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Double Bass $3000 - $4000 to spend... what do you buy?
- Thread starter tb-player
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- dreaming shopping upright bass
You buy my 2K1 Kremona Bulgarian bass newly outfitted with Pirastro Perpetuals (for 2250 including the bag). 
I'm upgrading soon, but I think you and I are in opposite situations...I was/am primarily an electric player but really casting my lot in with DB and taking it quite seriously. However, it sounds from your experiences in another thread that you want something simple...No fuss about it. If you're not bowing, a good laminate. If you are bowing, a hybrid. I've heard good things about those String Emporium hybrids, and even their fully carved ones come in at 5K. These are Asian imports, but it seems like they are all quite good. I might go that route. Again, this seems to be because you had expressed that you wanted the simplicity of a laminate. A hybrid will likely give you the stability you need.
I'm upgrading soon, but I think you and I are in opposite situations...I was/am primarily an electric player but really casting my lot in with DB and taking it quite seriously. However, it sounds from your experiences in another thread that you want something simple...No fuss about it. If you're not bowing, a good laminate. If you are bowing, a hybrid. I've heard good things about those String Emporium hybrids, and even their fully carved ones come in at 5K. These are Asian imports, but it seems like they are all quite good. I might go that route. Again, this seems to be because you had expressed that you wanted the simplicity of a laminate. A hybrid will likely give you the stability you need.
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Let's chat. I'd love to hear about your bass.You buy my 2K1 Kremona Bulgarian bass newly outfitted with Pirastro Perpetuals (for 2250 including the bag).
I would say for that amount, get a hybrid whether you are bowing or not. I own what a local luthier called “the best laminate bass I’ve ever seen”, and he’s not wrong. But it still pales in comparison to the hybrid it’s a copy of.
I've heard this more than once. But my concern with a hybrid is its sensitivity to weather. I live near the coast and have a number of opportunities to play outside near the bay or the ocean in direct sunlight. I've been leaning toward nicer laminates because of this. Am I wrong?
Also, what's your bass?
I buy my Upton Standard Laminate with Evah Pirazzi Weich strings and the Rev Solo pickup.
Now, I could have kept to the upper limit if I went with their standard strings and gotten the standard hybrid...but I figured that at some point, I may want to upgrade, and when I do that, I want to get something really special (like an Upton Mittenwald Hybrid) and Upton's trade in policy is fantastic.
Now, I could have kept to the upper limit if I went with their standard strings and gotten the standard hybrid...but I figured that at some point, I may want to upgrade, and when I do that, I want to get something really special (like an Upton Mittenwald Hybrid) and Upton's trade in policy is fantastic.
I don’t know if you are wrong or not, but I live in the Ohio valley on the river and our summers are usually about 90+ degrees and 140% humidity...so if something was going to go horribly wrong with the hybrid, I think it probably would have sometime in the last 15 years. As for direct sunlight, that’s bad for any bass because if the hide glue heats up past a certain point, it becomes soft. I have yet to encounter a gig where I couldn’t manage some shade.
Info about my basses can be found here.
i'd put that money towards any bass that Shen makes. Sor that amount you could get any of their hybrids; or their laminates with lots of money left. With a good setup these basses are solid. Keep in mind the MSRPs on Shen's site are higher than what most luthier's offer theses basses at.
Not to be a contrarian, but why new? I think I'd focus more on the value than new vs old. As for hybrid vs laminate vs carved, if you're not too tough on the bass, not a performing musician with 3 to 4 gigs a week, I'd expect you'll be fine with a carved bass. If you get into DB, the carved will probably be much more gratifying to play than a plywood or hybrid but there are exceptions. As for what to buy, the popular consensus is Shen, but there are several popular contenders and I expect all of them deserve their favorable opinions.
If, your goal is to get a good bass without much hassle, I think I'd hire someone to get one for me. Assuming they take into account any preferences you have, they should be well worth the couple of hundred dollars they'd charge. If, OTOH, you want to agonize over your choice and learn a ton about DBs, then, the quickest way would be to hire a guide who will go with you to the shops and help you narrow your options. If you want to linger over your choice, then prepare for a long, drawn out process, with possible missteps. Probably the best analogy is buying a used Porsche - lot's of years, lot's of models, some broken, some about to be, some pristine, some ridiculously overpriced, some ridiculously underpriced, and everything in between, and all very confusing.
If, your goal is to get a good bass without much hassle, I think I'd hire someone to get one for me. Assuming they take into account any preferences you have, they should be well worth the couple of hundred dollars they'd charge. If, OTOH, you want to agonize over your choice and learn a ton about DBs, then, the quickest way would be to hire a guide who will go with you to the shops and help you narrow your options. If you want to linger over your choice, then prepare for a long, drawn out process, with possible missteps. Probably the best analogy is buying a used Porsche - lot's of years, lot's of models, some broken, some about to be, some pristine, some ridiculously overpriced, some ridiculously underpriced, and everything in between, and all very confusing.
