Buying a Solano Bass

[futurebass77]

hey guys,

my entrance into college is next fall, and i am in huge need of a bass. I contacted Rumano solano, and he told me to call him. A few of my friends have his basses, and one of them was 15k...i am in no position to spend that much, but are there basses of his under 10K?

any help appreciated,
Martin Lazo.

[PocketGroove82]

Hey Martin,
If I were you, I'd just call him up and ask. I talked with him a while back about getting some work done on one of my basses and he was outgoing and helpful.
Matt

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by futurebass77

hey guys,

my entrance into college is next fall, and i am in huge need of a bass. I contacted Rumano solano, and he told me to call him. A few of my friends have his basses, and one of them was 15k...i am in no position to spend that much, but are there basses of his under 10K?

any help appreciated,
Martin Lazo.

I doubt a builder of that caliber has instruments he built entirely by hand for $10K.

I've seen several of his instruments appear here used. Look through the bass for sale threads.

[Monte]

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

I doubt a builder of that caliber has instruments he built entirely by hand for $10K.

I've seen several of his instruments appear here used. Look through the bass for sale threads.

Actually, you might be surprised. Solano always has in his heart students and he tries to make a few sub-10k basses a year for that purpose. They won't have the top things (Sloane tuners, ulsa endpins, old wood, etc) like my Solano, but they are more than decent basses.

When I bought mine one of the best sounding was a little French copy student instrument he made that was around 7-8k with plate tuners. Not as pretty as his Busan or my Klotz that he had, but nothing wrong with the sound and seemed to be well made.

[JoeyNaeger]

He does make sub 10k basses, but be careful. I've seen some that appeared to me to be very sloppily made. As always, play it before you pay. I have heard him tell other clients before that if you they aren't happy, not to buy the bass so keep in mind that you are allowed to say no.

[LouisF]

I have a 5/8th 5 string (HiC) Solano that was originally sold for $5000.
The fit and finish aren't great but sound is terrific. On the other hand, there are a lot of really good $10K (and under) basses - carved La Scala, Shen Willow, Wan Bernadel that might be competitive. (There's also Lucio Golia bass for sale on the site for 7500 Euros (about $10) that would certainly be a good call - but it's in Europe!

LF

PS: Also KC Strings and Robertsons would have good choices, too!

[Eric Hochberg]

Hey, Futurebass, your profile says you own a Wilfer. What's wrong with that?

[futurebass77]

Originally Posted by ehochberg

Hey, Futurebass, your profile says you own a Wilfer. What's wrong with that?

its the school instrument

[EJ_Dad]

Search the Talkbass classifieds, there was a Solano for sale in Waco a while back.
My teacher got one at the end of last spring, it sounds great and is so easy to play.

[.matthew e wengerd.]

I'll chime in to comment on the quality of Rumano's basses...I've seen poorly finished basses from Solano, but not in the last 5 years or more. His work, at all pricepoints, is excellent.

[William5849]

I too have talked to Solano, and have decided to spend 15k. When we talked, he told me that he could make a bass that costs much less than 10k, but he said that he would make it out of Plywood. So, if your looking for the best bass your going to have to spend a little more than you want too.

Also, if you make the desicion to buy a bass from him, he'll give you the option to buy the wood first, and then have him start building whenever you get the rest of the money. Just talk to him, and he'll often give you many choices. I talked on the phone with him for like an hour, and he truly knows his stuff.

[manutabora]

Somebody mentioned KC strings. Since I am not an upright player, I cannot give you a first hand testimonial of his basses, but if the quality is anything like that of my violin (which I got from them, made by Anton Krutz himself) then his basses ought to be a good value.
A friend of mine has one of their lower line basses. I mean lower line as in lower price, but it is definitely a good looking and sounding instrument. Again, can't give you specifics because I don't play upright, but it sounds good to me.
The website is www.kcstrings.com

I am not affiliated to KC strings, just a satisfied and loyal customer

[dkpawlowski]

I can attest to Solano's knowledge. I have a Klotz busetto that is wonderful. Unfortunately, health issues force me to put it up for sale.