A
Great bass for the money and for beginners
I ordered and received my bass back in September, and love it just as much now as did when I received it.
When the bass arrived (stood up on a pallet), it was very well packed and very secure. After getting past all the packaging I inspected the bass and it was perfect. The bridge is shipped loose in the box, and (very helpfully) had "E" and "G" on the respective sides. On the body of the bass there was two small marks to show where the bridge sits. Bridge in place, it was time to tune up and have some fun. Tuning up was nice and simple and compared to a previous bass, tuning wasn't that scary. There was no creaking and popping, just a very smooth tune up.
As mentioned, the screw to hold the endpin isn't the greatest, but mine seems to have settled in a small groove made in the endpin and works fine now.
The sound quality of the instrument straight out of the box is good, the first thing I did however, was change the strings. The stock strings are high tension and not too great. With the intention of playing jazz and rockabilly styles, I've opted for low tension Rotosound strings (half steel, half nylon) and with these strings on the bass just sings.
More recently I've started using the bow more and more often and whilst the bow is pretty good, I'm not too keen with a German style frog (perhaps having an option to pick could help?), so I've just ordered myself a French style (pernambuco) bow.
Before ordering my bass I looked online for advise and lots of people suggest avoiding new basses, especially if they're under £1000. With this it doesn't matter, for the money it's a great bass and I love mine.
When the bass arrived (stood up on a pallet), it was very well packed and very secure. After getting past all the packaging I inspected the bass and it was perfect. The bridge is shipped loose in the box, and (very helpfully) had "E" and "G" on the respective sides. On the body of the bass there was two small marks to show where the bridge sits. Bridge in place, it was time to tune up and have some fun. Tuning up was nice and simple and compared to a previous bass, tuning wasn't that scary. There was no creaking and popping, just a very smooth tune up.
As mentioned, the screw to hold the endpin isn't the greatest, but mine seems to have settled in a small groove made in the endpin and works fine now.
The sound quality of the instrument straight out of the box is good, the first thing I did however, was change the strings. The stock strings are high tension and not too great. With the intention of playing jazz and rockabilly styles, I've opted for low tension Rotosound strings (half steel, half nylon) and with these strings on the bass just sings.
More recently I've started using the bow more and more often and whilst the bow is pretty good, I'm not too keen with a German style frog (perhaps having an option to pick could help?), so I've just ordered myself a French style (pernambuco) bow.
Before ordering my bass I looked online for advise and lots of people suggest avoiding new basses, especially if they're under £1000. With this it doesn't matter, for the money it's a great bass and I love mine.
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A
A Lovely"Upright"
Am very pleased with this 3/4 Thomann 111E DB after owning a Thomann DB over 30years ago I wanted to get back into playing Double bass Both Arco & Pizzicto I Found Musikhaus Thomann a pleasure to Deal with Very efficient I got it set up for Jazz & classical playing "Flat"Nickel"Wound strings The Bridge setting Markings are on the Body between the "F"Sound holes The sound is Great! Perfect Low & High note Intonations Its up there with far more expensive Uprights..Its Only Achilles Heel i found was the "adjustable height Floor pin"I noticed it slipping down whilst playing, the"Wingspade adjusting screw is not up to the job of holding/securing the basses weight(It doesnt grip the pin properly under weight pressure) But I resolved this problem very easily I put a small clamp(jubilee clip) onto the pin under the adjuster & jobs sorted! The Bass itself is very well finished..Just one more tip! I suggest lightly scratching the surface of the "Rosin"cube with mild sand paper to get the rosin going for the bow as it takes a long time otherwise to"Rosinate the new Bow.
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G
Good value first time double bass!
Like many others on here, I bought this as my first double bass. I?ve been playing electric bass for many years and always fancied one of these.
I live in the Canary Islands Spain, so it was never going to be cheap to get it posted here so it was a bit of a gamble to say the least.
When it finally arrived (postage took a lot longer than I?d thought, 1 month. That was mainly due to Spanish couriers - no surprise there then) the bass was packed very well and set on a pallet.
Once unpacked the only thing I had to do was get a local luthier to set it up properly, the action was super high and virtually unplayable. You may also want to change the strings as they are pretty high tension.
Overall though, a super looking bass for the money and its also sounds great once set up!
For playing live I also thoroughly recommend the David Gage The Realist Bass Copperhead pickup.
I live in the Canary Islands Spain, so it was never going to be cheap to get it posted here so it was a bit of a gamble to say the least.
When it finally arrived (postage took a lot longer than I?d thought, 1 month. That was mainly due to Spanish couriers - no surprise there then) the bass was packed very well and set on a pallet.
Once unpacked the only thing I had to do was get a local luthier to set it up properly, the action was super high and virtually unplayable. You may also want to change the strings as they are pretty high tension.
Overall though, a super looking bass for the money and its also sounds great once set up!
For playing live I also thoroughly recommend the David Gage The Realist Bass Copperhead pickup.
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K
I'm mainly a bass guitar player and I bought this bass as I was often asked if I can play one (well, not really, but I can get through most of the stuff :D ). After a year I'm pretty disappointed as what looked like cracks in the lacquer (I wasn't too bothered about visual) when I got it, turned out to be actual cracks in the wood and instrument is becoming unplayable as neck is drifting away from its position. I wasn't expecting such a low quality control from thomann given their amazing reputation. It was ok when I got it but I expected it to last for more than a year.
