Double bass search. Looking for ideas :-)

[geoffbassist]

Hi guys.
I'm looking for a quality instrument and wanted to see if anyone had any ideas or experiences that might help.
I'm a classical post grad student who also plays a lot of jazz. I'm looking for a loud,easy to play, well made instrument with loads of bass. It needs to be suitable for solo recitals.
I really like the Bryant double basses and will be viewing one in a few weeks. I've also heard lots of positive stuff about the uptons and martin concert basses.I also like the jay haide basses.
I would also consider somthing old if it was ready to play and in great condition.
Money wise I'm obviously looking for a great deal. I guess I would like to spend no more than 5k...but would consider other options.
Cheers Geoff

[geoffbassist]

Oh, the reason I've not put this in items wanted is I wanted this to be a broader discussion about luthiers etc and what's out there for all uk bassists.

[fatgoogle]

[url="http://www.stringemporium.com/bernadel.htm"]http://www.stringemporium.com/bernadel.htm[/url]

Ive heard very good things about these, another $250 to have it sent to the Uk.

[27 frets]

[quote name='geoffbassist' post='766926' date='Mar 7 2010, 02:49 PM']Oh, the reason I've not put this in items wanted is I wanted this to be a broader discussion about luthiers etc and what's out there for all uk bassists.[/quote]
I guess you may be looking at something better than the Gedo Musik basses - see my input/pics on this thread:
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=77602&pid=766332&st=20&#entry766332"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry766332[/url]

but you're welcome to pick my brains on these.

otherwise, has anyone got any comments on the Kremona basses?
[url="http://www.sandarac.co.uk/rangekremona.html"]http://www.sandarac.co.uk/rangekremona.html[/url]
(European made, not to be confused with Cremona - Chinese!)
Their UK imports are connected with: [url="http://www.oakdenemusicservices.co.uk/"]http://www.oakdenemusicservices.co.uk/[/url]

[geoffbassist]

I do like the look of the german basses and have enjoyed your thread. With yita musics imports and other Chinese basses like the jay haide there is a lot of amazing deals.
If I could find a 'top end ' bass importer I would
be intrested as the value is amazing.



[quote name='27 frets' post='766976' date='Mar 7 2010, 03:38 PM']I guess you may be looking at something better than the Gedo Musik basses - see my input/pics on this thread:
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=77602&pid=766332&st=20&#entry766332"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry766332[/url]

but you're welcome to pick my brains on these.

otherwise, has anyone got any comments on the Kremona basses?
[url="http://www.sandarac.co.uk/rangekremona.html"]http://www.sandarac.co.uk/rangekremona.html[/url]
(European made, not to be confused with Cremona - Chinese!)
Their UK imports are connected with: [url="http://www.oakdenemusicservices.co.uk/"]http://www.oakdenemusicservices.co.uk/[/url][/quote]

[geoffbassist]

Good call. 250 for shipping is amazing. I just missed a second hand one on this forum. Agggh

Will look into buying new though. :-)



[quote name='fatgoogle' post='766968' date='Mar 7 2010, 03:31 PM'][url="http://www.stringemporium.com/bernadel.htm"]http://www.stringemporium.com/bernadel.htm[/url]

Ive heard very good things about these, another $250 to have it sent to the Uk.[/quote]

[27 frets]

[quote name='geoffbassist' post='766926' date='Mar 7 2010, 02:49 PM']Oh, the reason I've not put this in items wanted is I wanted this to be a broader discussion about luthiers etc and what's out there for all uk bassists.[/quote]
There are good reports around Martin Bailey, and he sells and repairs various basses:

[url="http://www.mjbl.co.uk/"]http://www.mjbl.co.uk/[/url]

Edited March 7, 2010 by 27 frets

[velvetkevorkian]

[quote name='27 frets' post='766976' date='Mar 7 2010, 03:38 PM']I guess you may be looking at something better than the Gedo Musik basses - see my input/pics on this thread:
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=77602&pid=766332&st=20&#entry766332"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry766332[/url]

but you're welcome to pick my brains on these.

otherwise, has anyone got any comments on the Kremona basses?
[url="http://www.sandarac.co.uk/rangekremona.html"]http://www.sandarac.co.uk/rangekremona.html[/url]
(European made, not to be confused with Cremona - Chinese!)
Their UK imports are connected with: [url="http://www.oakdenemusicservices.co.uk/"]http://www.oakdenemusicservices.co.uk/[/url][/quote]
My 5 string is a Kremona, which I bought through Bob Gollihur as I mentioned in another thread. Decent quality, and wider range of options (4/4, 5 strings. l/handed etc) but as if I were doing the full classically trained thing I'd be after something higher quality I think.

The Upton range look fantastic.

