Checking out an upright this weekend

[GeneralElectric]

I'm picking up a used Englehart (1981) for pretty cheap this weekend. I don't know anyone who knows anything about upright basses so it'll be hard to get someone to check it out with me.

The owner doesn't really know anything about it other than the make and model of it. He's a drummer.

Is there anything I should look out for? I figure if it plays reasonably well it shouldn't be too bad.

[nicechuckh]

Would be a big plus if it plays well all the way up the fingerboard, decent string height etc. but as far as if there are things on it that need to be repaired and would it be worth it, I can't help you there. Hopefully some with that experience will answer also.

[TroyK]

Englehardts are pretty solid. Not wonderful, but stable. Look at all of the seems and if you see space open in any of them, it's a problem. Look at how the bridge feet sit on the top. They should be a seemless transition all around. If not, check to see if it's leaning and could be corrected by pulling it back into place. If not, there's some work involved in getting it set right. Look for cracks or breaks. Strings can be replaced, but are expensive, average ~$200/set, so hopefully you've got a good set of Spirocores on there and won't have to worry about them for a while (red silks at the tailpiece end). Play it and see, have the seller play it for you and see if it's what you had in mind.

Aside from that, is price. We've had people pick them up as low as $400. I think that's a steal and my guess is that prices will be a bit higher in NY, because the market it bigger. I probably won't pay more than maybe $800 for a used Englehardt, though. Someone else may disagree.

Good luck, hope something in there helps.

[Freddels]

I wouldn't pay that much for an old Englehardt since a new one can be purchased for about $1K or so. With an older ply, one thing to listen for is if it rattles when you play some low notes. If it was stored in an attic or garage, the glue on the seams may have deteriorated. I would think that the cost of repair wouldn't be worth it if there's some serious work to be done on it.

Gollihur music has new ones Carved and Laminated URBs, available at Gollihur Music - Upright Bass Specialists: Instruments, Pickups, Preamps, Amplifiers, and Accessories

But I'd still look for a bass with a full sized neck (the Englehardt's are a bit thin). An Englehardt was my first bass way back when.

[GeneralElectric]

Guy is asking $700 for the bass. Used uprights don't come up for sale very often on NYC CL, and when they do, they're usually really cheap pieces of crap or really high end things out of my price range.

I used to play DB back in High School but its been about 5 years now so I doubt I'll remember anything. Looking for a solid gigging bass that'll play half way decent for pizzicato playing.

I wanted to get an Upton but thats way out of my price range for now. Maybe in the future I'll get one, but I'm a broke college student and will be broke for the long foreseeable future.

[nicechuckh]

Best of luck hope it's just what you're looking for