Double Bass The first purchase **Dang***

[Champagne]

Hello everyone,

I am new here and over the past few weeks I have been reading quite a lot about the instrument I recently fell for.

So, Hello!

I'm a musician and have been one for a real long time and got into the record business. I've recorded all sorts of instruments and for a while, cello and DB always just captivated me. A few weeks ago I was over someone's house and there was a dusty monster standing in the corner what appeared to be a DB and upon asking for certainty it was. After talking to her about it for a while and how she hasn't played it for 8 years I told her if she ever considered parting with it, let me know because I always wanted to try playing DB. She walked to the corner, picked it up and handed it to me, saying "Here, hang onto it for 3 months and see how you take to it." She even carried it to my car! LOL

I arrived home and looked it over, read a little about setup so when I tuned it up, things would be fine then I took my first pluck... feeling that resonance go through my body and fill the live room I record people in, I was captivated. I started moving around the neck and I felt really comfortable (3/4 size DB) and my intonation wasn't too bad! It felt really good.

I went on for a few weeks playing a bit every day and decided to take the plunge and began reading about age, makes and models suitable for my own for when I give hers back to her. The one she loaned me is a plywood made in Czech Republic that has some issues of cracks and had a broken neck (from falling over). I thought a Shen plywood or hybrid would be a safe investment into something of quality.

I looked for used Shens and found one a few hours away, a SB150 and the seller agreed to sell it to me for $1750. I was stoked! The day before we met he called and told me the bass developed a buzz on the E string from open to A and we agreed to split a once-over of a luthier so things were good. Between then and our meetup, I went to a local store and played a full carved bass (only DB they had) to get an idea of what a fine instrument feels and plays like and man... It was like I fell in love all over again with the instrument. Now I had a little barometer.

Today the seller and I met. Super nice guy. Arrived with his DB and girlfriend. He opened it up and I looked at the action and it looked a bit high and I thought it was just due the style of playing he did (pizz) and also it was partly to get it out of the buzzing. It sounded good and was fairly easy to play. I didn't fall in love like I did though it did sound good.We lowered the action a little and the buzz started coming back...

I was kinda bummed. I looked close at the fingerboard and I could see a hump in the board and there were hairline cracks there too and knew that the board was going to need a shave. I was not toooo worried. I figured from what I have read around and what a DB player told me that had been in to record that it should only cost 100-200 for this to be done by a luthier, but still I started getting that uncertain feeling because I have to start spending money as soon as i get it. Seeing the cracks in the board, I asked him if he kept a humidifier in the bag and he admitted he wasn't on top of it and my concern grew a little more...

I thought for a moment to myself "OK, even it the planing cost me a few hundred bucks, I will still be in used market value for the instrument so I am safe as far as investment goes. I was ready to do the deal and I wanted to take one more close look over it and I looked inside the f-holes and I saw light coming in from the back. The back was separating from the sides, 9 inches or so in length.

All I could think is, the description went from a "Almost new" to, neck planing and separated back and what else needed.... So the deal ended without a DB and we were both bummed out.

There's one heck of a 1st post!

I tell ya, I don't feel the same. I am seriously reconsidering taking up the instrument as a result of this. I was home tonight playing the plywood bass and feel disconnected now from the instrument and vibe I had. I know this surely has to do with the experience I had today and I suppose I will have to echo one of the threads here that says you should get one from a reputable store if you can to avoid the uncertainty of what you are getting.

I am sharing this here because the users here and the posts of yours, theirs and everyone's that I have read have been a part of my daily life since I first played a DB a few weeks ago. I think I may still take it up, but for now I am sitting still.... a bit bummed.

 

[mdcbass]

There are some very good deals in the Classified section right here at Talkbass! Depending on your budget and location of course, a properly setup bass in good health may be nearby and affordable.

 

[Violen]

Why are you trying to upgrade from a free DB? I bet its more than adequate for you to learn on.

The question you have to ask yourself was are you in love with playing the double bass, or are you in love with the "Idea" of playing the double bass?

 

[Champagne]

I will have a look in the classifieds. (I am in S.E. Pennsylvania)


The DB I have is not mine. It is on loan. Who knows... maybe she would want to sell it to me. Her intentions didn't seem so and if I was to get one, I would prefer to get one I feel real connected to.

The question you have to ask yourself was are you in love with playing the double bass, or are you in love with the "Idea" of playing the double bass?

I'm not sure what you are getting at with that. Why should I ask myself this question? If I said I play my current DB more than I do the dishes, clean the house, do biz work, etc... how would that answer your question?