[geoffbassist]

Martyn is amazing, one of the top uk luthiers.
His instruments are incredible, but a bit out of my budget. However he sets up the jay haide so well that I am considering them.

[Cairobill]

I've got a Paul Bryant and it's magnificent. Very punchy, rich and dark tone. Not super loud (mine is the solobass model with a slightly reduced body size. I have played others of his and they sounded huge) but a great sound. They cost a bit (4.5 to 6K?) but it's handmade in England by a single luthier. Lots of orchestral players use them as second basses...

I had mine up for sale during a moment of madness but soon thought the better of it...they are veeeery sweet...

Check his stuff out here...

[url="http://www.bryantbasses.com/"]http://www.bryantbasses.com/[/url]

Nick

[geoffbassist]

Hi nick. Yeh they are great instruments at fantastic prices. I was there last week and tried them. All really great but he's finishing off a nice roundback which I'm hoping to take on trial.
I've previously played a Bryant solo and was very impressed.
Thanks for your reply cheers geoff :-)

[geoffbassist]

bob offers great service. I bought a few things over the years, your 5 string looks great :-)

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='767018' date='Mar 7 2010, 04:27 PM']My 5 string is a Kremona, which I bought through Bob Gollihur as I mentioned in another thread. Decent quality, and wider range of options (4/4, 5 strings. l/handed etc) but as if I were doing the full classically trained thing I'd be after something higher quality I think.

The Upton range look fantastic.[/quote]

[Cairobill]

Just noticed that you mentioned Bryant already...must read posts all the way through before posting

His basses are very interesting, primarily because he builds each one from the ground up rather than finishes off parts that he buys in. It's simply amazing that he sells them for such low prices. Very nice guy too - his basses have a lot of character...

N


[quote name='geoffbassist' post='767025' date='Mar 7 2010, 04:38 PM']Hi nick. Yeh they are great instruments at fantastic prices. I was there last week and tried them. All really great but he's finishing off a nice roundback which I'm hoping to take on trial.
I've previously played a Bryant solo and was very impressed.
Thanks for your reply cheers geoff :-)[/quote]

Edited March 7, 2010 by Cairobill

[gerryk]

Hi Geoff

I have a lovely Bryant orchestral model. I can highly recommend these basses. A friend of mine who works with orchestras a lot, as well as swing bands and various other genres put me on to them - he has 2 of them, and other bassists in the orchestras rate the Bryant well above the price - nearer three times in fact!
That having been said, I recently brought my bass to a guy in Galway (yeah I know, a bit of a treck for yourself) for repair, and he loaned me a Chinese bass priced at €1800 to use while I waited on mine to be done.
The bass blew me away, and I almost decided to buy it for gigging situations where I wouldn't want to put Bryant in the firing line!. He sets them up himself, and really gets every last ounce of quality out of the instrument, with excellent playability that really left the Bryant feeling like a monster after getting used to the silky action on the Chinese one. The Bryant is optimised for arco, with highish action and no adjustable bridge, and to be honest, the bow showed the shortcomings of the Chinese one compared to the Bryant.
In any event, I'm really suggesting that you check out some of these cheaper basses, as they can surprise. If you're interested in contacting the luthier I refer to, I can send you on contact info. His name is Tom Barrett, and he only spends 6 months in Ireland before returning to States each year (in may I think). he likes to clear his stock before returning, so you might get a good deal in April...

Cheers, and happy hunting,

GerryK

[BigBeatNut]

Just noticed Sandarc and Martyn Bailey must be within a few miles of each other.

Coincidence ? Or is there a relationship ?

Looks like a nice day out to visit both anyway

[27 frets]

[quote name='BigBeatNut' post='768017' date='Mar 8 2010, 02:29 PM']Just noticed Sandarc and Martyn Bailey must be within a few miles of each other.

Coincidence ? Or is there a relationship ?

Looks like a nice day out to visit both anyway [/quote]
Looks like they're now in the same village - Sible Hedingham, just on the Essex/Suffolk border, though I've never visited either

[geoffbassist]

I'm not aware of any conection. I've visited Martyns workshop a few times and would be suprised if he's involved. However I've never played any sandac basses so couldn't comment on them at all.
If you need more info on Martyn check out his site and the pics of his work. He was also really fair about prices and gave exact quotes BEFORE he started the work. You would be suprised about how many luthiers suck their teeth etc when quoting for a job :-)

[geoffbassist]

Just checked with Martyn Bailey and he has no connections with Sandarac.

[Cairobill]

I've just started seriously playing arco on the Bryant and it really is the most beautiful sounding thing.

Playability wise mine is set up at a good balance point for playability and sound projection, medium action. It's very playable but it has enough action to dig in while playing pizz.

