Trimmo91 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Hi, I've owner a cheap ply bass for a few months. Has been great for getting to grips with the instrument. I now want to upgrade, most probably to a hybrid. I mainly play arco and want to avoid a nasally tone. Here are my current options: https://m.thomann.de/gb/thomann_kontrabass_22_02.htm Or http://www.gedo-musik.de/shop/product.php?id_product=985 My previous bass was from Thomann and I found their services fantastic. I am also tempted by the Thomann 33 carved bass, but would hate the idea costly repairs in the future as im a uni student. https://m.thomann.de/gb/thomann_kontrabass_33_02.htm Any advice would be greatly appreciate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 If you mainly play arco it might be worth considering upgrading your bow first rather than upgrading your bass(you don't give any info on the bow you are using), it might also be worth a look at your choice of strings (you don't mention whether you have changed them out from factory standard ones) and choice of rosin. Have you had any setup work done on your current instrument by a luthier, or is it still in the same state it arrived from thomann? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Yes, as SubsonicSimpleton says, The choice of bow is also important and maybe it's also down to technique and strings would certainly effect the sound & tone Some strings like nylon coated or wrapped can sound dreadful when bowed.... Lots of research is needed before big purchases in the world of DB Re your choice, I've heard good reports of both Thomann and Gedo But I think a lot of BC'ers really like Gedo Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 I cannot comment on the issue of suitability for arco as I don't really use the technique but I can say that Gedo-Musik's service is exceptional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trimmo91 Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 I am using a very good quality wooden bow, that I do not know much about that I am borrowing from a fellow student at university. I am using Presto Balance Hybrid Medium Gauge Strings Pops Rosin All of these elements work really well for me, I am comfortable in my playing but looking to have a bass suitable to potentially play in my universities orchestra next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 I wouldn't let fear of expensive repairs put you off a carved instrument if that's what you really want. Unless you're very unlucky, the worst climate related damage is likely to be the occasional open seam which is a cheap and quick repair. Good insurance will cover any accidental damage outside of that, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trimmo91 Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 (edited) Im not saying that im currently suffering from an exagerated nasal tone (though my G string is a bit nasally) but when i get a new bass i want to avoid the nasal sound that apparently the Thomann basses hace Edited June 10, 2015 by Trimmo91 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 I've spent a huge amount of time reading the doublebass forums on talkbass, and reoccurring opinion amongst the orchestral players is pretty much "I would rather play a cheap ply bass with a really nice bow than play an expensive carved bass with a cheap and nasty bow". Most amateur orchestras will be so happy to have a double bass player for their section that they probably won't be too fussy about the bass you are playing (near to me, groups that specify grade 8 as minimum entry standard for violinists are willing to entertain pretty much any double bass player with a pulse and waive the sub fees that they charge everyone else to cover rehearsal venue hire). If you want to roll the dice on a mail order, then mikman over on talkbass is the go to guy for advice about thomann and their mostly Strunal and Hora offerings. I would suggest that maybe seeing a luthier about getting your soundpost adjusted/refitted and maybe trying a different G string to address that issue with your current instrument is worth investigating - it shouldn't be an expensive option. It would allow you to stockpile some cash and take your time to track down and play some bows and basses in person and find something that you are really going to be happy with in the long term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trimmo91 Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 OK that sounds like good advice. I am happy with my plywood, it's nice to play but I worry that the sound it projects would not be suitable to partake in an orchestra with, and as I said the G string is rather nasally, but soundpost adjustment and string experimentation would be useful. I have spoken to MIKMAN who said that the Thomann basses are very often found with nasal tones because of the thick tops. It was his response to me that raised this question, because I would like to hear someone's experiences with these Thomann basses. i have done a lot of reading and searching through these forums, but to no avail, so I reluctantly posted this question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trimmo91 Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 The one issue I have is that an instrument is sort of an investment. I know that I could spend a lot of money getting my ply to sound amazing, to then sell it for nothing and lose a lot of money, when I could sell untouched, apart from strings, for almost the same price I paid, put it towards a hybrid or carved bass, spend money on that in the long term, get it to sound a play amazingly in many different musical contexts and either have it for life or potentially sell it for good money many years down the line. A cheap Thomann 111E ply seems less worth spending money on that a European made Hybrid or Carved bass, or a Chines/Koren Hybrid form Gedo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trimmo91 Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 Essentially, if I am serious about playing bass in an orchestral situation, I am inevitably going to need a hybrid or carved, so therefore I should spend money on one of those instead of an almost worthless £370 Thomann 111E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Have you thought of talking to the musicians at the orchestra you want to play with, and seeing whether they can help you assess how well your current instrument would fit in their section soundwise, and give you some feedback on how your playing relates to the standard they are expecting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philparker Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 You can probably buy a really good second hand fully carved for £1200 to £3k depending on your available budget - fully carved is much better for arco than ply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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