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What I want is different from what you want. What do you want in your URB experience?
I'd asses my needs, desires, price range, then look for a solution. My first choice is buying used locally. Better value in used for upright bass. If nothing was desirable used locally, then I'd look for used online in nearby cities (check TB classified). If still nothing, then new from a local bass shop. If nothing suitable was there, then I'd look at new from online shops.
You're budget is very healthy for the plywood you seem to want. If I could get a solution for my needs for $2K, I'd do it and keep the extra $.
Now is a weird time for bass shopping as most stores are closed. The usual advice of "play a lot basses until you get to one you want more than the others" is hard to apply now.
Used Shen Willow sb200 best carved bass for the money. Forget eastman and upton the Shen is best
A hybrid is well worth the extra money over a full ply. Don't worry about the weather too much. Basses are big wooden things and minor repairs - open seams that need re gluing for example - are part of the deal. I've heard hybrid basses that could be real lifetime instruments for a pizz mostly player. Happy hunting. It's fun to bass shop. Trust your ears and your hands.
Another vote for a Shen SB180, 190 or 200. Easy to find under $4k.
Next step up for me would be a New Standard hybrid at nearly $7k.
Also, I have been told that Wil deSola is no longer getting full ply basses from his supplier in Germany, but that could be wrong...
Next step up for me would be a New Standard hybrid at nearly $7k.
Also, I have been told that Wil deSola is no longer getting full ply basses from his supplier in Germany, but that could be wrong...
Play every bass you can get your hands on.
The right one will choose you.....
The right one will choose you.....
This is the right answer. Otherwise, a Shen hybrid is the most bass for your money that is dependable. In that range - especially in 100 dollar bills you can find an amazing fully carved bass that will sound amazing and be with you for years. Check the shops, FB Market place and the old Craigslist. You might be surprised at what you can get. Don't buy a lesser instrument out of fear. Take care of the bass and it will be fine.
What James said. When you play the instrument that tells you it’s supposed to be yours, you buy it. A good investment hurts once. A poor investment hurts you as long as you stick with it. That applies to basses, cars, houses, people and anything else of critical importance.
In my part of the Northeast, off the top of my head, I’ve recently seen two options in your price range, both fully carved: A Maple Leaf Strings 140 with a Gage Infinity stick in Albany, and a Czech gamba roundback in Oswego that *may* be a Herald Jaeger gamba roundback.
In my part of the Northeast, off the top of my head, I’ve recently seen two options in your price range, both fully carved: A Maple Leaf Strings 140 with a Gage Infinity stick in Albany, and a Czech gamba roundback in Oswego that *may* be a Herald Jaeger gamba roundback.
In another thread, I posted a little comparison of what I quickly found on line in terms of Shen/Upton/New Standard prices.
I live in Chicago, and play outside all the time (well, not when the weather is like it is NOW!). When I recently bought a new bass, I decided to go w/ a hybrid. I'm glad I did. I don't think a hybrid should concern you. At worst, a seam will open up, which is an easy/inexpensive fix. But I still have my older ply as a beater.
Only you will know whether your personal preferences are best met with a pricey ply or lower-priced hybrid. I'm not sure a $3500-4k ply would be worth significantly more than a cheaper ply. You could probably get a ply for $1500-2k, get it set up perfectly for yourself, and save a grand or more. Plus, you wouldn't worry about every nick and scratch.
You didn't say what you paid for the Upton with the finish issues, but IMO, if they corrected the finish - or gave you a credit - that would be a lot of bass for $3-4k. Especially as you seemed to really like the feel/sound.
I live in Chicago, and play outside all the time (well, not when the weather is like it is NOW!). When I recently bought a new bass, I decided to go w/ a hybrid. I'm glad I did. I don't think a hybrid should concern you. At worst, a seam will open up, which is an easy/inexpensive fix. But I still have my older ply as a beater.
Only you will know whether your personal preferences are best met with a pricey ply or lower-priced hybrid. I'm not sure a $3500-4k ply would be worth significantly more than a cheaper ply. You could probably get a ply for $1500-2k, get it set up perfectly for yourself, and save a grand or more. Plus, you wouldn't worry about every nick and scratch.
You didn't say what you paid for the Upton with the finish issues, but IMO, if they corrected the finish - or gave you a credit - that would be a lot of bass for $3-4k. Especially as you seemed to really like the feel/sound.
I just took a stroll through the basses for sale section of the classifieds, and you should be able to get a very nice bass for that money. Sad to say, but these are very hard times for gigging musicians and they are anxious to raise cash. Someone just snatched up a New Standard. The asking price was 4500. The ones I've played kick serious ass and compare to instruments costing much more. I don't get the desire for a brand new instrument only. I bought a brand new Pollman in the 70s and am glad I did, but the other finalists were all older basses.