New to URB. Under 1500

epy · #1 06-15-2006, 02:35 PM

I am going to be buying my first Upright bass and being a student needing to pay for school and such i obviously can't go much over 1500 bucks. The basses that I have been looking at are the
Englehardt Supreme Model
http://www.urbbob.com/engelhardt_es-1.html
and the
Carlo Robelli 300 series Bass
http://samash.com/catalog/showitem.a...ent&GroupCode=

I've been leaning towards the Carlo Robelli although I hear that Englehardt are somewhat better. What would be the better choice(from a more knowledgable view)? Chances are I will be playing Amplified ( and will be buying a pickup later ). Is there another bass in this limited range of cash that is remarkably better?

Thanks,
epy

Whit Townsend · #2 06-15-2006, 05:03 PM

I am clueless on the Robellis.

The Engleheart Supremes sound and look better to me than the Swingmaster, the new ones anyway.

You migh wanna check out bassesonline.com
I like my new Roma ply $750 plus $200 shipping. A little set up tweaking required. The Eberles are prob. pretty nice for a little more.

Lots of folks like Christopher and Shen Plys at around the top of your budget.
If I was gonna play classical I'd try to save just a little more and get a Shen or Chrissy hybrid.

Bear in mind that if you buy from a discouter, you'll have to get it set up yourself.
Thats a big advantage in buying from an established bass shop and paying for the set up with the bass.

Michael Case · #3 06-15-2006, 05:35 PM

STAY AWAY FROM SAM ASH AND THE CARLO ROBELLI P.O.S.!

Michael Case · #4 06-15-2006, 05:40 PM

Now that I got that out of my system I can explain. The Sam Ash basses are poor quality, they are often damaged in shipping and poorly repaired. I owned one for the first six months of my upright life and I noticed that it had a paper inside the body so I fished it out and it was a repair slip the bass feel and cracked at the neck heel and was painted a dark brown, but I was able to notice the repair. It also had a crack at the scroll that ran into the neck. I have seen other Robelli basses in Sam Ash in NYC and they all have flaws in workmanship (if I notice then it's bad) or poorly repaired damage.

Those "basses" aren't worth the innocent trees that had to die to make them.

epy · #5 06-15-2006, 06:10 PM

so your saying go with englehardt?

epy · #6 06-15-2006, 06:24 PM

another quicky i wanted to throw out was the
Florea Thin Jazz Acoustic Electric Bass.
http://www.music123.com/Florea-Thin-Body-Jazz-Bass-i93748.music
Is it a complete piece of crap? probably.
Since I'm at it. I would assume that the Eberle is better then the Roma. Would that be a better purchase?

Whit Townsend · #7 06-15-2006, 06:40 PM

<<<<ince I'm at it. I would assume that the Eberle is better then the Roma. Would that be a better purchase?>>>

If you've got the cash I would assume so. Never seen one myself but some people on here say they are definatly a step above the Roma, hence the price.The also come in hybrids.

You say your gonna most likely add a pick up. What musical context?
If Rocakabilly, I'd go with the Roma and spend my money on electronics, some custom pinstriping, and a big ol loud amp.

Jazz? I dunno. These jazz guys spend big bucks on killer acoustic sounding basses PLUS big bucks on expensive botique amps and electronics.

Me I thump 1&5 for bluegrassers mostly. I would love an American Standard ply, but bluegrass musicians play mostly for free.

I run an old Fishman BP 100 thru the PA or have the saoundman turn my mic up for volume. My nice thumpy tone comes more from my hands than my instrument.

epy · #8 06-15-2006, 06:52 PM

Im going to be learning Jazz, I've played electric fretted and fretless bass for quite some time, and honestly feel that i would much rather play the double bass in a jazz/acoustic rock setting. (still play alternative rock and that with my band....but thats an electric bass type of gig, however we are getting more into acoustic music.)
Thank you for the replies.
Eberle seems like a good bass, Has anyone on this forum played one, owned one? How is the action, sound etc.

and as for the pickup. I will be using one. I've got lots of electronic tidbits to get a good sound and ive got the big ol loud amp lol.

uptonbass · #9 06-15-2006, 06:56 PM

http://uptonbass.com/catalog/product...roducts_id/354

Of course if you have a local dealer that carries the shen go see them. This inexpensive bass is the exact reason Upton Bass carries the Shen line. BUT make sure ALL of the components are upgraded and you a really getting a true setup!!!!!!!!!

Boardndave · #10 06-15-2006, 07:03 PM

I've played a 4 string CR bass before. It was surprisingly different than what I had expected. The Action was nice and low, but the strings felt really loose (this really annoyed me). The sound is very unique too. I'd suggest that you play one before deciding on it... On the other hand, the Englehardt is a solid beginner bass that would probably fit your needs.

epy · #11 06-15-2006, 07:06 PM

is there a way i can find a local dealer? on your website perhaps?

Boardndave · #12 06-15-2006, 07:22 PM

http://www.nedsteinberger.com/dealers/dealers.html

epy · #13 06-15-2006, 07:25 PM

thanks. apparently there is only one steinberger dealer in canada. lol

Boardndave · #14 06-15-2006, 08:00 PM

Oof. Maybe you could check one out on a vacation? Best of luck...

robgrow · #15 06-15-2006, 08:05 PM

IMO the Carlo Robelli basses are junk. I wouldn't even consider one. If your budget is $1500 max, the Shen SB-80 would be a good choice, but if you can scrounge up a few hundred more dollars, the Shen SB-100 would be a nice step up. My favorite bass in the sub 2K range is the Upton UB Hawkes laminated model. These basses have a very impressive sound (far beyond the Englehardts IMO) and are very easy to play.

Michael Case · #16 06-16-2006, 05:40 AM

Stay away from the Carlo Robelli! Period. If you're looking at the Eberle and Roma basses I have played one of each and for the money Ideal is asking for the Roma it'a a good deal, the Eberle is even better. There are so many more choices look at Strunals, Engelhardts, Shens, Christopher, Roma, Eberle, Upton, you get the point.

Stay away from the Carlo Robelli!

epy · #17 06-16-2006, 05:58 AM

okay thanks...ill stay away from the carlo lmao

djcruse · #18 06-16-2006, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uptonbass

http://uptonbass.com/catalog/product...roducts_id/354

Of course if you have a local dealer that carries the shen go see them. This inexpensive bass is the exact reason Upton Bass carries the Shen line. BUT make sure ALL of the components are upgraded and you a really getting a true setup!!!!!!!!!

I'm actually looking at purchasing one of those directly from you in the next couple of weeks. I'm in Norwood, MA, and may just drive down to say hi and pick it up rather than have you ship it such a short distance.

fish slapper · #19 06-16-2006, 08:28 AM

I have a SB-"90" (a blonde SB-100). More that happy with it. I found in playing different models the Shens were the best quality for the money. I would go hybrid if you are thinking of more acoustic only playing but laminate is great if you will be amplified most of the time. (in Jazz combos you will be almost alway be amplified to compete with drums, etc.)

epy · #20 06-16-2006, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

I recently purchased one of the Shen SB80 models from Arnold Schnitzer and am very pleased with it. Plays and sounds great!

although the Shen SB80 is a few hundred more then what i wanted(converting to canda money) to spend, there is no doubt that it will be better in the long run. how much is shipping to canada(question for Upton)