Paya Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Hi, I've been looking for a cheap double bass for a while now but don't want to spend over £100 on it as I probably won't take it massively seriously and only use it for a bit of fun, I'm not really bothered about the quality as long as it's playable. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Not really. You could get a set of strings and with the tenner left over buy some planks and start carving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Erm.....no. You could get something for 100 quid but it won't be playable. It will be bass shaped fire wood. The best you can hope for is a second hand Stagg electric upright (EUB) but you'll still be looking at :£200-250. Sorry, but its not a cheap instrument to make and 500 is probably the minimum you can pay and get something that can actually be played - double that for something that can be played and sounds half-decent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Yep, as above really. There are a few folk who have stumbled across decent basses going cheaply, but they tend to be freak occurences down to good luck. Depending where you are, you may be able find a shop which rents out beginner level instruments, which can be a way of testing the water without laying too much money down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Just been here mate, check out my Gedo bass has arrived thread. I started with a Stagg and still use it, it will also get you to grips with the basics to see if its worth persuing, if not you will get most/all your money back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basstroker Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Hi! - Funny, we just had yesterday the same question in the German "Musiker Board". My recommondation: Build the bass yourself like this: [url="http://www.un-art.org/lutherie/idxlutherie.html"]http://www.un-art.org/lutherie/idxlutherie.html[/url] . Best, Thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 A fully laminate Gedo has just gone on ebay for £360, I would've had it but it was a nearly 600 mile round trip away, add on £100 of fuel and I've only saved £30 but lost a warranty as you can buy them for £490 delivered, it did have a set of D'addario hybrid lights on it though. I've been looking for the cheapest useable bass and decided a Gedo laminate plus a decent set of strings is the best deal I can get and it be playable, still £600 though. Thomann do one for the same price but free postage so you save £80 but the Gedos look like a nicer finish and there seems to be a lot of praise for them, quite possibly the same basses and the photos make the difference, I don't know :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubassman Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Buying a double bass is just like buying a car (interestingly enough they are pretty much valued about the same according to the spec ):- [b]Spending around £40,000[/b] ++ buys you a 'head turner', the porches and Ferraris of basses, the instrument we would buy if we won the lottery. [b]Spending around £10,000 [/b]buys you the most amazing instrument that we all aspire to own one day [b]Spending around £1,000 - £3,000 [/b]where its at for most bassists [b]£500 -£1000[/b] buys you a workhorse but don't expect it to drive quite like a £10k machine [b]£300[/b] maybe about the cheapest 'run around' that you will get , may have cracks, breaks, be a bit clunky - but hey you only paid £300 ! [b]£100?[/b] Question - what would you expect the performance and quality of a car that you bought for £100 ( clapped out, about to fall to bits, hard to drive, beyond economical repair, etc) ...well expect the same from a £100 double bass ! You may be better off spending your £100 on hiring a reasonable DB and giving it your best shot with a half decent instrument !. Good luck with it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owencf Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 [quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1367866880' post='2070452'] Buying a double bass is just like buying a car (interestingly enough they are pretty much valued about the same according to the spec ):- [b]Spending around £40,000[/b] ++ buys you a 'head turner', the porches and Ferraris of basses, the instrument we would buy if we won the lottery. [b]Spending around £10,000 [/b]buys you the most amazing instrument that we all aspire to own one day [b]Spending around £1,000 - £3,000 [/b]where its at for most bassists [b]£500 -£1000[/b] buys you a workhorse but don't expect it to drive quite like a £10k machine [b]£300[/b] maybe about the cheapest 'run around' that you will get , may have cracks, breaks, be a bit clunky - but hey you only paid £300 ! [b]£100?[/b] Question - what would you expect the performance and quality of a car that you bought for £100 ( clapped out, about to fall to bits, hard to drive, beyond economical repair, etc) ...well expect the same from a £100 double bass ! You may be better off spending your £100 on hiring a reasonable DB and giving it your best shot with a half decent instrument !. Good luck with it ! [/quote] Ive never thought about it that way. As for renting, if your in an area that you can rent one its usually a better idea till you can buy your own decent instrument. the places ive seen renting cover re-stringing and have insurance so always a plus there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matejj53 Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 I dont even think that there is anything for under £100... Cheap basses are from about £350, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cattytown Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 I'd add that if you are a newcomer to URB, and looking at acoustic rather than electric it would be a good idea to take along someone who has a little experience to have a look as well. Even with a £500 budget you can look at three basses - one can be a little tired, but absolutely fine, one may be a decent bass that just needs a little TLC (plane FB and a new bridge and setup - that can easily be a couple of hundred though) or a right pile of firewood that will never play right. I have had friend turn up with a bass and then ask my opinion. I didn't like to give it :-( I have seen basses repaired by "professionals" that I consider ruined - screwed on fingerboards for example. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 I'm pretty sure most art councils let you rent them if they have them available. I know someone that rents an upright bass for £12 a year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owencf Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 [quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1368437175' post='2076928'] I'm pretty sure most art councils let you rent them if they have them available. I know someone that rents an upright bass for £12 a year... [/quote] That really depends, I know that Aberdeen City/shire do not have any Double bass for rent unless your in primary or secondary school. Dont know about other shires Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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