Burg Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Hi all, I took the plunge this week and bought myself a double bass. It's made in Chekyslovakia. no makers mark or any other identifying features. I'm a complete novice so I'm not sure if it's any good or not but I like the sound it makes so far and it's putting a big smile on my face when I try to play it so that's a good sign. I bought it from a music school who were having a clearout for £300 which I'm hoping was a bargain (what do you chaps and chapettes think?). The school is also selling a couple of Zeller Stentor basses for £250 and £350 (check Gumtree) which were very nice but I preferred this bass over them both. I'm genuinely surprised at just how different an instrument it is to bass guitar though. I've been watching loads of videos on Youtube that are giving me an idea of how to approach playing it and I'll be booking a couple of lessons in with a tutor some time soon to make sure I start off with some good advice and as few bad habits as possible. Any tips and advice for a newbie warmly welcomed. I'm on the hunt for a cheap bow if anyone has one available as I think I'll try my hand at Arco if just to play Mr Krinkle. Message me if you have anything available. Can anyone recommend any online resources or any books/DVDs that will be useful for me as a beginner to get started with? Any freebies greatly accepted Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakenewmanbass Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 (edited) bargain I'd say... edit: just seen you're going to have some lessons... good thinking! Invaluable especially on DB Edited July 19, 2013 by jakenewmanbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJ Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Congrats on the DB. On one hand it's great that you got a good deal. On the other, it's sad to see schools selling off their musical instruments. What will the children of the future use.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Computers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burg Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 Thanks. The school in question has just become a performing arts academy and has had a massive amount of investment so I think they were planning to buy new instruments in for the students and so were selling these older instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceonaboy Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 [quote name='Burg' timestamp='1374229770' post='2146620'] Thanks. The school in question has just become a performing arts academy and has had a massive amount of investment so I think they were planning to buy new instruments in for the students and so were selling these older instruments. [/quote] Result all round then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeptrying Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Hi Burg, The evolving bassist by Rufus Reid has quite a bit about DB playing techniques and exercises to get both hands working. I'm not a double bass player but it keeps me busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah thomas Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 It's been posted before and no doubt will be again. Welcome to the world of double bass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFTqVHEJZ0A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
symcbass Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 (edited) Nice buy, looks to be a Boosey & Hawkes Excelsior. I've had one for about 25 years, still going strong, great old ply bass. Mine sounds great with innovation slaps on the E & A and plain gut G & D. If you want arco strings, Spirocores always sounded good on it too. Enjoy. Edited July 19, 2013 by symcbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Congratulations! Looks like a great instrument and its great you are getting a bow right from the start. Let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burg Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 Hi [url="http://basschat.co.uk/user/3801-symcbass/"]symcbass[/url], any way I could find out for sure if this was an Excelsior? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Cool bass. Definitely see a tutor to make sure you're using good technique, and concentrate on doing it right until it becomes second nature, it will improve your tone and make accurate intonation easier, as well as keeping your wrists healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 A nice Czech bass for £300? Take a look around, you have actually died and gone to heaven Fantastic. You'll have a ball. On the books front, +1 for Rufus Reid. Also Micheal Moore's book is very systematic. Lots of people seem happy with the Yitamusic carbon bows on ebay. [url="http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Top-Model-A-Carbon-Fiber-Double-Bass-Bow-French-/150580744560?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item230f4fd170"]http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Top-Model-A-Carbon-Fiber-Double-Bass-Bow-French-/150580744560?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item230f4fd170[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owencf Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Another member of the Double bass family, welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveFry Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Nice one ! I Got my first ply DB 6 months ago and never bother with bass guitar anymore . Somehow the callus from my ring finger has migrated to the side of my thumb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubassman Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 [quote name='Burg' timestamp='1374247841' post='2146897'] Hi [url="http://basschat.co.uk/user/3801-symcbass/"]symcbass[/url], any way I could find out for sure if this was an Excelsior? [/quote] Yep, it does look to be a Boosey and Hawkes - not so sure that its an Excelsior though? The Boosey and Hawkes 'ARTIA' Excelsior Double Bass, 3/4 size, built circa 1960, were swell backed, laminated but with a nice mature, warm sound.These were Czech made basses and imported by B & H and designated the 'Excelsior' range (a name they applied to many quality student instruments, brass and woodwind), under the Artia label, coming from the Luby factory that now make Strunal basses. Could be either The Excelsior which was a full plywood bass, or even a Golden Strad which had carved top ( rather than plywood) . It looks however like it be a bit more recent and might be a '400 series' made in the 1980s in Czechoslovakia - still a good quality student instrument !. Look inside the left f hole - there should be a label. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubassman Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 [quote name='Owencf' timestamp='1374256504' post='2147003'] Another member of the Double bass family, welcome. [/quote] +1 ....welcome !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 Wow, really nice looking bass for a bargain price, well done. You like the sound it makes and it puts a smile on your face, job done, enjoy . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philparker Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 That's a great price for a nice looking DB and welcome to the upright world from a comparative newbie as well. I already booked a lesson with a teacher for the day I collected my DB to prevent any bad habits from the start. The only tutor within a reasonable distance of where I lived was from an orchestral/classical background and although I intended to play mainly jazz/folk/pop, I've really enjoyed learning classical with the bow and I've used the ABRSM graded system as a progressive structure to develop my skills. I would highly recommend this path. If you decide to get a tutor it is better to study with the material they recommend. On the YouTube check out some of these lessons: [url="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs9BUePQd4LCt4hpuE7srDpaH2708Fl_H&feature=mh_lolz"]http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs9BUePQd4LCt4hpuE7srDpaH2708Fl_H&feature=mh_lolz[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 I am loving the upright bass and have enjoyed a few of the clips on your youtube link philparker, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Nice score. Not sure it's either an Excelsior (upper bouts look wrong, and never seen one with that nice burst staining), or a Golden Strad to be honest. More likely an Excelsior, I think later models (70-80s) varied in shape bait. It'll be labelled if it is. No matter, fine looking bass, and would expect nice warm tone. Bridge needs adjusting by the way, down a bit, between he fhole notches.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggiesnr Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Looks good Personally I would take it to a luthier and have it checked over and set up. Down the road you may find that this makes it an even better instrument and much more enjoyable to play. have fun Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah thomas Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 My Czech Artia has that sunburst staining and I paid around three times as much! You have a real bargain there. I found Innovation Honeys to be great sounding strings, but of course it depends what kind of music you want to play. The bridge does need to be adjusted and you may find the soundpost needs to be moved too. But given what you paid for it, it's well worth spending a bit more. If it's set up for orchestral work then the action could be lowered, making it easier to play pizzicato. But whatthehell, just enjoy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burg Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 Thanks for the helpful comments everyone. Looks like I got a bargain. Anyone recommend a luthier in the North West who could look at the setup? How difficult a DIY job is this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart3442 Posted August 4, 2013 Share Posted August 4, 2013 [quote name='Burg' timestamp='1374247841' post='2146897'] Hi [url="http://basschat.co.uk/user/3801-symcbass/"]symcbass[/url], any way I could find out for sure if this was an Excelsior? [/quote] Get your torch out and have a look inside the F holes for any kind of label. welcome to the world of real Bass! Resources: A good teacher and a copy of Simandl's Bass Method to get your bowing (and therefore, intonation) up to speed. Theres a myriad of information online these days, way more than when I started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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