Eastman basses

[arizonamike]

I saw a thread similar to this one but it didn't really provide the information I was looking for so I thought I'd start another one.

Long story short, my bass got seriously jacked beyond repair and I ABSOLUTELY cannot play a school bass for a whole year and I don't have the money for a really nice bass. I was wondering if anyone had played the Eastman basses and had any opinions on them (especially the Quenoil style ones). The one negative comment I heard was about setup which isn't an issue b/c I trust the guy who'd be getting it for me (he employs a really good bass player who also happens to be my friend). So setup aside what is your opinion of these basses? My rational for considering them is that their resale value seems to be higher than the Chinese basses (I'll probably sell it in a few years and get something much better) and Germans have a longer history of making basses.

[LouisF]

You should read the other thread, but I think Eastman IS a Chinese bass - I know they - and a few other Asian companies - claim their higher end basses are made in Germany, but usually what it means is that the rough instrument is put together "in the white" in Germany and then sent to the Asian factory for staining & finishing.

Louis

[jbenner913]

Last year I had an Eastman 305 model as a school bass. It sounded alright, but about halfway through the year, the lower bouts started cracking. My teacher at school didn't take it in as soon as he could have, and the cracks lengthened from the endpin to the lower C bout on the right side of the bass. Other than that, it was a good bass.

Jon

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by arizonamike

I saw a thread similar to this one but it didn't really provide the information I was looking for so I thought I'd start another one.

Long story short, my bass got seriously jacked beyond repair and I ABSOLUTELY cannot play a school bass for a whole year and I don't have the money for a really nice bass. I was wondering if anyone had played the Eastman basses and had any opinions on them (especially the Quenoil style ones). The one negative comment I heard was about setup which isn't an issue b/c I trust the guy who'd be getting it for me (he employs a really good bass player who also happens to be my friend). So setup aside what is your opinion of these basses? My rational for considering them is that their resale value seems to be higher than the Chinese basses (I'll probably sell it in a few years and get something much better) and Germans have a longer history of making basses.

On The Quenoil model theory it is important to realize that the Quenoil (the originals) and other similar French Basses were made as Solo Basses or maybe smaller Basses to carry around that were easier to access the upper register. I don't think for a minute these were ever intended to be Orchestra Basses as the dimensions are just too small. Small Bass = Small sound all things being equal.

On your resale value theory, a new Bass is somewhat like a new car. Drive it off the showroom floor and it looses value. A used car with only one mile on it is a used car. Also, with so many low cost Chinese Basses on the market today, I don't see how resale value should part of the decision making in this purchase. I would look at quality and value for the price of the Bass. Resale of an Eastman will be no better than a Shen in my book what ever that is.

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by LouisF

You should read the other thread, but I think Eastman IS a Chinese bass - I know they - and a few other Asian companies - claim their higher end basses are made in Germany, but usually what it means is that the rough instrument is put together "in the white" in Germany and then sent to the Asian factory for staining & finishing.

Louis

'Put together "in the white" in Germany and then sent to the Asian factory for staining & finishing?

Really, where did you hear that? Personally I highly doubt that. I could possibly see the opposite as cost of labor is way way cheaper in China than in Germany. Instruments bought 'in the white' from China is a common practice around the world. Instruments bought 'in the 'white' from Romania is common as well.

Some of the Amati model Basses I have from China seem to have non Asian woods in them. China buys materials by the 'boat load' to make their goods. I just can't see any value or savings in sending them 'white' Basses for finishing. Makes no sense to me at all as their finish work is not that great on the average.

[quenoil]

I have a couple students that play Eastman basses - for the money I think they're pretty good. I'm sure that they're made in China, but at this price point almost all basses are. I've never played their Quenoil model, so can't speak to that one in particular. KC Strings has a nice looking Quenoil-type bass in that price range too - haven't played that one either but it may be worth checking out.

[LouisF]

Ken,

Re the German/Chinese connection - the Korean company I dealth with for a few years did this with their higher end carved basses - and at least one company that sells Eastman/Christopher level basses does it with their product - and puts a $7-10,000 price tag on the instrument because of its "German" provenance.

