Double Bass $3000 - $4000 to spend... what do you buy?

#21
When I was looking for a bass, I sent messages to some of the best players & teachers in town to see if any of their students were ready to move up and looking to sell. Fortunately I got a call back and got the number for a fellow who was graduating and moving on to piano/composition and no longer wanted his bass.

I ended up with a wonderful Upton hybrid for $2000 and put maybe $1000 into it with a new bridge, strings, and pup.

Win Win.
 
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#22
That NS was a ply and actually a bit more than the "list". I was noticing that one too, and it was really nice looking but not sure why the premium. I think he took it off the market when someone didn't bite. I've absolutely been lurking the classifieds for 9 months now. What seems to be my "dream bass" is very fairly priced based on the same things out there in the shops...A 100 year old shop bass, but it's just almost 5K above my range. I'm sure it's ridiculous and would be something I'd love to put another 30 years on. Damon likely has the talent to spot these gems, but most of us (or at least I) don't have the confidence, nor during COVID times, the ability to travel around the country from shop to shop until I find what I want. My current instructor urges patience. My entry level carved is serving me okay and his advice was to find a player who has a killer bass who needs to upgrade to the next level. If I had the ability to find these gems as Damon seems to, I'd be all for it.
 
#23
I'd get an Upton Hybrid of some sort, which i just did recently. Not interested in a fully carved bass since i am not an orchestral player. I'd also be OK just shopping around and playing basses until i find one i like. I'd also be fine getting a well made/setup Chinese import like a Shen or Eastman. One big reason i went with the Upton is that i already own one laminate from them, and wanted something with similar dimensions where switching between the two basses would not require much physical adjustment. So now i have a laminate to bring to grimy bars or outdoor gigs and a hybrid for everything else. Both solidly built and easy to switch between.
 
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#24
I live in Wisconsin and my fully carved bass goes out with me during the winter, plus outdoors during the summer. This included a week at "camp" when there was basically no climate control. At home, we have a whole-house humidifier, but rarely use air conditioning during the summer. The bass is 10 years old and has not had any problems.

I looked at both new and used basses, though I ended up with a new one. For a used bass in the price range that you're talking about, you need to make sure you know why it's in that price range. It might be something like a decent hybrid in good condition. Or it could be a better bass that's a wreck. I saw both. I would advise paying more attention to the basses that you can walk out of the shop with and start playing right away.
 
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#25
Len S said:
That NS was a ply and actually a bit more than the "list". I was noticing that one too, and it was really nice looking but not sure why the premium.
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I emailed Wil de Sol about a La Scala laminate and New Standard is not making them anymore. Maybe his bass is getting a bit harder to find so he asked a bit more?
 
#26
nogbert said:
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.
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I fully agree with this. Shens are an excellent value.

The other thing you might think about is finding a basically good bass in bad shape. I bought my Juzek as a wreck (body battered, neck broken) for $800, put $1500 into repairs and have been playing the really nice bass that resulted for nearly 20 years.
 
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#31
I wouldn’t be afraid of hybrids. Both of my DBs have been hybrids and I haven’t had any issues (the summers here get super humid and the winters are typically very dry).
 
#32
Go a couple of the closest shops in your area and play a number of basses that fit your criteria (hybrid, carved, etc.) and that are in your price range. Even better, try to get to a shop that specializes in double bass sales/repair. Even if it is a couple of hours away it is absolutely worth it.

If you are willing to share your approximate location, some of us may be able to give some recommendations on retailers to check out.
 
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