I strongly encourage anyone intent upon purchasing a double bass to 1) stay away from music stores that sell all kinds of instruments. Limit your search to string specialty shops or, even better, a bass specialty shops with at least one veteran luthier on staff. 2) Bring your teacher or an experienced double bass player with you. For any student of mine who wants to invest ini an instrument, I visit the shop and pick 2 or 3 instruments for him or her to choose from (based on input from the student about price, current ability and area of interest).
Personally I wouldn't get teachers involved. There's a huge problem with classical instrument teachers that secretly make commission from stores and will push people towards something that makes them more money instead of a better buy.
I used to buy instruments in Sam Ash,not any more.All of the Instruments you see on the floor or wall they never have any in stock,they then want to sell you the instrument for a discount.Avoid Sam Ash they suck.
@@embodiedconducting I have been a luthier for 35 years. Not a dealer, but I hear stories and offer advice to people that ask me where to go to buy an instrument. The whole teacher commission thing is a a thorny subject and I advise players if they ask for the teacher’s opinion/time then pay them directly. Make it lesson time. The conflict of interest for under the table payments to teachers can be infuriating for shops trying to sell instruments. My top 2 recommendations are shop the retailers first, ask other players what their experiences are with the shops in the area. The other thing, if you go to reputable shops, you get what you pay for, and if you not longer want the instrument, they usually will take it back as a trade in or consignment. Provided you have taken care of it.
Just made the switch to upright about three years ago. Got a Chinese made laminated job over the internet for a little less than $900; case, bow, and rosin included. It sounds great with the Thomastic Spriro Cores I put on it. Thinking about trading up, since I am really enjoying the learning experience. No hurry though. Besides, I don't have an extra five grand to lay out on the fully carved model I got my eye on. Which brings up a point you didn't mention. Determine your level of interest and commitment to learning the instrument, before deciding how much to spend. A $3,000 bass resting in a corner covered with dust may not be the wisest use of resources.
That nut on the pfretzschner is an example of a scroll/pegbox that has cracked and is pulling forward. It can be fixed with a $200-400 repair but most of the time that means it needs a new neck.
With regards to listening hard, consider the acoustics of the space. One bass will resonate completely differently in different acoustic spaces. All closed spaces have standing waves in the lower frequency range, nodes and antinodes, so some pitches may jump out and other may sound dead. Watch out for reflective parallel walls. Certain structures can resonate significantly too: stud walls and wooden floors, so play in different sized rooms if possible, or different positions in a room at least.
Standing close to walls will give a bass boost. Actually, playing in a corner will probably give you the most even response across bass frequencies (notes) but it will elevate them. In contrast, playing in the center of the room is most likely to remove the most from the bass range. Of course, the instrument plays over a range of frequencies and boundary reflection behavior is different for high and low frequencies (roughly middle C is the cutoff). Therefore, rotate the bass around its axis while you play to get different reflection behavior. Again, for low frequency evenness, a corner, 20, 32, and 45% the dimension of a room are where the modal response is mathematically most even. However, in practice you might have to experiment a little bit.
It’s an investment that gives a good return. My first URB I bought for $700, sold a few years later for $1500. Next one I bought for $4500, sold 8 years later for $9000. Next basses I bought, one for $17,000 is now selling for $30,000, and the other I bought for $25,000, and is now worth $60,000.
I feel like I've been waiting for this video for years. Thank you for some excellent tips/steps to purchasing a bass I would not have thought of looking forward to buying a proper upright someday. Thank you!
Thanks for the tips, I play electric fretted bass guitar , now I’m moving to an electric fretless acoustic bass guitar, and may be in near future I’m going to double bass. I’ve being jamming with a bluegrass group and I’m enjoying it. “I was forgetting to give the like, pls put a reminder during the video”. Thanks for then lessons!
Omg! I’m moving to Pittsburgh this weekend and I was thinking about picking up a double bass! Crazy coincidence that’s where this store is. I’ll go check it out
I’ve done it all wrong! Bass 1 Chinese mail order. A pro symphony lady played it once and said it was good but I wouldn’t know any better. Stolen. 2 and 3 rented to get ready and use for Christmas concerts. I used what ever I was handed. Bass 4 had strings coming unwound, the end pin jammed up inside, covered in dust…(they literally just got from auction). I went back the next day and put money down. 1954 1/2 size Kay with Black Walnut finger board being all fixed up for under a grand. I hope I like it.
