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Bassdep

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Posts posted by Bassdep

  1. TBH, you'd be better off with a cheap "real" double bass. I've tried a few, and sometimes use a Yamaha SLB 100.....but it's not cheap, or as good as a £400 Chinese Double bass. I've had a Stagg one, and I don't find it comfortable to play, or sounding as good as a cheap bass guitar. As a busker, I would have thought the aesthetics of a real double bass might bring in a bit more cash too. 

    No doubt they're a PITA to transport, but with a bass trolley/buggy type thing....it's not too bad. 

    • Like 3
  2. Are you a decent bass guitarist ? 

    Have you had a double bass propped up in the corner for years ? 

    Have you tried it a few times, hurt your hand....then put it back ? 

    Yes thought so, that was me about 30 years ago.

    I'm a graduate of Leeds College of Music, back in the eighties, and have spent the last 30 odd years working as a professional bass player. It took me a while to come to terms with playing the double bass from the perspective of a bass guitarist....but I did.

    My CV is fairly extensive, including some of the worlds most divers venues and festivals (literally from the Hollywood Bowl, down to the local Pub). I am usually a busy player, working for many theatres, studios gigs from Dame Shirley Bassey to Bjork, and most things in-between. During lockdown, I've still managed a few on-line sessions for Trinity/Guildhall tutor books and a couple of big band sessions.

    I am exploring on-line teaching, we have a purpose built studio, my wife uses it teach Saxophone, so I'm learning her "tricks of the trade" re working remotely, and actually, whilst not as good as face-to-face, it certainly works.

    As a minimum you'll need a decent smart-phone/tablet/laptop and decent headphones....and a decent internet connection. The experience is better with a decent USB mic or some way of D.I. ing into your computer or device, and a wired connection but I'm more than happy to advise on this. 

    I'll  upload some sound files later, so you can hear me play, see if you like what you hear. Due to the amount of variables involved, I'm more than happy to an initial meeting/lesson/tech session for free, just to see if both get on, and the system works.

    After that I would charge my usual teaching rate £30/h or £15/30 mins.....I'm completely flexible, and no requirement for regular or weekly lessons etc....just PAYG !

    Happy to chat at any time. Lessons in English, any time zone catered for !

    Thank you,

    Russell Swift

    My website is.      

    www.russellswift.com

     

     

  3. I bought a broken bass with this strings fitted, the previous owner had managed to knock the sound post over whilst fitting them, and for whatever reason left never quite got round to sorting it. He then lost the now fallen down bridge, so put the whole lost back in the bag and left it for about 10 years. So old strings, fitted once, probably never played. I'm putting something on more suitable for both Pizz & Arco.

    I'll add some photo's later.

  4. This is a 1/4 Size double bass (usually suitable for a child aged 7 to 9)... In generally good order with the odd knock and scrape, considerate with its age. It plays very well, and benefits from a decent set of Pirastro strings. There is no label inside the bass, but I think it is a Forenza Prima...which is a standard schools type of instrument. It comes with a very good case, and a bow. Happy to answer another questions. You are welcome to come a try. Safe specialist delivery is possible at cost, but please ask first

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  5. Too many double basses.....(6 at the moment) so need to reduce the collection.

    Boosey & Hawkes Excelsior 50/2 Double Bass.

    This is a really nice playing instrument.

    It produces a really big and rich tone. I used this on a show earlier in the year whilst my main bass was having some repair work.

    This makes a great spare bass, or perfect for a jazz player

    It has had a rather clumsy repair to the neck, however whilst not pretty it's 100% solid, and been checked by a very good Luthier. It has had a very nice set up, and new bridge by the same person, Jerome Davies.

    Come and have a play.....or I'll send an MP3 of how it sounds, but please read the description carefully.

    Collection from Jct12 M1

    I can arrange safe delivery via a courier mate around the Home Counties/South & East Midlands but check with me first...