I dig the instrument, the feel, how I currently play and how I have improved playing since it coming into my life.... That when playing, my methodical brain shuts off and the reality for the moment, when it is resting in my hand, I am on a stage playing to an audience of me...

 

[Nugun]

I know this is irrelevant, but you, sir, sound like a connoisseur. With an almost instant passion for DB and a user name like that, you reek of class. It never hurt to have a little extra class around.

In regards to your post though, don't let the fire go out due to one bad experience. It will just help you grow as a musician in the long run.

 

[Violen]

I tell ya, I don't feel the same. I am seriously reconsidering taking up the instrument as a result of this. I was home tonight playing the plywood bass and feel disconnected now from the instrument and vibe I had.

<Snip>

I think I may still take it up, but for now I am sitting still.... a bit bummed.

This is what concerns me. I bought a few guitars because i was in love with the idea of playing guitar. I dont play them.

If you couldnt upgrade ever again, and were stuck with your current double bass, would you still play? This sounds more like you were having excitement about getting a new instrument (Possible G.A.S.) than playing.

What if that plywood you got from that nice lady ended up being the only upright you could ever have? Would you quit? In all honesty, for the most part that bass is probably all you need.

Does this make more sense?

 

[Violen]

Also, call her. if she sent it home with you for 3 months, shes probably going to sell it to you.

Call her and find out for sure.

 

[mlz77096]

I'm thinking you're bummed because you were all stoked for "I'm going to buy a bass" and it didn't happen - for good reasons. Keep looking. I bought my first bass for someone else to use and never thought much of playing myself. When I decided to upgrade, the bass I looked at felt so good in my hands and it seemed I could find the notes that, besides buying a better bass, I went on to start really learning it. I love it! Play the one lent to you and keep looking. Yours is out there.

 

[dog1]

Why are you trying to upgrade from a free DB? I bet its more than adequate for you to learn on.

The question you have to ask yourself was are you in love with playing the double bass, or are you in love with the "Idea" of playing the double bass?

Yeah. My wife was in love with playing six string. I bought her some excellent gear. Then she realized that she had to actually work (practice) in order to learn. She lost interest in short order. The guitar and amp collect dust. A free DB is just the ticket to find out if you are willing to do the work. And, it does take work.

 

[powerbass]

There is quite a lot of info on TB about buying a new bass, it's worth poking around. At $1750.00 you are approaching the price point of a new Upton, Shen or Thompson, there are lots of posts about these instruments. If you buy new you will start off with a very healthy instrument good to go. It will also have significant resale value so if you decide playing the DB is not for you you will get most or all of your money back. I purchased a used like new Thompson at a very good price and I am quite happy with it - no cracks, loose seems or funky buzzes. You may find a good deal on a used/older bass. You need to add up all the costs of setting up an older instrument - a good set up with new strings can run several hundreds of dollars. Add a bass bag and bow etc.+$. After you get your bass then you may want to find a teacher and take lessons.

 

[chris1125]

Shanks strings has a nice selection of basses and is not to far away from you, or if you changed your mind on the Shen they should be able to fix the seam and fingerboard relatively inexpensively at that price.

 

[Champagne]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the responses and sorry for not keeping up with the thread. I just haven't had a lot of time to get online for personal things.

Well, I have resumed playing the bass I have and still enjoy it. Still though, I am looking for something that sounds and feels better to me after playing that carved one... just looking to bridge the gap.

The thing with the guy selling the Shen SB100. He told me it was like new and it was far from that and the cracks in the fingerboard, separating back, and rash on the body didn't match the description he gave me. I thought money pit or something along those lines, plus I didn't feel the connection when I played it and I felt the bass was neglected. Recently he has re-listed it with the same description with no disclosure of the issues. So that's the end of that story...

I play every day and am getting better and I am happy about that and that I feel playing the DB be with me for a while.

The other day, a bass popped up on Craig's List. The seller says it is a 30s Framus. Would that be carved? On Framus' site it states:

"Framus then started producing a simpler beginner and student model with laminated woods around 1955."

Now this bass is 1/2 size and I am unsure about playing a 1/2 since I have been playing a 3/4 size for a month or so. The only advantage I could see is it is smaller and I like taking my current DB over to my girlfriend's when I spend nights or weekends so I can practice. What I read around here is people mostly suggest 3/4 size for resale ability and for manly-men and that 1/2 size is for girly men. I am 6' tall maybe 5'11 these days... I do plan on demoing the bass on saturday to see how it feels. He is asking $1300 for it with no bag or bow, so I would have to get them later.

cheerio.

 

[Charling]

Don't worry man!

