of the following three basses

[narcopolo]

which would you guys recommend?

1. a romanian hybrid from ideal music in NY
2. eberle laminated bass from ideal music
3. engelhardt ec-1 from jerry fretwell

the prices on all three are pretty much the same (960-1000), and all three would supposedly be set up (though i'm pretty sure jerry would take more time to make the setup personal). it seems like the two from ideal are usually more expensive, but as far as reputation goes and all that, which of the three would be the best buy?

i heartily appreciate any guidance i can get - thanks!

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by narcopolo

which would you guys recommend?

1. a romanian hybrid from ideal music in NY
2. eberle laminated bass from ideal music
3. engelhardt ec-1 from jerry fretwell

the prices on all three are pretty much the same (960-1000), and all three would supposedly be set up (though i'm pretty sure jerry would take more time to make the setup personal). it seems like the two from ideal are usually more expensive, but as far as reputation goes and all that, which of the three would be the best buy?

i heartily appreciate any guidance i can get - thanks!

I would go with #1. Not because it's Ideal or Jerry but because it has a carved Top and they go for a lot more money than what he is charging.

[narcopolo]

i had a feeling that was the answer. i wasn't sure how much of a plus the carved top actually was . . . kinda new at this.

[Phil Rowan]

There's quite a difference between a hybrid and an all plywood bass (at least that's been my experience with upgrading to a hybrid B. Lang from my old Kay, which I still own and use).

[CelinderMotoMan]

Do they have a website so we can see them?

[drurb]

Originally Posted by narcopolo

which would you guys recommend?

1. a romanian hybrid from ideal music in NY
2. eberle laminated bass from ideal music
3. engelhardt ec-1 from jerry fretwell

the prices on all three are pretty much the same (960-1000), and all three would supposedly be set up (though i'm pretty sure jerry would take more time to make the setup personal). it seems like the two from ideal are usually more expensive, but as far as reputation goes and all that, which of the three would be the best buy?

i heartily appreciate any guidance i can get - thanks!

#1 for sure!

[narcopolo]

Originally Posted by CelinderMotoMan

Do they have a website so we can see them?

http://http://www.fretwellbass.com/engelhardt.htm

http://http://www.bassesonline.com/roma.html

http://http://www.bassesonline.com/eberlebass.html

[Gufenov]

Your best value is #1. The carved top will add to the tone, as well as the resale value.

If you decide that you would prefer a ply top (for durability or sound purposes), remember that the EC-1 is lowest on Engelhardts list of offerings. It has the "ebonized" (painted black) maple fingerboard. The Eberle has real ebony fingerboard and tailpiece and is the higher quality instrument of the two.

[Ed Fuqua]

I'd go with the one that had the best sound.

[damonsmith]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

I'd go with the one that had the best sound.

Agreed. That is how you find the right double bass! I might guess the hybrid will sound best. Playability is also a concern. A carved top has to to with more than sound, it also makes playing easier because you can sort of keep redirecting the first vibration, sort of like riding a bicycle.

[narcopolo]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

I'd go with the one that had the best sound.

of course, but it's not always that simple. for example, being uninitiated at the db, i wasn't aware of the differences in ebonized versus ebony, in vibrations, and in resellability.

[dchan]

Originally Posted by narcopolo

..... all three would supposedly be set up (though i'm pretty sure jerry would take more time to make the setup personal).....

Beware the Ideal "setup": it really isn't much of a setup at all.

If you buy your bass from Ideal, get one that is not setup; it's cheaper and you can spend the money saved to getb a setup by a decent luthier.

[Jake deVilliers]

+1 on the Ideal Roma with good setup.

I bought two of these basses to setup and sell and the sound is way beyond the price. The tops have great tone and the ebony fingerboards are pretty good quality too.

The necks are very Louisville Slugger but there's plenty of meat to work with to create a nice shape.

They sound much better that the equivalent plywood bass.

[Jerry Fretwell]

Hello
Please be advised that Engelhart EC1 do not have an ebonized fingerboard. They have the Jatoba fingerboard , nut and tailpiece. I refuse to take them with ebonized boards. so at least all mine have the Jatoba.
Jerry

[Gufenov]

I stand (well, sit) corrected. Thanks for the clarification, Jerry.

[damonsmith]

Originally Posted by narcopolo

of course, but it's not always that simple. for example, being uninitiated at the db, i wasn't aware of the differences in ebonized versus ebony, in vibrations, and in resellability.

I think the point is unlike Bass Guitar, you just can't rely on brands. Even the same model of double bass can be radically different. So you should go around and try them and see what speaks to you.

[shadygrove]

narcopolo,

Here's two cent's worth from my vast experience of a month playing upright and a whole day as a talkbass member...

I was looking at exactly the choices you are six weeks ago and wound up going with the Eberle plywood from bassesonline.com (ideal). IMHO those are all good choices compared to the dreaded CCB, but as those three basses are all relatively inexpensive as basses go the choice for me came down to the shape of the neck and the sound.

I've never played a Roma, so they could be different than the hybrids I did play (shens and christophers, and yes every instrument is a little different), but i liked the sound of the Eberle better for the type of music i play: mainly old-time, celtic, bluegrass and folk with a little blues or jazz here and there and with fingers only. So with all due respect to those with more refined ears, what sounds best depends a lot on what sound you like and how you play (ie pluck or bow)

I needed something with a strong fundamental that can cut through a bunch of fiddles, banjos, and guitars and also wanted an instrument less sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature i can haul around to festivals and campouts without always having one eye on the sky and the other on my tuner.

I fully expected to go with an Englehardt when I started shopping only to discover I hated their thin necks and the thicker Eberle neck felt very good to me. Ideal had one on ebay I got for a little less than Steve sells them for on bassesonline.com but with the extra shipping to Washington State that was pretty much a wash. They also put on an adjustable bridge for a reasonable price.

Yes, the setup from Ideal didn't compare to the one i played at the local shop, but with the 40% I saved on the price I don't mind filing down the nut a little bit myself and it was definitely playable - at least to my newbie standards. Played it last weekend at a celtic jam and it was only my plucking finger heating up after 4 hrs that made me switch to guitar.

There are many other threads here on talkbass and other sites about roma, eberle and englehardt and they were a tremedous help to me in making the choice. As many have already said it's always better to play actual instrument you are considering, but for me the gamble was worth it. Good luck in your search!

[Carl Johnson]

There is no real reason to get a ply if you have the choice allowing for a solid wood or hybrid. The difference in sound is NOT subtle. Plywood dampens overtones that you would otherwise get from solid wood. Ply’s have a dry sound, while wood is noticeably richer. There’s a reason ply’s are priced the way they are and solid wood goes up from there.

If you can get a decent hybrid for the same money, get it.

In defense of ply’s I have heard that they amplify loud with less problems then solid wood. That’s why the rockabilly guys like them….

[CelinderMotoMan]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

I'd go with the one that had the best sound.

What about those of us who don't live in NY? I can't afford to buy all three just to try them out.

[CelinderMotoMan]

Jerry has already responded to my email while I haven't heard from Ideal yet. Then I see that he has posted here. That says alot.