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    • Like 1
  6. IMG_5791.thumb.JPG.848be25f8d745807e44da17ccdc3cb4f.JPGIMG_5792.thumb.JPG.115d6738ff8bb1dd64b079c192ca1853.JPGIMG_5793.thumb.JPG.cc09c17560046ab2137e7be2fb64479b.JPGIMG_5794.thumb.JPG.fe8ebbd0f4b7412b9377858499786319.JPGNeed the Space, hence make me a sensible offer

     

    This is a bass for repair or restoration...it's cheap for a reason, it needs work. There maybe other things I haven't spotted, so suggest you either view it, or ask me for specific photo's etc.

    This is a Boosey & Hawkes 400 Laminate Double bass, made in Czechoslovakia. It's about 25 years old.
     
    You've heard this before, but an older Eastern European instrument is so much better than a cheap modern Chinese one.....even one like this needing work !
     
    So the bad bits....it's had a couple of very clumsy repairs done to the the head/scroll and base of the neck, the scroll definitely needs re-doing.....although apparently it's been like this for 15 years, still holds and the bass stays in tune....remarkable really ! The original finish has been stripped. The fingerboard needs re-shooting.....and something needs to be done with the repair holding the base of the neck in. 
     
    The good bits !....most importantly it actually makes a really nice and full sound, so there's a start. It also has a Barcus Berry Transducer Bridge (basically a bridge with a piezo pick up fitted. These haven't been around for a while but were quite expensive to buy & fit (Barcus Berry 1360B).
     
    The bridge sits well, no deformation of the top etc.
     
    Collection from Jct12 M1
     
     

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  7. Gallien Kruger 115 Backline Combo.

    Gallien Krueger Backline 115 Bass Combo - Backline 115 .
    The Backline Combo puts the GK sound in its most affordable package ever, making it accessible to many more players! The Backline combos carry on the legacy of the GK product line.

    The Backline 210 and 115 are essentially the 400RB-IV design with the 2001RB distortion circuit. The Backline 112 and Backline 110 are the scaled down versions of the Backline 115. These two combos feature the same distortion circuit as the Backline 115, a three band active EQ, and a switchable contour control. With these features, you can get the same natural sustain and growl from the Backline combos as the touring bands get from their 2001RBs. These Backline combos have ample sound output to handle full-volume jams and performances in smaller venues with ease. They also feature the same tilt-back cabinet design and road-worthy construction as the RB combos.

    All in good working order....

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  8. I've Owned from new (mid 80's) and been used mainly in pit orchestras. I haven't used it now for years, and it sound a little distorted, and the driver is quite tight. It sounds fine through headphones, or an extension speaker.

    It needs a new speaker, the original is an Eminence, and according to Eminence they do a modern replacement, in the guise of a "Texas Heat 4". On another Polytone that I still have, I got the original speaker re-coned, so for the purists this may be a better option. The cost is similar (about £80) I think.

    I think these amps are probably more sought after by jazz guitarists, but thought I'd stick it on here just in case. Not sure of value, but seen decent working ones going for £300, but polite/sensible offers considers.

    Please no time wasters, opinions on what I should do with it, opinions on what you would do with etc....life is too short. If your interested in buying it, looking at it etc drop me a line.

    Thank you

     

  9. Thank you the reply, lets put a line under this, as life is surely too short......but my caveat is this;

    a) I never questioned your opinion, in fact agree with it

    b) Your exceptions will probably end in a lot of disappointment.

    c) I've actually just sold it, to a nice chap from Birmingham who came considerably further, had a good look, offered me £250 which I've happily accepted.....so everyone is happy.

    d) It would have been nicer for you to have a moan at me in person at the if you felt so aggrieved, rather than as we did spend 20 minutes pick my brain about various Luthiers etc....which I didn't mind at all BTW.

    d) £10 winging it's way to you.....spend it, or save it wisely, you know have £310 to put towards a new bass.

