SevenSeas

[quote name='SevenSeas' timestamp='1380268847' post='2222951'] I strongly recommend Simandl, I'm still going through the book now, the process is very slow but if you stick with it the results will be great. Also I had a very similar problem and the only way I sorted the issues was going to see a classical tutor, I recommend someone who either A) Plays classical music to a professional standard. Could be a jazz double bassist if they have had some classical training. I looked at many videos but still found it was no comparison to having a lesson, even if it's just a one off. [/quote] Ah.. I didn't realised you were learning to Read. Simandl starts off okay to read but it has some horrible notation such as double sharps and flats which can be annoying.

[quote name='Tait' timestamp='1380212299' post='2222411'] Total Jazz Bassist gives a brief overview of how to hold the bow, but the main one is Essential Elements 2000 For Strings, it's actually a really good book, it's got a lot of both bowing a pizzicato exercises and stuff in, and it's also really good for learning to read music as well. And the problem with lessons is not just the cost, I do a pretty busy course at University and then I also do fencing 4 nights a week, I really don't have that much time to fill with double bass lessons. It's doable, but not ideal. Might be that I just have to take that plunge. How do you mean use my arm weight? How could I use the arm to pivot the bow to keep it straight? [/quote] I strongly recommend Simandl, I'm still going through the book now, the process is very slow but if you stick with it the results will be great. Also I had a very similar problem and the only way I sorted the issues was going to see a classical tutor, I recommend someone who either A) Plays classical music to a professional standard. Could be a jazz double bassist if they have had some classical training. I looked at many videos but still found it was no comparison to having a lesson, even if it's just a one off.

[quote name='mtroun' timestamp='1380232254' post='2222746'] Why does it have to be the Academy? [/quote] I have to agree with Mark partly but also I think you have to respect Floyd decision for RAM. (I know this is very off topic but then I did start the thread...) At the end of the day all the Conservatoires are great, RAM, RNCM, RC, Birmingham, Trinity, Royal Welsh, Royal Scottish. (Leeds and Middlesex) I think you have to be semi-realistic about where you want to go. At the end of the day yes there is always going to be a certain 'prestige' about going to a certain college but at the end of the day, no one is going to book you for a gig just because you studied at a certain college. (maybe someone can prove me wrong about this) But then people always say... but so and so went here and they're a monster. and yes.. this maybe true. But that was down to there hardwork, not to do with what college they went too. On the otherside I do agree with Floyd in the fact that he has a particular interest in one college and it's a lot of money to spend. (hell probably 50k... tuition 9k a year + living expenses.) So I say go for it (hell you have more balls then me) I've decided to apply to Birmingham and Trinity and if I get rejected (Middlesex and Leeds) (Middlesex and Leeds still have great courses though, Zoltan Dekhany is the head of double bass and he is an absolute monster, it's a shame Leeds don't make their course 4 years instead of three, else I would of applied.) Also in the nicest way possible, don't hold out on money from the conservatoire unless theres some kind of guarantee. I applied to Goldsmiths and got an unconditional offer (even though I met the terms for the scholarship I didn't get one) and my plan was to do the course and just have weekly private lessons with the nearest jazz monster in London. Anyway I don't regret taking another year and applying to Conservatoire but I think I have to go this year, regardless of where I go. You'll be surprised how quick the years pass and I can understand wanting to go to a certain conservatoire but more or less some of the teachers are spread across certain conservatoires. Someone I know went to study at RAM and they got an offer from Birmingham and took that because they thought it was much friendly and he is an absolute bass monster. I also decided not to apply to Royal Welsh after looking at the prospectus they have taken on a lot of international students, something like 2000 applicants on the prospectus when previously they had 700 applicants, which unfortunatly throws everything out. If you want documentation of this i'll PM you. Anyway good luck to RAM Floyd, It will be worth it once you get there. Anyway back to Basses!

