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Thank you all so much for all your input. Having given it all further thought and speaking to my daughter's teacher we agreed that a black one may be slightly embarrassing for her once she enters the senior orchestra. So, we have decided that we will go for the Stentor 1950 3/4 student bass as her first instrument. Daughter is such a sweetheart and completely understood that the rockabilly set up of the black basses was not suitable. The Stentor 1950 is £850 and so many people agree with Mr Bassman that we decided to follow that advice as it seems such good vale for such praise! I am very touched by the extent to which people on this site have offered advice; especially as I have never posted on any forum before. If I can reciprocate by offering any any legal ( I am a solicitor for my sins) help to anyone please do touch bass... excuse the pun!

Thank you so much for your responses which are a great help. We are based in Harrow, TPJ. I hear what you all say but was trying to be sensible and not spoil a 10 year old with a very expensive instrument...even though the £450 is already a very big birthday present but justified for her love of music. She plays in the school orchestra and also the Junior Chamber Strings group and her teacher says that she has a natural affinity for the double bass but we can't be sure she will continue into her teenage years as we see so many children in the school stop once they reach about 14. Obviously, the one she uses at home supplied by the school at present can't be a fantastic quality one yet she doesn't complain about it? I have a question... Why are so many Double basses available out there in this price bracket if they are so bad? Could we not have a cheaper one for a couple of years and then change over? Especially as she so wants a black one! Chipping in not an option and she really wants to own her own D bass so rental would be a solution for me but a great disappointment for her. How about the Harlequin black 3/4 d bass on DJMMusic website??

I have agreed to buy my 10 year old daughter a double bass for her birthday as she has reached grade 4 in her exams and is very keen to continue. At the moment she has a school double bass that is quite battered and now too small. She need a 3/4 size one (she is tall!) and we have seen a black starter one on a few sites e.g. Gear4music etc. I have no musical talent / knowledge and am panicking about whether it is ok to have a black Double bass or if it s just naff!!. She uses a school one when at school so the black one would live at home with us. Her double bass teacher says she should buy one that will be her 'forever double bass' but I am thinking it is better to start with this on which is approx £450 and see how she feels later when she reaches senior school (and, more importantly, teenage) before spending a lot on a better quality one..... Any advice very much appreciated!!