Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rambler]

If you have a mando or stand up bass, I'll probably buy it from you.

I'm a picker myself, looking to diversify.

Thanks!

Anthony

[elninomudo]

Hi Anthony,
I've got a mandolin that I'd like to sell. send me an email at dezirk88 (at) ya hoo.

Thanks,
derek

[hossenfeffer]

Basses are essential for any good jam session. Hope you find one. I've been looking for a while and in most cases they're too expensive. I'd love to find a mid 1950s Kay for cheap.....wishful thinking here though.

Hoss

[Trevor]

I bought a double bass in Nakwon a couple years ago for 1.2 M. It is kind of nice. There are used basses to be had in Korea, but they require Korean skills to find. The thing you should know before purchasing is IT NEEDS TO BE SETUP CORRECTLY. They won't tell you this at Nakwon. A decent Chinese bass that is set up correctly will be of higher quality than an old plywood Kay, in my opinion. Also check Gmarket. they can be delivered, but again THEY NEED A SETUP. REPEAT. THEY NEED A SETUP. THE SALESMAN WILL PLAY DUMB ABOUT THIS.

[Trevor]

I bought a double bass in Nakwon a couple years ago for 1.2 M. It is kind of nice. There are used basses to be had in Korea, but they require Korean skills to find. The thing you should know before purchasing is IT NEEDS TO BE SETUP CORRECTLY. They won't tell you this at Nakwon. A decent Chinese bass that is set up correctly will be of higher quality than an old plywood Kay, in my opinion. Also check Gmarket. they can be delivered, but again THEY NEED A SETUP. REPEAT. THEY NEED A SETUP. THE SALESMAN WILL PLAY DUMB ABOUT THIS. A good set up is several hundred dollars.

[rambler]

e-mail sent re: mando

[hossenfeffer]

Trevor... Perhaps a well set-up Chinese bass would be better for playing classical or jazz but I was under the impression that Rambler is a bluegrass man and the coveted basses among practitioners of traditional bluegrass (and even old country) are the late 1940's/mid-1950s Kays.

http://www.ibluegrass.com/bg_posting3.CFM?p__i=810&p__r=&p__a=bass#.Tmultexn5yI

Hoss

[Trevor]

Here is an excellent resource for double bass info.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f44/

Opinions on old Kay's vary widely. They were made of plywood, not that there is anything wrong with that, but their main attraction was that they were sturdy, fairly reliable and cheap. A decent Chinese bass would be just fine for bluegrass.

Contrabass in Korean is 콘트라베이스 if you want to search the Korean auction sites. (Did I mention that they need a setup?)

Here's a page of contrabasses on gmarket. Oh, and they'll need a setup.

http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_search/search_total.asp?page=1&prev_keyword=&sort_field=&page_size=&gdlc_cd=&gdmc_cd=&gdsc_cd=&value_id1=&value_id2=&value_id3=&price_unit=&brand_nm=&maker_nm=&gd_state=&maker_no=&link_type=LIST&SearchClassFormWord=goodsSearch&anchor_flag=N&HalbumonthYN=&DiscCouponYN=&RtnOldGdYN=&DelFeeX=&isKR=&isMulti=Y&OverSeaTrans=&gdlc_nm=&gdmc_nm=&gdsc_nm=&trad_way=&premium_brand_yn=&brand_no=&show_more_yn=N&keyword=contrabass+&search_type=goods

[hossenfeffer]

I guess we could go back and forth on this for quite a while as to which type of bass is more preferable for backing up a bluegrass band. As far as the "varying opinions" of other bass players....I value the opinion of Mike Bub, Mike Barber, Terry Smith, Bob Moore, and several other legendary bluegrass bass players with regard to the tone quality of the old Kays. That being said....they ALSO need to be set up! The set up is everything! Speaking of which...who did you get to set up your bass Trevor? Did the person do a good job? What did they charge?

[Trevor]

I spent $300 to plane the fingerboard, lower the nut, and seat the bridge feet. I also spent an extra $100 to convert the existing bridge to an adjustable bridge (recommended). Mileage will vary. He did an okay job.