Wanted - affordable 3/4 double bass

[sockdeluxe_mikey]

Hello everybody!

As the title says, I'm now starting the rather complex process of getting hold of a double bass. I'm really not too fussy at the moment, but it has be reasonably playable (I'm too worried about injuries) and not have any significant damage (I already realise that sometimes double basses can sustain some damage and be okay).

I'm around the Brighton area but I'm obviously willing to travel to have a look. Bearing in mind that I hardly know anything about double basses, £600 give or take is my rough budget by the looks of things at the moment.

Thanks very much

[thisnameistaken]

Just a couple of tips: Damage isn't always problematic. Many basses out there have lost pegheads, lost necks, been punctured and split and wounded in a variety of ways and gone on to make music for decades longer. My bass has obviously been re-acquainted with its neck at some point and has countless lesser scars but it's a good little bass. So long as the repairs are old and proven stable you don't need to worry about them.

Oh, and often just a change of strings will make a bass considerably easier to play. The strings that come stock on most 'starter' basses can be difficult to get on with, and a good replacement set will run you from £80 - £150.

[Gareth Hughes]

These are exceptionally good value for money: http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_kontrabass_22_02.htm

You can specify what height you want the strings at - which saves the added cost of taking a bass to a local luthier for them to do it.

I've been playing one of these for the last two years and love it. The strings are the only shortfall - I replaced the stock ones with Velvet Blues, but the stock are certainly good enough to keep on, I was just looking for a different sound and feel. My Thomann (which is really a Hora bass that's been rebranded) replaced a fully carved bass that cost about £3500. Whilst the fully carved had a slight edge on tone, it fell down when trying to amplify live. In this regard a laminate or hybrid like this Thomann goes a long way to helping with feedback.

For another (albeit indirect) recommendation, I recently hired my bass out to Carlos Bica and he said it was a good bass to play. I saw the gig and there were nothing that suggested this was a 'beginners' or 'student' bass. It certainly didn't seem to impede Mr.Bica in any way. Here's a clip of Carlos Bica to show the standard of sound he's used to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBqcHDDuDo8&hd=1

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='Gareth Hughes' timestamp='1321897638' post='1444202']
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBqcHDDuDo8&hd=1[/media]
[/quote]
That was great.

[sockdeluxe_mikey]

Great suggestions guys - thanks very much. That Thomann double bass looks pretty good actually. How do you go about instructing them what kind of set up you want? And for a complete beginner, what kind of action would be suitable?

[TheRev]

+1 on the Thomann 22 bass - I was within a gnat's whisker of buying one of these when a nice old 50s ply came up for sale locally.

AFAIK, when you order you can write a note to the sales team outlining what you want. You can also call them up - they have an excellent customer services team.

Setup will depend on the sort of sound you want and whether you want to do arco, pizz or both.

If funds allow, i'd suggest adding an adjustable bridge - that way you can set the string height to whatever works best and raise it as your strength develops. I started with a 7-8mm on the G and 10mm on the E, which is lowish. I still have the same height on my Eminence but the Laminate is a couple of mm higher.

Low tension strings will make the biggest difference to playibility. A set of spirocore weich (light) will be rather nice for a growly jazz sound or a set of Innovation honeys or super silvers will be a bit more gut like and thuddy - good for folk/bluegrass/rockabilly. Again, if funds allow, add a set of decent strings to your Thomann order and have them fit the strings for you as part of the setup.

Edited November 22, 2011 by TheRev

[Gregori Hofmann]

Pretty well worn Stentor Double Bass.
Perfect for beginners.
Really low action.
Includes Bag and Bow.
Stentor 1950 Double Bass as seen in the advert below.

[url="http://www.themusicroom-online.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=2373"]http://www.themusicr...roducts_id=2373[/url]

Come try in East Acton.
600 Pounds or make me an offer.

Call or Text Greg on 07789126688
[email protected]

[alyctes]

this might be useful? In Bournemouth, so not completely out of your reach.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/34-double-bass-with-pick-up-bow-and-soft-case-300/106484495

Disclaimer: I know nothing about this apart from what the advert says.

[Jimryan]

Im considering moving mine on due to lack of use/space and I need to fund another bass. It's one of the gear4music ones (the more expensive of the two). I got it to learn DB on, so I understand the begginer/needs to be playable point. Where it's been a few months, she has settled down nicely.

It's this one:

http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass-Strings/Deluxe-3-4-Solid-Top-Double-Bass-and-Case/1O6

I got it back in May for £450, gigged it once but still in great condition, just the odd mark on the finish. I've still got the hardcase, gig bag, bow and rosin plus a small pickup I bought for it to use it live.

I'm hoping to get £330 as that covers the cost of what I'm hoping to get.

Im only in Portsmouth so let me know if you fancy seeing it,

James