New Kolstein Fendt. Anyone have opinions??

[ADissen]

So i finally went off the deep end and purchased a brand new Kolstein Fendt model bass. I am just a sophomore in high school and this will be my bass for my college auditions in 2011. Does anyone here have any opinions on the Kolstein shop, the bass model itself and do you think the bass is good for majoring in music? And perhaps know anyone gigging around with the bass???
I'm kinda limited on opinions on my new purchase.
so anything really would be good to know.

Andrew

[drurb]

So, uh, you already purchased it and now you want to know what folks here think? What do you think? What led you to that choice? If you're happy, that's all that counts.

[Steve Swan]

I don't carry these any more, but they are great student level orchestral basses. With a huge arco voice, they are easily the loudest instruments that I've ever had in my shop.

Good luck!

[David Kaczorowski]

It's a good bass for the money, and IME Barrie is great and runs a top-notch shop.

[Basicbassist]

Consider yourself very fortunate to have so fine an instrument as a Kolstein Fendt at your tender age. I gigged almost 30 years before moving up to mine, which I purchased "used" from Barrie several years ago. I spent four hours in his shop auditioning dozens of basses of all vintages and price ranges - and kept coming back to this particular Fendt for its gorgeous tone and evenness of play from bottom to top. Daily, I cannot wait to get my hands on it. The sound goes through me like no other bass I've ever played. The same acoustic characteristics that captured my interest very often elicit comment from audiences - they marvel at its beautiful sound quality. Rest assured: you have chosen wisely.

Also, take comfort in the fact that Barrie's shop, a second generation enterprise, is world-class. The level of expertise of each of his luthiers is unsurpassed and Barrie's own attention to every aspect of each instrument leaves nothing to be desired.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Basicbassist

Also, take comfort in the fact that Barrie's shop, a second generation enterprise, is world-class. The level of expertise of each of his luthiers is unsurpassed and Barrie's own attention to every aspect of each instrument leaves nothing to be desired.

These basses are not actually made in Barrie's USA shop, are they? I do not in any way mean that as a comment on quality. It's just that your post seemed to suggest that they are made here.

[ADissen]

Originally Posted by drurb

So, uh, you already purchased it and now you want to know what folks here think? What do you think? What led you to that choice? If you're happy, that's all that counts.

now i LOVE the bass, but I have to wonder, what kind of basses are the other bassists my age gonna be using when we both are competing for the one spot open at Curtis or Boston University. I think I have a bass that will give me a good opportunity to compete seriously but i still have to wonder.

[ADissen]

And, BasicBassist that was a very helpful response. Thank You.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by ADissen

now i LOVE the bass, but I have to wonder, what kind of basses are the other bassists my age gonna be using when we both are competing for the one spot open at Curtis or Boston University. I think I have a bass that will give me a good opportunity to compete seriously but i still have to wonder.

You may just have a nicer bass than many of your competitors. I gotta say, though, I think it's more about your playing! Assuming that setup is not the issue, I think players can compete very well on lesser instruments. Is it an advantage to have a better instrument? Sure, but they're not auditioning the bass so much as you.

You mentioned being a high-school sophomore. Sometime around the time I was a high-school senior (decades ago), I participated in an important competition. Granted, it wasn't at the level of a college audition. Anyway, I took first chair. Every player, as I recall, had a better bass than I did. I won the spot playing a 1967 Kay C-1! It's all my folks could afford.

I believe any serious player should have the best instrument that he/she can reasonably afford. It makes practicing, playing, and performing more pleasurable and yes, I believe it does enhance your technique. That said, it's really much more about the player. No instrument, no matter how good, can win you an audition.

It sounds like you have an instrument that is of sufficient caliber that it will not be a limiting factor. So, concentrate on the playing and best of luck to you!

[ADissen]

I know its all about my playing.
i will continue woodshedding till then.
its just good to hear i made a semi- possibly smart decision.

And i will continue to nail out all i can before i play for something that really matters.
Thanks for your input drurb

[Basicbassist]

Originally Posted by drurb

These basses are not actually made in Barrie's USA shop, are they? I do not in any way mean that as a comment on quality. It's just that your post seemed to suggest that they are made here.

I did not mean to suggest that Kolstein's recent Fendt models are fully made here in the USA. My comments as to the expertise of Kolstein and his luthiers derive from the work that they have performed over the years in maintaining my bass. Indeed, you are partially correct, drurb, in that recent generations of Kolstein's Fendt are "roughed-out" in Eastern Europe. As I understand it, Kolstein contracts luthiers who maintain his standards and use only the seasoned woods that Kolstein provides. Assembly, coloration (finish) and set-up are accomplished in BK's shop in Baldwin, Long Island, NY.

My point was that each of the artisans in Kolstein's shop is expert in their field of speciality. Playing as much as I do, I try to bring my Fendt to the shop every six months for general servicing. They go over it from top to bottom, doing whatever is required so that when I leave with it, the bass is in optimal condition both structurally and cosmetically.

