Double Bass Looking for a 3/4 Upright - South Texas

L

Larry Shilling

Feb 27, 2019
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1
4,591
#1
My 15 year old has been playing jazz music for 2 years. He has fallen in love with jazz music and wants to venture into an upright. I am completely ignorant and needing help. I would love for some pointers, help, leads to purchasing a 3/4 upright. I am located in Victoria, Tx.

Thanks..
 
#2
Kay made some nice quality ones that are still reasonably affordable. Its harder to find used URBs than it used to be, in my neck of the woods, but it can be done. Theres also the leasing option at big box stores to make sure he'll like it, obviously that will be more money than buying but may be a good choice for you.


This thread will probably be moved to the Upright bass section soon, so I'm sure youll get a lot of advice.
 
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#7
It might be worth getting the advice of a local teacher or player, if possible have them check out an instrument before you get it, or at least have them show you some parameters to look for. Double basses vary wildly in terms of setup/ease of play, even good luthiers do things just a little differently from each other, and some basses (especially cheap used ones) have never seen a luthier or a proper setup.

I'd say get something that used that will sell for the same price if he loses interest or upgrades (pretty easy to peer through the threads on this forum and get a feel for what to avoid), but a bad setup can make someone lose interest pretty quickly. Especially if he wants to play jazz, a nice easy string height and very little fingerboard scoop would be the ticket I'd think.
 
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#9
It would also be a good idea to ask the local orchestra players for teacher recommendations. If your son is just starting out on DB, you want him to learn proper technique from the start.
 
#10
MD said:
It would also be a good idea to ask the local orchestra players for teacher recommendations. If your son is just starting out on DB, you want him to learn proper technique from the start.
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Absolutely I will. We did the same thing on bass guitar for him. I am self taught guitarist and have more than my fair share of bad habits. It just frustrates the playing.
 
#11
It makes me happy to hear that there is a 15 year old in my ancestral home land who has fallen in love with jazz and doublebass.

We have a few members here from the Austin area, if I can remember who they are, they could be resources for you. Word of mouth is a good way to find local instruments (and teachers). I wish I was closer, I'd be glad to help out and talk jazz over a proper plate of brisket.
 
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#12
Larry Shilling said:
Absolutely I will. We did the same thing on bass guitar for him. I am self taught guitarist and have more than my fair share of bad habits. It just frustrates the playing.
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Bad habits on guitar will slow your progress. Bad habits on doublebass can cause long term injuries. It's worth learning the right way.
 
#13
TroyK said:
It makes me happy to hear that there is a 15 year old in my ancestral home land who has fallen in love with jazz and doublebass.

We have a few members here from the Austin area, if I can remember who they are, they could be resources for you. Word of mouth is a good way to find local instruments (and teachers). I wish I was closer, I'd be glad to help out and talk jazz over a proper plate of brisket.
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I certainly would slow smoke one while we listened to some good music and talk. Thanks for the advice. It is really helpful.
 
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#15
Been gone from S. Texas a few years, but Fuller’s Vintage Guitars in Houston used to have a few uprights, usually Kays or Engelhardts.
There were a few violin shops that also catered to bassists. Can’t recall the names. My upright came from the attic of a violin shop in Rice Village. Another shop on the SW side set it up. Wu’s in Sugarland. He did a great job
 
#17
Never been there but Quantum Bass Center in Houston looks credible. They have a rental program - might be worthwhile trying for 6 months to make sure that he wants to take on DB. Even a halfway decent DB is much more of an investment than a baass guitar, and requires a skilled luthier to get it set up properly.
 
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