• 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 Should I try the Wan Bernadel?

T

Thebasshero95

Jan 17, 2012
10
0
#1
Im thinking about trying the Wan Bernadel at Stringemporium.com but dont have the money to purchase it but still need a bass. I think that if im not close to purchasing a bass I shouldnt bother on paying shipping money to ship it for a week. What do you think I should do?
 
#2
Why do that? There are always going to be instruments that you can't afford that sound better than what you can. My first teacher was the great bassist Richard Davis. He taught out of the lower floor of his W. 87th St. brownstone, and had several wonderful basses, one, in particular, was the first lions head I'd ever seen and had a huge sound up and down arco or pizz and played like butter. One time I complained that my bass wasn't good enough. He said that a bass players job was to fall in love with the bass he has. Check out the Thompson hybrid bass from the String Emporium. A student of mine just got one, and it's very nice. A jazz player could have a career on it, and a classical player could go a long way with it, and probably end up keeping it forever as a second bass
 
#3
jloehrke said:
Why do that? There are always going to be instruments that you can't afford that sound better than what you can. My first teacher was the great bassist Richard Davis. He taught out of the lower floor of his W. 87th St. brownstone, and had several wonderful basses, one, in particular, was the first lions head I'd ever seen and had a huge sound up and down arco or pizz and played like butter. One time I complained that my bass wasn't good enough. He said that a bass players job was to fall in love with the bass he has. Check out the Thompson hybrid bass from the String Emporium. A student of mine just got one, and it's very nice. A jazz player could have a career on it, and a classical player could go a long way with it, and probably end up keeping it forever as a second bass
Click to expand...

You are right I just need a new bass since I decided to do this in college and possibly as a career I wanted to get the one I wanted the most that was really high quality to save me money from buying more than one bass in the long run.
 
#5
Thebasshero95 said:
Im thinking about trying the Wan Bernadel at Stringemporium.com but dont have the money to purchase it but still need a bass. I think that if im not close to purchasing a bass I shouldnt bother on paying shipping money to ship it for a week. What do you think I should do?
Click to expand...

Where are you? Maybe somebody near you has a Wan B they'd let you play.
 
#7
Thebasshero95 said:
Im thinking about trying the Wan Bernadel at Stringemporium.com but dont have the money to purchase it but still need a bass. I think that if im not close to purchasing a bass I shouldnt bother on paying shipping money to ship it for a week. What do you think I should do?
Click to expand...
Play as many basses as you can as often as you can. See below.

jloehrke said:
Why do that? There are always going to be instruments that you can't afford that sound better than what you can.
Click to expand...
Nuh uh. EVERY BASS EVER BUILT sounds better than what I can, J., if Richard Davis is playing it.

jloehrke said:
My first teacher was the great bassist Richard Davis.
Click to expand...
Man, you started at the top!

jloehrke said:
One time I complained that my bass wasn't good enough. He said that a bass players job was to fall in love with the bass he has.
Click to expand...
That's a statement about passion, not monogamy.

Love the bass you're with but play 'em all! See what you dig and figure out how you can get closer to that sound with the one you usually play. Because, as you'll hear many folks around here note, a good bassist can pull his or her desired sound from whatever instrument is at hand.

Next . . . .
 
#11
longfinger said:
Playability is mainly a function of setup. Take the bass to a bass luthier in your area and get it set up properly.
Click to expand...

Its mostly with the shape of the neck my hand just cramps up while playing my personal bass (which has a much thinner neck) but when playing my school bass (which has a thicker neck) its not uncomfortable at all its real easy to bow especially since I just put evahs on it a couple of months ago so its just the left hand that bothers me.
 
#12
Sam Sherry said:
Play as many basses as you can as often as you can. See below.


Nuh uh. EVERY BASS EVER BUILT sounds better than what I can, J., if Richard Davis is playing it.


Man, you started at the top!


That's a statement about passion, not monogamy.

Love the bass you're with but play 'em all! See what you dig and figure out how you can get closer to that sound with the one you usually play. Because, as you'll hear many folks around here note, a good bassist can pull his or her desired sound from whatever instrument is at hand.

Next . . . .
Click to expand...
Best quote you could hear from anybody. Anyways dont get me wrong I love my bass Its beautiful with a nice sound for a ply. Infact if I dont sell my bass to upgrade (and I hope I dont) I would still play it whenever I can.
 
#13
To answer your original question: no, you shouldn't ask the String Emporium (or any other instrument seller) to ship you a bass until you're ready to follow through on the process. Too many things can go wrong--If you damage the bass during your "trial" period, you're liable. Additionally, paying the non-trival costs of shipping is an expensive way to try out a single bass for a single week. And it's kind of an abuse of the good faith inherent in the trial system: the merchant is taking the time to set up, package and haul the bass (to and from the airport) with no compensation other than the hope of a sale.

Put your current bass up for sale, save your money and look forward to playing these step-up basses when the time is right.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back