Ok, of all the strange hobbies to pick up my wife has decided she wants to learn stand up bass. These things are expensive but we did find one online with a tuner and stand for $380. I'm afraid it is one of those "Be careful, you get you you pay for" kind of things.
Most of the upright bass players I know personally spent thousands of dollars on their instruments, but they are all professionals who record and play live all the time. I'd talk to the music store, read online reviews, etc. But for that low of a price I'd be skeptical.
My friend in Dallas has an upright bass that is over 250 years old, that's evidently where the real quality lies.
When I saw Charles Brown (blues/jazz legend) in concert he had this tiny little petite woman playing the upright, the bass dwarfed her but she played the hell out of that thing!
I have hundreds of recordings featuring upright bass, one of my favorite instruments.
I find it odd too that she wants to play an upright. But I guess for a beginner $380 might be OK if she gets the hang of it. The local shops say they cant get one under $800.
I find it odd too that she wants to play an upright. But I guess for a beginner $380 might be OK if she gets the hang of it. The local shops say they cant get one under $800.
It's not a hard instrument to play physically, I've messed around on them and it's not overtly difficult. Of course already knowing how to play guitar and electric bass helped that.
It's a fantastic instrument, you can get sounds out of them that you can't replicate on an electric bass (although a fretless electric comes closer). I would definitely recommend learning both pizzicato and arco styles as that opens up the possibilities of the instrument.
I asked a friend on facebook how much he paid for his student bass, he said $699.
Thanks everyone, Ill let you know how it goes and what we decide on. I did see a used upright on ebay for 325 with free shipping. Brand was "Tennessee" and it is very cool looking but from the photo it is actually hard to teill if is an actual full size upright
Just ordered it, wish us luck. Total with shipping was $530. Even if it IS a cheap one it will give her a chance to learn it. I really wish she would've picked electric bass instead that way I could've picked up one of those cheap First Act basses with amp for about 100 bucks. I'll keep you updated on how it goes. I know she's happy and if mama aint happy, nobody's happy.
Those uber-cheap "starter" instruments like First Act, etc should be avoided at all costs. The shoddy craftsmanship makes them harder to play, the electronics are terrible and the intonation questionable. Usually around the $300 range is a good one for starter instruments.
Played for jazz band in high school and college........don't have room for one at the house now, so I make do with my fretless electric bass.
Even at such a low price point, you should have it checked out by a luthier who can make any needed adjustments to get you a playable instrument. The bridge or soundpost can easily shift during shipping, which can cause the top of the bass to collapse under the pressure of the strings.......not good.
Even at such a low price point, you should have it checked out by a luthier who can make any needed adjustments to get you a playable instrument. The bridge or soundpost can easily shift during shipping, which can cause the top of the bass to collapse under the pressure of the strings.......not good.
Her bass came in the mail today. Well, not mail but by delivery. Looks nice, although I know nothing about them. She is gonna be taking some lessons, I'll let you know how it goes and try to post some pics soon.
I know that Tom Cat played a bad-ass version of "Is You Is, Or Is You Ain't My Baby" on one in a classic Tom & Jerry cartoon.
... but aside from that, nope.
I was singing that song the other day and my girlfriend looked at me like I was insane. She had no idea what I was doing. And I have no idea what she was doing in the 80s. Haha.
I was singing that song the other day and my girlfriend looked at me like I was insane.
I drop references to classic cartoons all the time and my wife never "gets" any of them. I'm like "Damn, woman, what did you do with your Saturday mornings when you were a kid?"
_________________ "If you're a false, don't entry, because you'll be burned and died!"
I was singing that song the other day and my girlfriend looked at me like I was insane.
I drop references to classic cartoons all the time and my wife never "gets" any of them. I'm like "Damn, woman, what did you do with your Saturday mornings when you were a kid?"
Subject: Re: Upright Bass Sat Apr 28, 2012 2:33 am
"Take a walk on the wildside..........."
That song has upright bass in it............ just sayin'.
Eyesore Metal is my Life
Number of posts : 12815 Age : 49
Subject: Re: Upright Bass Sat Apr 28, 2012 2:57 am
Man, apparently the guys in Reverend Horton Heat have gotten old and fat. Back in the early 90s, the bass player would "surf" on his upright during "I Can't Surf." I checked YouTube and he doesn't do it anymore. Must be too fat now. Haha.
mikeinfla Heart of Metal
Number of posts : 2477 Age : 53
Subject: Re: Upright Bass Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:30 am
Fat Freddy wrote:
Let us know if she learns to play that song from the Tom & Jerry cartoon posted above.
HAHA! Sure thing! Right now she's still in the "what do I do with this thing" phase. She has a couple of contacts for lessons and she'll call around next week.
martinsane Metal master
Number of posts : 924 Age : 56
Subject: Re: Upright Bass Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:18 pm
mikeinfla wrote:
Fat Freddy wrote:
Let us know if she learns to play that song from the Tom & Jerry cartoon posted above.
HAHA! Sure thing! Right now she's still in the "what do I do with this thing" phase. She has a couple of contacts for lessons and she'll call around next week.
Dig out all those Stray Cat records and start bangin' along...
Subject: Upright Bass 
Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:11 pm
