Duckyincarnate

Keep in mind that Spiros are VERY bright when they are new - and on an EUB this will be extra noticeable. Playing in a new set can take months. Consider buying a very used set!

Ooof, that's a steep increase. For many years, I ran two Lenzners on G and D, and two Innovation Honeys on E and A. When I started using these strings around 2010, a full replacement set would cost me around £120. Gradually that went up to about £160. I have been strictly on Spiros for the last 5 years (and hopefully for the rest of my life), so this is really shocking to hear. For this kind of money, you would be better off buying a full set of Olives imho.

This sort of playing feels like putting the cart before the horse, tbh... Impressive slappage but his time is atrocious here.

I would add to this that if you have the opportunity to learn how to use a bow from your teacher, it will serve you very well and ultimately speed up your learning a lot. It is helpful as a learning tool, because it forces you to have a good position in relation to the bass, and it really shines a spotlight on your intonation and forces you to relax and use just the necessary muscles. But it will also be an incredibly useful skill if you would like to play pop, folk or bluegrass. It is probably least useful in jazz and blues, though there are plenty of examples of players who make good use of it there too.

With that in mind, I think you should keep saving, keep your eyes peeled here and post a wanted ad, tell your DB-playing friend and any other double bass players you meet that you are looking for a starter instrument. It's very possible to find a solid starter bass for say £800 that will serve you well for years to come.

I think someone did it to make slapping easier. But god only knows!

I mean, it looks east European and from the earlier part of the 20th century, with serious splits in the top and back. Possibly a crack under the bridge, horrendous set up and a weird butchered fingerboard. A crude example that you wouldn't really be able to have fixed or set up.

That might be just about serviceable for thumping along to rockabilly, but I don't think any repair shop would touch that with a ten foot pole. IMHO, better to save up and buy a decent second hand plywood bass that keeps its value and can be used to learn the instrument properly.

Do you know any double bass players who can help you search for a suitable starter bass? The key thing to remember is, double basses are complex things and a LOT of things can go wrong with them, and these things are often expensive to fix. Generally, I'd say £1000 is about the norm for a healthy second hand starter bass. Cheaper deals can be found but you need some know-how of double basses to navigate potential duds or basket cases.

I have a Stentor Conservatoire and it was my first bass. I had it for about 11 years before I bought a new instrument, in my case a Paul Bryant. I think I should have upgraded sooner. The Bryant is much, much nicer to play arco, and as a pizzicato bass it has a more balanced sound, it's louder, and it has a singing quality to the notes that the Stentor lacks. It is a much more musical instrument. But I kept hold of the Stentor. Why? Because it is a really solid gigging instrument, and when I do bar, restaurant or pub gigs with little space or unpredictable patrons, or when I have to play outside, I am glad to have a bass that is not my pride and joy. It is worth more to me for these reasons than the £800 or so I'd get in the second hand market for it. Both of my basses have been set up identically by Laurence Dixon, and this should be your first port of call. A good setup makes all the difference. And yes, those Hungarian basses that Laurence sells are very possibly the best value you're going to find around the £5k mark. Hassle free, really impressive sound, set up to perfection.

I don't have any recommendations but in your shoes I probably wouldn't skimp on them. I needed a new endpin a few years ago and went for a nice brass Ulsa unit and I'm so glad I did. These Rubners look alright, don't they?

Best one I ever got was as I was wheeling my bass down the road on its Bass Buggy: "Nice phone mate, from the 90s innit".

I will be saying a prayer for your Bryant in the loft given some of the hot days we have been having....