In my estimation, the shop is a model of professional integrity and represents the epitome of everything a bass shop should be.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Basicbassist

I did not mean to suggest that Kolstein's recent Fendt models are fully made here in the USA. My comments as to the expertise of Kolstein and his luthiers derive from the work that they have performed over the years in maintaining my bass. Indeed, you are partially correct, drurb, in that recent generations of Kolstein's Fendt are "roughed-out" in Eastern Europe. As I understand it, Kolstein contracts luthiers who maintain his standards and use only the seasoned woods that Kolstein provides. Assembly, coloration (finish) and set-up are accomplished in BK's shop in Baldwin, Long Island, NY.

My point was that each of the artisans in Kolstein's shop is expert in their field of speciality. Playing as much as I do, I try to bring my Fendt to the shop every six months for general servicing. They go over it from top to bottom, doing whatever is required so that when I leave with it, the bass is in optimal condition both structurally and cosmetically.

In my estimation, the shop is a model of professional integrity and represents the epitome of everything a bass shop should be.

Thanks. Your evaluation of the Kolstein shop is completely consistent with everything I have heard.

[Eric Hochberg]

Kolstein has different price levels. Under 10k, the Fendt model discussed here and others and basses upwards of 20k and above. I assumed that the lower priced instruments were European and imported in some state of finish and completed for sale by Kolstein. The higher priced instruments I assume are completely handmade in the Kolstein shop. They are based on master instruments. Is this correct?

[peterpalmieri]

As a long time customer of Barries I can reiterate all the wonderful things that have been said.

Barrie has mentioned some well known professional players using the Fendt, unfortunately I don't remember off hand.

My experience with that instrument is that your abilities will in no way be limited by this instrument.

Good luck and make us all proud!

[drurb]

Originally Posted by ehochberg

Kolstein has different price levels. Under 10k, the Fendt model discussed here and others and basses upwards of 20k and above. I assumed that the lower priced instruments were European and imported in some state of finish and completed for sale by Kolstein. The higher priced instruments I assume are completely handmade in the Kolstein shop. They are based on master instruments. Is this correct?

At the bottom of their "facilities" page is this statement:

Kolstein Music, Inc. has modern manufacturing facilities that create the many Kolstein products. Kolstein maintains numerous international manufacturing facilities worldwide, including the Philippines and India. All facilities maintain the level of quality control for which Kolstein products are known.

[Eric Swanson]

Congratulations on your new bass! The Kolstein Fendts I have played were nice...a lot of bass for the money. Sounds as if you did well!

What will be the lead time for your bass?

[ADissen]

Originally Posted by peterpalmieri

As a long time customer of Barries I can reiterate all the wonderful things that have been said.

Barrie has mentioned some well known professional players using the Fendt, unfortunately I don't remember off hand.

My experience with that instrument is that your abilities will in no way be limited by this instrument.

Good luck and make us all proud!

no pressure at all right haha
im gonna do my best

[ADissen]

i know this threads been dead but ive emailed Barrie Kolstein about some of the topics raised here and about some of my other questions about the bass.

Hello Andrew,
Humidification has to be a major priority during the entire heating season.
I have installed Low C extensions on a number of Fendt model bass without an issue at all. This bass will handle the extension fine.
The Fendt model bass is a shop bass of mine. It is roughed out in my affiliate shop in Europe. Then sent to me and my shop does all the internal work, such as regraduation of the top and back, installation of the bass bar and crossbar work. Final neck work and then all the varnishing. These basses are made with my supplied wood that I ship to my affiliate shop in Europe. When I complete a Fendt model bass if is truly a full Kolstein bass, but by having the roughing work accomplished in my affiliate shop, it allows me to make these fine basses availalble at a price less than $10,000, but yet compete with contemporary basses that sell for double this amount.
I have some very high level professional players owning and playing the Fendt model basses, including Mark Bernat ( world renown soloist and professor of Double bass at Emory University), David Masnerac ( principal Bassist at Alabama Symphony Orchestra).
Tom Barney, house bassist of Lion King Broadway show and presently Bassist with Bette Midler), Konrad Adderly ( Bassist with the Broadway show Wicked), Dom Duval, world renown jazz bassist and former bassist with Cecil Taylor...just to name a few.
The Fendt, although affordable by students, is a very high quality professional level bass.
Enjoy yours!
Best regards
Barrie Kolstein

i guess i shouldve done that first

[drurb]

Wow-- so the wood likely originates in Europe, is sent to the USA, is shipped back to Europe, is roughed out, sent back to the USA, and finished? It's amazing that this results in savings given the costs associated with shipping/import fees to send wood from the USA to Europe. Maybe the wood is not shipped from the USA. Then again, I'm no wizard on the global economy so whatever works!

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by drurb

Wow-- so the wood likely originates in Europe, is sent to the USA, is shipped back to Europe, is roughed out, sent back to the USA, and finished?

Keep in mind that Kolstein has been in business for quite a while and may have quite a large stock of wood on hand from way back, wherever it originated. Good question, though.