JPJ Posted October 26 Share Posted October 26 So, after years of EUB ownership, I think it’s finally time I moved on to the real thing. I’ve recently missed out on a couple of really nice instruments on here due to my in-built procrastination engine (recently upgraded to version 1.5), and after hour upon hour of late night internet advice browsing I thought I’d ask the Basschat massive for your advice. The bass will be used in a country/Americana acoustic trio, exclusively Pizz (I’ve tried the bow and I think it’s safe to say it’s not for me). So, when buying my first bass, what should I look out for. Budget will be around £1,000 - £1,200, and if you are offering a specific bass, the nearer to the North East of England the better please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted October 26 Share Posted October 26 (edited) Stentor 1950 or Student/Student 2 basses are decent, in your price range and reasonably common. Edited October 26 by TheRev 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petebassist Posted October 26 Share Posted October 26 I’d suggest buying a used one that’s already been setup and is gig ready, preferably with an adjustable height bridge so that you change the string type without needing to involve a luthier. If you do want to buy new, somewhere like Bass Bags have a wide range to try out and have an in house luthier to set them up, which helps. your budget is easily enough for a gigable bass & pickup, probably with a carved top and laminate body. Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petebassist Posted October 26 Share Posted October 26 Agree with TheRev about the Stentor 1950. Also a slightly smaller body than most and light. Was my first bass, great for getting round pubs n bars 😀 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted October 27 Share Posted October 27 I have played a number of Zeller DBs (both 3/4 and 4/4) and found them all to be great-sounding and completely consistent. A decent pre-owned model would be easily within your price range. I'm sure the Stentors are great, too, but I've not owned one so can't comment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted October 27 Author Share Posted October 27 16 hours ago, petebassist said: I’d suggest buying a used one that’s already been setup and is gig ready, preferably with an adjustable height bridge so that you change the string type without needing to involve a luthier. If you do want to buy new, somewhere like Bass Bags have a wide range to try out and have an in house luthier to set them up, which helps. your budget is easily enough for a gigable bass & pickup, probably with a carved top and laminate body. Good luck! Thanks Pete, I should have said I am looking for a used example. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted October 27 Share Posted October 27 (edited) For that budget and in the UK, a decent mid-20th century European laminate bass could be a good choice, and they do come up if you wait around and watch on here and other bass specific selling places. Or relatively recent carved or hybrid student basses like the Stentors, Zellers, and Czech and Romanian ones under a few names would also be good. Any older carved bass in that range will likely have something keeping the value down, perhaps less than ideal old repairs, or needing immediate work, but you might just get lucky. Edited October 27 by Beer of the Bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted October 29 Share Posted October 29 My first dB was a Zeller, and in shop days I sold quite a few Stentor 1950. I've recently bought a Stentor Student 2 cheap as it needed loads of work Recommend any of those. Budget for your choice of pickup and strings. Longest term, remain open to the idea of bowing.. even physically it's remarkably different on a 'real' dB compared to an EUB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petebassist Posted October 29 Share Posted October 29 9 minutes ago, hubrad said: My first dB was a Zeller, and in shop days I sold quite a few Stentor 1950. I've recently bought a Stentor Student 2 cheap as it needed loads of work Recommend any of those. Budget for your choice of pickup and strings. Longest term, remain open to the idea of bowing.. even physically it's remarkably different on a 'real' dB compared to an EUB. Hugh, I bought my Stentor 1950 on the basis of watching a video that you did about the same model - helped me immensely. 😁 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TorturedSaints Posted October 29 Share Posted October 29 When I messaged you about NS Wav basses at the beginning of 2023, I said you had better budget for a DB in about a year. I was only 9 months out! 😀 I second hubrad’s suggestion to try bowing again - it’s much more rewarding on a DB than on a EUB. Good luck with your search! R. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted October 30 Share Posted October 30 On 29/10/2024 at 08:57, petebassist said: Hugh, I bought my Stentor 1950 on the basis of watching a video that you did about the same model - helped me immensely. 