Engelhardt dealer in New England ?

Schindler · #1 03-09-2010, 09:39 PM

hi all,
I am new to double bass. In my 3rd month of lessons and renting a no name brand bass. I am getting very eager to buy a bass. I've just started trying out basses and am having trouble finding a dealer that carries Engelhardt in MA or a nearby state. I would love to give a Swingmaster a try. Anyone know of a retail store that carries Engelhardts in the New England area? Thanks for your help.

tomshepp · #2 03-10-2010, 04:22 AM

You could probably find a used one on craigslist. Is that the only bass you're looking at? Upton is in Boston and Conn. and it's a safe bet that their standard laminate bass is a better instrument. Where are you renting from now? Do they have access to Engls?

Schindler · #3 03-10-2010, 07:27 AM

I did check out Upton in boston . I liked a shen sb80 that I played there. They didnt have an all ply upton for me to try (which seems odd to me) - but I played a nice upton hybrid that was out of my price range ( along with about 5 other nice basses out of my range as well) . I do plan on trying the all ply upton - I think they are running $2,400 which is more than I have to spend, but if i try it and must own it - I'll figure out a way. Engelhardt is on my list to try so I'm just trying to get my hands on one to form an opinion. As you can tell I am leaning toward an all ply bass for a couple reasons: cost and durability. I've been in and out of bands (on BG) for the last 15 years and played enough bar gigs to know I don't want to bring a $5K bass to these gigs. I am enjoying learning the bow ( simandl book) much more than I expected but I don't see any concert halls in my future or for that matter any "sunday jazz brunches". And call me crazy but to my untrained ear I kinda liked the thump of the ply's better than the wood basses when i played pizz. I need much more data before making a purchase of course.. thanks.

ctcruiser · #4 03-10-2010, 08:25 PM

I got my ES-1 through David Mix of Branford, CT.

http://www.davidmix.com/

Schindler · #5 03-11-2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctcruiser

I got my ES-1 through David Mix of Branford, CT.

http://www.davidmix.com/

Cool thats pretty close. I'll check him out.. Thank you!

powerbass · #6 03-11-2010, 07:12 PM

You might want to check out Craigslist, Berklee students are always buying/selling basses in Boston area.Check out The Nahrmann Bass Shop
http://www.nahrmannbass.com/

drurb · #7 03-11-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schindler

Cool thats pretty close. I'll check him out.. Thank you!

Make sure you check VERY carefully!

Schindler · #8 03-11-2010, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerbass

You might want to check out Craigslist, Berklee students are always buying/selling basses in Boston area.Check out The Nahrmann Bass Shop
http://www.nahrmannbass.com/

My teacher bought his bass from Nahrmann Bass Shop. So I called the shop and had an intersting conversation w the owner. I told him I was looking to spend ~2K and he said i could only get an all plywood bass for that and he doesnt deal with those. Then he said he did have a 1940's Kay for
3K. but that was the least expensive bass he had. Seemed like a nice guy but definetely not interested in the inexpensive first bass for a newbie market..

marvin spangles · #9 03-12-2010, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schindler

. I liked a shen sb80 that I played there. As you can tell I am leaning toward an all ply bass for a couple reasons: cost and durability. . thanks.

I think you are making a very sensible choice by going for a good ply.
providing it is well set up. The shen SB80 is very good value and should fall within your price range. $1500. I don't know anything about the Englehard so I can't comment. Either way try out as many basses as possible within your price range and buy from a reputable Luthier if possible.That way when you decide to trade up, and you will, the Luthier will usually give you a good deal.

drurb · #10 03-12-2010, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvin spangles

I think you are making a very sensible choice by going for a good ply.
providing it is well set up. The shen SB80 is very good value and should fall within your price range. $1500. I don't know anything about the Englehard so I can't comment. Either way try out as many basses as possible within your price range and buy from a reputable Luthier if possible.That way when you decide to trade up, and you will, the Luthier will usually give you a good deal.

Agreed. Very sensible approach. The Shen should fit your budget well. I'd recommend steering clear of the Engelhardt. For example, see this recent thread.

Schindler · #11 03-17-2010, 08:33 PM

So I had the chance to play 5 or 6 < $2000 basses and I bought the Shen SB80. I played a Christopher, Engelhardt, the Shen , and a couple others. On several of the basses there was a noticable drop off in volume of the E string (pizz) but the Shen was really even sounding all over the neck and across the strings - not sure if it was the setup or the strings or whatever but it was an easy choice for me - and I got a great deal at Upton's boston location.

Up next .. a decent budget bow...

fdeck · #12 03-17-2010, 09:27 PM

Congrats!

drurb · #13 03-17-2010, 09:39 PM

Congrats and enjoy!

Remember-- no pictures, no bass.

Eric Hochberg · #14 03-18-2010, 11:43 AM

Good choice. I have a student renting a Shen SB80 and I'm very impressed with the sound, especially when I had him change from Helicore Orch. to EP Weichs.

tomshepp · #15 03-19-2010, 04:07 AM

Congrats on your new bass. Pics please?