Its a difficult market, that of a double bass, with most of the cheaper instruments being at risk of developing various issues and a lot of the more expensive instruments having developed some issues due to some kind of accident in their past!

Even then, more expensive newer carved instruments can develop cracks as the wood settles anyway. Luthiers selling new instruments normally aknowledge that this CAN happen and offer to fix them for free when they do.

I guess what I'm trying to say is don't be bummed out too much, they are expensive beasts and finding something that you really connect with which ALSO makes sense financially can be hard but its just a case of looking until you find one.

I just bought myself a lovely new bass, I played it, and loved it, thats how I chose IT, and then the medical checked out and the cost fit my budget and presto it had chosen ME! It has to work both ways, you gotta be a couple

don't rush it, you HAVE a bass to be going on with and thats great, you can take your time to find something right, it's taken me over a year to find my new one!

For what its worth, I'd agree with you that the neck planing is probably acceptable for a bass you like otherwise, fingerboards do need occasional work and eventual replacement (when the instrument is worth the hassle that is) but the back crack would probably be a bit to far for me. But I find it hard to guess the real value of $1750 as instruments are always cheaper cross your side of the pond, not to mention a lot more choice, so theres more to factor in than just the direct currency conversion....

Last thing, 1/2 size is less than girly-man size! Far too small I would say. I am one such girly 9 stone man child and I have used a roughly 5/8ths for years and it really was a bit small. My new bass is 1" in string length away from 3/4 and that suits me PERFECTLY, I have just a little extra stretch past the F to C 5th shape in half position, very comfortable, for me 3/4 is fine but that bottom stretch is edging on a little too much if you are having to sustain both strings at once.

So I'd really recommend staying away from a half size. It may be easier for some people but it's not that much of a stretch for even someone pretty small to get used to a small 3/4 and I think its very worth it in sound, volume, resale and ease of using others' instruments at jams etc.

Good luck! Its a wonderful journey, if you spend the time to find the right one you'll find yourself, like me right now, leaning back from your computer chair and looking accross at your new bass all starry eyed and smitten. Somewhat embarrasing, girlfriends will be jealous but they just don't know man, they just don't know....

 

[iiipopes]

My new bass is 1" in string length away from 3/4 and that suits me PERFECTLY, I have just a little extra stretch past the F to C 5th shape in half position, very comfortable, for me 3/4 is fine but that bottom stretch is edging on a little too much if you are having to sustain both strings at once.

I have a similar issue as Charling. My pinky curves in and a full 41 3/4 inch mensure which is "standard" on a 3/4 bass is just too much. I solved the issue by purchasing a standard 3/4 size bass and "false nutting" it down to 40 5/8, the longest scale I can do F to f octave in 1/2 position.

 

[mdcbass]

You've got a bass in Pennsylvania

 

[Champagne]

Hello Everyone,


The deed has been done! I picked up a used solid romanian 6/8 flat back on saturday. I played a lot of basses that day and it took me 3 hours to decide. The game changer was putting spirocore strings on it. At first, the flat back didn't have what I wanted in tone. It felt good and all..

One thing I noticed and since it was mentioned here I will add to it as a first time bass purchase:

I played a lot of basses in the weeks I was looking. I found that when I played certain basses, my intonation was better and there was less hunting for the notes I was looking for. The Romanian bass fit my hand and fingers. It does lack some of that wood tone I heard in other basses even though it is solid spruce top with maple back and sides, but for me, the fact I could pitch on it easier than other basses made the sale. Plus, after the spirocore were put on it, it had the attack I was looking for. Finger fit I found was really important.

Another thing I came across on this particular bass was the the open E was strong and loud and when I finger from F to A#/B it loses some volume and definition. The bass is from the late 80's.

So far, I have logged about 8 hours of playing on the new bass and am enjoying it a lot. The first night I had it, I was staying at my brother's house and they had some dinner guests arrive after I returned with the bass. Everyone asked me to play and once I did, they kept asking me to play more after I stopped! I mostly pizz on it but I did do a little bowing last night and now it seems I have my first rattle in side it when I hit the open A. LOL.... The new bass trip begins. Oh, when I was up at my brothers, I got my first tip, a dollar bill. That immediately found the inside of the bass through the f-hole and no, that isn't where the rattle is coming from!

Here is a pic:

 

[mdcbass]

Welcome to DB

 

[Champagne]

Thanks

I just phoned a teacher to keep me from learning to play the wrong way.

 

[Champagne]

The spirocores are starting to break in. Apparently, that was the rattle I was hearing the other night. I finally got around to setting up a couple of mics and did a little of recording. Man this is fun. Should be starting lessons this week or next week.



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