Looking to buy an upright - tell me about these low-end models

[BRIDGE]

Hi,

Let me begin by saying that I have been lurking on this forum for weeks before actually registering as a member, and I have been reading it extensively and it is a great forum. I just love it when I find an online board where the members are polite, intelligent, and mature.

I'm an electric bassist in a post-rock group and have wanted to get into upright for some time. I have played around on uprights a little. My friend Jesse, who was my next door some time ago, was a classical bassist and I used to go to his house and play his bass (I can't remember what kind it was.) I remember feeling great comfort and facility with the instrument, even back then (6 or 7 years ago.)

I have always wanted to buy a decent upright but the cost has been prohibitive - but since I am now considering selling my motorcycle, I may find myself with the money to buy at least a low-end bass (within the 2000 dollar range.)

I have looked on eBay a little at basses, but the vast majority of them are hacked-out crap - "Cremona," "DeVilli," and other fake European instruments made in China, as I learned by reading this forum. I have seen a few Engelhardts and Kays which I understand are supposed to be the minimum standard of quality for a new player. I'm a little bit wary of buying a used bass on eBay, though, because I won't be able to judge the quality of the instrument without seeing it in person.

It's for this reason that I considered a new model, so that I could throw out a few names on this forum and hear about their quality from people who may have played them or have some knowledge about the manufacturers. Here are some that aren't discussed in the newbie links:

Shar Music carries a "Franz Hoffmann" bass supposedly made in Romania. From reading this forum, I've gathered that Romanian basses are said to be of less consistently good quality than German, Czech or Hungarian instruments. Does anyone here know anything about the "Hoffmann" basses? The one in question here is the "Prelude" model. It doesn't specify whether the instrument is laminate or hybrid - are we to assume that it's all-laminate, since the other Hoffmann bass is?

There's also a Strunal bass on the same site, for 1450, that claims to have a carved spruce top and be made in the Czech Republic. There is a Strunal thread on the Newbie section but it's not very extensive, What's the general consensus around here about Strunals? Is this particular one supposed to be a good deal?

I appreciate any feedback and information. Also, if anyone else has any other entry-level basses I should check out, let me know. I'm planning on doing a lot of arco playing, just for the record, so I'm looking for the optimal instrument for that. Thanks!!

[Silversorcerer]

Most basses from Romania that are in that price range are made in the HORA factory in Reghin, Transylvania. One brand name is not likely to be much different from another. You can order direct from Hora now, if you are willing to risk a site unseen purchase. They make many different levels of bases from all plywood to fully carved Master instruments. You might be able to get a less fancy carved one in the price range you mentioned by ordering direct, but then you will have to deal with getting it set up. And you probably would anyway.

I have heard good things and bad things about Strunals- durable construction, not so good on sound or variable. In the price range you are looking at (1450?) the Strunals I think would be plywood, so make sure Share is correctly describing that bass. IMO, plywood tops just don't have a very rich tone when played arco so make sure you are getting a hybrid with a carved top if you go that way.

Just slightly over your budget and well worth saving a few more $$ for are the Kremona-Bulgaria basses that are fully hand carved by a few luthiers in a small shop in Kazanlak, Bulgaria. In the USA, Gollihur Music distributes these. I have one of these and I dearly love the sound and playability of this bass. Just last night I was on an outdoor acoustic stage with 4 dreadnought guitars and a mandolin and just about everyone playing was also singing in harmony. The bass sounded great and I wasn't even playing it hard. The arco tone is really full and sweet. Where ever I have played it, it has received many compliments on both sound and beauty.

On any new bass, you will need to put some $$ into getting it set up properly, despite the claims of a "professional set-up" from most of these larger music stores. This will make a good bass better and a bad one tolerable.

[BRIDGE]

I just took a look at Gollihur's website and I really liked what I saw. Thanks for the feedback! Anyone else have any comments or suggestions?

[D McCartney]

Franks Violins in Indianapolis website says they sell Shens, with one at $1950. I would assume this includes a setup. You might consider locally.

[toman]

I think that for the money, the Eberle/Musima basses discussed here recently are a great value, especially if you can get one with a particularly good setup. I bought one with a top-notch setups and many replaced/upgraded parts, including an excellant new fingerboard and bridge, for $2800. Worth every penny, imo.

