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Old 02-21-2017, 10:54 AM
david sumners david sumners is offline
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Default Buying a new bass advice

Hi all, great forum here. I'm a newbie upright player and need some advice. I want to get an inexpensive bass to play rockabilly. I've narrowed the choices down to a Shen SB 80 or a Thompson RM 100. Any thoughts ?

PS. anyone know about T.G. Pfretzschner basses ? There's one for sale locally for about $2K. Is it German or a Chinese with a fake label ?

Thx

Dave in Austin
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Old 02-21-2017, 12:23 PM
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Ken Smith Ken Smith is offline
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Originally Posted by david sumners View Post
Hi all, great forum here. I'm a newbie upright player and need some advice. I want to get an inexpensive bass to play rockabilly. I've narrowed the choices down to a Shen SB 80 or a Thompson RM 100. Any thoughts ?

PS. anyone know about T.G. Pfretzschner basses ? There's one for sale locally for about $2K. Is it German or a Chinese with a fake label ?

Thx

Dave in Austin
Sounds like a Chinese bass using a German name that probably never made basses to begin with. I would go with the Shen 10 out of 10 times. I don't know who Thompson is, another made up name no doubt BUT, I do know Sam Shen and have met him a couple of times including a visit to my shop. If you are talking low-mid end Chinese, than Shen is my pick. Also, for a European made bass, I would go with Calin Wultur, sold and dist. by JR Music supply. So, Shen or JR Music/Calin Wultur. On the Shen, maybe go one model up.
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Old 02-21-2017, 01:10 PM
david sumners david sumners is offline
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Thank you Ken, that answers my questions ... and that's why I'm here
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Old 05-01-2017, 07:53 PM
Robert Ham Robert Ham is offline
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I have an opportunity to get a decent deal on a folding Chadwick bass, which is one of the laminate models (SB80 or 100), not the hybrid. First a little back ground on the situation: For the past couple of years, I've been playing an EUB (NS Design Omni - so 34" scale). So this is my first actual upright. I wish this bass becoming available was a hybrid (SB150), but it isn't. It is, however, apparently an older varnish model instead of the lacquer. I haven't seen photos yet, but it should be more of a woody brown than the typical "red-ish" stain. I play blues and jazz and don't want a pretty, shiny bass. The shop that is getting it won't have it for another week and I'll get pictures then and can see what coloring it is. The folding would be real convenient for me because I drive an old volvo sedan and this will fit in my trunk and for summer mountain gigs traveling up with drummer and amp gear along side my bass in my friends bigger vehicle. I would just order a new hybrid, but they don't come in this old varnish finish anymore and the new ones (even the matte finish) is not the right vibe for me (I know it won't be like a 100 year old bass with a bunch of visual character, but I don't want something that looks like it belongs in an orchestra pit with me in a tux). Plus the price is about what I could resell it for in the future, so I wouldn't be loosing much money if I only kept it for a while.

So now my question - I know you just told the other post he should consider going up a model instead of the SB80. But sound-wise, if both are amplified, how much different is the laminate vs hybrid carved top? Will this be good for me to learn on? I know these have bigger necks, but I've got big long skinny fingers, so that shouldn't be a problem. I would love to know your thoughts (about the bass situation, not about how I ramble on and eventually get to the point of the post!)
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Old 05-01-2017, 10:30 PM
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I have an opportunity to get a decent deal on a folding Chadwick bass, which is one of the laminate models (SB80 or 100), not the hybrid. First a little back ground on the situation: For the past couple of years, I've been playing an EUB (NS Design Omni - so 34" scale). So this is my first actual upright. I wish this bass becoming available was a hybrid (SB150), but it isn't. It is, however, apparently an older varnish model instead of the lacquer. I haven't seen photos yet, but it should be more of a woody brown than the typical "red-ish" stain. I play blues and jazz and don't want a pretty, shiny bass. The shop that is getting it won't have it for another week and I'll get pictures then and can see what coloring it is. The folding would be real convenient for me because I drive an old volvo sedan and this will fit in my trunk and for summer mountain gigs traveling up with drummer and amp gear along side my bass in my friends bigger vehicle. I would just order a new hybrid, but they don't come in this old varnish finish anymore and the new ones (even the matte finish) is not the right vibe for me (I know it won't be like a 100 year old bass with a bunch of visual character, but I don't want something that looks like it belongs in an orchestra pit with me in a tux). Plus the price is about what I could resell it for in the future, so I wouldn't be loosing much money if I only kept it for a while.

So now my question - I know you just told the other post he should consider going up a model instead of the SB80. But sound-wise, if both are amplified, how much different is the laminate vs hybrid carved top? Will this be good for me to learn on? I know these have bigger necks, but I've got big long skinny fingers, so that shouldn't be a problem. I would love to know your thoughts (about the bass situation, not about how I ramble on and eventually get to the point of the post!)
Long skinny fingers? Strong muscles in them as well? You might want an overly thick neck taken down rather than fight it. A carved top is real wood. Plywood is cross laminate sheets with glue. For just a boom boom sound, who cares. For tone, get the carved top. Also laminates are more durable. Caring for a DB is a learning curve. You will figure things out as time goes on.

I have amplified $200k basses and $200 basses. HUGE difference. Although for Jazz, some of the expensive basses are not as suitable for the desired tone unless you string it for that. Like I said, experience will be your best teacher. After all, what do I know to tell you? I am only playing for 52 years and still learning.
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Old 05-02-2017, 12:49 AM
Robert Ham Robert Ham is offline
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Thanks so much for your feedback. I'll be browsing the couple of dedicated bass shops in town this week and see if something touches my soul that I can't leave without!
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