CoolCat

[quote name='jamesbass116' post='701863' date='Jan 5 2010, 04:53 PM']thanks for the recommendations i'll definitely try and get lessons, i get free music lessons cos i do a level music so that's handy. btw.. i have a basic understanding of double bass playing so when i was noodling it's not like i was doing anything horribly inappropriate technique-wise! haha[/quote] Check out the Stagg line of EUB (stick) and the Palatino model (semi-hollow). The Palatino at least will give some acoustic sound. They seem affordable and should be ok to start with. Then you go Eminence or Babybass....

...just a disclaimer, I am in no way associated with the vendor mentioned on my last reply or rip financial benefits by mentioning is name. There are other well known on-line sites that sell equivalent double basses.

Hi, andyjingram The Deluxe 3/4 Solid Top on Gear4Music UK. It was around £450 originally but I got it with summer sale discount. It stands now at around £400. The Archer at £720 seems like a option also with the flame maple finish.Seems to be a carved back and belly, with laminated sides. These are beginner basses but as stated before, you realy need to set them up for playing. As example on my original bridge the strings were out of the fingerboard average 20mm !! granted no buzz.... My spirocores are set now to 6,7,8,9 mm G to E. There is a buzz playing E in the A string near the neck joint - next weekend will be planning/sanding the fingerboard bump a bit. Just need to make sure I get the correct finish first to restore the neck ebony look. Since I have been repairing the odd guitar as an hobby I knew what to expect, but can be daunting/painfull for a absolute beginner. It is starting to open the sound a bit, specially after bowing before pizzicato. It is strange but pleasant.I wonder if the strings warm up and the wood flexes and everything sounds more flexible/loose, if you know what I mean...

I don't know what the substance is. It can be just a black varnish or just layers of black paint. Call it a stain is probably not correct since the wood is normal maple colour underneath and if it were, the wood itself would be black and display some sort of figure. something along these lines: [url="http://hmi.homewood.net/vso/"]http://hmi.homewood.net/vso/[/url]

Trying to keep my fingerboard nice and black, being it a simple maple one coated with some thick black substance. In some places under the strings the maple is showing through, and being a keen DIYer I would like to know if someone tried to restain / recoat the fingerboard.

I would say you should grab it fast if you are interested on db. Do not listen to snobbery on Chinese instruments, they have being making string instruments way before Europeans had seen one. Cheap instruments are cheap instruments regardless of origin.Some actually use good materials but lack on finishing detail...and probably will not last 100 years. I got my db a few months ago - £350 laminate back and sides with solid top / with bow and bag - which leaves some cash for decent strings and other bits. What you probably need is a setup, just like any of the more expensive instruments, to make it playable to your liking: - get a good set of strings like spirocores or helicores for immediate tone improvement.Choose a light gauge if you have tender fingers. - set string height at nut to business card thickness (use some round needle files remove material slowly checking often) - make sure the bridge is in the correct place ( lay the bass on his back and don't relax the strings too much or the soundpost inside can fall) - if the soundpost falls, get some barbecue forks to retrieve it and place it again Patience is a virtue!! - lightly wet sand down any bumps on the fingerboard (black stain dust can cause a mess) - check the feet of the bridge make good contact with the bass top, sand a bit if necessary There are plenty of resources on the net that explain these steps - prepare before action. If you have access to a luthier and have some money to spare take it there for a more thorough examination, but is probably not worth if you take care of the instrument. This should be more than enough for you to get a good sound without killing your hands. With the pickup (i am still researching for the one that will suit me) you can record yourself easy if you have the chance.Get a practise mute before your neighbours knock on the door during your bow "jam session" it can get quite loud. I love the low frequency making the all house vibrate.Have FUN.