7. Purchasing a Bass
Even the smallest child sized basses are weighty, cumbersome, yet delicate objects not, it must be said, an ideal combination! In the case of a bass being bought for a young child, it is worth asking the question who is going to end up carrying it around for the next few years? Having answered that, the next question might run along the lines of will it fit in the car? Even with a large hatchback or estate, once the bass is in, one needs to accept it may preclude more than the driver and one passenger getting in as well. Dont let this immediately put you off the idea of a bass, but do acknowledge it needs a degree of advance thought and planning. Having, we hope, successfully negotiated these logistical issues, it is crucial that the person who is going to play the instrument takes the major part in choosing which one to acquire. Even in the case of the absolute beginner, it is not a good idea to present them with an instrument that has already been bought as a fait accompli. The choice of bass and bow is an extremely personal, subjective one, at every level of price and ability. The instrument that one musician loves may be loathed in equal measure by another, and it is important to love your bass at least a little - no-one is going to want to practice on an instrument they resent every time they set eyes upon it!
