First Purchase Advice Needed, ~£1000 budget

[JwK94]

Hi All,

About to properly delve into the world of double bass. Been a Cellist and bass guitarist for a while and played on others double basses enough to be comfortable (to a degree) on those too. Do a bit of big band work here and there and really want a double bass to get the right sound. So looking for something mainly orientated for jazz (low-ish action and a pickup) but something that can be bowed on too and used for orchestral/pit work should it be required. I'm a student so I only really have about a grand tops to spend.

Been browsing second hand stuff on here, ebay and gumtree but nothings stood out. Recently heard on my searches about some of the new but cheaper basses done by Gear4Music (the archer one i think) and the Thomann ones (in the 700-1000 range). So what would people suggest to go for, wait around for a good deal second hand or go for one of the online ones, which I know will take a few hundred quid to get set up and sounding good.

Thanks a lot,
Jack

[Highfox]

I'm very much still a novice to the DB world, but I will say for around your budget I got a new Thomaan 22 some Spirocores and an adjustable bridge they did a basic setup and I just tweaked the string heights once it arrived to get an action I was/am happy with.

Couldn't find any used market here for DB's and if there was they were really expensive so it was an easy choice to buy new for me.

Good luck and I'm sure with that budget you should find something nice.

[SubsonicSimpleton]

As you are based in the midlands, you might want to consider making a road trip to visit the specialist retailers that carry double basses near you(Turners & Tim Tofts), and also maybe stop in to visit bassbags.co.uk who hire double basses (either hire only or hire to buy IIRC). Mail order is a gamble, so best to try hands on if you can.

[Bilbo]

The Gear4music basses have a shocing reputation but the Thomann ones are ok. There is also Gedo Musik in Germany who do some nice starter basses in your price range.Here is my five string (a bit more expensive that your budget but not a million miles away) - check out my Soundcloud page for samples. Thomann and Gedo both get good feedback as do Stentor and Christopher basses. Archer are less highly though of. Ref: mail order being a gamble; every guitar or bass I ever bought was bought mail order and so far so good!

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/93958-i-did-it-now-with-photos/page__hl__gedo+musik__fromsearch__1

[Marc S]

Indeed, not many folk on here seem to like G4M
I bought a hard case from them, and had awful trouble with delivery
and communication with them was terrible
When I later complained - they did nothing

On that evidence alone, I'd be wary (Edit: I'm aware that this is just my experience, but I've heard other bad reports)

Although I've not tried either, many people seem to like Thomann and Gedo
and I must say, when I was in your position a short while ago, I was tempted by several of the Gedo basses
They do look fab, and other BC'ers seem to rave about them

I too found that not many basses came up for sale second-hand anywhere near me
But patience paid off, and I got one from a nice, friendly, helpful fellow BC member

If you were anywhere near me, you'd be welcome to come & have a play of my DB
and have a chat, re my own findings....
I opted for a used bass in the end, as I reasoned I'd get a better bass for my money

Trouble is, if you're looking for a used one, you do have to travel, to try several
If you can find one on here, give it a whirl
But be patient, and don't just buy the 1st one that comes along
.... or go for one of Gedo's lovely looking basses

Good luck with your search
and let us know what you find / decide

Edited June 29, 2015 by Marc S

[JwK94]

Thanks for the advice. I emailed those specialists mentioned.

With regards to the Thomann/Gedo music basses, is it any specific ones of those to look at or any that fit in my price range? Also would those at this price range be Carved or Laminate? (Or hybrid maybe)

Thanks

[JwK94]

Also is it worth looking at EUBs too? I'd imagine the majority of situations i'd be aplified/mic'ed so this could be a viable option. Would be able to get a second hand yamaha slb-200 the hopefully which ive heard are great.

Cheers

[henrywillard]

I would recommend checking out either a Primavera or Eastman. They both retail at the top of your budget, literally around £1k, but from experience I personally much preferred both to the Stentor equivalents.

