Buying a new Strunal

[MIKMAN]

Dear friends, one of my friends is planning to buy a new Strunal fully carved flatback. There are two choices, one with the slightly flamed back and the other with the plain back. Has anyone ever owned or tried these basses? In Greece there is an almost nonexistent market in double basses so any information will be appreciated very much.
Thanks in advance
Michael

[Yvarg]

I own a laminate Strunal bass, the model number escapes me at the moment and I don't have access to the bass right now. While I can't speak for the company's carved models, my bass sounds great.

[Menacewarf]

I have owned a Strunal Hybrid for about 6 months. The bass was about 8 years old but played very little before I bought it.

I like the instument but only compared with the cheap china ply I had prior. My teacher and some other more experienced folks have been fairly pleased with the bass. A local luthier hasn't seen the bass yet but seemed pleased when I told him I had a Strunal ( I can hardley wait to hand it over and say go nuts).

It plays well pizz and folks often coment on how it cuts through acousticly (how I mostly play) at some distance.

I shed alot of arco and have noticed a bit of tonal bloom in the short time I have owned the bass. I play on some spiros with a dominant D and my biggest complaint is the arco tone is very bright (at least with these string). Rather than bow halfway between the end of the fingerboard and the bridge this setup likes it about a quarter of the way down.

Anyway when I get consecutive days playing many hours arco the bass starts sounding nice.

I have not heard and can't report any serious complaints but I am one who has not played old basses. I would say from my instrument that hybrid Struanl's are good solid basses that will give you good bang for your buck.

[Caoimhín]

Hey Mikman,

I have a flatback fully carved Strunal. Got it about a year and a half ago. It's a lovely bass, I've no complaints whatsoever. I haven't been playing the double for that long (it was my first bass) so I can't really compare it to much else. However, when I brought it to my luthier he kept nodding in approval as he was giving it a going over (tap the lower bout ribs - nod, tap the lower back - nod, tap the table - nod nod etc.). He builds excellent instruments so his reaction was very reassuring.

I did one or two minor things to it like put on decent strings and replace the tailpiece wire with a Velvet tailpiece cord and it's turning into a fine instrument for its price. It gives a really nice pizz sound.

One thing to consider though is Strunals have an E flat neck - not a D neck - just in case it's an issue for your buddy.

[MIKMAN]

Hello to Ireland the brave
and thank you for your kind reply. We are looking for this particular bass you mentioned. I played a couple of times in UK with a Strunal 5/7, spirit varnished, which was a very good instrument. The point is that i don't know if it was as produced in the factory or the result of a respectable luthier's intervention. My friend seems decided to buy it, so in due time i'll give you all the feedback.
By the way how much did you pay for this Strunal?
Michael

[Caoimhín]

All in all it was €3000 - that included a decent bag, nice carbon bow (that he usually sells for €320), set up and new strings. It was a bit more than what Thomann sell theirs for but there's a lot to be said for buying locally from a small violin maker. He took it back a few times for one or two adjustments for free as well.

All I can say is I'm very happy with it but I'm far from an expert on these things and can only really compare it to a few cheap plywood basses in the school of music. I have lent it out to a few bassists playing in Cork and they've had no complaints either.

I think any factory bass would require a certain amount of set-up work from a local luthier to get the most out of it - things like adjusting the action and sound post - especially after a long journey. I don't think your friend will be disappointed.

Let us know what he thinks anyway.

Good luck Greece the birthplace of civilisation (still hasn't reached parts of Ireland yet thank god!)

[Bruce Lindfield]

I noticed recently that Thomann are now selling Christopher basses which have got favourable comments from US posters.

So they have a nice-looking DB 403 for 2222 Euros ...?

http://www.thomann.de/gb/christopher...trabass_34.htm

[William5849]

I own a Strunal hybrid Round back, and for the price the strunal basses are very good for students. i've had many modifications done to it but, it has an amazing sound to it.