Double Bass What would be a good beginner upright?

[Wasnex]

If you have not previously played upright, I suggest renting. I believe some vendors will do rent-to-own in case you decide to buy later. Some may even allow you to put rental expenditures towards an upgrade.

Why rent? The main factor is selling an upright without taking a huge loss can take a very long time.

1. While there are certain similarities between bass guitar and upright, they should be treated as a different instruments. For example, I use totally different fingering systems on upright and bass guitar. Also upright tends to be more difficult to master and requires more strength. It's a challenging instrument and the idea of renting is to delay purchase until you are certain are you going to stick with it.

2. $1500 probably seems like a lot of money, but this is entry level for upright. If you actually take to the upright, there is a good chance your ability and expectations will quickly outpace what an entry-level instrument is capable of. This is especially true if you intend to develop proficiency with the bow. So there may be a benefit to renting until you develop to the point where you need to step up to the next quality level. A good hybrid with a carved top can provide a huge improvement over a laminate instrument.

If you are really interested in learning to play upright, I strongly encourage you to find a teacher. Without a teacher you are likely to develop all sorts of bad habits. A teacher can show you proper technique and organize lessons so you learn them in a sensible order. A teacher may also be willing to help you choose a bass. FYI, tere are lot's of really crappy options at the $1500 price point. We sometimes refer to them as cheap-bass-shaped-objects (CBSO).

 

[TroyK]

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.

This is the way. Rent or buy, when someone offers to help like this, your chances of a good outcome go way up.

I'm always proud when our community steps up, which it frequently does.

 

[turf3]

2. $1500 probably seems like a lot of money, but this is entry level for upright. If you actually take to the upright, there is a good chance your ability and expectations will quickly outpace what an entry-level instrument is capable of. This is especially true if you intend to develop proficiency with the bow. So there may be a benefit to renting until you develop to the point where you need to step up to the next quality level. A good hybrid with a carved top can provide a huge improvement over a laminate instrument.

In my case, after renting hybrids for a year (Christopher and Shen) and playing probably 10 different basses to decide what to buy, I spent $3600 for a fully carved instrument for the first one I owned.

Now I grant you, I was a 50 year old professional with the money to do this and not be concerned about the cost (sorry, it sounds like bragging, but it isn't meant to be), but that was what the bass I liked best cost. (OK, there was the $15,000 bass I did like better, but I couldn't justify THAT.) But the point is that DB is not a cheap habit to get into. Unlike electric bass where you can get a perfectly serviceable beginner's instrument and practice amp for $200, and a pro rig can cost say $2000, with upright those numbers look more like $1500 and $5000.

 

[trevcda]

I would go to my local string shop, but they primarily sell high end instruments.

I would become somewhat of a fixture there anyway. They know who's buying and most importantly who is selling to buy a better instrument. That might put you in a position to be ready to jump a potentially good deal. Unlike electric basses, hoarding uprights can take up some serious real estate in your house. But like others have said, rent and see how you get on with it before dumping a bunch of capitol into something that may not jibe with you. Then again, there is something to be said about having an upright laying around... Just in case!

 

[AK Bass Guy]

When I had a double bass, I lucked out with Craigslist and found an inexpensive Czech plywood bass probably originally made in the 80s. I played bluegrass, country, and acoustic singer/songwriter stuff with it. I had it set up well and string with a set of Spyrocores on it. When I went to the festivals I'd always get compliments on how loud it was and how good it sounded by all the other bass players that usually played Kay's strung with La Bella's.