Dazed

Also still in the same boat! Everyone I see appear for sale I think, is that the right one?? Trouble is as a novice (no experience) it's all pot luck! I went into Forsythes in Manchester last week out of curiosity to see if they had anything in stock. They had 3, a budget black thing around £800, a zeller/stentnor for £1250 and another one that on looks alone caught my eye but as always was way above my budget, priced £2-3k. The DB's are kept in a private room with all their classical string instruments. The assistant couldn't leave you in there alone, which is fair enough but I couldn't pluck up the courage to test drive any of them as I wouldn't know where to start. I gingerly plucked the e on the cheap one and it sounded nice enough lovely acoustic tone you just don't get from an electric. I'm glad I didn't take any cash or cards with me as I could've been sold anything and still would have had a huge grin on my face. Now a few days later I see a used zeller/stentnor on gumtree that seemed to be the same spec for half the price and part of me thinks, that's a bargain, on price alone, but then again is it? Especially when I keep looking on here and seeing others appear. There's a used Sam Shen for a grand on gumtree, now that must be an even bigger bargain, but again that's based solely on money. I'm struggling to know what I want/need. So ive come up with a plan......all you people selling DB's, would you mind all meeting up, leaving your basses set up, leave the room for me to fumble my way around them all and then come back when I've decided. Then you can all return and tell me what they're all going to cost? Thanks

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1407231886' post='2518493'] getting to orchestral standard with the misery stick is very very unlikely to ever be in my skill set! Tricky one really. [/quote] Thanks. I was reading this in the pub and spat me Carling when I read that. Actually Laughed Out Loud. Misery stick.

Prometeus also has made some CT scroll type basses. Really nice. He's in Italy I think and is a member here Matte Black The bass gallery has a CT replica / Tribute if I recall.

How does the Deep 5 sound compared to the other Rob Allen? Very nice collection

Thanks for all the great replies. Iipopes I salute your dedication! I would be very interested in learning to do my own set up but I imagine its not something you could just dive into without some knowledge of what's right and wrong. On the other hand i just want to start playing ! Having spent the last week looking through many classifieds I'm coming to the conclusion I'm looking for something a bit weathered / patina'd / battered. Shiny new furniture look puts me off and I think I'm happier with not worrying about it getting scratched etc. If something has lost it's varnish etc is it more susceptible to humidity or moisture getting into the wood? Are carved tops better than ply sound wise or more/less sturdy ?

Love the headless versions but not a fan of the head stocks. Spent hours drooling over them when they were reviewed in some guitar mag years n years ago. A singlecut.headless would definitely float my boat

So having looked into this a bit more I've found this same DB sold on BC earlier in the year ...... http://basschat.co.uk/topic/230424-sold-double-bass-34-hungarian-student-model/ With this in mind, does it still seem a reasonable price? Would the work described have been required and affect the price that much?

Thanks ,I have been thinking about going with someone who knows what they are looking at. Anyone near Exeter have the time check this out for me? . And then not buy it

Thanks for all the replies and advice. I'm still on the fence and looking (but not exactly sure what for ) Any pros n cons on what size to go for? I'm 5'10" and average arms. I guess it'll only be used at home for sometime and I drive a Lwb van anyway so no worries about transporting it. I'm quite taken with this ..... http://basschat.co.uk/topic/242652-double-bass-for-sale/page__pid__2524807#entry2524807

Bijou you have a pm

If buying hifi gear it's always worth a visit to Richer Sounds. I got a soundbar last year. I'd recommend one with a sub, this difference in bass definition is incredible. There's obviously a loss in low end when the sub is off. The soundbar doesn't reconfigure when the sub is disconnected though. It sounds like you're happy with the Polaroid one you've heard, in a real world setting , not a warehouse tescos or sterile listening room so maybe the decision is made?

Isn't Mr Clarks Infamous Alembic Brown Bass a short scale version? He seems to have done ok for himself

I'm from the era when grolsch = Bros Now that's very un rock n roll !