The type and treatment the tonewoods used to construct the
instrument’s body have the most influence over its sound, while the
construction techniques used will have the biggest impact on the
instrument’s durability. A large instrument like a double bass (we use
the terms “double bass,” “upright bass,” and “string bass”
interchangeably here for they’re the same thing)
can be an equally large monetary investment, and finding a model that
will last you for many years to come will save you lots of expense and
heartache down the line.
The four basses on this list both sound great and are very durable
and playable—and though no upright bass comes cheap, they’re some of the
top-valued instruments on the market. Below are, in our humble opinion,
among the best upright basses on the market.
Cremona SB-4
Modeled after their previous SB-3 line, the SB-4 keeps the best aspects
of the previous model but also upgrades some of the materials and
construction. The end result is a professional-level bass that sells for half the price of comparable models. It uses flamed
maple on the back and sides and the construction is impeccable, with
double body kerfing and an arched back.
The solid spruce top is hand-carved; the bridge is made of seasoned
northern maple, while the fingerboard is ebony, meaning it’s built of
quality tonewoods from top to bottom that will make your tone sing and
give you an incredible response. The contoured neck profile also means
it’s more comfortable to play, letting you play longer—and sound amazing
while you’re doing it
Becker 5000E
Becker uses well-seasoned tonewoods in the construction of all their
basses, aging it over time to give their instruments a richer, sweeter,
more complex sound. They’ve also chosen tonewoods that will enhance this
complexity. The top of this model
is made of laminated spruce, with maple for the back and sides, a
classic combination that gives you a good balance of tone and power.
As far as the hardware goes, it uses ebony for the nut, tailpiece,
and fingerboard and features a fully-fitted maple bridge and German
machine heads. The bow that comes included is a Glasser model that uses a
German grip for volume and power, complementing the rich tone of the
instrument. This should be on anyone’s list of the best upright basses.
Merano MB400
Merano is known for their colorful instruments, but there’s more to
their line of basses than just the eye appeal. The MB400 uses similar
tonewoods to other models on the market, with spruce on the top and
maple on the back and sides. It also comes with a genuine horsehair
French grip bow, which only makes it more of a value at $800.
This instrument is designed with a classical orchestra in mind but
could also serve well in a jazz setting. The alloy tailpiece and
ebonized fingerboard are extremely durable, and the high-quality arched
back construction makes it perfect to gig with—one of the best string
basses around.
Rata Beginner Upright Bass
Like it says in the name, this is an excellent choice for the bass
student who’s ready to own his or her own instrument, but isn’t ready or
able to spend thousands of dollars. The construction of the body is
similar to the models above, with a laminated spruce top and maple on
the back and sides.
The best thing about this bass for a student is its durability. It
can take quite a bit of abuse without taking damage, excellent for a
beginner who’s still learning how to play and handle it. This
dependability also makes it an excellent back-up bass for a more
experienced player, since you can use it at outdoor gigs and in other
environments you’d be wary of using a more expensive instrument.
Seasoned Tonewoods
You’ll probably notice reading through the descriptions that the
materials all sound very similar. Many of the best upright basses use
spruce for the top and maple for the back and sides. This combination
gives them the resonance and rich low-end you want in a bass while still
allow for crisp attacks and articulations. The difference between
models tends to come from which variety of wood is used, where it was
grown, and how it was cut and treated.
You’ll often hear the term “seasoned wood” used when talking about
orchestral string instruments. Seasoning is a process by which the wood
is dried and aged before being used to build the bass. Seasoning the
wood makes the tone sweeter, darker, and more complex. The seasoning
process doesn’t stop after construction, either; this is the main reason
vintage violins and cellos are so sought after. Because it has to be
stored somewhere while it’s aging and takes more effort to produce, it’s
generally true that instruments made from seasoned wood are more
expensive than those that aren’t, though for many players the
improvement to the sound is well worth the extra investment.
Sizes of the Best Double Basses
Upright basses come in four sizes (1/4, 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4) which
describe the scale length and height of the instrument. A 4/4, also
called a full-sized bass, has a height of 74.8 inches and a scale length
of 43.3 inches. A 3/4 bass, meanwhile, has a height of 71.6 and a scale
length of 41.3 inches; 2/4 and 1/4 instruments are proportionally
shorter. While those numbers above probably look pretty precise, there
is some variation between individual manufacturers, as well, in terms of
the exact scale length and instrument height, largely because so many
professional upright basses are still made by hand.
There is no inherent quality difference between the different sizes
of bass. It is more a matter of player comfort than it is one of sound
quality. The 3/4 bass is by far the most popular size among students and
professionals alike. Though 4/4 basses have been gaining popularity in
recent years, unless you are exceptionally tall or have very large
hands, there is no need to specifically seek out a full-sized bass. Even
tall players may still find a ¾ size gives you a more comfortable
playing experience.
As with most things concerning musician instruments, the best way to
find out which size is best for you is to visit a musical instrument
shop and try holding and playing various instruments
in various sizes (then buy it there or online if it’s cheaper). Even if
you don’t plan on buying the exact model they have at the store, you
can get a sense of the overall feel of each distinct size, letting you
figure out which one is right for you. And if you keep these ideas in
mind, you’re sure to find the best upright bass for your needs. Good
luck!
