Should I rehab or upgrade to another bass?

pickerpete · #1 01-16-2011, 08:01 PM

I am an owner a Romainian bass labled Musikintrumentenfabrik Rehgin purchased new in the States in 1984. The bass is a flat back with a spuce top and maple sides and back. It has had considerable set up work making it nicely playable and has been my only instrument for over 25 years. Thus, it is an old friend with many thousands of hours of playing time.
I have gotten to the point in my playing that I feel I have outgrown the bass as it is. The top is extreamly thick. The bass has very heavy bracing and it is coated with a rather thick finish. All of which chokes off the sound considerably.
It also has many chips in the finish which makes it look unattractive, thus, I don't think I would get a lot for it on resale.
I really like the bass and wonder if it worth having it completely gone over addressing the bracing, thining the top and refinishing the bass. Or should I simply move on? Would there be any real predictablity in improving the sound if I did have the work done? I would probably wind up spending a good $5,000+ to purchace a better bass.
What say?

Stev187 · #2 01-16-2011, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickerpete

Would there be any real predictablity in improving the sound if I did have the work done?

I think the short answer to this question is no. You really don't have a guarantee that the work will give you the sound improvements you desire. Also, the extensive "rehab" you talk about would probably cost thousands of dollars, which is a good chunk of what you say you'd expect to pay for a replacement bass.

I would find a luthier you trust--someone you could imagine paying thousands of dollars to restore the instrument--and ask them their professional opinion after a close examination of the bass. Given your location, I think there are some nice bass shops within driving distance to visit and try some other basses. I understand the desire to hang on to an instrument that has served you well all these years; but if keeping it and getting a new one is not an option for you, you might need to prepare yourself for giving it up. Again, a trustworthy luthier can give you objective advice on this.

Best of luck.

Jsn · #3 01-16-2011, 11:34 PM

Spend the money on a new bass, one that excites you and offers the prospect of what you feel is the next level of musicianship.

Meanwhile, hang on to your old bass, chips and all. Consider it your "beater" bass--the one you take to gigs where the integrity of a finer instrument couldn't be guaranteed.

If, after a few years, you find the beater bass doesn't get out much at all, find a good home for it. Don't worry too much about getting top dollar for it; it's already paid back your investment in terms of enjoyment, hasn't it?

Making fixes to the current bass might improve it, but isn't going to make it a different bass. If I'm reading you correctly, you're ready for a different bass.

MIKMAN · #4 01-17-2011, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jsn

Spend the money on a new bass, one that excites you and offers the prospect of what you feel is the next level of musicianship.

Meanwhile, hang on to your old bass, chips and all. Consider it your "beater" bass--the one you take to gigs where the integrity of a finer instrument couldn't be guaranteed.

If, after a few years, you find the beater bass doesn't get out much at all, find a good home for it. Don't worry too much about getting top dollar for it; it's already paid back your investment in terms of enjoyment, hasn't it?

Making fixes to the current bass might improve it, but isn't going to make it a different bass. If I'm reading you correctly, you're ready for a different bass.

+1!!!

Bassmickeyd · #5 01-17-2011, 04:31 AM

Put it out to the universe that you want a new bass and see what comes your way. .... Do you use a pickup on it?

pickerpete · #6 01-17-2011, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmickeyd

Put it out to the universe that you want a new bass and see what comes your way. .... Do you use a pickup on it?

Yup. Fishman Full Circle, which I love.

Bassmickeyd · #7 01-17-2011, 04:50 AM

If you use it through the pickup a lot, which you like, and you like the feel and everything else, I might be inclined to stick and stay. ..... But, put it out there without pushing it and see what comes along.

pickerpete · #8 01-17-2011, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmickeyd

If you use it through the pickup a lot, which you like, and you like the feel and everything else, I might be inclined to stick and stay. ..... But, put it out there without pushing it and see what comes along.

Thanks. I like your drift. My plan has been to upgrade my amp and cab this year and scour the Southern New England and New York Metro Bass Shops for basses to consider down the road. Try out a few dozen. Sounds like that may be the way to go.

Kinda like the suggestion of keeping my Romainian friend. I could leave it where my jazz group practices once or twice a week and save a heck of a lot of carting around.

Another thought. What might it cost to simply refinish the bass?

