Stentor Material Questions

Milothicus · #1 03-27-2003, 08:05 AM

The local Long and McQuade shipped in a stentor student model bass for me to try. i couldn't play it when i went in because it had been shipped with the bridge down and soundpost out.... but i got to see it.... so i came home and found stentor's webpage. carved front, laminated ribs and back. no mention of any ebony...... so i emailed them.

fingerboard is blackened kuntian. an asian wood "somewhat similar to rosewood". any experience with this?

the tailpiece is stained hardwood.

the price on the bass with bow and bag (which, according to one employee is a $250 dollar gig bag) is $1595 canadian. this puts it at just over $1000 US.

should this material issue (decent band, by the way) turn me away from this bass? i've had trouble finding any basses at all in this area in my price range, so i'm hesitant to turn it down because of this....

mje · #2 03-27-2003, 02:26 PM

Stentor has a web site in England, with a Gary Karr endorsement:

http://www.stentor-music.com/stentor%20violins.html

It says that in the US they're sold as Selmer instruments.

Milothicus · #3 03-27-2003, 07:26 PM

right.........but does the lack of ebony make it a dangerous purchase?

Steve Killingsworth · #4 03-27-2003, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Milothicus
right.........but does the lack of ebony make it a dangerous purchase?

A lot depends on strings and how you play it. There are a few threads on this somewhere that will tell you more. I think the general consensus is that slap players definitely need ebony unless they enjoy regularily shelling out cash for a fingerboard plane job.

Steve

Milothicus · #5 03-27-2003, 08:44 PM

I'll be playing mainly jazz. mostly pizz, i expect.... so it's ok for that then?

Steve Killingsworth · #6 03-28-2003, 07:06 AM

This thread discusses some of the pros and cons. I know there are some others that cover it as well. Try doing a search in the setup and repair forum and the basses forum.

finger board question

Milothicus · #7 03-28-2003, 09:07 AM

i did search. a search for kuntian brought up nothing. i don't know what to do about this........i want the bass, but don't want to be left with a bass needing $500 worth of repairs in 2 years.......

Davehenning · #8 03-28-2003, 09:10 AM

There is a DB shop in Toronto. It is around the intersection of Church and Queen. (right around all the pawnshops) I will have to try to find the name though.