String basses of quality have rarely, if ever, come cheap. With the Primavera range, however, new standards have been set. This Prima 50 quality Chinese instrument comes in both the Gamba and Violin shapes and has a laminated spruce top with laminated maple back and sides. Along with the ebony fingerboard and top-nut, the Prima 50 also carries a maple bridge with brass height adjusters. Included in the price of £800 is a wooden bow with an ebony frog and a padded carrying case with straps. Fit a set of Dominants and it even sings.