Which one do you think would be best???

fourdogs · #1 01-15-2007, 07:04 PM

I am looking at a few different URB's and would like some advice. The one I like the best is a 1965 King Mortone made in Ohio, the second is a year old Englehart EM1 ( blonde, very clean!), the third is a 1940s Kay, and the fourth is a Vienna Hamburg. The king and the kay are both dinged up but playable and the VH, and the Englehart are in very good shape. I am going to be playing Rockabilly, Rock, and a little Country. Any advice would be greatly apreciated. I have read all of the old threads and those on three other forums,as well as all of the manufacturer's websites. It was due to the advice of these that I narrowed it down to these four basses. Thanks again, Todd

Steve Killingsworth · #2 01-15-2007, 07:44 PM

I don't see how anyone could tell you which one would be the "best." If I were in your shoes my prime concern would be sound and playability. Which one comes closest to the sound you want to hear? How is the setup? Dings, scratches, etc. are irrelevant unless you are buying the thing to look at.

If you are inexperienced, I would get someone who can play to go with me and try each of them out. NOt only can they offer comments on the playibility issue, it would allow you to hear what the bass sounds like from the front--sometimes quite different from the player's perspective.

Silversorcerer · #3 01-18-2007, 11:13 PM

If you have seen these and played them, you should be able to tell us which one is best. Truly. It could be any one of them. Dinged up is meaningless. I have a friend that has a beat up old Kay that purrs like a kitten and has all the poomph you want for country or old style swing and I've heard other old Kays that just go "thud". I've only seen one King Mortone and it had a very interesting sound, but it could have been the strings or the fact that there was no sound post. I've never seen a Vienna Hamburg. It sounds a little confused from the name of it. I mean was it made in Vienna or Hamburg, (or somewhere a little East of there)? And who can hear the geography anyway? I've heard new Engles that were sweet and some that totally sounded thud. Keep in mind if you trade the strings around on these basses, they might all sound different again. It is not like what is better, a Chevy this or a Ford that. Unless you are buying a brand new bass (even then it is no simple case) we can't really tell you much without playing it or at least seeing some photos that show damage or potential problems. Check the neck join on all of these. Check the bass bars for loose areas and rattles. Make sure there aren't any curving necks. Look at the strings to see if they are gut or steel. Get an experienced player to check them out also.

PB+J · #4 01-19-2007, 04:45 AM

What they both said. I can't see a way to judge "better" other than the one that feels and plays better. Dings and wear are not an issue

swamprocker · #5 01-19-2007, 06:54 AM

If you are going to play rockabilly your bass is going to take a beating. so don't let wear and tear scare you away from a great sounding bass. after all, you said the Kay is a 1940s.

I know a lot of rockabilly bassists prefer Kay because of their sound. I have played a couple and they have sounded great. so I would suggest play them all and see which one you prefer. you will probably change your set up on it though for playing rockabilly so keep that in mind.

Silversorcerer · #6 01-21-2007, 08:59 PM

The more I think about the choices first mentioned, if that King Mortone is in good shape, and I'm not talking about the finish, I mean structurally sound;- no separations, neck join is original and no evidence of damage or mis-alignment, no stress or bulges at the soundpost, bridge is straight and symetrical, etc. No structural damage to pegbox, no excessive scoop in the fingerboard, etc. Check it out good. If you don't buy it, tell me who's selling it.