Hi everyone! I've been playing electric bass since November of 2023, although I'd say guitar has been more so my main for the simple fact that it's harder to make a guitar sound decent so I've needed to put more hours in. Now, I've come to realize that my very hot, active, bass doesn't really work for the music I write a lot of. Not to mention, I've fallen in love with orchestral bass and orchestral cello in recent months. Now I'm preferably looking for something in the 1500 ish range, maybe lower if anything okay can be found in that price. I would go to my local string shop, but they primarily sell high end instruments. So does anyone have any recommendations?
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Greg Clinkingbeard
Commercial User
I'm in south east Missouri, us. Also, I'm saying this now, I would have to save up for it as at the moment, I don't have 1500 on hand, I just know that you probably won't get a decent one for under that price
If you're wanting to play orchestral music, maybe save up & spend a bit more to find a used hybrid, like a Shen SB-150. The solid top will sing in an orchestra, compared to a laminate. It'll last you longer too as you may not feel the need to upgrade so quickly.
When I wanted to get into playing upright, I rented one from Music and Arts.
It's a bit of a hike for you, but KC Strings is a big shop and I believe they have rentals available that'll be far and away higher quality than anything you can likely buy in your price range. Gives you a chance to get acquainted and figure out if it's something you really want to go for; if you really do enjoy orchestral music, I don't think you'll ever be really satisfied bowing a plywood.
i agree that a shen hybrid can be a hell of a bass.
or, a laminate can be a nice choice too - but buy a reputable one. shen, or a restored Kay, are great choices if you can make the budget work.
used shen 80's are the cheapest "worth it" basses and i really like mine - i've had it since '06. they don't sound super amazing but they are nice basses that you certainly will enjoy using.
or, a laminate can be a nice choice too - but buy a reputable one. shen, or a restored Kay, are great choices if you can make the budget work.
used shen 80's are the cheapest "worth it" basses and i really like mine - i've had it since '06. they don't sound super amazing but they are nice basses that you certainly will enjoy using.
Save up as much as you can. What ever your budget is, keep in mind you will have to spend more to get strings and probably a better setup or some better components ( endpin, possibly bridge). Lower price point basses are often setup poorly. Don't only buy it because you can afford it. I have clients that have done that and really shouldn't have bought the instrument. Play other peoples basses. Try a lot of basses and educate your self. Have other players look at the instrument. He is probably far but there is a talented, ex NYC shop luthier in Columbia
The best thing you can do is contact the director of a regional university or high school or civic organization that has a good youth orchestra and ask them for a recommendation. You will probably get a recommendation for something like a Shen. Good student basses. Remember that the "standard" size double bass is actually called a "3/4," and has a mensure of @42-43 inches. Gollihur, String Emporium, Cleveland strings, Kansas City strings, Upton, and a few other stores that specialize in such may also have good stock in your budget.
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I would rent first with lessons from a local place if you can, and if no luthier's are available a chain like music and arts should be fine.
Shen Uprights' are cool, you have to look for shops that sell them, some users and myself have seen the amaziness of String Emporium, but last time I ask which to be fair was 2 years ago when supply chain issues were way worse, he didn't have many of the cheaper 1500 range basses he sells, but he is an awesome guy to work with. Also Gollihur music has some great ones.
Shen Uprights' are cool, you have to look for shops that sell them, some users and myself have seen the amaziness of String Emporium, but last time I ask which to be fair was 2 years ago when supply chain issues were way worse, he didn't have many of the cheaper 1500 range basses he sells, but he is an awesome guy to work with. Also Gollihur music has some great ones.
They have a double bass instructor and should be able to help you:
South Eastern Missouri Music Academy
South Eastern Missouri Music Academy
If you just had to have a couple names, I'd say Shen laminate or Christopher laminate. These are Chinese made basses that by all accounts are of pretty good quality and high reliability.
I'd caution that the path many/most electric bassists and guitarists follow as beginners (buy an instrument, start messing around with it) is probably not the best path for double bass - not if you want to learn how to play the thing properly, with good intonation, good tone, and not injuring your hands and arms.
