Eberle hybrid vs. Strunal hybrid?

[uncle meat]

I am another one of those electric bass players looking to start playing some DB. I have searched these forums, and it seems like people are very happy with the basses from Ideal/bassesonline.com. Being in Oregon, I have no way to play one before ordering, which naturally makes me a bit skeptical, but I have yet to hear a bad word. I would choose the Eberle hybrid for $1200 with no setup. There is also a Strunal 5/20 hybrid with a professional setup on Craigslist for $1700 in Portland, an hour and a half drive for me. http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/msg/1000981232.html
People seem to be happy with their Strunals on this forum as well.

So, does anyone have experience with both basses? Which should I choose between the two?

Thanks for your time.

[mesmithnm]

Go play the Strunal and take someone who knows double basses with you (or try to take it to a local luthier you trust). The price looks OK and if it checks out healthy and sounds good you're in business. The two instruments are likely to be pretty comparable (one's a German shop bass, the other is a Czech shop bass, I think). I don't have any personal experience with either and it seems that bassesonline delivers exactly what they advertise (no scams and no junk) BUT the Strunal is local and you can touch and listen before you buy. Plus, by the time you get the Eberle shipped and setup, I would expect the cost to be about the same.

Mark

[Tejano Bass]

Uncle Meat -

Did you see the two Strunals for sale in our classifieds? - Scroll down & see below . . .

[shadygrove]

Originally Posted by mesmithnm

Go play the Strunal and take someone who knows double basses with you (or try to take it to a local luthier you trust). The price looks OK and if it checks out healthy and sounds good you're in business. The two instruments are likely to be pretty comparable (one's a German shop bass, the other is a Czech shop bass, I think). I don't have any personal experience with either and it seems that bassesonline delivers exactly what they advertise (no scams and no junk) BUT the Strunal is local and you can touch and listen before you buy. Plus, by the time you get the Eberle shipped and setup, I would expect the cost to be about the same.

Mark

+1

I'm happy with my Eberle ply and also the service and value from bassesonline, but it was about $250 for shipping to Washington (State ) and with setup you could easily be in for $1800 plus.

If the Strunal sounds and plays to your satisfaction, I would take it ahead of an unknown instrument with an undetermined amount of work needed to achieve a "pro setup". I say "unknown instrument" because within DB brands and models there can be quite a lot of variation from one bass to another even if the average quality is good.

[Pentabass]

Even though it is true that every individual bass has a different character, and should be individually evaluated, sometimes it is really convenient or practical to order sight unseen, and that is what I did. Most people here will tell you: don't do it, but I did. Two times, for a total of four basses. Well, the whole family will benefit, since one is a 1/4 ply and another is a 1/10th Romanian.

I am very happy with the basses that I got from Steve and his Mother. They both are great at customer service, but in my opinion the real value are the new old stock pieces of wood that they sell. The Wilfer plys are both great, and the fully carved Eberle is good value for what I paid. My experience has been very good with Ideal Music.

Sure, it might have been luck. And yes, nuts are high, and fingerboards need Tender Loving Care, but they are ebony. Dry ebony -- having spend a number of years in a NYC warehouse.

let us know what you decide.

[Bass]

Originally Posted by Pentabass

...sometimes it is really convenient or practical to order sight unseen, and that is what I did. Most people here will tell you: don't do it, but I did. Two times...

Me too, one of the two was from Ideal. Real nice folks, positive experience.

Pentabass, I live 6 hours west of you, if there aren't any decent DB shops in Winnipeg, then the closest shop to me at least 500 miles away! Makes ordering online very attractive.

BTW my band is in Winnipeg this Saturday at the Cavern, be sure to stop in!

[Pentabass]

Originally Posted by Bass

BTW my band is in Winnipeg this Saturday at the Cavern, be sure to stop in!

[/IMG]

How old do you have to be to be allowed to the Cavern?
(I have a 4, 5 and 7 year old)
Will we need hearing protection?

regards from Winterpeg

[S.fasciani]

I just visited Bassesonline and they are a very nice friendly straight forward business.
I was able to work out a good deal on a wilfer Hybrid. If you have the extra cash go for a wilfer. big difference in sound quality and looks.

[longfinger]

So Uncle Meat,

What did you end up doing, drive for the Strunal, or order from bassesonline?