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Double Bass where to buy strings online?
- Thread starter jebo
- Start date
String Emporium and Quinn Violins are also good.
I find my local archetier, Abe Liebhaber bows, can offer Pirastro's at a lower price than I get on-line. You might want to check with your local luthier. It helps support local crafts people.
Gollihur is my first choice because they have great service, are quick, and have tons of options. I used Lemur music for many years and I still would but they are on the West coast and that’s longer to ship. String Emporium is also great, and it seems that they have the lowest prices.
Thanks for all the suggestions!
Has anyone ever tried thomannmusic?... looks like they're EU based but their US prices are great.
Has anyone ever tried thomannmusic?... looks like they're EU based but their US prices are great.
I used to buy from Lemur a lot when I was in college in the early 2000s, Gollihur as well. Back then it was a paper catalog and you had to call in your order. Having recently gotten back in to double bass, those were the two places I looked for supplies. Gollihur is still awesome, great prices and great customer service. Lemur…who knows. The website is not easily navigable, and it doesn’t seem to have very much, no where near what the old paper catalogs used to have, at least that’s my impression. Gollihur still rules. String Emporium seems pretty great but I haven’t needed anything from them yet.
Lemur is still active but has scaled backed somewhat since Jerry Bufa sadly passed away.
I still like watching the videos he did showing basses in the shop. It is somehow very calming to me. I used Lemur a lot in the old days, too, but I agree with your assessment, they're not moving stuff in our out so much anymore and there are other good small-shop options. Gollihur, String Emporium, Quantum - they're good people, and they're not the big online juggernauts. They know their stuff and their prices are solid or better.
I feel a little bad not buying supplies from my local shop, but I live in a small town and the demand for bass rosin is such that shops only have old rosin, and they don't have bass books for players above a very beginning level. Also, their markup on things like strings are pretty high.
I did when I was in Copenhagen. My recollection was that they felt like a bigger retailer and don't have a huge selection. Is shipping to the US a problem?
I check Gollihur, Lemur, and Quinn for prices and shipping, plus if I'm looking for anything else, like rosin to throw onto my order. The price of a new set of Spirocores is not going to be all that different anywhere, it's usually shipping that will make the difference. My only loyalty of the 3 goes to Gollihur, who I have purchased several things from over the years, including my main amp (EA). But, nothing wrong with Quinn or Lemur.
That said, most of the strings and pickups that I have acquired over the years have come from the TB Classifieds. That's good and bad, no way could I have afforded all of that if I was buying retail. On the bad side, it enabled me when I could have been heads down trying to become a better musician. But, I know what I like now. If I wanted to try a particular set of new strings, I'd definitely watch the classifieds for someone having just done so and see if I had something that appealed to them in trade.
...and sure, support your local luthier, though I'm not sure how much they make on selling a set of strings. I *think* that the two who I prefer to use would rather get paid for their magic than someone else's product. But, if it keeps your relationship with them up, you want something that they stock and you can leave their shop with it instead of watching the mail, sure.
That said, most of the strings and pickups that I have acquired over the years have come from the TB Classifieds. That's good and bad, no way could I have afforded all of that if I was buying retail. On the bad side, it enabled me when I could have been heads down trying to become a better musician. But, I know what I like now. If I wanted to try a particular set of new strings, I'd definitely watch the classifieds for someone having just done so and see if I had something that appealed to them in trade.
...and sure, support your local luthier, though I'm not sure how much they make on selling a set of strings. I *think* that the two who I prefer to use would rather get paid for their magic than someone else's product. But, if it keeps your relationship with them up, you want something that they stock and you can leave their shop with it instead of watching the mail, sure.
Whenever I need anything to do with my upright, I call Gollihur. I’ve made a half a dozen orders in the last couple of years.
Any question I have had has been answered. Every recommendation from them has been spot on. They have everything you might need.
Waiting for a David Gage docking station from them to be delivered tonight
Any question I have had has been answered. Every recommendation from them has been spot on. They have everything you might need.
Waiting for a David Gage docking station from them to be delivered tonight
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that makes a lot of sense then, regarding Lemur. I was unaware. I hope they can return to their former glory. I went to the website looking to pick up a seam kit they used to sell just to have on hand in case, we had one in my college bass studio. A bag of hide granules, a spatula to scrape the old glue off, a couple clamps and instructions. It was brilliant. But when I got to the website things seemed sparse. It’s still a good shop, but I hope someone can take the reins and make it a great shop again.
Yes! Quantum too! I have only ever ordered the black rubber bow grips from them, but I would do business with them again for sure. The bow grip is excellent, they chamfer the edges and they pre-apply some cornstarch so it slips right on. Very smart and thoughtful for such a little accessory. I had some correspondence with them about their wooden endpins, great people there. Lots of great info on their website too. My allegiance is generally to Gollihur for customer service reasons (waiting on their Estle Louis fully carved currently), but we are lucky as double bassists to have a few really excellent small businesses that cater to us, Gollihur, Quantum, Lemur, String Emporium, I haven’t used Quinn yet but I trust it’s equally great. All of those are about as good as it gets with bassists that really care owning and working there, some real old-school customer service.
Earl
Supporting Member
Oops, just got my order and realized that it is the other guys that send candy. Apologies to anyone who orders and feels shortchangedWhenever I need anything to do with my upright, I call Gollihur. I’ve made a half a dozen orders in the last couple of years.
Any question I have had has been answered. Every recommendation from them has been spot on. They have everything you might need.
And, you get a bag of candy with every order.
Waiting for a David Gage docking station from them to be delivered tonight
BobDeRosa
Commercial User
- May 16, 2012
- 2,444
- 4,402
- Disclosures
- Owner, Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camps
I always buy strings from my local luthier, Stringed Instrument Services, and get rewarded with free installation and a general checkup of my bass. For anyone living in NY's Finger Lakes area, it's highly recommended.
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