Louis

[DaveAceofBass]

I suggest trying to find a used Kolstein Guarneri. Also, there is a lower priced Liandro DiVacenza line Kolstein makes, they had a few Guarneri models last time I checked. I have a Guarneri, it's similar to a Quenoil shape, with a little wider neck.

[arizonamike]

Oh I know that the Quenoil is mostly a solo bass; I thought it'd be fun to have a solo bass for awhile. The resale aspect isn't that huge of a deal but considering that I'm more than likely going to be selling it in a couple of years, if I could get something close to the purchase price than that'd be nice. I'm going to check out what Steve Kosicas (sp?) has in Phoenix b/c I've heard he's got a few nice basses in that range but considering that the shop that it'd be shipped to is around the corner from my house you can't beat the ease of the Eastmans; it's sort of tempting in that way.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by arizonamike

Oh I know that the Quenoil is mostly a solo bass; I thought it'd be fun to have a solo bass for awhile.

Just curious-- why would you want a solo bass for a while as your only bass?

[Phil Rowan]

I know you're kind of far from this, but it might be worth checking out (unless you're only looking to get a carved bass):

Kay M-1 1962

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Phil Rowan

I know you're kind of far from this, but it might be worth checking out (unless you're only looking to get a carved bass):

Kay M-1 1962

Unless you're into the Kay mystique and nostalgia, I think you could do far better in terms of an instrument for three grand! That Kay is sure pretty, though.

[Steve Swan]

The Eastman 125 series basses are completely made in China with Chinese materials and are quite good hybrids. The Eastman distributed Wilhelm Klier and Rudoulph Doetsch bases are imported from Germany in the white and finished in the Maryland facility. That distinction between the various Eastman lines may be the point of confusion about origin.

[Phil Rowan]

Originally Posted by drurb

Unless you're into the Kay mystique and nostalgia, I think you could do far better in terms of an instrument for three grand! That Kay is sure pretty, though.

True. I guess I overlooked the price tag on that Kay (paying more attention to the way it looked). There's also a King Moretone up for grabs for almost half the price of the Kay...it looks almost exactly like the kind I had mentioned in the wood/plywood thread.

[arizonamike]

Originally Posted by drurb

Just curious-- why would you want a solo bass for a while as your only bass?

I've been working on a lot of solo stuff lately and will probably continue to do so for awhile. I've been writing a bunch of stuff for solo bass as well.

[DaveAceofBass]

Originally Posted by Phil Rowan

True. I guess I overlooked the price tag on that Kay (paying more attention to the way it looked). There's also a King Moretone up for grabs for almost half the price of the Kay...it looks almost exactly like the kind I had mentioned in the wood/plywood thread.

Get the King. Great bass. Worth the money for decent plywood.

[jzucker]

Originally Posted by LouisF

You should read the other thread, but I think Eastman IS a Chinese bass - I know they - and a few other Asian companies - claim their higher end basses are made in Germany, but usually what it means is that the rough instrument is put together "in the white" in Germany and then sent to the Asian factory for staining & finishing.

Louis

I have an eastman El Rey guitar made in China and I chose it over Gibson and several other US guitars. It's quality and tone are excellent.

[mahlerbass]

I own an Eastman 605 "quenoil" bass, bought it about a year ago. Despite what ever it's marketed as, it is a very good all-round bass.
My bass has had a few different strings and setups, and the sound has been consistently deep and clear, and ALOT less "boxy" sounding then most newer carved instruments I've played. I'm pretty sure the lower bouts are slightly larger then the average 3/4 instrument, and certainly larger the the other Eastman models (unless there is a 7/8 I'm not aware of).

[Steve Swan]

I'm pretty sure that the Busetto model has wider lower bouts than the Quenoil. Next time I'm down at Eastman I'll take the tape measure. The 7/8 model is significantly larger and has a huge sound.

[LouisF]

Steve,

This came up on another thread (UK basses), but I think you sell the Bulgarian Kremona's and people might like to see the link.

Louis

http://www.sandarac.co.uk/main.htm