Eastman: [url="http://www.thesoundpost.co.uk/eastman-bass.html"]http://www.thesoundpost.co.uk/eastman-bass.html[/url]

Primavera: [url="http://www.thesoundpost.co.uk/primavera-bass.html"]http://www.thesoundpost.co.uk/primavera-bass.html[/url]

The Sound Post are the UK distributors and don't sell directly to the public, however they're extremely helpful and friendly, so I'm sure you could phone them up and ask if they know if any of their dealers have either bass in stock so you could possibly try one/them out.
You can also search for all dealers in the UK who have an account with The Sound Post here: [url="http://www.thesoundpost.co.uk/violin-shops.html"]http://www.thesoundpost.co.uk/violin-shops.html[/url]

[slumjacket]

I've only had my DB a year and my budget was the same a yours. I ended up going to a retailer which was Thwaites in Watford.

The advantage of this was I rang them, let them know my budget and when I got there they had several basses for me to try.

The internet route is pretty good these days and if you're not happy there is usually an option to send things back but the retailers have good selections and can usually do a decent set up.

[JoeEvans]

I thought that the Thomann solid top / laminate back with the tine-wood back and sides looked pretty sexy - http://www.musikexport.com/e-shop/en/string-instruments/double-basses/semi-massive-double-basses/semi-massive-double-basses/thomann-2w-tn-44-europe-double-bass
But I ended up getting a second hand instrument which I love and I think I'd always end up going down that route in the end, just because I like well-made things that are a bit old and battered.

[geoffbassist]

Thommann sounds like a good option, but I would also second the advice to check out luthiers in your area, both Tim Toft and Turners may be worth a trip. I would be wary of buying from Ebay unless you are able to get the instrument checked by someone, but basschat would be worth checking to see if there's a suitable second hand instrument.

[Owen]

I have had nothing but good experience from Gear 4 Music basses (4 of them) - because I was not expecting out of the box greatness. They need new strings, a fingerboard truing and possibly a new bridge. But any lower priced instrument is likely to need that.

Would I buy from Ebay? Yes. If the price is right then there is space to have a luthier do magic.

[JwK94]

Thanks for all the Replies. I'm Currently leaning very much towards one of the ~€1000 models (carved/hybrid) available at Thomann and Gedo unless a good deal pops up second hand. It says on both sites that they will do a setup to your specs when ordering, but would I be right in saying that it would be still worth taking them to a luthier when they arrive for a proper seeing to? Also in what ballpark would I be expected to pay for a setup from a luthier?

Cheers

[Highfox]

[quote name='JwK94' timestamp='1435881910' post='2813373']
Thanks for all the Replies. I'm Currently leaning very much towards one of the ~€1000 models (carved/hybrid) available at Thomann and Gedo unless a good deal pops up second hand. It says on both sites that they will do a setup to your specs when ordering, but would I be right in saying that it would be still worth taking them to a luthier when they arrive for a proper seeing to? Also in what ballpark would I be expected to pay for a setup from a luthier?

Cheers
[/quote]
Like I said before I'm new to DB's, so this is not coming from a pro, I was advised to get an adjustable bridge when I ordered mine, they set it up and marked it before posting it, all I had to do was slightly adjust the string heights once it had settled and it's been fine since. I haven't felt the need to take it to a luthier. It's felt better to me than any other DB I have had my hands on . I'm not sure how it projects soundwise compared to others but have only had nice comments about how nice it sounds from people.

Guessing, but if you know you are going to stick to a certain type of string maybe just getting a conventional bridge and getting a luthier to work on it might be another way to go..
I'll leave it to those in know to comment..

Edited July 3, 2015 by Highfox

[fatback]

Have to agree that an adjustable bridge is a boon. lets you mess about to your heart's content.

[Marc S]

No adjustable bridge on this one
But it's a lovely bass
I know, cos I used to own it
Absolutely beautiful

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/265531-boosey-and-hawkes-artia-34-size-double-bass/

[sarah thomas]

I agree with Marc, because I owned that bass before he did. I was sorry to see her go. A lovely bass.

[fatback]

Well, there you go. Impeccable provenance. Doubt you'll do better than that.

[Bilbo]

I would agree with the adjustable bridge idea. I didn't go with one and have regreted it ever since. Have to go to a luthier everytime I want it adjusted. It's not expensive, just a hassle.