So I have been playing on a Cremona for 3 years

Libersolis · #1 03-23-2007, 09:36 AM

I had no idea this bass was looked down upon so much by this forum. I bought it at a music shop for around 800 dollars in 2004 and learned on it and have gigged a ton on it. I had it set up to improve how it plays but it's amazing I have been so oblivious to the crappiness of this bass.

I am assuming my Bob Gollihur bass will be a big improvement over what I have been playing on.

CetiAlphaVI · #2 03-23-2007, 11:29 AM

The local music store in my town wants $1200 for a Cremona.

Ed Fuqua · #3 03-23-2007, 11:31 AM

There's a guy on the board here selling a Shen (which is a nice instrument) for $1400. You DON'T have to spend a lot more money to get a LOT more instrument.

hdiddy · #4 03-23-2007, 11:35 AM

I dunno about Palatino's, but Cremona's may not be so bad. When I was shopping for my bass, Alex Friedman (a local luthier) had a couple Cremonas and had done a good job setting them up. I tried them out and they weren't terrible - having a good setup helps I'm sure.

If Alex was selling them, they can't be soooo terrible as he does have a good rep to maintain. Playbility was fine, but I didn't like the sound. Really muffled but I'm not surprised you had a good run with yours.

mojoluthier · #5 03-23-2007, 03:02 PM

I too sold a couple of them before I realized what they were. I don't know if it's true, but I think of palatino's and cremonas as being the same thing in slightly different styling and distributed by different distributors. Some of the Crew at Music Link, who distribute the Palatino, used to work at at Saga, who distribute the Cremona. I have seen these basses retail for from $600 to $1400.

Dubbin · #6 03-23-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libersolis

I had no idea this bass was looked down upon so much by this forum. I bought it at a music shop for around 800 dollars in 2004 and learned on it and have gigged a ton on it. I had it set up to improve how it plays but it's amazing I have been so oblivious to the crappiness of this bass.

I am assuming my Bob Gollihur bass will be a big improvement over what I have been playing on.

Hi, I'd be interested what model you own and whether it has had any issues. Thanks, Ed

flint · #7 03-23-2007, 08:58 PM

Just for arguments sake, do you think louis armstrong got a Bach, or selmer, or any other name brand coronet when he got his first horn?

Me? I seriously doubt it.

I imagine he got a pretty crappy quality instrument, and still learned to play the he77 out of it.

While it's not always the case, it is generally a poor craftsman that blames his tools.

That being said, there is a lot to be said for quality, and you will appreciate it when you upgrade. But don't get hung up on it.

Silversorcerer · #8 03-24-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libersolis

I had no idea this bass was looked down upon so much by this forum. I bought it at a music shop for around 800 dollars in 2004 and learned on it and have gigged a ton on it. I had it set up to improve how it plays but it's amazing I have been so oblivious to the crappiness of this bass.

I am assuming my Bob Gollihur bass will be a big improvement over what I have been playing on.

I have only seen a couple of Palatinos. I don't think I've seen a Cremona. The Palatinos I saw had so many flaws it was hard to count them all. The finish was thick, unevenly applied and opaque, not to mention that it was peeling in several areas close to the glue joins. Whatever the flakey stuff on the ebonized FB was, it had a hole in it and it was separating from the wood. It must have buzzed like crazy there. The sound was kind of dead even for plywood. If the Cremonas are similar, the difference between that and a carved Kremona-Bulgaria is enormous. The Bulgarian DB is a beautifully made instrument with a deep rich tone that no plywood bass I've heard merits comparison. I upgraded from a not-so-bad laminated Czech bass and the difference from that bass was huge. A Kremona-Bulgaria is a great instrument for the money. I was just jamming out on mine a few minutes ago. Great bass under the bow!

I do think you can learn a good bit on a poor quality instrument that is properly set up. I did for a couple of years and the set up was horrors. But a better instrument will usually open some doors for an advancing player. I know I can get my intonation much better because with a better instrument the pitch of the notes is much clearer.

Anyway, congrats on commissioning the Kremona-Bulgaria. The instrument I have from Gollihur exceeded my expectations.