Meisel Mozart: opinions?

[Roadie]

New to forum.

My daughter is a bassist (orchestral), and we've reached the point where those school instruments just aren't cutting it anymore. I happened upon a used Meisel Mozart that is physically gorgeous, seems to have a good sound, and she really seems to like. The shop let me take it for the test drive, and that will be an important factor.

That said, they're asking $1400 including the bow (German) and bag. Before spending that kind of money, I would love opinions about this class of instrument. I can't seem to find a whole lot of information about this manufacturer.

My daughter has played the bass for seven years and is a sophomore in high school. She is pretty sure she wants to go into music. Apparently she's gifted with the instrument (I'll leave it at that). One last thing: we just relocated and I haven't yet found her a decent bass teacher (we are smack dab between D.C. and Richmond, if anyone has recommendations for those, too!), so the only persons I have to ask regarding the instrument are her orchestra directors (both of whom are cellists).

I greatly appreciate any input anyone is willing to give. I want my kid to have a good instrument (great will have to wait until we can afford more). We've experienced the bad of Chinese (school instrument)...I don't want to inadvertently wander down that particular path!

[Eric Swanson]

I know nothing about the bass. The bad news - $1400 is not much money for an instrument (although it is a lot of money, period, in my world). It is only going to get more expensive from here...

I lived in the suburban DC Beltway area for a long time, but left in the late '70's. Only helpful thought I have is if she wants to play orchestral bass, get her a teacher in the National Symphony's bass section. A working pro can help her chances of becoming the same, eventually, or at least evaluate the option more accurately.

[jtlownds]

I am not familiar with the Mozart model. I assume from the price that you must be looking at a laminated bass. I have a Meisel 8900 laminated bass that I use as a backup, and for outdoor gigs. Pricing on that model is currently around $2,200 (new). They are a very well made student bass, certainly not an orchestral bass, and, I would think, certainly worth the $1400 asking price.