Looking back, I don't think of any of that time or expense as wasted.
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That's right, I went to Grand Rapids, New York, Boston, Cincinnati and Iowa City to play basses, probably over 100 in my search. I ended up with one I found right here at home, but wouldn't have known it was a good bet without all the prior experience. Toad did a similar search. If you're serious, that may be what it takes.
 
#60
+1

No effort, no gain. Traveling while listening to music beats buying a lousy bass and fighting it for the next "X" number of years.

Just my 2c.


Steve Killingsworth said:
I don't know about that--as long as you've been around a sabertooth might have been a bigger threat.





Spike,

Perhaps I am wrong, but it appears that you're giving this some serious thought and want to get the best bass you can afford. I also get the impression you don't want something that will self-destruct or that you will outgrow within a couple of years. You also seem to have the patience to wait for the right bass.

With that in mind, is a 6 hour round trip not a small price to pay? Quite a few of us spent months or years searching for the right bass. I probably played at least 30 different basses and logged close to 1,000 miles of driving before settling on my current instrument. Looking back, I don't think of any of that time or expense as wasted.
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