Suitable starter bass?

[lobematt]

Hi there I've been playing electric bass for 10 years and want to move into upright bass as well.

I've decided to go acoustic over electric (which I was toying with for a while...) and I don't have a very big budget. Probably less than £500.

As far as I'm aware there aren't any shops stocking upright basses by me so don't really have a chance to try out any basses but I have found this bass/case/bow deal on the internet and was wondering if anybody could tell me if it's worth getting this one or hanging on for something else?

[url="http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-B...s-and-Case/1O1"]http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-B...s-and-Case/1O1[/url]

Thanks!

[derrenleepoole]

It's a case of try before you buy... you can certainly get good starter basses in your price range, but equally you can potentially get better used instruments too. I managed to get a full 4.4 bass for £50 last year on eBay. It may be better to try and get a player you know to come with you on a purchase and try some out as he/she may spot something you won't. I'm sure others will chip in with better advance than me though One option to consider is ring around local schools to see if they have any old instrument they want shut of, that's were I got mine from. These will probably be a Meinel or Musima and are quite good instruments for the starter...

[marvin spangles]

[quote name='lobematt' post='807256' date='Apr 15 2010, 03:55 PM']Hi there I've been playing electric bass for 10 years and want to move into upright bass as well.

I've decided to go acoustic over electric (which I was toying with for a while...) and I don't have a very big budget. Probably less than £500.

As far as I'm aware there aren't any shops stocking upright basses by me so don't really have a chance to try out any basses but I have found this bass/case/bow deal on the internet and was wondering if anybody could tell me if it's worth getting this one or hanging on for something else?

[url="http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-B...s-and-Case/1O1"]http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-B...s-and-Case/1O1[/url]

Thanks![/quote]

strange I have seen this exact post word for word on Talk bass.com. posted under the name Fishbrain. Is Lobematt and Fishbrain one in the same person?
There was plenty of good advice given on talk bass (three pages) from a lot of knowledgable bass players. Either you have your heart set on this bass and you are looking for some sort of validation of your choice or you are in hoc to Gear4 music.
In any event I think that 500 pounds will not get you much in a new bass. It is possible however to pick up some second hand plywood basses that might be playable .But be prepared to spend another couple of hundred to get the bass Set Up properly. The Double bass is very difficult to play at the best of times . You will make the job even more difficult by getting something that might instill bad habits or worse still cause injury. Rent a bass . Save your money and buy from a reputable dealer. You should get a pretty decent student bass for around £1200. It is possible to get something cheaper but very unlikely. BTW I think it is great that you have decided to play Double Bass and I in no way want to discourage you. Just don't buy in haste. If you know a teacher of Double bass that could go with you to look at this bass then you might get hands on advice.

Edited April 15, 2010 by marvin spangles

[CoolCat]

[quote name='lobematt' post='807256' date='Apr 15 2010, 03:55 PM']Hi there I've been playing electric bass for 10 years and want to move into upright bass as well.
I've decided to go acoustic over electric (which I was toying with for a while...) and I don't have a very big budget. Probably less than £500.
As far as I'm aware there aren't any shops stocking upright basses by me so don't really have a chance to try out any basses but I have found this bass/case/bow deal on the internet and was wondering if anybody could tell me if it's worth getting this one or hanging on for something else?
[url="http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-B...s-and-Case/1O1"]http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-B...s-and-Case/1O1[/url]
Thanks![/quote]
If you are in the UK you should be looking at this page instead: [url="http://www.gear4music.com/String_Instruments/Double_Bass.html"]http://www.gear4music.com/String_Instrumen...ouble_Bass.html[/url]

I have the Deluxe + Evah Pirazzi Light strings (around £500 all together) and sounds quite alright and is playable after some tweaking of bridge,nut and smoothed the fretboard.I get a good pizzicato sound and my teacher does make it sound very good either with bow or pizzicato.As ever is not so much what you have but what you do with it, however you MUST bin the original cheap strings and buy a good standard set immediatly Spirocores/Evah/Honeys/Obligatos (that is another quest).

There is a forum member with the Archer + Obligatos and he is quite happy and the bass looks good. (just do a search)

Going for something more expensive, as other members already pointed out, could mean better sound and playability but all depends on your goals.Are you intending to play live and carry the bass around a lot? are you playing just in your bedroom? Are you recording in studio or just having fun on garage band?

You can always sell the bass - either expensive or cheap - as there is always someone willing to start on db or looking for a better bass.

For me the orange box will do for another couple of years or until it breaks in half. If it does break, then I had plenty of fun and I am in a better position to choose a better bass - finances permiting.

If you can, save some money for a couple of lessons with double bass teacher. Have fun on your journey.

ps: EUB are ok also, however you lose that lovely rumble against your body, and you can't annoy your neighbours with late night bow practice !!

Edited April 16, 2010 by CoolCat

[lobematt]

Thanks for the replies, I'm not working for gear4music but fishbrain and lobematt are both me! just thought I might get better answers on the UK forum.

Looks like I've got some saving too do either way, no doubt i'll post again before I take the plunge!

Thanks

[fatgoogle]

You have to be very very carefull, with cheaper double bass's. If you spend 500 on one you may well have to spend another 300-400 more to get i9t playable, and with that money originally you could have bought a better souinding and playing instrument. Personnally to be really safe and get an instrument that you will be very happy with and will last you for many years i would be inclined to go for a bass for like 1200-2000. For a good starter instrument.
Also have you thought about lessons, this is a whole different beast from electric bass.