Engelhardt ES9

ttekulve · #1 03-25-2003, 09:02 AM

Does anyone have any info on the ES9. Reviews on sound, construction???? Looking to buy one and I haven't found a lot of info from real players. Any thougts would be great.

t:

tsolo · #2 03-25-2003, 10:02 AM

I bought one last Sept. They advertise playable out of the box. Mine wasn't. I gave 1400 - then put another 200 into setup - new endpin, bridge and action - and another 250 in piastro eudoxa strings. That's about 1850 anyway you add it up. Don't buy over the internet if you can avoid it. Look for one from a dealer. Construction wise, it's a tank. Looks well made inside and out. Heavy. It is encased in some sort of polyurethane - the whole thing. I want to remove some of it. There are threads on that topic on this board. With my setup, it is pretty even across the strings. Not bad volume wise. I play bluegrass. Everyone tells me it sounds great. I think it could sound better and probably will with age. I like it. Hope this helps.

ttekulve · #3 03-25-2003, 10:24 AM

Well, I am going to a dealer. I have a friend that's a luthier, he'll do my set up cheap..like $100 tops. I have new strings already. I'm using Correli as thety work best with my magnetic pick-up. Was the bridge really bad, or just not you taste? Was it worth it overall? I'm not crazy about the thick finish either. I had a reply on another threat saying that mutes the sound a bit as compared to the old Kay S9. Seems like 1400 is a pretty decent price. I think my dealer saying 1300. Do you know or anyone who has refinished oine of these?

t

tsolo · #4 03-25-2003, 12:27 PM

The bridge was an ugly cheap bridge. I don't know anyone who's finished an ES9 - pacman here on this site finished a different englehardt. I think I have a decent bass for the money. It'll last until I'm too old and aching to play anymore.

Steve Killingsworth · #5 03-25-2003, 12:47 PM

Like MR.SULU I also bought an ES-9 last September-It was playable but not anywhere approaching its potential. I basically agree with him on everything else except the cost of the setup. I have approximately $2K in mine--fingerboard planed, nut reshaped, seasoned soundpost, adjustable bridge, and strings. Soundwise I get nothing but positive feedback from all concerned--good tone and volume. I started out with Spirocore Orchs and am currently using Obligatos. I didn't have a problem with the spiros, I just like the warmer tone of the obligatos. I would recommend the bass to anyone who wanted a decent instrument without spending $3000+.

Steve

mje · #6 03-26-2003, 07:50 AM

I can see spending $1000 on an Englehardt, but $2000? For $1800 I can get a well set up Christopher with an adjustible bridge and good strings that sounds better than any Kay or Englehardt I've seen.

tsolo · #7 03-26-2003, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mje
I can see spending $1000 on an Englehardt, but $2000? For $1800 I can get a well set up Christopher with an adjustible bridge and good strings that sounds better than any Kay or Englehardt I've seen.

It's a moot point to me since I've already purchased an englehardt and don't intend to buy another plywood. But, maybe ttekulve can do some comparison shopping.

RD1 · #8 04-07-2003, 07:58 PM

Got my ES9 from a dealer about a year ago, have not played it alot. But, it does sound good with decent volume. I just ordered a set of Obligato strings for it, after reading Gollihur's recommendation. I agree with tsolo on the finish, the clear coat seems way heavy, and I have really wanted to thin it someway. I payed 1400 for it, worked down the original bridge and set it myself. Maybe I'm not as particular as others, but I think it is overall a beautiful bass, with loads of potential after it cures out. Really looking to the new strings.