Hans Kroger Basses

TBDBassman · #1 11-28-2008, 11:11 AM

I'm looking to upgrade to a better bass than I'm playing on currently (Klauss Mueller Prelude-laminated), and the local store that I work with has a fully-carved Hans Kroger model #870. It normally retails for $4950, but this store sells it for $2299, just because they buy them in bulk. Has anyone ever heard of the instruments I'm talking about and tell me what they think and know of them? Any other recommendations for me that are around the $2500 and less range?

LouisF · #2 11-28-2008, 03:36 PM

Are you in Australia or Arizona? I'm not sure of the exchange rate if you're down under. The basses are made in Korea and are fairly consistent advanced student models. If you're talking $2200 US you can do better, I think

Louis

http://www.storesonline.com/site/789018/product/870
http://www.swstrings.com/catalog/sho...bcategory=Bass

TBDBassman · #3 11-28-2008, 06:29 PM

I live in Arizona. Southwest Strings is the store. What do you mean I could do better? Is there anything wrong with the Hans Kroger?

LouisF · #4 11-29-2008, 04:53 AM

No, it's a good "advancing student" level bass and SW Strings is very reputable. But I'd also take a look at the Johannes Kohr basses in that range, or basses at Lemur Music or String Emporium in Phoenix or the Upton Basses. The problem with Korean basses (in general, nothing against SW Strings) is the lack of consistency in their quality control. We had a long discussion about it in another thread here not too long ago. But if you have a relationship with the store and feel comfortable with them and the bass, that''s also important.

Louis

gwaltrip · #5 01-02-2009, 12:15 PM

I'm thinking of buying a fully carved Hans Kroeger bass myself, from a concert bassist who sells them in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is Daniel Swetlik and he plays a carved Hans Kroger with the San Mateo Peninsula Orchestra.

LouisF · #6 01-02-2009, 02:05 PM

What I said above still holds. The Korean bass I personally used was as good as any Shen etc you'd find. The issue was/is consistency. If you are comfortable with your dealer and like the bass, go ahead, I guess. I think my main concern was people buying these basses sight unseen from online or Ebay dealers.

Louis