I did roadtest a huge flatback loaner orchestral bass that Bryant had in the shop before I got my solobass. It was enormous and sounded equally as huge. It was much more of a handful though - the solobass is much smaller and the shoulders are reduced/sloped to give easier access to thumb position.

I'll get some good recordings done soon and post a review - there aren't many around and people seem to be very interested in what they sound like compared to simliarly priced basses. I can't imagine ever needing a better (i.e. more expensive) bass, the Bryant has a great sound...

CB

[quote name='gerryk' post='767979' date='Mar 8 2010, 01:57 PM']Hi Geoff

I have a lovely Bryant orchestral model. I can highly recommend these basses. A friend of mine who works with orchestras a lot, as well as swing bands and various other genres put me on to them - he has 2 of them, and other bassists in the orchestras rate the Bryant well above the price - nearer three times in fact!
That having been said, I recently brought my bass to a guy in Galway (yeah I know, a bit of a treck for yourself) for repair, and he loaned me a Chinese bass priced at €1800 to use while I waited on mine to be done.
The bass blew me away, and I almost decided to buy it for gigging situations where I wouldn't want to put Bryant in the firing line!. He sets them up himself, and really gets every last ounce of quality out of the instrument, with excellent playability that really left the Bryant feeling like a monster after getting used to the silky action on the Chinese one. The Bryant is optimised for arco, with highish action and no adjustable bridge, and to be honest, the bow showed the shortcomings of the Chinese one compared to the Bryant.
In any event, I'm really suggesting that you check out some of these cheaper basses, as they can surprise. If you're interested in contacting the luthier I refer to, I can send you on contact info. His name is Tom Barrett, and he only spends 6 months in Ireland before returning to States each year (in may I think). he likes to clear his stock before returning, so you might get a good deal in April...

Cheers, and happy hunting,

GerryK[/quote]

Edited March 9, 2010 by Cairobill

[geoffbassist]

Hey CB, thanks for the review. I really liked the solo model I tried about a year ago and it had amazing projection. I was in some ways almost louder than the orch models, but of course less 'bassey'. I'm still not sure if the swell back orch models might be to big for me, but he also has an amazing 5 string which was suprisingly easy to play.

[jdstrings]

I had a (brief) go on a couple of the Kremona basses at a show last year. They seemed good value for money to me and if I remember rightly they are made in either Romania or Bulgaria. (Garry who runs the business is a bass player himself and seemed like a nice chap -he was also working on a new pick up design...)
Check out www.jeromedavies.com -there are a few basses for sale, though the ones available at the moment are possibly in a slightly lower price bracket than you are looking??

[TPJ]

I was reading a thread on TB about the fully carved [url="http://www.newstandardbass.com/lascala.htm"] La Scala bass[/url].

It was the last few pages of the Upton v New Standard thread [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=534132&page=7"]here[/url]

They seem like a very capable bass, only draw back is they are across the pond.

[marvin spangles]

[quote name='gerryk' post='767979' date='Mar 8 2010, 01:57 PM']Hi Geoff


That having been said, I recently brought my bass to a guy in Galway (yeah I know, a bit of a treck for yourself) for repair, and he loaned me a Chinese bass priced at €1800 to use while I waited on mine to be done.
The bass blew me away, and I almost decided to buy it for gigging situations where I wouldn't want to put Bryant in the firing line!. He sets them up himself, and really gets every last ounce of quality out of the instrument, with excellent playability that really left the Bryant feeling like a monster after getting used to the silky action on the Chinese one.

Cheers, and happy hunting,

GerryK[/quote]

Hi Geoff
I got a fully carved Rogeri Willow (Shen) from Tom earlier this year. I wanted a bass that I could use for classical gigs while I keep my La Scala for Jazz only. My La Scala is in for repair at the moment with Tom Barret and so I am using the Shen Rogeri Willow for all gigs . I recently did two recording sessions. I was delighted with the sound of the bass. Old School woody and gut like ( I use Belcanto strings btw) cost was 5000 Euros. I think it is remarkable value. Might be worth a trip to Galway. He has many other basses too.
Good luck

[geoffbassist]

Hi jerome, thanks for the heads up. I like your site, let me know if you get anything subitable in stock. It's
a shame you are not nearer.

The uptons look great, as do the new standards and wan bernadels but I really want to try before I buy. I know there are loads of great reviews of all these basses but it's too much of a gamble for me.

I actually found someone with a used upton in London but it has an
Eb neck which I always have trouble with. I guess I could use a false nut etc to change it but i really want a bass that is set up ready to go.

I'm still intrested in Martyn Baileys and Paul bryants basses but need to go and spend some time playing them.

[TPJ]

I'm envious of the journey you're now on. I realise it is a daunting task and may take a while but what an adventure.

Consider me subscribed