Know you're tired of this but... what do you think of this deal?

[gennaevelyn]

Hello everyone;

this is my inaugural post after lurking on this site for several weeks. I play piccolo (and flute) in the local orchestra (local being Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada) but because they already had two flutes when I first joined I only get to play on the rare occasion that they need a third flute or second piccolo.

I'd been looking into taking up double bass anyways so that I could play in my sister's jazz group, and so when the orchestra people told me that it'd be far more helpful if I could play bass (since the current bass player drives several hours up from Maine just to play in the group) I thought I'd look into it. And of course all the orchestra players thought it'd be a lark to list me as playing both the Piccolo and the Double Bass in the programs... hardy har har...

The current bass player (the one from Maine) tells me he got his Englehardt for $500.00 off some guy in the states and it sounds great, but of course that was a lucky break and I realise I'll probably have to put in quite a bit more than that to get a decent bass to start off on.

I'm still trying to arrange for a teacher (surprisingly difficult in my area) but I recently came across someone selling this little package and need some immediate advice as to whether the price is fair considering (the price is non-negotiable):

Its a Strunal 5/35F. solid spruce top plywood back and sides. Bought by the guy in 1999, apparently in excellent condition. He says it has over $500 worth of upgrades in it which are: having the finger planed & redressed, having the nut, saddle and bridge replaced, new strings, a thomasik tailpiece, and a brass collared endpin. He is also including a carrying bag, and a Pernambuco German style bow (which is nice because anyone here who I'll be able to convince to teach eventually plays German style), but I don't know who the maker of the bow is. He's also throwing in a music stand, a good quality stool and all his Double bass books (sounds like he's not interested in playing anymore. He used the bass to get a Music Degree). The price is $2000.00

I'm assuming its already been set up since he's been playing it (which is good because there's no Luthiers around here that I know of).

So I guess the thing is, I can get the Strunal by itself for $1500 online, and so I'm wondering whether you guys think the "extras" and "upgrades" with this bass in particular would theoretically be worth the extra $500. It sounds like it to me, but I'm just not sure. Obviously I still have to go there and try out the bass (or in my case have him demonstrate it for me since I don't play yet, and don't have anyone I can take with me). But the trip is 3.5 hours up the road so I wanted to get a first opinion from you all before I decide to make the trek.

Thanks!

[gennaevelyn]

Oh! And any speculation on whether this bass would be able to fit in my little car with myself and one passenger?

Its a Yaris hatchback, but the back seat folds down. I want to make sure I don't damage the poor bass if I do end up bringing it home, but I also don't want to get up there and find out that it won't fit in my car... You can see the Yaris here if you aren't familiar with them:

http://www.carreview.com/TOYOTAYARISREVIEWcrx.aspx

I could always ditch the passenger if it came down to it (but I kinda have to figure that out *before* planning the trip)

[drurb]

If you bought the Strunal online, I'd urge you to have it set up by a bona fide luthier. That would cost you in the hundreds (difficult to say how many) and you still wouldn't have the extras. So, if the bass is in very good shape, then I'd say you're ahead spending the $2000. The next question is whether, all told, this is the best bang for your buck. What is your overall budget?

[Jake deVilliers]

I think you'd probably be better off with the local bass. The setup should be much more playable and it should sound better too.
If you go ahead and add up the on-line Strunal, shipping, case and bow you'll see how much you're saving.

You should be fine with your Yaris. Most hatchbacks will take a DB on its side, sometimes with the neck angled through between the front seats. You can try it on when you go to play the Strunal.

Have fun.

[wineaux]

Gennaevelyn --

First of all, welcome -- to the forum and to a terrific instrument, albeit one that's a little more logistically challenging than the pic!

I don't have firsthand experience with the Yaris, but there have been a number of threads about cars here in which Yaris owners say they can haul an upright. Typing Yaris in the search field will turn up some of these threads and posts.

