Romanian Knilling "Bucharest" opinions?

Bergerman · #1 05-29-2010, 09:00 AM

Well, The German bass I was going to look at yesterday sold moments before I arrived, so I am moving on. A local family-owned music store has a Knilling "Bucharest" that is about 3 years old, but has beed sitting on its stand all that time. Never sold or rented, appears to be in perfect condition. It has an ebony finberboard and nut, all laminated, and has been set up by a very competent local luthier. Label says made in Romania. Model is the 1302T. I searched, but did not find much on the forum about them. Any opinions? Is "Made in Romania" a good thing?

Bass is quite nice looking and plays and sounds great, but he is asking $1800 for it...is this reasonable?

Thanks, everyone!

MIKMAN · #2 05-29-2010, 01:30 PM

Surely there are some decent basses in the range of $1800. Thompsons, Uptons and some European (Strunal and Hora) are in this price range. Either you or someone you trust has to try them and choose the proper one.Good luck.
Mike

wdnewman · #3 06-06-2010, 03:33 PM

One for sale locally was sold by an upscale music store to a bass guitar guy for $1600. It was NOT set up, and although it has a good tone is almost unplayable because of string height. There is also a hairline crack in the neck. It is a pretty bass though.
I tend to go with Mikman that for that price you can get a Shen, Upton or Thompson setup from a reputable dealer AND be able to sell it when you want to upgrade.
Remember, there is a reason that it has been sitting there for three years.

Bergerman · #4 06-06-2010, 09:24 PM

I believe the main reason it sat for so long was that until I started negotiating with the store owner, they were asking $2595 for it, and would not budge! I had a discussion with the luthier that set it up, and he gave it high marks in all categories, plus it came with new Flexocors on it. It plays and sounds excellent, and is structurally sound. I let it sit for a while after getting them down to $1800, and after a final, hardball offer, I brought it home last week for considerably less than that...I feel I got a great deal on a very decent bass. Worlds better than my old Palatino, that's for sure!

Jake deVilliers · #5 06-06-2010, 10:58 PM

Nice work Bergerman - Romanian basses are fine and it sounds like you got a good deal too.

wdnewman · #6 06-07-2010, 08:17 AM

Better than your old Palatino?

You are sure right about that!

Good luck, and congratulations!