Double Bass Why are all uprights so freaking expensive?

[ProDigit]

I mean, they're already saving money on the body,
it's basically just a neck, with pickups.

I remember the EUB4 going for 700, and I thought, lemme wait a bit.
THen it increased to 900.
Then 1200.
Now, 1500.

Really?
15 freaking hundred bucks, for a stick with strings on????

I mean, if Squire would make them, they would go for $300. You know that, right?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Pfft, the starting price in my local shop is $3,500.
I think that's a 3/4 size

 

[Scott Lynch]

I can't speak for EUBs, but as far as DBs go, a considerable amount of work goes into building even an entry level instrument of acceptable quality.

Then there's the task of giving the instrument a proper setup, which is a way more involved for DB than BG. The fingerboard must be properly planed, bridge carefully cut and soundpost precisely fitted. I feel reasonably comfortable adjusting the truss rod and bridge on my electric but I won't even begin to touch any of that stuff on my DB.

 

[chris_b]

Leo Fender never redesigned them for the production line, so upright basses are still made the skilled, old and expensive way.

 

[Trouztrouz]

I mean, if Squire would make them, they would go for $300. You know that, right?

Wellllllllll, maybe there's a reason Squire doesn't make them.

 

[Snaxster]

Why are all uprights so freaking expensive?

Because you haven't brought inexpensive ones to market yet. Seriously: one person's complaint is another's business opportunity. Go for it!

 

[buldog5151bass]

Because they are non CNC/semi skilled employee builds. Also, the market is smaller.

Go back to the 50s/60s. I believe the adjusted cost of a Fender P was over $2000.

 

[Bisounourse]

Really?
15 freaking hundred bucks, for a stick with strings on????

I mean, if Squire would make them, they would go for $300. You know that, right?

The Stagg and Palantino come to mind... And there is the Dean Pace

Invalid Link Removed (less than 390 $ brand new)

 

[Marial]

I bought my Palatino upright brand new for $800. I was warned not to. While the bass has held up and has not delaminated, burst at the seams, or blown a neck joint, it does NOT sound as good as a more appropriate instrument that would be in the $2k to $3k range, which is still CHEAP for a good upright.

You can find them, but you may not want to.

 

[Pirate Captain]

I think the OP is talking about EUBs in particular. Anyway, just get one of these

Seriously, though $1500 doesn't sound all that expensive for a quality made instrument.

 

[two fingers]

Yeah I think you are comparing apples to freight trains.

I would argue that the price of a bass guitar is astronomical considering that 90% of the "crafstmanship" of production bass guitars is done by machine.

 

[Pirate Captain]

Pfft, the starting price in my local shop is $3,500.
I think that's a 3/4 size

Most UBs are 3/4 (Esperanza Spalding plays a 7/8). The only times I've ever seen 4/4s are in orchestral settings. I'm not sure that anyone even makes a 4/4 EUB

 

[brianrost]

For many years, $2000 was the cheapest you could expect to find an EUB for. I remember the excitment when Steve Azola announced his Bugbass for $1500. There are cheaper ones today from China, but as noted most are poorly made. Forget Squier, think $69 Rondo quality. Your best bet in a good low cost EUB is the NS Design WAV, you can find used ones for $7-800.

Keep in mind that an EUB will never sound like a real upright, the body is the biggest compromise. There's also ergonomic issues that make playing one different than a DB. I've owned a few (once had an Ampeg Baby Bass, currently have an Azola MiniBass) and they are great for transporting/traveling but I seldom use it otherwise because my real DBs sound much better amplified.

 

[The boa]

Cruise Craigslist and online for used double basses. I see them pop up around 600-800 semi regularly. Mic that bad boy or throw a pick up on it. It's worth the investment to go full on double bass in my opinion.

 

[InhumanResource]

I don't think that is unreasonable considering something like a new Fender Jazz approaches 2k. I would hardly consider that a high end instrument, more like standard issue. And a Fender J is my main axe since 2002, albeit an active one that I have completely modded the electronics for.

And that's just presuming we are talking about EUB's. A regular upright is a handcrafted thing made by an artisan, and you're looking at more than $1500 for a plywood one. Let's not even get into what a carved one costs. These things are completely different animals from anything Squier would produce.

 

[Chasarms]

Best rule of thumb for considering the quality of a DB is the zero rule. If you want an instrument comparable in quality to an EBG, add a zero. So, if you think an $60 EBG works fine, you're probably going to be fine with an $600 double bass.

There's no way to automate much of the process building a DB, and labor is very expensive. Basses built in places with cheap labor are dependent upon the QC going on and the quality of materials being used. No QC and bad materials combine for the very cheapest ones. Plus, DBs are huge and fragile, so shipping them is expensive as well.

Finally, the very least expensive basses are sold "as is." There is very, very little setup work done on them. You are taking delivery straight from the factory. It will be borderline unplayable. A decent bass setup can easily run $300 or more, depending the work that is needed.

If you want a DB, buy one from a violin shop. Preferably one that has a luthier who is into basses. They are going to sell you a bass that has been setup and is ready to play. They're also going to support you moving forward. All DBs are going to need a little work here and there.

Finally, if you want a good entry level bass, try to find a Shen SB80. It's a ply bass, but it is dimensionally correct, made of quality materials and built by a reputable factory. You'll probably spend @$1500 for it set up and ready to play.

 

[Bisounourse]

Most UBs are 3/4 (Esperanza Spalding plays a 7/8). The only times I've ever seen 4/4s are in orchestral settings. I'm not sure that anyone even makes a 4/4 EUB

There is a local player who has a 5/4... that thing is huge and really blows some air.

 

[Pirate Captain]

There is a local player who has a 5/4... that thing is huge and really blows some air.

Pic or it's a Cort

 

[james condino]

You have to pay $$$ up front, but considering I average about $100 as many nights a year as I want, an upright bass is more of a moneymaker than any other instrument I own. My main gigging bass was given to me for free, needed a bit of repair, and has made me about $15,000 in the last four years- just last week I was having a conversation with Mrs C. about feeling guilty for not spending enough money on my bass considering how much return I get from it and she agreed!

 

[PauFerro]

Industry protectionism and Consumer Perception.

I think the Double Bass and EUB industry has been careful not to drop their prices to attract more business.

I personally don't think it should cost as much as it does for a quality upright. I can get a quality Made in China Electric Bass from Rondo music for $125 and throw a decent set of pickups in it. Alder body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard. Been using mine as a work horse for 5 years and 150 gigs. I think the same could be duplicated for the upright bass market. And for the EUB market I think there is no excuse for the prices to be outrageously high. At least Stagg and Dean have come out with lower priced models.

For uprights, I know there are Cheap Chinese basses that implode and break, but I believe you could make uprights on a production line with quality materials and get a quality product for less. The industry just has been smart in keeping prices high due to the perception the average Joe can't work on their own uprights.

I agree the size of the market has something to do with it. It is a fairly small, specialty market, so there isn't the volume of sales available to build economies of scale. I agree there is likely a business opportunity if a quality manufacturer could figure out how to go global and tap into all the low priced consumers who want to get started, but with a quality instrument. This would give them volume and therefore, the ability to use quality materials, design, and workmanship at the same time.