Stev187 · #9 01-17-2011, 08:37 AM

Pete: If keeping the bass and replacing it is an option for you, that would be best, don't you think? You don't have to part with an old friend, you get an instrument that suits your current needs, and you have a "backup" or "beater" instrument to leave at the practice space, loan to a friend/student, etc.

Given that, I'd advise against putting money into a re-varnish. I asked about that work at my local luthier recently, and it was $1,000 - $2,000. Others might charge less, but that's money that would be better spent against the new instrument.

Also, if you are leaving the old bass somewhere, or loaning it to someone, the inevitable bump or dent done by someone else will hurt less if it hadn't been re-varnished.

Again, just my thoughts. Bottom line: a) keep the old one and get a second bass if you can, and b) spend all your available "bass cash" on the new instrument.

Steve

Eric Hochberg · #10 01-17-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stev187

Bottom line: a) keep the old one and get a second bass if you can...

At least until you know if the new one is going to work out for you. I see you're not a spring chicken and making a change can be problematic. I've been there. Took 2-3 years to get my new old bass tweaked where I could comfortably play it. In the mean time, I still had old betsy to work with when needed.

Steve Swan · #11 01-17-2011, 09:34 AM

These Reghin basses were (over)built to last the ages. They can be good gigging basses because they take a lot of punishment. It would be better for you to pass this bass along to a student or gigging player and get a more responsive intrument that is more expressive. Let us know what you find.

pickerpete · #12 01-17-2011, 10:23 AM

Thanks much folks. Most appreciated!!

DC Bass · #13 01-17-2011, 02:05 PM

If I may offer another view...have you considered trying to refinish the instrument yourself? If you have no experience at all I wouldn't suggest starting with your bass...but do you have any wood working experience, or have you ever refinished any furniture?

Yeah, I know refinishing a bass isn't the same as doing a dresser...but I just thought I'd throw it out there.

FWIW: The most "expensive" part of a refin is the prep work: Stripping the old finish and preparing the wood for the new is tedious work, and VERY time consuming...but it's not brain surgery.

Maybe talk to your luthier and see what he or she would charge just to lay the varnish on...if they're game to, it should be a LOT less than a complete job...BUT since a lot of the work is out of their control, they may not "guarantee" the end result...

Since I brought it up, I feel the responsibility to tell you to do lots of homework before undertaking a project of this nature. Make sure you have the right tools and materials...and "practice" on a few things less dear to you before attempting your bass.

Don't "have a few beers", get out the orbital sander and a can of Krylon and expect to have a bass that looks like anything but...well, a bass that was done with a orbital sander and a can of Krylon...by a guy who's had a few beers!!!

BTW: I'm in EXACTLY the same boat as you! I've been planning to refin my bass (Romanian tank) since I got it...but I keep putting it off cause it's the only upright I have at the moment.

I should note that I DO have woodworking experience. Fortunately, I also have a really good friend who is a very experienced wood worker. He has a full service shop in his basement and has agreed to assist me when the time comes. Some time in the next year or two (or so) I'll get a "nicer" bass, and we'll prolly pull the trigger then...

Well, I expect to get some heat for this suggestion, so excuse me while I prepare for the onslaught!

Good luck with what ever you decide!

Joe

Stev187 · #14 01-17-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC Bass

Yeah, I know refinishing a bass isn't the same as doing a dresser...but I just thought I'd throw it out there.

Joe's idea, while unconventional, is not so crazy. Back in 1998 I did the same thing--worked with my luthier to learn how to strip the bass in my garage and bring it to him with the finish removed. I saved a ton of money. That said, the luthier that looked at my bass just last week thought this was a terrible idea; he never would have advised such a thing. And I must say there is a little evidence of my lack of experience inside the bass (as careful as I was, I dripped some of the old finish inside the instrument leaving a couple of stains). Had my instrument been a more special/remarkable piece, I don't think I would have done this. It also didn't have much of the original finish to work with--it had been refinished by amateurs at least 2x and was super, super ugly (you can see photos in this thread).

So if you're game and you have the time, this could be an interesting 3rd option. I will say the stripping the finish (with supervision) gave me a real appreciation for every nook and cranny of my bass. I don't think I would do it now, but back then I had the time and it made sense, plus the story had a happy ending.