Engelhardt C1?

[CBgaragebassist]

I'm looking to start playing upright and after wading through laminate eBay crap, i found this- http://www.musicarts.com/Engelhardt-...9-i1431332.mac
It's within my price range and i've played 3/4 Engelhardts before, just wanted to know if anyone had experience with this specific model.

Thanks.

[Marcus Johnson]

Many times. It's what shows up pretty often as a rental when you're on the road. I can get through a show on one if I have to. Schools buy them because they're bulletproof and of decent quality for the price. Way better than most of the "Ebay crap". The neck profile is way too skinny for my tastes, but some slabbers like them because they feel like BGs. They aren't bad, but I've played lots of them, and none of them has been "great".

They're like cockroaches, they are everywhere. So you might be able to find a used one from someone locally, save some money. With the link you gave us, in addition to the purchase price, you'll need a DB luthier to set it up for you, so if you can find a used one nearby that's ready to play, you'll save even more bucks.

[rusag2]

Just my 2 cents here, but if you're going that route, why not shop with a deal who specializes in basses:
http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product...SIZE_BASS.html
I do not work for Gollihur. But seems they have quite a good rep and you're likely to be working with peopel that have a deeper understanding of the instrument than if you go with MusicArts.

[rusag2]

Also check the TB classifieds. There's an Engelhardt for sale there in your price range....

[Gearhead43]

I found mine on craiglist used for $600 back a few years ago. They turn up used pretty often because they are popular workhorse basses for Bluegrass and Roots music. They are built like tanks and amplify well. I get alot of use out of mine and it looks the same as the day I found it, they really hold up well.

The EG9 in the classifieds looks nice.

[drurb]

Hmm... for just a little bit more money you could buy a Shen and, IMO, get a better sounding, better designed instrument (including a better neck profile), and even have the set up included from a real bass shop.

[fdeck]

I just want to note a minor point of terminology, since it's not mentioned in the linked website and could easily be overlooked:

Laminate = Plywood

The Engelhardt is plywood bass, and is certainly a step above the cheap eBay basses. Most entry level basses are plywood, and can be quite respectable. They have the advantage of being less expensive, of course, but also immune to cracking under conditions that can be expected for student instruments such as adverse climate conditions.

I have recently played some Shen plywood basses in shops, and was impressed with their quality. I've also got a Kay plywood bass, which is the precursor to the Engelhardt. The history is that the Kay business was taken over by Engelhardt after Kay ended production in 1969.

[curbucci]

New member here. What about a properly set up new Engelhardt Es1 with upgraded parts such as bridge & sound post compared to a properly set up Shen SB80 or a Eastman 85 with stock parts?
Do the new Engelhardts have that much of a bad reputation?

[Gearhead43]

Originally Posted by curbucci

New member here. What about a properly set up new Engelhardt Es1 with upgraded parts such as bridge & sound post compared to a properly set up Shen SB80 or a Eastman 85 with stock parts?
Do the new Engelhardts have that much of a bad reputation?

They only seem to have a "bad" reputation here on talkbass, and from dealers who sell competing brands. I suggest you play one and decide for yourself.

The Shens are very nice basses also though, and some like their tone and thick neck better. I like the way my Engel sounds and plays, and the good setup I have does make a big difference.