Matt Bass

Hi folks, Just bought my first DB. Having read threads here and chatted with a few people I'd like to act on their advice and get the bass set up (action/new strings/general once over), and also get a couple of lessons from a good teacher to make sure I get off to a good start with technique etc. I'm in Llangollen, North Wales, which is a little off the beaten track, and not exactly blessed with DB players to connect with. On the other hand it's only half hour away from Chester, an hour away from both Manchester and Liverpool, and obviously I'm more than happy to travel a bit further if needed. Could anyone recommend a good luthier (preferably someone friendly so I can pick their brains with annoying newbie questions), and a good DB teacher- perhaps they might be the same person? Anyhoo, any help would be much appreciated. Thanks Matt

Thanks for the advice to everyone who took the time to answer, and especially Happy Jack for going the extra mile and providing the link. I think I will definetly hang on to get a used instrument now then. In regards to location- I'm in Llangollen North Wales which is a bit of a black hole for local DB players and teachers, though I'm only about half hour away from Chester and an hour away from Liverpool and Manchester, which I 'd be happy to travel to for a lesson, if anyone can recommend someone in these areas.

Thanks 3below, that was kinda what I was wondering- but the time bit is hard y'know. Saw a couple of threads on here that made me think again because some others had positive experiences, but then again as newbies we probably don't have the experience to know when we've got a good bass....though I may be wrong of course.

Hi there, I'm looking for some advice on buying my first DB. I've been playing electric for roughly 20 years and have always had a hankering to get upright! I recently invested in an EUB but found it was more akin to a big electric in tone than the classic woody DB I'm after and so I swapped it for a Mayonnes Be4 (which is fantastic by the way). Tho I didn't have a teacher I spent a lot of time on youtube etc trying to get technique pointers and I'm not put off by the new feel or size, if anything I'm more keen now than I was. Anyway, I've been looking at the classifieds and Ebay for some time, and have been doing my research about different types of DB, laminates, hybrids and carved etc, and was hoping to find an older instrument second hand, mostly because it seems that DB's will grow into their sound after a few years but after a couple of missed opportunities (these things shift fast don't they) I still haven't found anything after looking around for a while. I've been reconsidering and after reading a couple of threads on here have started to think about a new instrument and in particular the 2W TN from Thomann, for around £1300- I could probably go a bit higher but I want to get a decent bow, pick up and bag too. Does anyone have any opinion as to whether I'm making a good choice? Is going for a new bass a good idea or should I hang on for the chance of something older? And is this one comparatively well respected? I also looked at a couple of Dukes because they seem to get a lot of love, but I'll probably be looking at blues/jazz/hip hop type styles and they seem to more for the rockabilly folks and people seem to like to slap them silly (tho I'll probs try a bit of that too lol). Here's a link to the bass if anyone's feeling helpful... http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_2w_tn_34_europe_double_bass.htm?ref=search_rslt_double+bass_264097_15 and any help would be much appreciated, Thanks Matt