Knilling Summit

[Thedeadking]

I have a chance to get a cheap Knilling Summit for around 500 but needs a set up.Seems like a good deal but cant find any info on the model.I have read the newbie links and searched but cant find much info.

[Thedeadking]

I was told that the strings were helicores and has an adjustable bridge but t the action is high in the middle.i do not have anybody to come with me to checkit out but was going to take it to get set up any how but is that a sign to beware an avoid on a upright

[Eric Swanson]

Since you asked, I would not pay a penny yet.

Leave a FULLY REFUNDABLE deposit (get the refundable part in writing), and take the bass on trial, then immediately take it to at least one good BASS luthier (not somebody who mostly works on other instruments but has seen a bass from across the room).

Buying a bass is much, much, much, much easier than getting rid of one. Unless money comes easily to you, or you have a trust fund, I would not drop $500 on something I essentially knew little about.

Since you asked...

[Thedeadking]

thanks for your response Eric.I would do exactly that but they stated pretty clearly to be sold as is and is final.It is being sold by a violin shop.I also dont no anybody with enough experience to check it out for me.I heard alot of good things with the brand seen this model sell for more so i was hoping at 500 i could atleast resell at that price due to alot alot of people wanting a dirt cheap upright.

[Thedeadking]

to be more clear i heard good things on the maker but nothing on the model

[Eric Swanson]

Reading what you have said, and noting that your profile shows that you do not own a double bass, I would "pass" on this, based on what you are saying.

I would never buy from a shop that wanted you to put money down, with no return, on an instrument of unknown condition. If you can take it to someone knowledgable and have them check it out before you commit, then fine, do that. Then you can buy it "as is" and know what you are getting into. But to buy "as is" without a real bass luthier getting into the bass is a big risk.

If there are problems with the bass, it could take hundreds or thousands of dollars to make it right and healthy. Is that something on which you care to gamble?

It looks from your profile as if you are only 2-3 hours from University of Indiana. You also look to be within an hour of Cincinnati. 5-6 hours to Chicago. 6 hours or so to St. Louis.

Any of these places will have basses and bass luthiers. Some online research can provide plenty of info. A great bass luthier, Nnick lloyd, works in Cincinnatti, which is very close to you; I would start with him. Another great bass luthier, Bob Branstetter, lives in St. Louis; perhaps, between the two of them, you can find other folks.

Of course, you will and should do what you want. But the fact that you even asked the question makes me think that your conscience, your wiser part of your mind, is telling you not to buy "a pig in a poke."

As they say, "Marry in haste, repent at your leisure."

You have existed on this earth without a double bass, up to this point, with no apparent ill effects. I would guess that you could spend a few months learning, shopping, and doing bass-road-trips, to buy something that will not be a hassle for you.

Again, just my 2c. I certainly do not know if that bass is okay, or not. Perhaps it is amazingly great. Or, perhaps it is an inexpensive bass that has not been well set up or maintained that will cost you $1000 to get straightened out. For that money, you could have bought several other basses.

Good luck, whatever you decide

[Eric Swanson]

Originally Posted by Thedeadking

to be more clear i heard good things on the maker but nothing on the model

Double basses are not like bass guitars; the maker and model mean less than the specific bass, its history, and its current condition.

It is not as if you can buy an old Jazz Bass, and it will be beat up, but fine. You can buy an old double bass (or even a new one) and it can be essentially worthless, or worse than worthless, depending on its current condition.

[Jake deVilliers]

+1 Eric speaks the truth here. It sounds like you should wait for a better bass.

[Bass Barrister]

I'm surprised that a violin shop would sell any instrument that is not properly set up. Even if the shop does not specialize in DBs (as many don't), a good one will have some relationship with a bass luthier they can call on to help with the occasional DB. I don't want to judge this shop on limited information, but, so far, I'm not impressed.

MOdern Knillings come from Korea. They are not particularly well made and, from what I've seen, have little resale value. Older Knillings, made in Germany, could be decent instruments. You won't miss much by passing this one up.

[wdnewman]

+1 on everything Eric and Jake said. Listen to them. They know what they are talking about.