Engelhardt ec-1 made in 1982

andrewrench · #1 01-04-2008, 08:07 PM

I'm considering purchasing a used Engelhardt ec-1 made in 1982. I am an electric bass player who is a complete newbie to double bass. I'm looking to find a bass I can learn on and hopefully grow with.

I haven't seen the bass yet, but my understanding is that it is in good shape. The asking price is $600.

This seems to be a good price, but is there anything I need to know about Engelhardts made in that era? Am I better off just buying a new Engelhardt?

Jason Sypher · #2 01-05-2008, 03:55 AM

I don't know of any year-specific difference in quality for Engelhart's. Older basses sound better in my opinion, even cheaper plywoods but the real issue is the condition of the bass and by this I mean more structural than cosmetic. Do you know a good upright bassist who can take a look at the instrument for you to make sure it's solid? If not, I think you can't really go wrong for $600 which is at least $1000 below market value. Where is the bass located? Who is the seller?

andrewrench · #3 01-05-2008, 06:57 AM

Thanks for the insight. Unfortunately I don't have a teacher or a friend who could help me in this situation. The seller is from Craig's list and is located in the north side of Chicago.

Any pointers you could suggest on what to look for in structural quality?

Jason Sypher · #4 01-05-2008, 08:09 AM

Make sure the neck joint is solid. Look at the edges of the instrument, is anything coming undone? Does there seem to be any delamination of the plywood at the edges? Is the bridge straight? Can you see any indication of the neck being broken and fixed? Ask him, has it been broken? Look in the f-hole, do you see the soundpost? Is it straight up and down? Stand in front of the bass and make the guy play it slowly up and down each string as high as he can play, do you hear any buzzes or rattling of the strings? How does the bass look overall? Were there photos of the bass on craigslist. Send me the ad if you can @ bassnote@mac.com and I'll look at it.

andrewrench · #5 01-05-2008, 08:24 AM

thanks so much for your help Jason. Your insights are very helpful. I'll send you the only photo I have to your email address (it's not a very good photo).

I plan on going to see it in person this afternoon. I'll report back and let you know what I think.

drurb · #6 01-05-2008, 08:56 AM

Especially as an EB player and newbie DBer, before you settle on an Engel, I suggest you do a search here for the enlightening discussions regarding the relative disadvantages/advantages of the neck profile/design of those basses. Here's one. Here's another rather spirited one. Suffice it to say, opinions can differ widely.

thesandman · #7 01-05-2008, 09:35 AM

I'm an EB player that just came over to the dark side. bought an Englehardt, and it's been fine. People talk about not liking the neck, but it hasn't been a problem. I'm sure there are better basses, but for me, it's been a great starting point. When I started playing EB, I could have care less about the neck difference between a jazz and p bas. It makes a difference now but wasn't a reason not to play one or the other when I started out. I think the subtleties of one bass over another is lost on us noobs.

Jason Sypher · #8 01-05-2008, 09:57 AM

The seller doesn't really know what he is selling. The information is incorrect. If the bass is $900 new maybe you could make a low offer so you are safe from buying a load of goods. I didn't read the neck threads but I do know a $900 bass can't be much of an instrument....food for thought.

andrewrench · #9 01-05-2008, 10:29 AM

Yeah, I plan on going low if I make an offer at all.

What of his description seems to be incorrect to you? Does it not seem to fit this decription from looking at the photo: Spruce top and maple back. Maple neck, exotic hardwood fingerboard and tailpiece. Extremely durable – yet has unusual carrying power. The handsome finish is a beautiful mahogany color. EC1 • Standard 3/4 size

Thanks everyone for sharing the threads on Engelharts -- definitely food for thought.

drurb · #10 01-05-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesandman

...I think the subtleties of one bass over another is lost on us noobs.

Well, I sure wouldn't call the differences in the neck profiles subtle. One wouldn't necessarily expect a noob to make the discrimination at the outset and that's the point of it being mentioned by folks who aren't noobs. As the threads to which I linked reveal, sometimes the displeasure with the thin necks only develops after the individual begins to play for more prolonged periods using more advanced technique. Again, preferences and opinions on the topic can differ widely and it's good to be aware of the issue, weigh the evidence, try out the basses, and judge for yourself.

drurb · #11 01-05-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewrench

Spruce top and maple back...

Spruce veneered top and maple veneered back, that is. After all, the Engel is a ply bass.

andrewrench · #12 01-05-2008, 12:29 PM

good call drurb -- I didn't catch that at first. I assumed it was a ply considering the price.

Gufenov · #13 01-05-2008, 05:29 PM

Spend some time on the Engelhardt-Link website, at http://www.engelhardtlink.com/. Or, check Bob Gollihur's site at http://www.gollihurmusic.com/feature/13-UPRIGHT.html. The EC-1 comes with an "ebonized" fingerboard (maple painted black) as opposed to the higher-quality EM-1 (Rosewood) or ES-1 (Ebony). I believe the volutes are plastic on the EC-1 as well; wood on the others. It's worth the $600 if it's in decent shape, but you can widen your choices considerably for a little more $$.

Tejano Bass · #14 01-06-2008, 09:47 AM

The EC-1 is Englehart's entry (student/school) level bass which can be purchased new for less than $1K. - BUT - then, it needs to be set-up to be playable, which = more $$$.

All things considered, $600 is not a bad deal . . . if it's in decent condition, set-up & ready to play.

drurb · #15 01-06-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tejano Bass

The EC-1 is Englehart's entry (student/school) level bass which can be purchased new for less than $1K. - BUT - then, it needs to be set-up to be playable, which = more $$$.

All things considered, $600 is not a bad deal . . . if it's in decent condition, set-up & ready to play.

...but apparently it is not. See here.