Perfect timing to find this video. Looking for a first double bass for my 16 year old who is an electric bass player now but wants to try upright for his school jazz band next year. Unfortunately the school does not have any to borrow due to budget issues. So been looking at local ones. Prices are crazy but a few around $1k are out there. Laminate ones.
As a beginner bassist and with my love of music and commitment to being a bassist finding you on UA-cam is like winning the lottery. Can I be one of your students? Blessings
These are some great tips. I cheated and bought the same bass that the biggest bassgeek I knew had (an Upton brescian) , worked out great for me as well.
I JUST BOUGHT A 1950 M-1B Kay bass SN: 24199 last night! I can't believe I got it for $500...it needs a bridge, and some other repairs, but so what lol!
Hello Paul and everyone. I just uploaded a video trailer to The East London BeBop Trio 95 recording we did while we were in our twenties. We were Bebop heads
I recommend an electric upright. NS Design makes a good full scale EUB. i ordered mine on a blind buy. I am very happy with it. Beginners will like the NS design because it has plenty of small dots on the fingerboard which really makes it easy to play in tune. And it is physically easy and fun to play with nice smooth flat wound strings.
I use these same tips when I buy any sort of guitar, even the solid-body electric. Perhaps I should say, especially the solid-body. Defects can't be seen until you've really run them through the wringer, including different strings. An electric might not show any trouble with a fat string, but will sound like shit with a spiderweb.
EU is a very different beast and a little more fretless bass-like than a real acoustic. However, if you're looking, I've always been partial to Clevinger basses as I played one on the road with Maynard Ferguson for about 18 months.
Great video, talking about buying online 😐have you played any Thomann Upright/double bass? looks like their instruments have very good reviews, wondering if you have any experience with this brand Maybe a good alternative for someone "new" to Upright, just like me (an electric Bass player)... Thanks for all the information/tips!
What is a good mid level bass for a beginner? I'm not even a beginner yet, but my uncle used to play bass, and being a dj, I always feel and hear the bass first.
Orchestra teacher here: I’m REALLY fond of the Shen instruments for students. My personal bass is a fully carved handmade Shen from back when he was in North America.
I just read about "New Standard" upright basses, and the reviews look pretty good. Do you have any experience or knowledge of them, and if so, any opinion you could share, positive or negative? They mostly offer laminated or hybrid models, but fully carved also seems to be an option, albeit at a higher price point.
I mostly play bass guitar, and I am just shocked at the price of upright basses. I played someone's upright once before, and there's nothing like it. The price tag, even for a "budget" upright, just doesn't seem to make any sense.
I have one more tip: Do NOT buy an upright from a GYPSY! As a young man I actually did this. Within days the thing literally fell to pieces! LOL I learned my lesson , and bought my next one from a very reputable carny . . . .
I strongly encourage anyone intent upon purchasing a double bass to 1) stay away from music stores that sell all kinds of instruments. Limit your search to string specialty shops or, even better, a bass specialty shops with at least one veteran luthier on staff. 2) Bring your teacher or an experienced double bass player with you. For any student of mine who wants to invest ini an instrument, I visit the shop and pick 2 or 3 instruments for him or her to choose from (based on input from the student about price, current ability and area of interest).
Personally I wouldn't get teachers involved. There's a huge problem with classical instrument teachers that secretly make commission from stores and will push people towards something that makes them more money instead of a better buy.
@@aniquinstark4347 I have never received a commission or made money off recommendations given to my students.
I used to buy instruments in Sam Ash,not any more.All of the Instruments you see on the floor or wall they never have any in stock,they then want to sell you the instrument for a discount.Avoid Sam Ash they suck.
@@sergemartinez5843 I would never consider buying a double bass from Sam Ash.
@@embodiedconducting
I have been a luthier for 35 years. Not a dealer, but I hear stories and offer advice to people that ask me where to go to buy an instrument. The whole teacher commission thing is a a thorny subject and I advise players if they ask for the teacher’s opinion/time then pay them directly. Make it lesson time. The conflict of interest for under the table payments to teachers can be infuriating for shops trying to sell instruments.
My top 2 recommendations are shop the retailers first, ask other players what their experiences are with the shops in the area. The other thing, if you go to reputable shops, you get what you pay for, and if you not longer want the instrument, they usually will take it back as a trade in or consignment. Provided you have taken care of it.
Your channel is honestly a gold mine for not only upright bass knowledge, but bass knowledge in general.
I click on this video to see how to buy a bass then see my favorite music store, Volkwein’s! So happy to see!
