engelhardt vs strunal...new to DB

funkadelickbass · #1 02-01-2008, 03:34 PM

I've been an electric player for a while and my professor finally got me to admit that if I am going to really get into bass I need to play more upright...
I am for sure buying one for myself...and will be playing mainly jazz with it.
I have acess to engelhardt and strunal and have narrowed it down to:
Engalhardt Supreme
Engalhardt Swingmaster
Strunal 5/35

I pick these three mainly because they have solid top and they are with in my price range (below $1500)...only problem is I can't play either before i order one...which i really don't like, but thats just how it is I guess.

I have thought of going used but there aren't any in town and even a new one is hard to find...most places around are order only...

Andrew

Bofee · #2 02-01-2008, 03:52 PM

The big difference here is that the Engals are not solid top, they are laminate. The Strunal 5/35 has a solid top with laminated sides and back. Keep in mind also that the price of most basses doesn't include a set-up ($100-$400) or worthwhile strings ($120). It much better to find a shop and talk to the people and try out some instuments. There must be some place within a couple hour's drive where you can try out some Engals, Shen, or Chrisopher basses.

funkadelickbass · #3 02-01-2008, 08:44 PM

currently none that i know of...the only place my professors go to are high end stores that you need an apointment to go to and have nothing "student" or less than amazing...I love my teacher's basses but I don't want to spend $9,000+ for what won't me my main bass...

maybe a better thing to ask would be:
When buying a used bass from a university or high school what things should I look for?
I've had a few of those pop up but part of me things a new bass might be better...but againthat is only because I know little about DB...I can easly tell if a used electric is a deal or a flop...

Bass Barrister · #4 02-01-2008, 09:33 PM

I don't know what's available in Milwaukee but I do know that Chicago has several shops with basses and is a relatively short (90min. - 2hrs) ride via car, Greyhound, or Amtrak. You have a440 and Sonksen Strings in the city, Classic Contrabass in Wheeling, Kagan & Gaines in Forest Park, and probably a couple of other sources that I've missed. For what you will pay for a PROPERLY SET-UP Engelhardt or Strunal, you can get a Christopher, Shen or another decent laminate.

funkadelickbass · #5 02-02-2008, 12:37 AM

what about this bass?
http://www.uptonbass.com/UB-Standard...n-Double-Bass/

it's more than i wanted to spend but it seems to be a better value on paper...

*just a side note...I am passing on a Tobias 6str electric to pay for this...

chuck1073 · #6 02-02-2008, 07:02 AM

That Upton is a laminate. You're still in the position of not being able to try before you buy....still a very nice bass..the latest in their line.

I just saw one yesterday when I picked up my new deluxe UB lami bass. Impression that I got from just plucking a few open strings and then standing back to listen was that the bass is fairly bright/clear tonaly. Could be excellent in a jazz setting IMHO.

Steve Swan · #7 02-02-2008, 09:44 AM

Unless you are one of the people that will only buy "made in America" stuff, you can do one heck of a lot beter on a new plywood bass than an Engelhardt. Two of the brands that I like are Eastman (VS 80) and Shen (SB 80). There are at least a few more good brands available to you somewhat locally wherever you are in the country. The setup and after-sale service that you get from a local (200 miles or less) dealer will be well worth the driving hassle.

Finally, two well-known brands to stay away from are Cremona and Palatino. Each of these brands is distributed by friends of mine from warehouses that are local ( less than 10 miles) to me. The owners of each of these companies could change the quality of thier basses any time they wish. The owner of the Palatino brand feely admits that "they are crap", while the owner of the Cremona name remains stubbornly in denial of the extremely poor quality. Remember, "Friends don't let friends play Cremona or Palatino basses."

Good Luck! Let us know how it turns out for you.

dgelting · #8 02-21-2008, 07:39 PM

I'm also a Milwaukee bassist, and I play mostly upright. Feel free to PM me and I could possibly lead you in some good directions locally. I have a few instruments you could check out and actually am going to try out another this weekend.
Not only that - but I know of some local ensembles looking for an upright player...your teacher gave you some good advice to start playing upright; we're a rare breed in this town!

jimmyduded · #9 02-21-2008, 08:06 PM

time for me to move to milwakee, ill be more appriceated haha

Dr Stankface · #10 02-21-2008, 08:09 PM

For what it's worth, i'm mainly an electric player but I enjoy my Engelhardt EC1. Although i've had my neck reset, new bridge, new endpin, new strings, and a setup by a local luthier. Put some work into an Engelhardt and man do they sing.

glivanos · #11 02-22-2008, 06:56 AM

Go with the Strunal.

Phil Rowan · #12 02-22-2008, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgelting

I'm also a Milwaukee bassist, and I play mostly upright. Feel free to PM me and I could possibly lead you in some good directions locally. I have a few instruments you could check out and actually am going to try out another this weekend.
Not only that - but I know of some local ensembles looking for an upright player...your teacher gave you some good advice to start playing upright; we're a rare breed in this town!

I was going to suggest finding someone relatively close by, such as dgelting, who has at least a basic knowledge of the the upright bass. Someone who knows about proper set up, qualities/flaws to look for/be aware of, would be of great help to you. Just be sure to do your homework about things like this, which can save you from any future hassles (because learning the upright is hard enough as it is!).

thesandman · #13 02-25-2008, 06:37 AM

I was in the same boat as you. I got an Englehardt ES-1, and while they don't get a lot of respect from some here, for me, it is a good bass for the money. With a good setup, it plays well; with my band, it sounds good. Good bass for the money.
Good luck!

Clay_Bass · #14 02-25-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glivanos

Go with the Strunal.

+1111 I'd recomend getting it from gage though. If you can't find anything local definatley keep it in mind. It's actually one of the loudest basses I've ever played. I've owned mine for 3 years and only just now had to start with some very general repair stuff like upgrading the endpin (gage also did me a huge favor and put in a new soundpost for free when they did this!) But I love the bass with any combo of strings I've tried (Oliv, Wiechs, Super Silvers, and currently Spiros.) So yeah if you can't find anything locally definatley give gage a call. You might have to pay a little more than if you bought the strunal from sam ash, but at least you know its set up by one of the most highly regarded bass shops in NYC and it should go for quite a while without needing any work.