[BRIDGE]

Hmm...2800 is pushing it as far as my budget. I might be able to do 2500. Gollihur is looking like the best deal so far. But the model you mentioned, toman - is that one fully-carved? Is there a hybrid carved-top model from that same maker that's a lower price?

[toman]

The one I had was laminated, and they can be had for much less now. Online you can buy the bass for under a grand, and then whatever your luthier charges to swap parts and set it up... I liked that bass a lot more than I've enjoyed owning my carved Shen...

[BRIDGE]

Is there anyone here who knows any luthiers in or near Bloomington, IN? If not, I could ask my dad's bassist (local jazz combo) or email Bruce Bransby at IU, but I noticed a lot of Indiana members here - any recommendations?

[Adrian Cho]

As far as I can see, you can't beat the Upton Hawkes laminate for price and decent performance.

[jmceachern36]

Check out the Shen's. SB100 is in the 18- 2000 range (laminated). And the SB150 is around $2400 (hybrid). I've got an sb150 that I couldn't be happier with.

[robgrow]

+1 for the Upton Hawkes laminated model. An excellent bass with a big punchy sound at a great price ($1800). If you can afford the extra money, consider the Upton Hawkes hybrid model which is $2600. A great sounding bass that compares favorably to some far more expensive instruments.

[Tritonis]

Upton Bass is a good starting point. They have an awesome team, and will work with you to get you a great price on a great bass. I'd suggest a Hawkes Laminate if you want to stay under 2k, but I personally feel that it would be really worth it to dish out a few hundred more for a Hawkes Hybrid. I was just playing mine a minute ago. The bass is beautiful and has fantastic tone, booming loud as well.

[BRIDGE]

OK, everyone, thanks for the information! It's been very helpful. So...at this point, my question is this: which bass is better for arco playing, the Bulgarian instruments from Bob Gollihur's site, or the Upton Hawkes model? Those are the two I've narrowed it down to, so I need to make the choice based on that factor.

[mpoppitt]

For the most part, a carved, or hybrid (carved top, laminated ribs & back), will respond better to a bow than a laminated bass.

[Adrian Cho]

A good laminate is likely better than a not so good hybrid or carved. I want to stress that my own personal experience is that I haven't played either the Uptons nor the Gollihur Bulgarian basses but I've heard nothing but good about the Uptons. The Bulgarians on the other hand I've heard mixed things including some horror stories. That said, I just bought a Shen and I had heard mixed things about those too including some horror stories. My main point here is that as with any purchase you should research the heck out of it and then go and try and play each instrument. Another thing is that in the end, the only thing that matters is the exact instrument you're buying. When I bought my Shen, I played a bunch of other Shen models in the shop and didn't like any of them. However I did like the bass I bought.

[Tritonis]

My Upton bows like a dream.

[joel kelsey]

Originally Posted by BRIDGE

Is there anyone here who knows any luthiers in or near Bloomington, IN? If not, I could ask my dad's bassist (local jazz combo) or email Bruce Bransby at IU, but I noticed a lot of Indiana members here - any recommendations?

Hey there,

I am from Bloomington originally. Here is my 2 cents. Have you checked out the Cinncinatti Bass Cellar? They have a lot of stuff and they do good work. They are also really cool about letting people try stuff out. It is only about a 2 hour trip and I think it would be worth the drive.


Off topic, who is your dad? Who plays bass with him? Did you go to highschool in Bloomington? Anyways, good luck.
Joel

[BRIDGE]

I've lived in Bloomington for mostly all my life. My dad's Jeff Isaac of the Postmodern Jazz Quartet. The bassist is Ron Kadish.

I'll check out the Cincinatti shop if I'm ever in the area.

[syciprider]

Originally Posted by BRIDGE

Hi,
I just love it when I find an online board where the members are polite, intelligent, and mature.
....
I have looked on eBay a little at basses, but the vast majority of them are hacked-out crap - "Cremona," "DeVilli," and other fake European instruments made in China,

Yup, 'round here we're polite, intelligent and mature enough not to call other folks' instruments "crap". Welcome to Talkbass.

[Ken McKay]

Nick Lloyd is also in Cinncinatti and does a great set-up on a new Shen bass.