Personally I recommend to: a) rent a student bass for a year or six months, including bow; b) secure the services of a qualified instructor; c) study and practice assiduously using one of the standard pedagogical methods (Simandl, Nanny, etc.)
Generations of bored unmotivated middle schoolers using this path have learned how to play the double bass in short order with acceptable quality - a motivated adult who actually practices will tear through it. Flailing around on your own without following the well-established pedagogical path, MIGHT work better than the standard path for a small fraction of people. But for the ordinary person, I believe the standard path offers the best combination of speed, effectiveness, and results.
Just buying something cheap and starting to mess around with it can work OK with electric bass where you can get a perfectly functional beginner instrument and practice amp for something like $250. Just buying something cheap and starting to mess around with it is a lot higher risk path for DB.
I'd caution that the path many/most electric bassists and guitarists follow as beginners (buy an instrument, start messing around with it) is probably not the best path for double bass - not if you want to learn how to play the thing properly, with good intonation, good tone, and not injuring your hands and arms.
Personally I recommend to: a) rent a student bass for a year or six months, including bow; b) secure the services of a qualified instructor; c) study and practice assiduously using one of the standard pedagogical methods (Simandl, Nanny, etc.)
Generations of bored unmotivated middle schoolers using this path have learned how to play the double bass in short order with acceptable quality - a motivated adult who actually practices will tear through it. Flailing around on your own without following the well-established pedagogical path, MIGHT work better than the standard path for a small fraction of people. But for the ordinary person, I believe the standard path offers the best combination of speed, effectiveness, and results.
Just buying something cheap and starting to mess around with it can work OK with electric bass where you can get a perfectly functional beginner instrument and practice amp for something like $250. Just buying something cheap and starting to mess around with it is a lot higher risk path for DB.
That brings back memories - when I was in HS I did a week at the "Golden Eagles" Marching Band Camp @ SEMO. Remember being blown away when I heard Steely Dan's "Deacon Blues" for the first time in their Student lounge....
Greg Clinkingbeard
Commercial User
A Shen SB88 might be a good choice. I have sold a few to high school kids who are playing youth orchestra and such. They are great for pizz but bow surprisingly well. There was a used one in Tulsa recently.
Yeah, I didn't want to get off topic in my post but I have to agree. To the OP even if you only learn Pizz, please please PLEASE, get lessons, I would even secure a teacher first since some areas of the States finding an Upright teacher can be hard or a long drive. Don't learn it without lessons so just echoing what turf3 said, you can mess up your body badly even if you are doing the correct position without lessons, the risk is not worth it without some guidance from a teacher!
Look at the Thompson bass for the money it's pretty good and you can see demos on the web
Last night, for example.
I went to a bluegrass jam I'd never been to before. Pretty high level of musicianship all round. There was another guy there who often plays bass if there's no one else to play bass, but mostly plays guitar. He told me a bit about it; it was the "buy a nice old Kay, spend a bunch of money on strings, and see what happens". Typical self-taught bluegrass guy whose real instrument is something else and doubles on bass. So I had to go to the bathroom, and he played my bass while I was gone.
Just as I expected.
Baseball bat grip so every note you've got to shift; wee little plucking sounds halfway up the neck, can't hardly hear what he's doing, and the beat isn't clearly positively stated. I'll point out too that my bass is plenty loud and has a nice low action that's easy to play.
Instruction is HUGE for double bass, in my opinion.
You really should rent!
You're in southeast Missouri? Take a drive up to St. Louis. There are two shops you should visit: St. Louis Strings and Top Notch Violins. (St. Louis Strings is under the same "business umbrella" as KC Strings, which was mentioned above). Both of these shops RENT instruments, as they do a lot of business with schools and their music students.
If you'd like some help selecting an instrument at either of these shops, I'd be happy to lend a hand ... send me a PM if you wish.
You might wish to read up on the countless similar threads posted here in the past.
Given your location, you should very likely take Andy up on his generous offer. I'm sure he'd welcome the opportunity to help SOMEONE ELSE spend their money for a change!
Given your location, you should very likely take Andy up on his generous offer. I'm sure he'd welcome the opportunity to help SOMEONE ELSE spend their money for a change!
