Englehardt EC-1 bass

Someguy87 · #1 10-11-2010, 11:51 PM

Hey so i recently came across a cheap one of these and I was wondering how everyone feels about them...it is a student model...but what does that even mean? It will end up costing about 800 dollars total. Is this worth it?

pnut166 · #2 10-11-2010, 11:54 PM

What year is it ? Condition ? Some Engelhardts are very much worth $800.

TroyK · #3 10-12-2010, 12:06 AM

They're okay, you can certainly work with them. If it's setup properly and doesn't need anything, it's worth $800. It's been a while, but it seems like they retail just under $2,000 with a good setup. Don't hold that value well, though.

For student jazz ensembles, it could work well for you.

barbarbass · #4 10-12-2010, 12:16 AM

Yeah, with setup, these are 2000 or more. More of a jazzer's or bluegrass player's bass than a true orchestral model -- that is, these have always seemed better suited to pizz playing than for bowing. But then again, a good player can do anything with any ol' bass.

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #5 10-12-2010, 05:33 AM

Huh? You can get that model for under $1K shipped, plus setup costs.

drurb · #6 10-12-2010, 06:56 AM

Indeed, a new EC-1 with full setup for "2000 or more" (assuming we're talking dollars) would be quite over-priced.

To the OP-- assuming it's in fine condition and needs no further setup work or repairs, $800 would be a good deal for what it is. If you are able to stretch your budget then, IMO, spending $1500 or so on a better-designed, better-sounding bass would actually be a better deal.

J. Montgomery · #7 10-12-2010, 10:03 AM

Its what I play, and its served me well over the years. I had the action drastically lowered on my Engelhardt bass, and love the result. $800 is a good price.

TroyK · #8 10-12-2010, 10:13 AM

I just saw one at Hammond Ashley and I don't think it was less than $2,000. I seem to remember them selling them for something like $1,800 years ago. I don't doubt that we could find someone on-line selling them for less than that, but then figure at least a few hundred in set up. I also agree that near that price range, there are basses I prefer, though there's nothing wrong with Engleharts for school or casual gigs.

At any rate, I think we all agree that if the $800 bass is in good condition and the OP likes it, it's fairly priced and not a "WARNING STAY AWAY" instrument like so many that we see for this price.

ztpbassman · #9 10-12-2010, 04:50 PM

I bought the one with the ebony trimmings (ES-1) for 800 bucks to act as a travel/club date bass. I'm fussy so it took me a while, and several trips to the luthier, until I had it to the point I was really comfortable with it. Sounds nice. Feels good now. Slender neck doesn't bother me. I with it were an Eb neck instead of a D, but I'm living with it the way it is. Built like a tank, is the often heard quote. Sounds nice with my Upton pickup and bows surprisingly well. I put Labella 7720's on it, which I liked better than the Spiro weichs, and it seems to have opened up with those strings.

My question: is it comfortable? Can you play it now, or will you need a bunch of work? That dramatically changes the cost effectiveness. If durability is a factor, then this is a good choice.

Marcus Johnson · #10 10-12-2010, 05:28 PM

I've played so many of them as rentals/loaners/road basses. They're like cockroaches, they're everywhere. I've even had a couple laying around the house for awhile, just passing through. I'm okay for an evening, but I couldn't deal with that skinny neck over the long haul. My wrist hurts just thinking about it.

gbaker · #11 10-13-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Someguy87

Hey so i recently came across a cheap one of these and I was wondering how everyone feels about them...it is a student model...but what does that even mean? It will end up costing about 800 dollars total. Is this worth it?

I used one for a couple years and liked it for the price. It was a solid and serviceable pizz bass but a little weak in the low register which I could not fix with upgrades to strings, bridge or tailcord. Some don't like the old orange color (which Engle no longer uses) but I had no problem with the color, in fact it drew compliments. I also liked the slender neck and full round fingerboard and prefer it to my present Kay in this respect.

If has a decent set-up and strings and overall in good shape then $800 is a good price.

Wild Rice Chris · #12 10-21-2010, 08:11 AM

I got mine on a rent-to-own program starting in 1994. I believe the final price was around $1700 or so (obviously being higher than normal as a rent-to-own and getting a case/bow with it). Over the years, I've upgraded the tailpiece, tailgut, strings, bridge, and repaired the treble back/side seam when the back shrunk. It got me through middle school, high school, college, and a few years of gigging before I bought an upgrade. My teachers in college were quite impressed with the tone and volume that this plywood bass put out. I still take it out for shows where I don't want to risk my nicer basses.

Figure a new one online is around $1300 shipped, plus a case/bag, setup, and any upgrades you want to make. $800 is a good price assuming the bass is in good condition/setup. I wouldn't let mine go for a penny less than $1000.