Eberle Carved or Kay 1972, which would you rather have?

[pointbass]

If you have a bass that pleases you (and it sounds like it does) then why risk losing it on an unknown? Just because something is carved/hybrid, it isn't automatically a "better" bass. Most of the advice here is sound. If you have the chance to lay your hands on the Eberle, maybe you'd find it to be better than your current ply.

I recently traded for an older ('48) Meisel ply that I was, at first, really a bit hesitant about. I had played several Meisel's that were very thin sounding, really lifeless, but this particular one is a true treasure for me. After a good setup and restringing by my local luthier, it has become far superior to just about any other DB I've owned, certainly much better than the three Kay's I've had over the years.

Really risky to trade a known player for something you can't test drive .....

[Jesse Rosenburg]

Thanks all. I decided to keep my Kay. The sticking point is that I couldn't play the trade before I got it. It probably is a better bass. But frankly, I've played so infrequently in the past few years, I don't even feel confident in trying a bass.

I got the name of an excellent local luthier and I've bought some used belcantos, so I'll refurbish a bit and see how it goes from here.

The person offering the trade was extremely gracious and nice to work with.

[Jsn]

You made the right decision, Jesse. I'm sure the person making the offer had every good intention, but an unheard bass is an unknown quantity. It doesn't even matter if one or the other is an abstractly "better" instrument. What matters is how close you get to the sound in your head.

[Jesse Rosenburg]

I think I made a better decision than I thought. I don't have an Englehardt, I have a Kay.

According to this site:
http://www.kaybass.com/KayHSerialNoList.htm

My serial number is 39403, which makes my instrument a 1956 model. The label inside says Kay bass as well as the tailpiece.

I have an appt with my new local luthier on Tuesday.

BTW, I love talkbass and the Internet!

[Bass]

The Internet loves you too.

[Jesse Rosenburg]

Originally Posted by Bass

The Internet loves you too.

Well, I've always loved bass players since I was 10. Long before the Internet!

[LeslieD]

Okay, now who do I talk to about checking out that Eberle that you passed on!

[Jesse Rosenburg]

I just pm'ed Leslie the info.

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by LeslieD

Okay, now who do I talk to about checking out that Eberle that you passed on!

HAH! Nice.....

Jesse...My student has a nice Eberle, everything you could want.

Another student has an old Kay like yours... great jazz axe, I'd play it happily anywhere.

You just never know until you play 'em.

[Jesse Rosenburg]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

You just never know until you play 'em.

Yeah, you have it there. This Kay is nice. It has no finger board problems (I suspect it's rosewood), no tail piece problems, no peg troubles. I've never produced a bad sound out of it. Just need to adjust the string height with a new bridge and the new used strings that are just really broken in. We'll see if the luthier suggests a sound post change.

No, not a typical classical instrument, but one worth something if I decide to sell it some day.

[Jesse Rosenburg]

Wanted to say thanks to Paul W.

Bob Ross revised the setup on my 53 Kay and strung it with my used Belcantos that you all recommended (bought here). Bob also had to fix the neck of the Kay after discovering it was loose when he destrung my bass. He also devised a great fitting adjustable bridge. The work is beautiful! Paul recommended my new luthier. Have been so busy with horses and gardening this week, that I've not had a lot of time to play. But I've had a bit, and the new setup sings.

And after a few years of not playing, I hit the E about the G right on. A Bach Gavotte I think I played in the 6th grade It was still exhilarating. I still need to discover my music stash

Nearly perfect pitch is a hell at sporting events, except in Canada. For playing it's a nice thing.

Wish I could afford the bucks for a dragon head bass with cool F holes that Bob makes! Certainly a candidate for bass porn!