Chicago area bass shops.

Sammy Camden · #1 08-14-2006, 05:11 PM

OK! I need some help.

I just started on double-bass a couple of months ago, lessons and all, and I'm renting a Palatino. My local music store, who I really do love doing business with, is actually pretty clueless when it comes to double-basses. They only stock Palatinos, and only one at a time. They can get Englehardts and some others, but they just bring it in and deliver it to you. I'd like to buy from a dealer that "knows" about double-basses and can help me with my selection of one. I've thought about buying a new one from Upton, but I'd rather buy in person and reasonably local if possible. My rental contract for the Palatino runs out the middle of September, and I really don't want to continue with it. They want $650 for this used Palatino, and I really don't think so.

I'd like to go look at some that maybe I could afford. I'm looking for a used instrument in the $1500 range, give or take, or a new one in the $2000 range, give or take. I'm going to be playing Bluegrass primarily with it, and I've been told by my teacher, and read a lot here on TB that I should be able to get a good bass for my purposes within the cost ranges that I've stated.

As I'm real new to the double-bass scene, I need some help on where to go in the Chicago-land area for "real" double-bass shops. I'd like to go visit three or four or five, or more, if possible and really get some help here. So, any names and addresses would be most appreciated.

Marc Piane · #2 08-14-2006, 05:18 PM

My fav is Mark Sonksen. www.sonksenstrings.com

kontrabass · #3 08-14-2006, 07:28 PM

SMR Double Basses in Evanston

Classic Contrabass will have some good choices in your price range (Shen, etc)

A440 Violins (They always have a few Christophers in stock)

Hope this helps,
Alex

Marc Piane · #4 08-14-2006, 08:19 PM

Classic Contrabass is cool too. Michelle is great. Very helpful, good prices, good selection. I bought my Shen there. Actually her site features my music.

billengelman · #5 08-15-2006, 05:12 AM

Check out the Engelhardt-Link factory in Elk Grove Village, a few miles from Woodfield. They usually have seconds available at big discounts. I baught a brand new C-1 with a slight blemish for about $675. Tom Engelhardt is a very nice guy and may even give you a tour of the factory...very cool.

Engelhardt-Link, Inc. • 185 King Street • Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 847.593.5850 (voice) 847.593.5894 (fax) concert@engelhardt-link.com

christ andronis · #6 08-15-2006, 12:29 PM

+1 for Mark Sonksen and Michelle Fiore

SuperDuck · #7 08-15-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billengelman

Check out the Engelhardt-Link factory in Elk Grove Village, a few miles from Woodfield. They usually have seconds available at big discounts. I baught a brand new C-1 with a slight blemish for about $675. Tom Engelhardt is a very nice guy and may even give you a tour of the factory...very cool.

Engelhardt-Link, Inc. • 185 King Street • Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 847.593.5850 (voice) 847.593.5894 (fax) concert@engelhardt-link.com

! Man, I wish I had known about that in the past! I'm originally from very near there (Arlignton Heights) and I never knew!

rscconrad · #8 08-16-2006, 07:40 PM

+ 1 for the Enlehardt link. I picked picked up am M1 for $700

jasonheath · #9 08-17-2006, 03:29 PM

Mark Sonksen also does very good work in Chicago.

Sonksen Strings

John Sprague · #10 08-18-2006, 12:56 PM

There are a few people selling basses in Chicagoland, and everyone here will tell you that the quality of the set-up is of key importance. The bass set-up skills in that town are to be found at Michelle's and at Mark's.

Good luck!

CamMcIntyre · #11 08-21-2006, 07:34 PM

I'm not sure if this guy sells basses or not-i know he works on them, the name is Scott Henrie/Henry?. He's the guy that one of my bass teachers goes to for setup work & i've heard he's one of the guys that does work for the CSO basses.

I'm moving back to Chicago for school on Saturday-i know my bass is a bit out of your price range, but you're welcome to swing by and give it a spin sometime. I'm living downtown-i'm a Roosevelt Student.

Mike Goodbar · #12 08-23-2006, 06:59 AM

Another spiff for Michelle Fiore at Classic Contrabass.

She sold an excellent, superbly set-up hybrid Shen to one of my students, and she did some nice work on my Christopher.

(Fingers, I recently visited her newly revamped Web site, and I really dug the soundtrack!!)

kontrabass · #13 08-23-2006, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamMcIntyre

I'm not sure if this guy sells basses or not-i know he works on them, the name is Scott Henrie/Henry?. He's the guy that one of my bass teachers goes to for setup work & i've heard he's one of the guys that does work for the CSO basses.

Scott Henrie doesn't sell basses, though he is one hell of a luthier.

Eric Hochberg · #14 08-23-2006, 02:26 PM

At this point in time Scott Henrie would be considered the veteran bass luthier in Chicago and is a master. He has done my work for a good 25 years and is currently tweaking the setup and extensive touchup he did on a 115 year old German bass I recently acquired. It is turning out beautifully!

Marc Piane · #15 08-23-2006, 03:30 PM

Thanks Mike.

Pete G · #16 08-23-2006, 03:31 PM

Scott Henrie did a lot of great work for me when I was living in the Chicago area.

jasonheath · #17 08-23-2006, 04:48 PM

Scott Henrie is an extremely good luthier. Most of the Chicago Symphony bass players have him do work on their instruments. He does excellent set-up work.

CamMcIntyre · #18 08-23-2006, 04:58 PM

Thanks for the information guys-i knew he was a tremendous luthier from how my teachers have talked of him [Chicago guys-Scott Mason & Tom Mendel]. When i need something done to my bass....i'll probably save the extra money up until i can have him do the work. Thinking about how he does work for the CSO makes me giggle when i think about the idea of him doing work on my bass. CSO Bassists= very sick players.

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