8 replies to this topic

[gbell]

So I'm contemplating buying a 3/4 upright bass. Why.. I'm not sure yet, but I have this desire to move beyond playing a conventional electric 4 or 5 string bass in some of the music I play. Unfortunately they don't sell decent ones on the cheap. I mostly want to use it for Jazz style. Any advice on what to look for when shopping for a used one?

[donald]

Danosaur comes on here occasionaly and might have some good info for ya.

[Danosaur]

you want to look for a lot of the same things you would on an electric bass such as warping of the neck and buzzing of the strings, but with some key differences. Make sure your action is good and comfortable and the strings don;t buzz when pressed to the finger board. Also, you want to look for any major cracks in the body, bridge, and sound post (inside the body). If the sound post is cracked you might as well burn the thing for firewood cause it will sound like shit. Make sure the mechanics are good at the top and the bottom (if applicable) Some basses have tuning peggs on top and on bottom. The nut (near the top of the finger board) should be fairly good without too much wear. The strings can be expensive around a $100 for a decent set...the flipside is that you don;t replace them all that often and should only be replaced by a professional luthier or someone with knowledge of larger stringed instruments (there are alot of factors to getting the sound, spacing and intonation correct when putting on new strings because of the free floating bridge). Usually newere basses will be more prone to going out of tune quicker becuase the wood is still very "wet" Older basses stay in tune longer, but can sometimes have wear and tear on the body...thats okay because the finish has nothing to do with overall sound quality.

please don;t buy a fiberglass upright...unless you really want to play in a ska band...they suck big balls.

if you get a bow with it there are usually two kinds - german and french style bows. German bows are larger and totally rule, french bows are more typical though. Both take a certain learning curve to get used to playing properly.

Also, unlike an electric bass the fingerboard is longer more spread out therefore you won't be using your third finger accept in the upper postions (past the shoulder of the bass body) of playing.

Congrats on looking for one...I would sell you mine but too many people onthe shizz like to borrow it and not sure if you have the $4000 i would want for it. (its from Romania from the 1920's). You can sometimes find decent ones for under a grand.

[gbell]

you want to look for a lot of the same things you would on an electric bass such as warping of the neck and buzzing of the strings, but with some key differences. Make sure your action is good and comfortable and the strings don;t buzz when pressed to the finger board. Also, you want to look for any major cracks in the body, bridge, and sound post (inside the body). If the sound post is cracked you might as well burn the thing for firewood cause it will sound like shit. Make sure the mechanics are good at the top and the bottom (if applicable) Some basses have tuning peggs on top and on bottom. The nut (near the top of the finger board) should be fairly good without too much wear. The strings can be expensive around a $100 for a decent set...the flipside is that you don;t replace them all that often and should only be replaced by a professional luthier or someone with knowledge of larger stringed instruments (there are alot of factors to getting the sound, spacing and intonation correct when putting on new strings because of the free floating bridge). Usually newere basses will be more prone to going out of tune quicker becuase the wood is still very "wet" Older basses stay in tune longer, but can sometimes have wear and tear on the body...thats okay because the finish has nothing to do with overall sound quality.

please don;t buy a fiberglass upright...unless you really want to play in a ska band...they suck big balls.

if you get a bow with it there are usually two kinds - german and french style bows. German bows are larger and totally rule, french bows are more typical though. Both take a certain learning curve to get used to playing properly.

Also, unlike an electric bass the fingerboard is longer more spread out therefore you won't be using your third finger accept in the upper postions (past the shoulder of the bass body) of playing.

Congrats on looking for one...I would sell you mine but too many people onthe shizz like to borrow it and not sure if you have the $4000 i would want for it. (its from Romania from the 1920's). You can sometimes find decent ones for under a grand.

Any chance I could have you look at one with me that I am interested in? Can't offer you much but a free lunch or a drink on me, but it would really helpful having someone as knowledgeable as you look it over.

[Danosaur]

depends on my schedule...I work from 8:30 am to 9 pm M, T, W, TH and i have my 11 month old on fridays. so really sat or sun are best. Also depends on where you are looking. I live and work in Mesa so if this is out in the West Valley someplace it might be tough for me to get out there. let me know you schedule and mabe we can work out a day to go look at it.

[johnnytron]

Give him yours Dan.

[Danosaur]

Give him yours Dan.

no way....mine is not for sale.

[fatguyaz]

[gbell]

Now that's just funny!