    • Like 1
  10. A bit harsh Mark, you pointed out a couple of things I hadn't noticed, or known about, and now have suitable altered the ad.

    You did a round trip of approx 40 miles ! You must have been driving slowly for it to take 2 hours,  If it upsets you that much, please forward your bank info and I'll pay you £10 for fuel !

    This is a £300 bass, needing work, I think your expectations at this price level are a little high.

    You to come and have a look, you did, and said  it wasn't for you....fair enough. Nothing to hide here, I don't need £300, but I'd quite like a bit of space back.

    Good luck in your search.

  11. So, a couple of other apparent things with this bass.....neither of them good.

    The fingerboard has become unstuck in a couple of places, and on very closer inspection, it may have had a neck repair....but if it has, looks like it was done at the factory before it was sold...I actually thought it was the grain in the wood, the varnish and finish, and repair is very good.....but come and have a look and make up your own mind.

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  12. Here is another one from my collection. This was bought as is to sort out the few little repairs needed, then to probably pass on to a pupil to borrow or buy, but I'm running out of space, hence the clear-out.

    I bought this bass from it's original owner, he bought it new in 1987, there are no makers names/labels but I would guess it's of Eastern European origin. It actually sounds really nice, although the action is very high, at the moment. 

    The problems are easy to see on the photo's. The bridge has seen better days, it seems to have been on a lean to the front for ages and is now warped, also it never seems to have been fitted too well. So I'd suggest a new bridge. 

    The Tailpiece seems have have suffered at some point, and is held on by the wrong wire, also the metal ring around the tail-pin has become detached, it's bodged on with wire, but obviously needs sorting.

    Now I reckon a decent luthier would charge about £300 for this lot, and as a decent bass possibly worth £750 tops, but realistacally £600 (I'm no dealer, so these are guesses) but you can buy a bridge/tailpin/wire on Ebay for about £50....so if you fancy honing your double bass repair skills on a cheap project, this is the bass for you. I'm sure all of the jobs are easy for a skilled luthier, and probably a steep learning curve for any amateur.

    I not taking offers on this, I'd rather get it repaired than give it away, but for sale for the price I paid for it.

    Come and have a look, Jct 12 of the M1, or can deliver at cost around London, Beds/Bucks/Herts/Cambs/Oxford maybe further,  but please ask first.IMG_4900.thumb.JPG.df5b52d1eb21e6bfbb51ba5afdc1bca6.JPGIMG_4895.thumb.JPG.bf6001142d74c9bec401a1c77e7e3b41.JPGIMG_4903.thumb.JPG.cbfd744b3bd4fc18e5a3727d5fec44c5.JPGIMG_4904.thumb.JPG.9842d33fa5860783d8396963f5fb98cf.JPGIMG_4897.thumb.JPG.f3ff23e9fb791d4b2d22a701311f9676.JPGIMG_4899.thumb.JPG.5f78f34a2e8c821f3690160f0de381ee.JPGIMG_4898.thumb.JPG.7b521de40c6ab46c5e9e77e2be905918.JPGIMG_4901.thumb.JPG.7a77e97718600f5e5a8329f6c6472471.JPG

     

     

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  13. I'm thinning out my collection of double basses, this was bought as a spare, but I've just replaced it with a 5 string.

    It's a 3/4 Size Plywood Double Bass, made by Andreas Zeller for Stentor music. I would guess made in the 60's or 70's ?....

    A very solid, good looking, useable instrument. 

    It has a good action, and is probably more suited jazz/classical than rockabilly.

    Looks to have a had a previous, but very good professional repair to the neck.

    Ready to play straight away, you are welcome to come and try it. I am close to Jct 12 of the M1.

    I'm also happy to arrange a drop of at cost within a reasonable area....just ask.

    I had this on Ebay for a while, so open to sensible offers as I just have too many basses here !

    Happy to put an MP3 or video on here of it being played if I can work out how to...

    Thanks for looking.

     

     

     

     

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