carnut
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| posted on 12/6/09 at 04:52 PM |
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Wanted Double Bass / Whats good for beginner?
Hi,
I'm looking to start playing double bass and wondered if anyone happened to have or know of anything that isn't outragiously priced to
start learning.
thanks
Mark
[Edited on 12/6/09 by carnut]
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zilspeed
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| posted on 12/6/09 at 05:17 PM |
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I've only ever palyed a handfull of uprights, but played looooooaaaaddddsss of electric basses.
The handfull of uprights which I have played have been hugely variable in quality. Some were dreadfull, some were very playable. For that reason, more
than ever, you really need to get into a specialist shop who deals with uprights and try them out IMHO.
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tomprescott
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| posted on 12/6/09 at 05:28 PM |
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I don't know about basses, but as far as guitars go, you should buy the best you can afford, get into a shop and play as many as possible. My
first guitar was cheap and made me not want to play - crappy budget strings cut my fingers and poor quality instrument gave rubbish tone. You'll
be better off paying more for a better instrument as you'll play more, my current guitar cost about ten times as much as my first one, but the
difference is huge - I can play comfortably for hours, and the sounds it produces makes me want to play for hours more. Good luck.
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Peteff
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| posted on 12/6/09 at 05:30 PM |
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Have a look round for a hire place, you might find somewhere that will rent you one in case you decide it's not really what you wanted.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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200mph
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| posted on 12/6/09 at 05:30 PM |
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I could sell you a violin and you could pretend it's a bass 
If it isn't broke, fix it until it is
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tegwin
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| posted on 12/6/09 at 05:31 PM |
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There should be a local music society type thing (aimed at young people)... But they usually have a person/group of people who rent out such
instruments...
How about getting into the network and borrowing one until you know its right for you... and then buy one once you know a little more?
I played the DB for about 3 years.. a long time ago!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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stevegough
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| posted on 12/6/09 at 07:09 PM |
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I would imagine there are some very similar forums online who's members would be much more helpful and plentiful ( in regards to musical
instruments ) than on here. 
I'm not saying that you shouldn't ask this sort of question because this is a kit - car site, just that the help you would receive on a
music forum will almost certainly be more 'tuned' to that particular subject. 
In short - go surfing ! see what surfaces, and good luck!
Luego Locost C20XE.
Build start: October 6th 2008.
IVA passed Jan 28th 2011.
First drive Feb 10th 2011.
First show: Stoneleigh 1st/2nd May 2011.
'Used up' first engine may 3rd 2011!
Back on the road with 2nd engine may 24th
First PASA mad drive 26/7/11
Sold to Mike in Methyr Tydvil 19/03/14
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owelly
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| posted on 12/6/09 at 07:34 PM |
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Miss owelly here!!
Being a professional violin player and a string teacher for the local county service I will try to advise as best I can! I wouldn't advise
buying the best that you can afford because, for orchestral string instruments, it doesn't always follow that the more expensive the instrument
the better it is. I would advise getting a bass guitar to start with: the strings are the same, the notes are the same and it is easier to self teach
than a double bass as well as being cheaper to buy initially incase you find that it is not the thing for you after all. As for cost...how long is a
piece of string? You are looking at a start price of £500ish for a basic model £800-£80,000 for a decent sounding one! New isn't always best, an
older, played in instrument generally produces a better tone that a brand new, mass produced one. Hiring is a good sugestion, and Leicester is a good
area for music, I have done many concerts down there. If you know a double bass player or any string players, get them to go with you to try out
instruments. Try contacting a local colleges to see if they have any evening classes or local amateur orchestras. Even if you use the classes as a way
to hire an instrument! I hope this helps.
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
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Fozzie
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| posted on 12/6/09 at 07:48 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by stevegough
I would imagine there are some very similar forums online who's members would be much more helpful and plentiful ( in regards to musical
instruments ) than on here.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't ask this sort of question because this is a kit - car site, just that the help you would receive on a
music forum will almost certainly be more 'tuned' to that particular subject.
In short - go surfing ! see what surfaces, and good luck!
Whilst I agree that music forums are a very good place to surf and read.....
I do also have to add, that there are quite a few good and talented muso's on here..... 
Fozzie 
'Racing is Life!...anything before or after is just waiting'....Steve McQueen
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graememk
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| posted on 12/6/09 at 08:03 PM |
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buy a sax or a piano
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carnut
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| posted on 12/6/09 at 10:50 PM |
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Thankyou for your double bass info and advice (esspecially owelly). I did consider playing bass guitar but it doesnt appeal to me like a double bass.
My current plan is to buy a 2nd hand bass as if I find im no good or dont like it, I should be able to sell it for something similar to what I paid
for it but am conerned as a non-bass player I could buy a duff instrument. I do like the idea of hiring but is this expensive? My girlfriend plays
Cello for warwichshire synphony orchestra but they all seem to play very expensive instruments and not particularily what I want (I'd like to
play it mainly in folk and maybe jazz style by plucking rather than classical) Are the new instruments such as the Stentor student bass any good for
a beginner ( I have seen this for approx £350).
Mark
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RK
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| posted on 12/6/09 at 10:55 PM |
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You can vary the tone quite a bit on a regular electric bass, it's cheaper by a mile, AND it takes less space. When you find your way around the
fretboard, AND you still want to play, THEN go buy a double bass.
Also, the double bass is really heavy so when you go to smash it into the ground after the last song of the show, you won't hurt your back.
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panichat
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| posted on 13/6/09 at 06:40 AM |
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Alternatives
My nephew is a bass nut - tuba, double bass, bass guitar, bottom end of a piano etc and plays to quite a high standard.
I was very impressed with his electric double bass when I had a go - portable, nice sound, suitable for gigging, pleasant to play, easy to store
without filling up a whole room. I was surprised how reasonably priced it was. The thing it does lack is the big "presence" that makes the
double bassist such a centre of attention in a band!
Having been a guitarist for decades, I am now playing bass (guitar) in a band and loving it - I've started listening to music in a competely
different way!
Good luck
Dave
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owelly
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| posted on 15/6/09 at 12:22 PM |
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Having spoken to a double bassist at the weekend, he suggested a beginner stentor as you will get, pretty much, back what you paid for it. The only
reason I suggested the guitar was that it was a way of learning the notes etc at a cheaper cost and to see if it really is what you want to do before
then progressing to the upright, then you can spend, spend, spend. You can always make an instrument sound better by putting on a decent set of
strings and having it set up properly. Good luck and keep us up to date with how it goes.
Sarah (mrs. Owelly)
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
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