Is this Schroetter double bass good for my first upright?

kylej7 · #1 08-02-2009, 09:00 PM

Hello! I've been playing electric bass for about five years now, and I've been wanting to get into playing upright recently. This one is for sale locally, and I've been thinking about buying it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Is it a good deal, is Schroetter a good company? I've heard so many bad things about some Chinese basses that just fall apart, will this one be a good investment? thanks!

Kyle

Nagrom · #2 08-03-2009, 12:36 PM

Were you the winner?

kylej7 · #3 08-04-2009, 02:33 PM

No, I had set up with the person selling it to where if it didnt sell I was going to pay 650 for it. But he still has it up for sale on craigslist, there might have been trouble with shipping it. Would 650-700 have been a good deal for that bass?

I've also just started talking to someone here in my hometown of Houston about an Engelhardt upright but he wants 800 for it and I just dont think I can scrape together that much cash right now. The Engelhardt would be a very good bass to start on, right? Here's the link for it:

http://houston.craigslist.org/msg/1303979992.html

dvmweb · #4 08-04-2009, 02:51 PM

An important question to ask seller is, "Was the bass set up by a reputable luthier?" Adds to cost, but is really important.

Walt MI/USA

kylej7 · #5 08-04-2009, 07:50 PM

I asked him if it was set up by a professional luthier, and this is what he replied:

When I purchased the bass it was set up by Lone Star Guitar. However, that's been several years ago. The bass hasn't been played since 2002. Even if you had to reset the bass it would still be a steal at 750.00. You certainly don't have to take my word for it, they are available all over the internet starting at around 600.00 for just the bass (plus shipping) all the way to 2050.00 (depending on the condition)

If you decide not to purchase it I'm going to sell it to a student at Clear Brook high school. Will you let me know if you decide not to pursue it so I can contact the other buyer? I committed to you first so I will honor your right to first refusal. I've told the other buyer that so I want to let him know so he doesn't buy another one thinking this one is unavailable.

I have used Lone Star Guitars before, but it has been for electric regular guitar set ups and electronics upgrades. I know they are a very reputable operation as far as that goes, but double bass and electric guitar are two very different things. They are generally very knowledgeable but I'm just not sure, thier website never mentions upright either.

Nagrom · #6 08-04-2009, 09:23 PM

I suggest that you take the bass to a local luthier, such as you might find listed here:

http://www.gollihurmusic.com/luthiers.cfm

Ask for their honest opinion, and have someone play it for you. Compare it to the other instruments they have, for sound, feel, etc. If this bass hasn't been played for 7-years it may not be much of a sweetheart for you. The shop can probably hook you up with a teacher as well. A dozen lessons will sure get you off to a good start.

Be as patient as you can stand when you select your instrument. Nothing worse than seeing sympathy in someone's eyes when you show them you new baby. Play a 10k bass as a self-education tool.

My friend bought a $700 bogus-name chinese bass, and spent another $800.00 on it.
It was still terrible- I borrowed it for 6 weeks to get started. He asked me to buy, and showed me the bills. Somebody else bought it, poor soul.

Good luck