[quote name='fatgoogle' timestamp='1380195878' post='2222114'] I was just thinking about this this morning and was wondering maybe if i would be a good idea to wait until you can double the amount you have and have an instrument that you'll have forever very possibly. Maybe not that but if you had more to play with (and i know its very difficult im just throwing an idea out) you wouldnt have to limit yourself if there was say an amazing instrument for 7-8 thousand. I played some great bass's in the 10,000 range in the contrabasse shop and i mean they were stunning. Im sure some kind of bargain could be stuck. [/quote] Hi Fatgoogle, it's a nice idea. The problem is my current bass is literally on its way out. The bottom part of the bass, has sung in. (where the endpin is) which apparently means one of the four block of wood has slipped out of place. (apparently) Meaning that probably at some point it will (basically collapse? no idea)... well don't really want to think about it. As the bass was so cheap (all I could afford at the time) the cost of repairs would be more than the bass. So thats why in December i'm planning to get a new double bass, originally I was going for one of the Bryant basses. (which I still am but i'm keeping my options open) and I was going to pay half upfront say (£2500) then the rest over 12 months. What i've done instead is taken some money I was saving for university (12 month contract) will be finished in December (so thats why I can't buy until December), so I can use the money. So I'll have about 5k. But the problem is £10,000 is so much money, understandable double basses are expensive. I earn about £5500 a year. (time i've taken lessons out of that) a lot less maybe £3.5k. So i've been saving for this current bass for 18months and I'm pretty good with money. (don't waste it) so... if I was to borrow £5000 (i'm planning to start music college next year) i'd have all that money hanging over me which would be horrible to pay off, as i wouldn't be working as much. If that makes sense?

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm unfortunatly not going to be buying until December. (So unfortunatly It might have sold by then, but I would need to try it. Sounds like a nice bass though) Was drumming up some interest, waiting for a few quotes of people! Looking for a bass that favours jazz, I still use a bow though. Cheers,

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1379949984' post='2218607'] Good call Floyd man ! ( Ben was the guy that had this huge smile - right ? ...great musician and produced that fantastic singing sound on his bass ). Andrew , if you get the chance to have a look at Ben's bass then do . A trip to the Royal College in London will be a lot cheaper than flying out to the USA - you could even meet up with FLoyd ( you may need to buy him a drink or two if this works out for you ! ) [/quote] Very true, haha yeah definitely!

[quote name='FLoydElgar' timestamp='1379942277' post='2218469'] Ubassman and I was at the Paul ellison masterclass few months back and one of the students is selling their bass... He was playing the Reinhold Gilere Tarrentella piece on it and the bass sings... [url="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153247011250333&set=pcb.510741085682397&type=1&theater"]https://www.facebook...&type=1[/url] [/quote] Will check it out, cheers!

[quote name='geoffbassist' timestamp='1379958570' post='2218775'] Gear Acquisition Syndrome. We all tend to suffer from it on here :-) [/quote] Ah bingo!

[quote name='geoffbassist' timestamp='1379801523' post='2216991'] Thanks for sharing that video, what a great guy.... but it's not helping my double bass gas! I would love a trip to the workshop to try some basses, especially the Venezia and solo model. [/quote] If the prices are going to be in my range £5,500.... then I think not trying them out would be foolish. Haha what is this expression, double bass gas?

[quote name='Rabbie' timestamp='1379802000' post='2216999'] I had a Wilfer gamba model bass, which I sold at the start of this year. It was an outstanding jazz bass, but it just wasn't my bass. But in terms of workmanship, wonderful indeed. [/quote] How did you acquire the bass, did you go over to the workshop and try one or order one and hope for the best?

Prices are in dollars, therefore possibly (obviously not possible for everyone) but going to their workshop seems like a good idea, there prices sound reasonable. http://www.lemurmusic.com/Emanuel-Wilfer-Double-Basses/products/22/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hQCJ13uwzc&feature=endscreen Very nice video on their basses. ^

[quote name='geoffbassist' timestamp='1379798362' post='2216952'] Does anyone have a price list for the Emanuel Wilfer basses? They look really good and have a solid rep as a top european maker. [/quote] Hi Geoff, I've just sent him an email asking for a quote on the'; "Violin" and "Venezia" models. Andrew.

Have you spoken to Peter Tyler, he has some basses in your price range and has a very good reputation. I will probably go and visit him when I go on the hunt for 'the one'. http://www.tylerbasses.co.uk/

http://jazz.bassico.eu/117/1069?l=de Rudolf Mastri Db(Germany) http://www.contrabass.de/bass.html Emanuel Wilfer DB (Germany)