Just made the switch to upright about three years ago. Got a Chinese made laminated job over the internet for a little less than $900; case, bow, and rosin included. It sounds great with the Thomastic Spriro Cores I put on it.
Thinking about trading up, since I am really enjoying the learning experience. No hurry though. Besides, I don't have an extra five grand to lay out on the fully carved model I got my eye on.
Which brings up a point you didn't mention. Determine your level of interest and commitment to learning the instrument, before deciding how much to spend. A $3,000 bass resting in a corner covered with dust may not be the wisest use of resources.
I wish UA-cam was a thing in 98! I gif ripped off from a place on Long Island with a “3 basses under 800” ad. This info would have saved me some coin.
That nut on the pfretzschner is an example of a scroll/pegbox that has cracked and is pulling forward. It can be fixed with a $200-400 repair but most of the time that means it needs a new neck.
Some great info here for a player or parent looking to buy an instrument.
Guess who got the OK to rent an upright bass as a Christmas present? This video is going to help me make the selection. Thanks Paul!!
With regards to listening hard, consider the acoustics of the space. One bass will resonate completely differently in different acoustic spaces. All closed spaces have standing waves in the lower frequency range, nodes and antinodes, so some pitches may jump out and other may sound dead. Watch out for reflective parallel walls. Certain structures can resonate significantly too: stud walls and wooden floors, so play in different sized rooms if possible, or different positions in a room at least.
Standing close to walls will give a bass boost. Actually, playing in a corner will probably give you the most even response across bass frequencies (notes) but it will elevate them. In contrast, playing in the center of the room is most likely to remove the most from the bass range. Of course, the instrument plays over a range of frequencies and boundary reflection behavior is different for high and low frequencies (roughly middle C is the cutoff). Therefore, rotate the bass around its axis while you play to get different reflection behavior. Again, for low frequency evenness, a corner, 20, 32, and 45% the dimension of a room are where the modal response is mathematically most even. However, in practice you might have to experiment a little bit.
How to buy a URB:
1. Open your wallet
2. Turn your wallet upside down
LMAO! Correct, Sir!
You forgot multiple steps of refill wallet and dump wallet again .
It’s an investment that gives a good return. My first URB I bought for $700, sold a few years later for $1500. Next one I bought for $4500, sold 8 years later for $9000. Next basses I bought, one for $17,000 is now selling for $30,000, and the other I bought for $25,000, and is now worth $60,000.
I feel like I've been waiting for this video for years. Thank you for some excellent tips/steps to purchasing a bass I would not have thought of looking forward to buying a proper upright someday. Thank you!
Thanks for the tips, I play electric fretted bass guitar , now I’m moving to an electric fretless acoustic bass guitar, and may be in near future I’m going to double bass. I’ve being jamming with a bluegrass group and I’m enjoying it. “I was forgetting to give the like, pls put a reminder during the video”. Thanks for then lessons!
Thank you for this video. It is excellent.
Great video. Thanks
5:47 Bohemia after dark ;) great tune!
Omg! I’m moving to Pittsburgh this weekend and I was thinking about picking up a double bass! Crazy coincidence that’s where this store is. I’ll go check it out
what’s the store called? i’ve been looking for a bass store or luthier and i live about 40 mins out of pitt.
Volkwein’s
@@pdbass thank you bro
Thank you! Your tips are awesome! :)
A:The right one.Thank you.
Great advice...
Thank you. I’ve been wanting a double bass for a long time. The info is very helpful.
Thank you for the EXCELLENT instruction. Exactly the guidance I was looking for!
My humble Hans Kroger cannon of a bass has served me well for years now.
I’ve done it all wrong! Bass 1 Chinese mail order. A pro symphony lady played it once and said it was good but I wouldn’t know any better. Stolen. 2 and 3 rented to get ready and use for Christmas concerts. I used what ever I was handed. Bass 4 had strings coming unwound, the end pin jammed up inside, covered in dust…(they literally just got from auction). I went back the next day and put money down. 1954 1/2 size Kay with Black Walnut finger board being all fixed up for under a grand. I hope I like it.
Great video. Thanks for the info! I saw Chuck Israels’ jazz ensemble last night and I have the bug for an upright.
Perfect timing to find this video. Looking for a first double bass for my 16 year old who is an electric bass player now but wants to try upright for his school jazz band next year. Unfortunately the school does not have any to borrow due to budget issues. So been looking at local ones. Prices are crazy but a few around $1k are out there. Laminate ones.
