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Double Bass seeking help in gift giving, upright for 1K

G

goozo37

Dec 4, 2011
0
0
#1
hello,

looking for help---
girlfriend collaborating with boyfriend's friends to buy him a bass for his birthday. we have around 1,000 to spend. want to get the nicest we can for our budget.
definitely want it to be full-sized.
we're in the sf bay area.
thoughts on places to go? things to look for/things to avoid? used/new?
any help much appreciated!!
 
#3
Hi,
Careful with the size -- full size on bass means something a little different than on the rest of the string instruments. Anything from 3/4 and up can be perfectly fine, depending on the instrument. A full size bass is really big and can be difficult to get around, unless the player is particularly big.
The Shen model mentioned earlier is a good way to go. Also, check out stringemporium.com. They are great. Call them and ask for Steve. They have good instruments at unbeatable prices and Steve makes sure that they are set up perfectly and ready to go. I've been doing business with him (personal and for my students) for the past few years and have never been disappointed. Ask him anything you need to know ... he'll be helpful and honest.
Good luck,
Gil
 
#6
Does the recipient have any experience with playing?

If so, it might be best to let him in on the decision-making; an instrument is a personal thing.

If not, it might be best to apply the funds to renting a bass and lessons, to make sure this is an instrument he'll want to play before buying something.

This (rental plus lessons) is exactly what my wife did for me last year. I'm extremely glad she did.
 
#7
+1 on Rental & Lessons. Much more bang for the buck. I'm certain that there is someplace good in the bay area for that. It's not uncommon for accumulated rental credits to be applied to a purchase of an instrument of his choice later.
 
#11
Keep a eye on craigslist. Over the last year or so I have seen a few Shen-SB80 w/pro setups pop up in the Nashville area for under $1000.

I recently picked up a used Engelhardt EM-1 for $300. It needs a setup though. Mainly a new bridge and some nut work.

Steve
 
#12
That price point is tough to get something decent. For another $500 you could get a Shen SB-80 from Steve Swan. Steve Swan Guitars
I'm impressed with what you get for that amount of money.

Steve's in Millbrae by SFO.

Are you sure your boyfriend wants to take up upright or is this just something he'd like to try? I think you might want to consider renting a bass, that way he might be able to play something better than what you guys can afford to buy. And some luthiers will alllow you to put the rental $$$ toward a future purchase. That way your boyfriend will have some experience before he starts to settle on an instrument that he knows a little bit more about than his awesome friends buying it blind for him.

I don't know if Steve Swan even has a rental policy (Steve?), but regardless I'd contact him.

Otherwise, you could try getting an Englehardt mail order: Invalid Link Removed
EDIT: This thread should not be in the classifieds section.
 

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