I'll let others talk about the merits of the Strunal (also check the newbie links and other postings about various basses) but be aware that the $1500 online cost won't be your final cost. You'll want and need a professional setup, which can run a couple of hundred bucks. Plus, at some point you'll end up buying at least some of the stuff that is included in the other deal. Finally, you'll be able to see and play this bass, allowing you to make a more informed decision.

Happy thumping. Keep us posted on your progress.

[clochard]

gennaevelyn,
Salut.

My advice : buy this Strunal!

Reasons I see to do so are (some have been already said):
1 ) From what I've tried, these are fine beginner - intermediate basses. You could get much, much worse.
2 ) the luthier thing is important.
3 ) shipping costs and customs fees. I bought a bass from New York in 2006. To get it from there to Montréal, the necessary fees were of +- 400 CAD.
4 ) Know that there's Charles Long, in Moncton (violong.com), that can do your bass a setup, even though he's not completely charmed by the whole DB realm.
He can also order and set up a Christopher bass to you. I've never tried them but they seem to do ok. As far as I know, probably as good as the Strunals.
5 ) When you can, *always* buy local. It's written everywhere here, and I've come to say the same. I know it can be hard to find some kind of DB dealer in the Atlantic, but if you can try out other basses before trying the Strunal, I assure you it's worth the drive.
If you can, bring another bass player with you, and if not, well, try to play the beasts yourself. You'll feel and hear something different on each one.

And maybe fall in love...
Good luck and come back to tell us how it went.

[gennaevelyn]

Well thanks so much everyone for all the great advice on this bass! And so quickly too! I'm feeling a lot more confident about starting up with this now.

I noticed today that someone even closer to me is offering a Kay M1B for sale for 2500 obo (it wasn't well advertised and that is why I didn't notice it before). Now of course, this is quite a bit more than the other bass, and it doesn't come with any of the extras (not even a bow or case) but it does give me something to think about with respect to my other options and I've read a lot of fantastic things about Kay basses.

Thanks so much clochard for the information about the person up in Moncton. I will look into it and get a price on the Christopher basses as well I think.

[Mike Goodbar]

I'd still go with the Strunal, especially if you're going to be playing with the bow in an orchestra. The carved top on the Strunal will probably give you a better arco tone than the all-plywood Kay, though some find that all-plywood is easier to amplify and provides good projection for jazz.

Kay basses, from what I understand, are generally okay, but tend to be overpriced due to the "Kay mojo." Plus, just about every old Kay I've seen has had neck separation (read: $$$$) issues or is about to have them.

BTW, I have a Christopher hybrid (carved top, ply back and sides, like the Strunal) and I think it is a very good bass. I can use it for jazz or classical, as opposed to my old Engelhardt (made with the same molds and dies as Kay), which sounded pretty crappy under the bow.

[clochard]

Same here.
The Strunal still seems a better choice.

I'd think Kays will be good to you if you're into the collector Hype or filled with bluegrass fever / worship.
Which is fine by me. But it still seems necessary to assume the guts of buying an old ordinary plywood bass at the price of other more solid, clearer sounding, cheaper choices.

In the end, you should go and play both choices if you can. That'll clear your head.

[bassist14]

Originally Posted by gennaevelyn

Hello everyone;

this is my inaugural post after lurking on this site for several weeks. I play piccolo (and flute)

so you already discovered this?:
Don't you ever wish you played flute?
and that?:
NO!!! I DON'T wish that I played the piccolo!!! - Facebook group

[Silversorcerer]

+1 on the local Strunal, if it indeed is in good condition. A good Kay ain't bad, but these days the cost includes a dubious amount of vintage upcharge that doesn't always translate to better sound or playability.

The Strunal has a nice carved top and if you are in an orchestra, that is a big difference to me. Most cars will fit a DB and a passenger although don't expect the passenger to get the front seat. Most of the time the body of the bass has to be in the front seat with the seat reclined all the way down, the bass having been slid into the car through the hatch or on sedans through the back door on the driver's side. It's tricky on a small car, but I've seen them in Coopers so it can usually be done.