How to Buy an Upright Bass
Finding the right bass can be difficult. There is a constant flow of new basses being made. If you wish to acquire a high-end bass, however, this will be more difficult -- particularly if you are interested in buying an antique bass. Professional players and dealers are constantly searching for antique basses produced in Italy and France, as they are said to be of the highest quality.
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Instructions
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How to Buy an Upright Bass
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Decide which maker of bass you wish to buy. Maggini, Gofriller, Guadaninni, and Rogeri are examples of well-crafted old Italian instruments, while Panormo, Kennedy, Fendt, and Hawkes are well-crafted old English basses. These are considered high-end basses and are widely respected, but it does not mean they are the best possible buys. Some bassists have traded down one of these "prestigious" basses for one made by a contemporary bass manufacturer because they had a richer sound.
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2
Decide which country of origin you wish to buy the bass from. Italian basses have a good reputation, as do those from England and Germany. Regardless, all countries have produced outstanding basses, mediocre basses, and even bad basses. Even contemporary bass manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada have built reputations similar to those countries previously mentioned. If you think about it, any country can produce good or bad basses.
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3
Inspect the condition of the bass. Most old basses have suffered some damage over the years and the quality of the repair work will dictate the quality of the bass. A few well-repaired cracks on the table are common on older basses, but extensive damage and poor repair work will affect the instrument tremendously. Cracks affect the bass dramatically. Temperature changes can warp and expand the cracks, make the neck shift. That is why it is important to judge the repair jobs done on a bass before purchasing it. Do not buy any bass that had a repair done on the bass bar. If the bass bar has been broken even once, it will render the bass useless. Any repair will be a whitewash.
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4
Decide how old you want your bass to be. Older basses, if properly maintained, will produce a more resonate sound because the wood has settled and solidified. If it hasn't formed a warped top/neck or any serious cracks, it should maintain playability with proper care. There is merit in buying a new bass, though, as you don't have to worry about inspecting repairs or the overall health of the bass. Decide if you want an antique-looking bass or a fresh from the manufacturer bass. The decision of aesthetic beauty definitely plays into the age of the bass.
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5
Decide how you want the tonality of the bass to be. Bring another bassist with you to judge the tone and help you be objective about your decision. Some basses sound incredible in a music store, but in a concert hall, they sound scratchy and glib. The overall characteristic you should look for is "loud and powerful." Other aspects of bass tonality to keep in mind include the response and balance between registers. Try out the bass and determine with your friend if the sound will translate well to a hall or amphitheater.
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6
Sit down with the bass and make sure it is the right "fit." Recently, bass string size became standardized at 42 inches. Thus, size will not be an issue if you are buying a new bass. If you are buying an older one, however, make sure you are comfortable with its size.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have a teacher, ask him/her to shop with you.
Be willing to spend $1,500 to $5,000 on a bass.
Only buy from stores which specialize in string instruments.
Make sure the person accompanying you is objective and not receiving a commission from any bass manufacturers.
