Any decent places to buy a better DB/bow in Scotland/N England?

[TorturedSaints]

Hi all,

 

If you’re fed up with leftover turkey and mince pies, I’d appreciate some suggestions. 
 

I suspect that I know the answer, but is there anywhere in Scotland or N England that is worth looking at for an upgraded DB or German bow? Or is there anyone selling, or knows of anyone selling something suitable locally ?
 

I currently have an Andreas Zeller 3/4 with Evah Pirazzis and a £99 carbon fibre German bow, which doesn’t sound too bad.  I’m getting on quite well with the lessons and I’ve started to play in a couple of amateur orchestras, so I’m looking for a nicer orchestral bass (preferably secondhand and maybe £5-10k) although not with extension or 5 strings.

 

I’ve searched the forum and the Double Bass Room in E Sussex seems to be commonly recommended but that’s a 9 hour drive without any breaks.  Similarly, I know Bowspeed was the place to go to look for a new bow, but now that’s closed, where would be best to go?  There’s nothing particularly close on the musicalchairs website either. 
 

I will go to the Glasgow Violin Shop after the seasonal closures to have a look, but if you’ve got any better suggestions, then please let me know.  Thanks. 

[Geek99]

There is one in beeston, Nottingham thats a lot closer. “Turner violins” I know for certain that they do double bass - fairly close to m1 junction 

 

 

Failing that I know a double bass luthier in Coalville who may be able to help you or at least signpost you. 

he built his own cello from raw lumber … ✨🤷‍♂️
knowing him he’ll probably make you a magical one out of five lolly sticks and some glue that will survive nuclear holocaust 

Edited yesterday at 20:25 by Geek99

[Geek99]

Suggest you try Turners, which is about 200 miles closer than East Sussex and if they cannot help you I’ll put you in touch with John. Edit: https://share.google/XD1SRdoo5dTYW1dTo

recently he saw my acoustic bass from

about 20 feet away and said it needed more bow. He was right #blackmagic 

very helpful and knowledgeable chap 

Edited yesterday at 23:11 by Geek99

[TorturedSaints]

16 hours ago, Geek99 said:

Suggest you try Turners, which is about 200 miles closer than East Sussex and if they cannot help you I’ll put you in touch with John. Edit: https://share.google/XD1SRdoo5dTYW1dTo

Thanks Geek, I do get down to Derbyshire a few times a month, so good to know. 

[Geek99]

1 hour ago, TorturedSaints said:

Thanks Geek, I do get down to Derbyshire a few times a month, so good to know. 

They are at j25 m1, John lives near me at j22

[Beer of the Bass]

Are you playing French or German? I've found dealers here tend to have fairly slim pickings for German bows, though you may have more luck with French. In addition to the Violin Shop in Glasgow, both Stringers and Gordon Stevenson in Edinburgh might be worth calling to see what they have in (I'd do that before travelling). None of them keep a huge range in for bass, but they may have what you need.