I might have found something useful; The Contrabass shop have the Jay Haide in stock for £5,500 however what seems most appealing is their guarantee... [color=#800000][font=Verdana, Geneva, Arial][size=2]"You will find our [/size][/font][/color][color=#663333][font=Verdana, Arial][size=2][b]price structures[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#800000][font=Verdana, Geneva, Arial][size=2] for instruments very competitive. Because we work on a large and quick turnover of stock, we are able to offer the [/size][/font][/color][color=#663333][font=Verdana, Arial][size=2][b]vendor[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#800000][font=Verdana, Geneva, Arial][size=2] a much higher price than an auction house, frequently with an instant cash settlement, whereas every prospective [/size][/font][/color][color=#663333][font=Verdana, Arial][size=2][b]purchaser[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#800000][font=Verdana, Geneva, Arial][size=2] will be pleased because our mark up is only small. For those musicians who wish to upgrade to a better quality instrument then our [/size][/font][/color][color=#663333][font=Verdana, Arial][size=2][b]guarantee[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#800000][font=Verdana, Geneva, Arial][size=2] to accept your instrument back at its [/size][/font][/color][color=#663333][font=Verdana, Arial][size=2][b]full purchase price[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#800000][font=Verdana, Geneva, Arial][size=2], whatever the stage of your career, is a comforting reassurance of our integrity."[/size][/font][/color] So are they saying, I could buy one of their... 'budget' basses, play it for x amount of years, bring it back to the shop and then if I wanted to upgrade to one of their better basses I could trade in the old one and get exactly the same amount off a new double bass?

^ just to add on to this thread, regardless of where the bass was, I would have to go and play and try it. (couldn't buy without trying)

[quote name='Rabbie' timestamp='1379770405' post='2216607'] I don't think there's any need to go to America for a carved bass when you can get such lovely instruments in the UK. What America does have is outstanding plywoods like American Standards and Blast Cult which fit in with their tradition of great American roots music and give that outstanding loud and direct sound you need for bluegrass, Western swing, rockabilly and the likes. Unfortunately in Europe plywood instruments are thrown together badly, with the exception of the outstanding work of Thomas Schmukers' Duke double basses in Germany. I own a custom made Duke and it sounds better to me than any bass I have ever owned or played. Until Thomas came on the scene, a roots music pro would really have to get a bass in the US. Otherwise we'd end up with a shiny box of woodchip. For your purposes Andrew, I'd say stay in the UK or maybe Emanuel Wilfer in Germany? [/quote] I'll have to check out Emanuel Wilfer thanks for the suggestion, would there be any additional costs from bringing it over from Germany?

I can't comment too much on Uptons, other than the fact that they look like great instruments and judging by their reputation they're probably very good. (However the problem is finding one locally to try out) Bryants are very good but will need additional work but still great, I know for a fact as i'm currently trying to deal with Paul to try out his next Bryant, there are only the 'Soloist' models available and no longer to order. So when Paul feels like making one. (Also I have no idea how long the list for one is but as he is currently retiring getting a bass will become increasingly more difficult, unless brought second hand.

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1379716593' post='2216253'] You know the simple matter is that if you buy an instrument of that value you have a legal duty to show the customs the paper work and pay the taxes - its the law. Although you can rehearse any 'what if' scenario , the risks are that if get rumbled the authorities will treat you as a criminal ( technically where do you draw the line between someone who is passionate about the DB wanting to bring thier baby home without paying the required import tax and someone who wants to bring jewellery into back into the UK to sell at a huge profit ? ). The way you will get caught is by being asked a pile of well played questions and being observed. [/quote] You're definitely right, i'm glad everything has been cleared up. I couldn't risk the bass being rumbled by customs and I would have to fly over to try out the bass.

[quote name='oggiesnr' timestamp='1379714433' post='2216226'] Silly question, are you planning on visiting the States anyway or would this be an extra trip (OK with the advantage of seeing relatives). If the latter then you should add that to the cost of the bass. Steve [/quote] I would be going to look for a double bass but It would be very much like a holiday at the same time.

[quote name='AndrewRichards' timestamp='1379710868' post='2216169'] I wouldn't have to be an Upton, theres a lot more choice in America and a lot more bass for your money. That being said I will still try the Bryant. [/quote]

I wouldn't an Upton, theres a lot more choice in America and a lot more bass for your money. That being said I will still try the Bryant.

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1379708675' post='2216125'] ...I wonder if someone in the USA is thinking of coming over to the UK to look at the Contrabasse Shoppe or T + G Martins huge selection - thinking to themselves that they can get a real European bass at a great price !! ...I guess its how you see things ! Either way it will be an adventure [/quote] Definitely true.