Renting vs buying first bass

[Fishfacefour]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm thinking of dipping my toes in to DB. Mainly to play in a first wave ska band, but I'm also interested in getting some lessons on jazz and rebuilding some classical knowledge.

 

I was wondering if anyone has advice about renting a bass in the first instance before taking the plunge with a purchase. Is that worthwhile approach? I was just having a look at the bassbags website, not sure if they would be able to deliver up to Glasgow from Derbyshire?

 

Other options are keeping an eye on the classifieds and eBay for something nearby or giving a cheapy eub a go.

 

Jas anyone gone down the rental route?

 

[TorturedSaints]

I did ask Bassbags how much to deliver to the Glasgow area some years ago and even with a “shared load” it was going to work out quite expensive - into the hundreds of pounds as I recall, although they were very helpful on the phone, so I would recommend ringing them to ask for current rates.  I eventually ended up buying a s/h DB from gumtree.  

[Fishfacefour]

Cheers, that's what I feared.

I was going to call them tomorrow to see what the deal is anyway.

[Happy Jack]

My first DB was a cheapo 3/4 from China which cost me £300 pre-owned. I played it for about three months, realised that I was hooked, and bought a very decent (roughly a grand) Zeller 3/4 from @Clarky

 

The Chinese cheapo was, of course, nowhere near as nice as the Zeller, but it was perfectly playable and a cheap'n'easy introduction to DB. I can't remember how much I sold it for, but it's hard to imagine I took much of a hit.

 

This was all 15 years ago and prices will have moved on, but I suspect the DB rental route will always work out way pricier than simply buying a cheap bass.

[The Guitar Weasel]

2 hours ago, Happy Jack said:

My first DB was a cheapo 3/4 from China which cost me £300 pre-owned. I played it for about three months, realised that I was hooked, and bought a very decent (roughly a grand) Zeller 3/4 from @Clarky

 

The Chinese cheapo was, of course, nowhere near as nice as the Zeller, but it was perfectly playable and a cheap'n'easy introduction to DB. I can't remember how much I sold it for, but it's hard to imagine I took much of a hit.

 

This was all 15 years ago and prices will have moved on, but I suspect the DB rental route will always work out way pricier than simply buying a cheap bass.

I was going to say ... similar. Unless you are renting a high quality bass for orchestral work - I'd be inclined to buy a 'beater' bass to see if you like it. My Stentor was £600 second hand and I could get that for it again tomorrow if I wanted to sell it. 

There are usually a fair number of £600 to £800 basses  on the dreaded FleaBay - and occasionally you see a bargain around the £400 mark. Provided these are sound you won't lose money on them - rental is just pouring money away for something that isn't yours in my book. 

[Fishfacefour]

Yes I think you're right.

 

Had a really good chat with bassbags who were very encouraging and would make everything easy. They would give me a call if their van was heading to Scotland, but even with shared travel costs it's going to be pricey.

 

I'll keep my eyes out for a beater bass in the meantime to get started. 

 

[Burns-bass]

29 minutes ago, Fishfacefour said:

Yes I think you're right.

 

Had a really good chat with bassbags who were very encouraging and would make everything easy. They would give me a call if their van was heading to Scotland, but even with shared travel costs it's going to be pricey.

 

I'll keep my eyes out for a beater bass in the meantime to get started. 

 

I’d look to buy one from someone on Basschat or through an experienced dealer. A new bridge, set of strings and a set up can easily set you back £500 or more.

 

Double basses look like they’re tough to play, and they are if you try and apply electric basses technique.

 

If you learn the right technique and have a bass that’s well set up, you shouldn’t experience any pain.

[The Guitar Weasel]

1 hour ago, Burns-bass said:

I’d look to buy one from someone on Basschat or through an experienced dealer. A new bridge, set of strings and a set up can easily set you back £500 or more.

 

Double basses look like they’re tough to play, and they are if you try and apply electric basses technique.

 

If you learn the right technique and have a bass that’s well set up, you shouldn’t experience any pain.

Actually I think that's why it's easier to come to double bass if you're not an electric bass player first. They are radically different instruments. 

 

[Fishfacefour]

Well I'm no way as handy (or patient) as you @The Guitar Weasel your restoration has been really impressive to read!

[jonnybass]

2 hours ago, Burns-bass said:

I’d look to buy one from someone on Basschat or through an experienced dealer. A new bridge, set of strings and a set up can easily set you back £500 or more.