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n
Still ok after all these years
I have had this bass for a number of years now. It has taken a number of hits by cats (bought a better stand), kids (even the stand couldn't take it) and roadies. Sad to say it looks like a demolition derby doublebass right now, but still going strong. (key broke off, repaired it. Neck broke, repaired it) Combined with the shadow SH950 pickup and Hartke A70 amp a very pleasant set for small gigs. Probably not the best in sound quality or sustain, but great value for money.
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J
Great value for beginners and experienced musicians
As a long-time electric bass player, this was my first foray into Double Bass. Based on positive reviews for this bass I took the plunge and was pleasantly surprised at how good this is for the price.
I bought this to be a learning and gigging instrument and it is performing superbly on both counts. I have developed my technique and upgraded certain parts of the hardware as I've become more confident and able. I've played my share of shoddy beginner instruments and this certainly isn't one of those
The instrument arrived well packaged on a pallet with all its accessories. A word on them... the gig bag is very useful. It offers almost no protection but makes transporting this beast much easier and practical... many gigs, festivals and train rides later and I don't even have a scratch. The cleaning kit is fine. The bow is useless junk... the synthetic hair wouldn't take any rosin whatsoever. I bought a cheap wooden bow with real horse hair and that is much better.
I could find nothing wrong with the build quality. There are a few parts where the finish and carving is a little rough around the edges, but nothing that affects the playing experience. The bridge was well set up and easy to install, and the string as perfectly fine to begin with. The tuning machines and endpin were a little stiff, but nothing a bit of WD40 couldn't fix.
Sound wise the tone out of the box is good and surprisingly loud. My bandmates were enamoured straight away. It was full and deep, and the bowed sound growls. A seasoned classical bassist might be able to point out many flaws in it, but for a jobbing musician it is perfectly serviceable.
Since buying this bass I have upgraded it with an adjustable bridge, a set of Innovation Honeys and a Gage Realist pickup, which have all taken it to the next level and it is now my main gigging instrument. I'm getting no end of compliments from sound engineers and audience members and I couldn't be happier with it! If you're looking to take up upright bass then I don't think you could find a better place to start.
I bought this to be a learning and gigging instrument and it is performing superbly on both counts. I have developed my technique and upgraded certain parts of the hardware as I've become more confident and able. I've played my share of shoddy beginner instruments and this certainly isn't one of those
The instrument arrived well packaged on a pallet with all its accessories. A word on them... the gig bag is very useful. It offers almost no protection but makes transporting this beast much easier and practical... many gigs, festivals and train rides later and I don't even have a scratch. The cleaning kit is fine. The bow is useless junk... the synthetic hair wouldn't take any rosin whatsoever. I bought a cheap wooden bow with real horse hair and that is much better.
I could find nothing wrong with the build quality. There are a few parts where the finish and carving is a little rough around the edges, but nothing that affects the playing experience. The bridge was well set up and easy to install, and the string as perfectly fine to begin with. The tuning machines and endpin were a little stiff, but nothing a bit of WD40 couldn't fix.
Sound wise the tone out of the box is good and surprisingly loud. My bandmates were enamoured straight away. It was full and deep, and the bowed sound growls. A seasoned classical bassist might be able to point out many flaws in it, but for a jobbing musician it is perfectly serviceable.
Since buying this bass I have upgraded it with an adjustable bridge, a set of Innovation Honeys and a Gage Realist pickup, which have all taken it to the next level and it is now my main gigging instrument. I'm getting no end of compliments from sound engineers and audience members and I couldn't be happier with it! If you're looking to take up upright bass then I don't think you could find a better place to start.
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M
good - perfect for my purposes
What I expected and a little more.
Also well delivered (two days earlier!)
Also well delivered (two days earlier!)
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M
A very good starting choice.
Good and robustly constructed instrument. It needs good strings to deliver the proper sound, either under the bow or in pizzicato playing and a new tailpiece. With the proper set up it can be transformed to a work horse for many years to come. Excellent as a back up bass for seasoned players, especially under difficult weather conditions. Very few problems in feedback when amplified. Recommended!
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o
Happy with it so far.
Bought mine about 8 or 10 years ago so it may have changed. Mine has a rosewood FB. Still going strong.
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A
Beautiful piece of gear
Received my double bass today, Thomann have been amazing with their customer service, updating me every time my bass is that bit closer to being delivered.
Finally the delivery, which was easily and efficiently organised. The driver seems like a lovely man, he had taken good care of the bass during transit, not resting it against any thing and very secure.
The bass was well packaged, really well protected and in perfect condition.
Setting the bridge on the bass was fairly simple and within ten minutes of unboxing she was ready to play.
The addition of the rosin, German frog bow and polishing kit is incredible. After spending quite a long time getting the bow ready for use I was ready to play.
The 'classical' setup which I requested has seen this bass been set up awesomely, I have found no issues with the setup and both feel and sound are exactly what I had expected!
10/10 for this product and Thomann as a company!
Finally the delivery, which was easily and efficiently organised. The driver seems like a lovely man, he had taken good care of the bass during transit, not resting it against any thing and very secure.
The bass was well packaged, really well protected and in perfect condition.
Setting the bridge on the bass was fairly simple and within ten minutes of unboxing she was ready to play.
The addition of the rosin, German frog bow and polishing kit is incredible. After spending quite a long time getting the bow ready for use I was ready to play.
The 'classical' setup which I requested has seen this bass been set up awesomely, I have found no issues with the setup and both feel and sound are exactly what I had expected!
10/10 for this product and Thomann as a company!
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