Valuable information 👌
I guess I’m going on an adventure to Pittsburgh to get me a double bass!
As a beginner bassist and with my love of music and commitment to being a bassist finding you on UA-cam is like winning the lottery. Can I be one of your students? Blessings
Very informative. Not much difference when purchasing an acoustic guitar. This definitely helps, though. Thanks a bunch
Good overview.
The Shen
Thank you for this video. I will buy my first double bass in about a year.
These are some great tips. I cheated and bought the same bass that the biggest bassgeek I knew had (an Upton brescian) , worked out great for me as well.
Can you get an Upton base anywhere or where can I get one?
@holymolar they’re in Connecticut
cool 😮
I JUST BOUGHT A 1950 M-1B Kay bass SN: 24199 last night! I can't believe I got it for $500...it needs a bridge, and some other repairs, but so what lol!
Hahahaha Super Awesomenesssss and Thanks
Hello Paul and everyone. I just uploaded a video trailer to The East London BeBop Trio 95 recording we did while we were in our twenties. We were Bebop heads
I recommend an electric upright. NS Design makes a good full scale EUB. i ordered mine on a blind buy. I am very happy with it. Beginners will like the NS design because it has plenty of small dots on the fingerboard which really makes it easy to play in tune. And it is physically easy and fun to play with nice smooth flat wound strings.
What if you,re buying an Electric upright Huw Coleman
I use these same tips when I buy any sort of guitar, even the solid-body electric. Perhaps I should say, especially the solid-body. Defects can't be seen until you've really run them through the wringer, including different strings. An electric might not show any trouble with a fat string, but will sound like shit with a spiderweb.
Very nice video tank’s. What about électric upright bass? Because I don’t have to much space at home . Claude , Montreal
EU is a very different beast and a little more fretless bass-like than a real acoustic. However, if you're looking, I've always been partial to Clevinger basses as I played one on the road with Maynard Ferguson for about 18 months.
Great video, talking about buying online 😐have you played any Thomann Upright/double bass?
looks like their instruments have very good reviews, wondering if you have any experience with this brand
Maybe a good alternative for someone "new" to Upright, just like me (an electric Bass player)...
Thanks for all the information/tips!
I was inquiring about a good electric bass for a beginner
Fender Jazz bass! The OG
I dig your stuff. Do you teach in Pittsburgh?
What is a good mid level bass for a beginner? I'm not even a beginner yet, but my uncle used to play bass, and being a dj, I always feel and hear the bass first.
Check out Chinese instruments. Shen, Snow, and Christopher. Those are all fairly inexpensive decent Chinese makes.
Orchestra teacher here: I’m REALLY fond of the Shen instruments for students. My personal bass is a fully carved handmade Shen from back when he was in North America.
Could i get a chelloand play it like bass
Please have a listen , we were influenced by Paul Chambers and Philly Joe
Good video again, I thought you played French bow?
Thanks! I go between both. Just got an excellent carbon fiber German, so I’m putting through the paces 😁
@@pdbass which do you prefer?
Depends. Long tones, part playing: German. Solos, improvising: French.
I just read about "New Standard" upright basses, and the reviews look pretty good. Do you have any experience or knowledge of them, and if so, any opinion you could share, positive or negative? They mostly offer laminated or hybrid models, but fully carved also seems to be an option, albeit at a higher price point.
Yes. Those are some nice fiddles! Positive vote from me.
No case... Or do they all come with cases ?
They always should!
Is this guy cuba gooding juniors brother???
Yes.
Also Trevor Noah's.
And Al Jarreau's son.
I mostly play bass guitar, and I am just shocked at the price of upright basses. I played someone's upright once before, and there's nothing like it. The price tag, even for a "budget" upright, just doesn't seem to make any sense.
There’s just a lot more wood that you have to spend a lot more time hand-carving and setting up!
You being a upright bass expert.....which brand of upright bass do you recommend for the BIGGEST BOOMIEST sound?
Your ears will tell you! One man's trash is another man's treasure. Play it before you buy it! They come in all brands/sizes/ages.
@@pdbass Yeah I agree.
4:01 that’s what my gynecologist told me he was gonna do. Which is fine, except I’m a guy.
Yeah play it before you buy it
I have one more tip: Do NOT buy an upright from a GYPSY!
As a young man I actually did this. Within days the thing literally fell to pieces! LOL
I learned my lesson , and bought my next one from a very reputable carny . . . .
Great video. Thank you.