HOW TO BUY AN UPRIGHT BASS: 8 Tips For Beginners

#uprightbass #acousticbass #doublebass #doghouse #bullfiddle #standup #pfretzschner #shen
Part instructional, part comparison, I recently visited a local music store to help a student find his first double bass and brought along my camera. What do I think you should be paying attention to when looking for an instrument? What is some advice I wish I could have been given on my hunt for a fiddle? What's the deal with all these Chinese basses and how do they sound? We answer all these questions and more, so check it out and drop me a comment and tell me which bass YOU liked more!

00:00 Intro
01:23 Tip #1
01:58 Meet the Basses
02:43 Tip #2
03:22 Tip #3
04:00 Tip #4
04:42 Tip #5
05:24 Tip #6
06:05 Tip #7
06:32 Tip #8
07:40 Prices & Summary
08:52 Outtakes

Instagram @pdbass74

[jazzbassix]

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).

[danieluhuru]

Your channel is honestly a gold mine for not only upright bass knowledge, but bass knowledge in general.

[JohnFoxBass]

How to buy a URB:
1. Open your wallet
2. Turn your wallet upside down

[bustabass]

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.

[ezrashoaf]

I click on this video to see how to buy a bass then see my favorite music store, Volkwein’s! So happy to see!

[noahhight]

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!

[kittyfulism]

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.

[RandorBass]

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.

[jazzbrew]

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!!

[rickkeehn]

I wish YouTube 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.

[salvatorerotondo]

Thank you for this video. It is excellent.

[vanderpoolfarmsl.l.c.]

Thank you for the EXCELLENT instruction. Exactly the guidance I was looking for!

[GERALDOuncleG]

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!

[msbeccafae]

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

[Gubgubgoober]

5:47 Bohemia after dark ;) great tune!

[Redbeard]

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.

[HangsLopsided]

Thank you. I’ve been wanting a double bass for a long time. The info is very helpful.

[LowEndProposition]

Great video. Thanks for the info! I saw Chuck Israels’ jazz ensemble last night and I have the bug for an upright.

[tonys]

As a beginner bassist and with my love of music and commitment to being a bassist finding you on YouTube is like winning the lottery. Can I be one of your students? Blessings

[Archimedes-Of-Syracuse]

My humble Hans Kroger cannon of a bass has served me well for years now.