Engelhardt Double Bass Dealer in Chicagoland area

Lowend4s · #1 12-25-2006, 01:03 PM

I am a music student at Columbia College Chicago and am ready to make the transistion to the Double Bass after seven years on electric. I was wondering if there were any Engelhardt dealers in the Chicagoland area? Specifically I was interested in purchasing an Englehardt ES1 Supreme Double Bass Upright and was wondering what you folks think?

Thank you!

drurb · #2 12-25-2006, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowend4s

I am a music student at Columbia College Chicago and am ready to make the transistion to the Double Bass after seven years on electric. I was wondering if there were any Engelhardt dealers in the Chicagoland area? Specifically I was interested in purchasing an Englehardt ES1 Supreme Double Bass Upright and was wondering what you folks think?

Thank you!

Engelhardts have their place but, IMO, not in the hands of a music student serious about double bass. They are low-quality instruments with necks that are so thin as to hinder proper technique. There are some folks, particularly bluegrass players and the like, who seem to like Engels and Kays for their "niche sound." I mean no offense to them. Look around these threads (and the ads on these pages) for preferred instruments.

armybass · #3 12-25-2006, 04:22 PM

I was a bass major in college and at the time could only afford a plywood bass and you know what, they still let me graduate

I now have a carved bass and a plywood bass. I think Englehardts can be fine basses.

I have a new ES1 Supreme and it has a thicker neck than the ES9 I had a few years ago. I agree that they can be difficult to play if they have very thin necks but if the bass is set up well with a good bridge, new strings of your choice and replacing the end pin is a must in my opinion. If you can not purchase one locally you could get one from Bob Gollihur as long as you can find some one to do the above mentioned improvements.

Here is mine....

JAUQO III-X · #4 12-25-2006, 04:34 PM

Check these guys out,I'm sure you can find the perfect Bass for you and your budget.

http://www.a440violinshop.com/products.asp?catId=23

drurb · #5 12-25-2006, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armybass

I was a bass major in college and at the time could only afford a plywood bass and you know what, they still let me graduate

I now have a carved bass and a plywood bass. I think Englehardts can be fine basses.

I have nothing against laminates as budget often dictates that they be the choice. IMO, one can do far, far better than an Engelhardt and, in most cases, one should. By the way, I had a Kay for over 30 years.

CamMcIntyre · #6 12-25-2006, 08:13 PM

Hey, i study at Roosevelt. In addition to A440- I'd also recommend checking out Sonksen Strings [www.sonksenstrings.com] . I was recommended to that guy for some other stuff.

If you want to try my NS Cleveland [granted-it costs about double or so of what an Engelhart does]-i'm back in town on the 11th of January.

armybass · #7 12-25-2006, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

I have nothing against laminates as budget often dictates that they be the choice. IMO, one can do far, far better than an Engelhardt and, in most cases, one should.

Agreed.

drurb · #8 12-25-2006, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armybass

Agreed.

Still, your ES-1 is probably the prettiest Engel I've seen.

armybass · #9 12-26-2006, 05:52 AM

Thank you sir, and after a few hundred bucks it plays pretty good and doesn't sound half bad. I would prefer an Upton or a Cleavland but she'll do for now.

drurb · #10 12-26-2006, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armybass

Thank you sir, and after a few hundred bucks it plays pretty good and doesn't sound half bad. I would prefer an Upton or a Cleavland but she'll do for now.

Would you describe more about the neck? As you know, one of the features of the old Kays and most new Engels that seems less than desirable to many is the thin neck. Is the ES-1 made with a beefier neck than the other models? This is important information as it may temper my recommendations and those of others regarding the suitability of these instruments for students. Also, if one spends a "few hundred bucks" on setup, what is the expected total cost? From Gollihur's site, it would seem to be a total of around $1700. While that is not enough for a Cleveland, it is just $100 or so away from a fully set-up Upton laminate.

armybass · #11 12-26-2006, 10:28 AM

The neck is a bit thicker than the ES9 and I was told by the guys at Check Levin's in DC (where I purchased it) that either the ES1 was being made with a thicker neck or at least the one I purchased had. I have heard this no where else and can not confirm it to be a fact. All I can no confirm is that mine is thicker than the ES9 I had a few years back. I found that neck to be bordering on downright painful to play. The Engle, as everyone knows, must have a new endpin, bridge and a good setup as well as new strings. I have about $1800.00 into mine.

Given the option between $1700.00 - $2000.00 for an Engle and and the same amount of money for an Upton Bass, I would highly recommend the Upton. I have played Redo35's and it is an amazing bass that is not in the same league with the Engle. The Upton being a much better playing and sounding instrument in my opinion.