Around this time last year, I was embarking on a wood-carving phase and made several animals of varying sizes over the course of the first three seasons. It was a wonderful lark and I had a lot of fun, mostly because I knew at least a little about what I was doing and the results were rewarding right off the bat.
It’s not going to be that easy this year.
After around two years of canoodling with the electric bass, I’ve decided to embrace the upright, or “double” bass, which was really what I was drawn to in the first place as it is sexy and romantic. This is an imposing instrument that stands around six feet tall, two feet wide, and a foot deep. They’re hand-made and have strings that easily hit $200 for a pack of four. Prices range from under a grand to the deep five digits. You need to have these complicated instruments “set up” by a “luthier” and that will add another couple of hundred or more to your total.
In other words–a purchase one doesn’t go into lightly.
I was completely ignorant, but ignorance has the advantage of being correctable. The downside of ignorance is that you never know how deep your hole is until you start to climb out. This was quite a hole…
The first step is… the INTERNET! The wealth of knowledge at your fingertips is only eclipsed by the amount of misinformation, opinion, and sheer marketing manipulation. The trick is to be able to tell one from another.
Fortunately, several years ago I became interested in telescopes and bought one that seemed to have the specs that I thought were important. While waiting for its delivery, I stumbled upon a telescopes enthusiasts’ website (CloudyNights.com). Real people with real experiences (and real opinions). But the biggest benefit is that you have many thoughts and opinions, and the volume allows you to begin to assemble an overall picture. Some sites, like CN, have reviews of products by members, and you can review the members’ other posts to help understand the amount of experience behind their views or if there is reason for them to have a more personal bias.
It didn’t take me long to find a review for the scope that I just ordered, and it was by a long-time, respected member. A moderator even! What the review came down to was “Stay away from this scope at all costs!”. Needless to say, I sent the package back as soon as it arrived and began the process of asking questions and begging for advice in the forums.
Now, with over 4,500 posts to my own credit and five telescopes that I’ve made from scratch, I’m in a position to actually give advice. About telescopes. But an upright bass is a different creature. And musicians are much more passionate about their opinions than amateur astronomers are. Here goes…
Next up – Butterflies in the Hornets’ Nest
