Basinski Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 I’m looking for a cheapish double bass, I’ve come across this one on eBay. Whilst I do play DB, I’m most definitely not an expert on the actual instrument. Would this be a good purchase, if I can get it for a good price? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Full-Size-Double-Bass-made-in-germany/203210198507?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 The bass looks ok, but always factor in the cost of a set-up, strings and common things like a new bridge and nut. Personally I’d always buy on Basschat from a seller that had an instrument that had been cared for and set up properly. As I’ve learned to my detriment, they’re a no such thing as ‘cheap’ when it comes to double bass! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petebassist Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 You'd think they'd add more detail to the ad if they want to sell this instrument, I know they said ask, but ... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basinski Posted December 16, 2020 Author Share Posted December 16, 2020 1 hour ago, petebassist said: You'd think they'd add more detail to the ad if they want to sell this instrument, I know they said ask, but ... I’ve asked him, he doesn’t really know much about it, other than what he’s put on his listing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 1 hour ago, Basinski said: I’ve asked him, he doesn’t really know much about it, other than what he’s put on his listing. Danger signs. Who knows how long it’s been sat. Always plan for the worst (and hope for the best!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJ Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 (edited) Looking at the pics, the tail wire is worse for wear, the end pin looks like it has tape or something around it, and the bridge is quite a way out of place on the front. You might want to ask for more pics showing if the sound post is in place, fingerboard close ups, headstock to see if there were repairs etc... He does say collection only and for cash so if you go and it's rubbish you can walk away. Travelling a distance for the right DB is not uncommon. Looking at this one, you'll ask yourself if it's worth the journey. Edited December 16, 2020 by TPJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basinski Posted December 16, 2020 Author Share Posted December 16, 2020 3 hours ago, TPJ said: Looking at the pics, the tail wire is worse for wear, the end pin looks like it has tape or something around it, and the bridge is quite a way out of place on the front. You might want to ask for more pics showing if the sound post is in place, fingerboard close ups, headstock to see if there were repairs etc... He does say collection only and for cash so if you go and it's rubbish you can walk away. Travelling a distance for the right DB is not uncommon. Looking at this one, you'll ask yourself if it's worth the journey. I did notice the end pin, not the other things you mention though, so thank you, much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloopdad1 Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 I know these basses quite well. They're typical "school basses" most of the local authorities bought loads of these back in the early '80s. Most schools here in S Wales had at least a couple of these knocking around. A local residential education centre kept 8 of them. They're all consistent and strong. Decent sturdy student basses that actually sound half decent considering... Not bad at all for orchestral playing and in my opinion much much better that the new Chinese stuff, gear 4 you etc, and hold their own with instruments 4x the price. This one will be well played in, resonant and if it was going to crack, split or the neck fall of it would have done so by now! It'll have a strong bass bar, the sound post will be correct and you won't need to fart about with the nut. New bridge £110, strings £200, tail wire 50p and your good to go... Its not shiny, it's not pretty, they have thick gloopy varnish and no-frills machine heads but if it can survive 40 odd yrs knocking around the valleys it'll be ok... 😁 If you do go see it double check the neck joint is stable. Ignore the bridge, tailpiece, tail gut and strings you will be replacing those anyway. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basinski Posted December 16, 2020 Author Share Posted December 16, 2020 1 hour ago, Bloopdad1 said: I know these basses quite well. They're typical "school basses" most of the local authorities bought loads of these back in the early '80s. Most schools here in S Wales had at least a couple of these knocking around. A local residential education centre kept 8 of them. They're all consistent and strong. Decent sturdy student basses that actually sound half decent considering... Not bad at all for orchestral playing and in my opinion much much better that the new Chinese stuff, gear 4 you etc, and hold their own with instruments 4x the price. This one will be well played in, resonant and if it was going to crack, split or the neck fall of it would have done so by now! It'll have a strong bass bar, the sound post will be correct and you won't need to fart about with the nut. New bridge £110, strings £200, tail wire 50p and your good to go... Its not shiny, it's not pretty, they have thick gloopy varnish and no-frills machine heads but if it can survive 40 odd yrs knocking around the valleys it'll be ok... 😁 If you do go see it double check the neck joint is stable. Ignore the bridge, tailpiece, tail gut and strings you will be replacing those anyway. That’s really useful, thank you. I’m not really after something that’s in pristine condition, as long as it’s playable and sounds OK, I’ll be happy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrkelly Posted December 17, 2020 Share Posted December 17, 2020 Bloopdad1's advice is sound. Those old ply basses can work out great for hardly any money. I'll add, definitely ask for the dimensions before checking it out. Either that door in the pic is massive or it's a lot smaller than full size. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basinski Posted December 17, 2020 Author Share Posted December 17, 2020 1 hour ago, chrkelly said: Bloopdad1's advice is sound. Those old ply basses can work out great for hardly any money. I'll add, definitely ask for the dimensions before checking it out. Either that door in the pic is massive or it's a lot smaller than full size. Thank you. I did wonder about the size - especially with it being an ex-school instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted December 17, 2020 Share Posted December 17, 2020 On top of @Bloopdad1's excellent advice, I'd add that if it's East German then it probably came out of the 'Musima' factory. Musima basses are generally very solid, built for schools, pretty good sound for a plywood bass and can take a lot of abuse. I've been playing one for 6 + years, and it's coped with everything from festival mud to freezing vans to stage invasions. If it's a 3/4 scale (40-41") and there's no damage to the neck or body then £400 is pretty good - you could drop another £400 on a setup/bridge/strings and still have a value for money bass. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloopdad1 Posted December 17, 2020 Share Posted December 17, 2020 (edited) If you're seriously interested, to save you a trip, if it's still up for sale after lockdown I'll pop over to give it a once over if you want. I'm about 20mins away from Neath. (That's if the seller doesn't mind?) I know most of the bassists around here but I don't recognise his ebay name, I don't think the seller is a bassist?? (if I haven't already got 4 double basses and 1 EUB then I might have a punt on that bass myself! - but the missus would go nuts!) 🤣 Edited December 17, 2020 by Bloopdad1 Poor grammar! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basinski Posted December 17, 2020 Author Share Posted December 17, 2020 4 hours ago, Bloopdad1 said: If you're seriously interested, to save you a trip, if it's still up for sale after lockdown I'll pop over to give it a once over if you want. I'm about 20mins away from Neath. (That's if the seller doesn't mind?) I know most of the bassists around here but I don't recognise his ebay name, I don't think the seller is a bassist?? (if I haven't already got 4 double basses and 1 EUB then I might have a punt on that bass myself! - but the missus would go nuts!) 🤣 That’s a very kind offer, thank you. Unfortunately it looks like it has sold now anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted December 19, 2020 Share Posted December 19, 2020 Definitely a Musima, and a 3/4 not full size. I have one identical, my old man bought it in 1971. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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