 

Double basses look like they’re tough to play, and they are if you try and apply electric basses technique.

 

If you learn the right technique and have a bass that’s well set up, you shouldn’t experience any pain.

I’d back this 100%. I’m pretty new to this, buying my first upright from @Happy Jack in October. I’ve thrown myself in and I’m loving every minute. Couple of gigs done and some recording.

 

great fun but apart from “note

geography” it’s not like playing electric. 
 

Jonny 

[simonlittle]

I’d definitely agree with everyone else here that buying a cheap bass is probably the best move. Always worth spending a few quid to get it checked over and set up nicely once you’ve got it to make sure you don’t pick up bad habits or hurt yourself because the bass is a bit wonky. Cheaper basses often pop up on Facebook Marketplace so worth keeping an eye on there too. 

[Wombat]

There was a stagg eub on here a while back for not much Dosh. Do people think that something like that is a way into double bass?

[Happy Jack]

No.

 

[simonlittle]

30 minutes ago, Wombat said:

There was a stagg eub on here a while back for not much Dosh. Do people think that something like that is a way into double bass?

I reckon it’s best to start out on a proper acoustic upright if you can. The shape of the body is such a huge part of learning the muscle memory

[The Guitar Weasel]

1 hour ago, Fishfacefour said:

Well I'm no way as handy (or patient) as you @The Guitar Weasel your restoration has been really impressive to read!

Thank you ... 🙂

Double basses are huge fun ... there are very few musical instruments that are as much of an experience for the senses as 'doghouse'. You have so much body contact with your bass that you 'feel' what you are playing in a way you simply don't with bass guitar. With a band - you can rest on your bass between numbers ... or give it a hug ... or if you are of my persuasion a twirl it at opportune moments - or play it at a jaunty 45 degree angle. For Pizz learning good right hand technique will help prevent pain (plucking things like your average Fender Jazz bass will cause blisters and very little usable volume for example). 

And if it's any more encouragement - my rehearsal and gig transport is an tiny and ancient Rover 25 - my bass travels happily in its soft case - upside down in the passenger seat with its seatbelt on - my amp rig in the boot - and space for one passenger (or one and a midget ☺️) in the back seat. 

[Fishfacefour]

35 minutes ago, simonlittle said:

I reckon it’s best to start out on a proper acoustic upright if you can. The shape of the body is such a huge part of learning the muscle memory

That's what I've been reading. I also really like the feel of the sound against the body. I guess you don't get that on an eub!

 

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone. I'm now refreshing every marketplace I can find constantly hoping for an affordable jewel to show up. 😁

 

 

[Staggering on]

If you can play several DB's that would be ideal. Just because it is a "3/4 double bass" doesn't mean too much because the dimensions and shape vary a lot as well as the neck size and shape. I have owned three DB's and one is perfect for my body size and shape, another is OK and the third was not good at all for me. Just a suggestion, play as many as you can before you buy so you will know what feels best for you. Good luck.

[Beedster]

Or……

 

…buy the one that looks best and learn to play it 👍

[The Guitar Weasel]

A strange effect I found too is that double basses are extremely wife friendly - in other words as a guitarist of many many years - and being careful how much kit I brought into the house - I was a bit concerned how the huge bulk of a double bass might be viewed around the house - well most specifically in the corner of the lounge.  When it arrived my wife said it looked like a beautiful piece of furniture ... and of course it would look great in the corner of the room (on a Hercules bass stand). Result! 

[Fishfacefour]

Well that's exactly what prompted the search. I was discussing using an electric upright, but the affordable ones all look terrible. My other half suggested getting a 'real' bass instead; id always assumed that would be off the cards due to space. Result!  😎

 

The only other worry is that my usual practice time is after the kids have gone to bed. We'll have to see how that goes.

[Burns-bass]

2 minutes ago, Fishfacefour said:

Well that's exactly what prompted the search. I was discussing using an electric upright, but the affordable ones all look terrible. My other half suggested getting a 'real' bass instead; id always assumed that would be off the cards due to space. Result!  😎

 

The only other worry is that my usual practice time is after the kids have gone to bed. We'll have to see how that goes.

Ahh this is a classic problem!

 

Depends on your home and all that, but I used to practice in the kitchen when the kids had gone to bed. Now, thankfully, I have all my basses set up in my home office so can play every day.