😁 Thanks for the comment! I'd all but forgotten about that one: The next vid in search was actually by a chap who'd just got a 1950 a couple of days previous, so a really good follow-on for someone coming from electric onto dB: Don't suppose you're on here, Jason? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted November 12 Author Share Posted November 12 A small update, I currently have a loan of this lovely Boosey Hawkes Excelsior 50/2 care of our own @Blartfactor10. Based on my initial fumblings I believe she may well be staying with me in exchange for a very reasonable sum of beer vouchers 😎 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted November 12 Share Posted November 12 How are you finding the transition from EUB to proper doghouse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted November 12 Share Posted November 12 36 minutes ago, JPJ said: A small update, I currently have a loan of this lovely Boosey Hawkes Excelsior 50/2 care of our own @Blartfactor10. Based on my initial fumblings I believe she may well be staying with me in exchange for a very reasonable sum of beer vouchers 😎 Very nice 👌 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted November 12 Author Share Posted November 12 1 hour ago, ezbass said: How are you finding the transition from EUB to proper doghouse? Surprisingly, I’m actually finding the neck on the doghouse easier to move around on than the EUB which feels deeper in the hand. It’s actually not but the doghouse has more shape (a bit like comparing a baseball bat ‘51 precision and a 70’s Jazz). I am having to work the right hand harder, especially to get the E string to speak with a full tone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted November 12 Share Posted November 12 2 hours ago, JPJ said: Surprisingly, I’m actually finding the neck on the doghouse easier to move around on than the EUB which feels deeper in the hand. It’s actually not but the doghouse has more shape (a bit like comparing a baseball bat ‘51 precision and a 70’s Jazz). I am having to work the right hand harder, especially to get the E string to speak with a full tone. This is the biggest problem with the transition from EUB to DB. Be sure to watch the videos online about using arm weight. Using proper technique means you can be dexterous without putting any strain on your thumb. I’m not trying to patronise you, it’s a mistake I made and it can really impact you negatively. This bass looks amazing and I’m sure you’ll love it. Just protect your hands.! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted November 13 Author Share Posted November 13 2 hours ago, Burns-bass said: This is the biggest problem with the transition from EUB to DB. Be sure to watch the videos online about using arm weight. Using proper technique means you can be dexterous without putting any strain on your thumb. I’m not trying to patronise you, it’s a mistake I made and it can really impact you negatively. This bass looks amazing and I’m sure you’ll love it. Just protect your hands.! Thanks, all good advice and well received. I have an old left hand thumb injury that makes me very protective of my left hand, and it was a flare up of this injury that ended my ownership of the KK Baby Bass EUB as there was just no way to keep the weight of the instrument off my left thumb. Since getting the NS EUB I have been working much more on my technique and I’m an avid watcher of Geoff Chalmers ‘Discover Double Bass’ series, but using arm weight on the NS does cause a certain amount of movement of the instrument but I can already put this to good use on the Excelsior as the instrument really wants to hug you. This, along with the slimmer feeling neck, is already helping reduce wrist and hand pressure. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted November 13 Share Posted November 13 17 hours ago, JPJ said: A small update, I currently have a loan of this lovely Boosey Hawkes Excelsior 50/2 care of our own @Blartfactor10. Based on my initial fumblings I believe she may well be staying with me in exchange for a very reasonable sum of beer vouchers 😎 Great choice. Well built, smooth, quite dark-sounding basses. Probably built by the Strunal Factory in Luby, Czech Republic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted November 13 Share Posted November 13 12 hours ago, JPJ said: Thanks, all good advice and well received. I have an old left hand thumb injury that makes me very protective of my left hand, and it was a flare up of this injury that ended my ownership of the KK Baby Bass EUB as there was just no way to keep the weight of the instrument off my left thumb. Since getting the NS EUB I have been working much more on my technique and I’m an avid watcher of Geoff Chalmers ‘Discover Double Bass’ series, but using arm weight on the NS does cause a certain amount of movement of the instrument but I can already put this to good use on the Excelsior as the instrument really wants to hug you. This, along with the slimmer feeling neck, is already helping reduce wrist and hand pressure. Very smart. I wish I’d followed all this advice when I started! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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