My New Wan Bernadel (Lots of Pics)

[kurtsnyder]

Well, after taking lessons since last June, I decided I wanted to put my rental money towards a bass of my own. I spent about 3 months looking and trying all types. After looking at so many basses, I decided to go with the Wan Bernadel from String Emporium. I am now a firm believer in this being the best bang for your buck. A 30 year veteran of playing classical bass told me that there was "no comparison" to the 3 other basses that sounded good and were the same price. The Wan just had something that sounded better; bassier. Anway, it keeps sounding better and better. I have a Permanent E string and Flexicore Originals on the rest. Enjoy the pics!

BTW, sorry about the shadowy pictures. I went outside to get better light, and it ended up being worse.












My ugly mug...

[dchan]

I know a fellow bassist who owns one (and from what I heard last, 2! ). My first impression when he brought it to orchestra rehearsal was that it was a really small bass, it was detailed really well all around, it was ridiculously easy to play, and that it was a bit raw-sounding.

The raw-sounding part got to me, since I was considering this bass when I upgraded. Otherwise, the bass was so friggin easy to play, especially since it was setup with Corelly 370M strings on the G and D strings.

Anyway, a few months later, he brings it again. It was not the same bass, well not same raw-sounding one anyway. The sound had improved so drastically from the new, without depth sound to a much richer, boomier sound. The last time I played it was last week, and it has improved a bit more. Still a very new sound compared to my school's bass, but it will probably improve with age.

Congratulations.

[drurb]

Wow, that is beautiful. I really like the pattern and the workmanship looks to be first rate.

Congratulations and enjoy!!!

[Dbassmon]

Originally Posted by drurb

Wow, that is beautiful. I really like the pattern and the workmanship looks to be first rate.

Congrats! I agree, workmanship looks wonderful. Love the flamed back. That's a hybid?

[kurtsnyder]

Originally Posted by Dbassmon

Congrats! I agree, workmanship looks wonderful. Love the flamed back. That's a hybid?

Nope, it's fully carved! Some people have said it sounds like a bass twice it's price.

[Ale]

Beautiful instrument man .
Love the back , beautiful flamed. The front top is beautiful to.
There is something special with italian style instruments.
Did you install the bridge yourself ?

[accutone]

Congratulations! I have had a Wan for about 6 months. It is a great instrument and as others have said, you will hear it improve with age. Now, get yourself a proper (french) bow and you will be all set!

[kurtsnyder]

Originally Posted by Ale

Beautiful instrument man .
Love the back , beautiful flamed. The front top is beautiful to.
There is something special with italian style instruments.
Did you install the bridge yourself ?

No, the guy I bought it from has someone at his shop who sets all the instruments up. The bridge adjusters have this new kind of plastic that will never rust and always easily adjusts. This is the company that make the bridge.



As far as the proper bow, I tried French for about 3 months and just couldn't get comfortable with it.

[jasonheath]

These are great basses, especially for the price. Looks great!

[MT Spaces]

Way to go Kurt ...... that is one gorgeous super-sized cello ! I really appreciate the photos of you with the bass. I'm just learning (don't have a teacher yet) and seeing your hand and arm positions at least give me some clues about good form.
Enjoy the new instrument!

[Cathead]

Cool lookin' bass!! I am jealous....ha ha. Lord Willin' I'll have a new one in June. I hope it looks as good as yours.

[xkimsungminx]

dude i need to get back to playing the upright!! for some reason, that bass looks like it'd be really easy on your left hand to play. I don't know anything about upright brands or makers but it sure looks nice .

[kurtsnyder]

Yeah, this thing is super easy to play. I haven't gotten "tired" in my left hand one time since playing on this. It has a pretty low action, but is still very loud. I can see now how that old Englehardt I was playing on was really limiting me from progressing. It is a real pleasure to play!

[drurb]

Originally Posted by kurtsnyder

Yeah, this thing is super easy to play. I haven't gotten "tired" in my left hand one time since playing on this. It has a pretty low action, but is still very loud. I can see now how that old Englehardt I was playing on was really limiting me from progressing. It is a real pleasure to play!

Coming from the Engel, one reason your left hand may not be getting nearly as tired is because of the substantially thicker neck you now have. The "skinny-neck" Engels tend to impede the formation of the proper left-hand "claw."

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Bob Knebel

...I'm just learning (don't have a teacher yet) and seeing your hand and arm positions at least give me some clues about good form....

...but do keep that left elbow from dropping during actual playing.

[dchan]

Originally Posted by drurb

... one reason your left hand may not be getting nearly as tired is because of the substantially thicker neck you now have......

True, but the other more substantial reason, IMO, is that it is so damn easy to play. The strings feel so soft and loose compared with just about any other bass that you can just play for hours without tiring.

[kurtsnyder]

Yeah, that picture is not the greatest when it comes to showing technique. My elbow is alot further down than when I play and my fingers aren't exactly right looking either. I was just posing for the picture.

As far as the thicker neck... I really don't think this Wan has that much of a thicker neck than the Engle. I have tried a few basses with much thicker necks, and IMHO, I really didn't like a real thick neck. I think this has the right balance between really thin and really thick. At least that's how I feel.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by dchan

True, but the other more substantial reason, IMO, is that it is so damn easy to play. The strings feel so soft and loose compared with just about any other bass that you can just play for hours without tiring.

It's difficult to evaluate what this means. Being easy to play can be the result of a good setup, low string-height, soft strings, etc. I don't think it's really unique to a specific bass.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by kurtsnyder

Yeah, that picture is not the greatest when it comes to showing technique. My elbow is alot further down than when I play and my fingers aren't exactly right looking either. I was just posing for the picture.

Please, please understand that I was not criticizing your technique. I was replying to the poster who said he'd use your picture to guide him. I knew full well that you weren't meaning to demonstrate technique in your fun picture. So, I was just telling him that when he actually plays to keep the elbow up.

Originally Posted by kurtsnyder

As far as the thicker neck... I really don't think this Wan has that much of a thicker neck than the Engle.

Wow-- really? I would have guessed it to be substantially thicker than an Engel.

Originally Posted by kurtsnyder

I have tried a few basses with much thicker necks, and IMHO, I really didn't like a real thick neck. I think this has the right balance between really thin and really thick. At least that's how I feel.

Well, I don't like a "real thick" neck either. I like them "just right." For me, anyway, "just right" is substantially thicker than that of an Engel or Kay.

Again, that's a beautiful bass you have!

[thedbassist]

He was saying that your elbow should be higher, not lower.