Strunal 50/4

Nicksut · #1 07-27-2010, 12:48 PM

Assuming the instrument is in good shape, does this sound any alarm bells for anyone?

Ad reads: Hi, I am selling my standup bass. It is a Strunal, model 50/4, 3/4 size. It has nylon steel impregnated strings, which are great for rockabilly slap. I bought this bass new about 6 years ago, but it still has very little play on it. It also comes with a soft shell case. I am asking 800.00 for it.

I spoke to the guy. He's a young musician in a band who says he paid $1,200 for it from a music shop 6 yrs ago. No bow included.

Thanks for any input. I'm pretty inexperienced.

Nick

moles · #2 07-27-2010, 01:56 PM

Besides all the usual caveats to have someone more experienced come with you to look it over...

They're good basses. Czech made - often rebranded Dvorak and/or Schoenbach by Long & McQuade up here (doing a search for those two might bring up some more threads).

Mine's a 4/4 size, and had been beat to hell as a rental before I got my mitts on it - any problems I had seemed to be as a result of that. I wouldn't recommend the larger size, but any of the 3/4 size 50/4's I've played sounded great for the price.

Speaking of price - the new price on these seems to have jumped quite a bit around here lately - (they're over two g's now) I'd say $800 is a pretty good price if it's in nice shape. You might need new strings, and possibly a setup, on top of that. Still pretty good, IMO.

lucas vigor · #3 07-27-2010, 02:00 PM

It's my main instrument, and I have been gigging with it for about 6-7 years now. Paid around 1200 as well. Great, resonant bass. I replaced the bridge and added an end pin.

longfinger · #4 07-27-2010, 02:17 PM

A Strunal 50/4 properly setup can be a very good instrument for pizzicato playing. Especially amplified pizz playing.

Around here, a new Strunal 50/4 properly set up sells for between 2-3K.

If it was bought new for $1200 it probably had less than ideal original parts and was not set up. $800 is a very low price, but it likely reflects the low maintenance upkeep done on this. If it's not broken, you'll likely need to put in a few hundred dollars more on it, to get it in the top form that this instrument could possible be in, plus get all the basic needed accessories. Even if you put in another $1000 on it (strings, bridge adjusters, set up, pick up, etc) at $1800, all in, it would be fine.

Have someone experienced check it out for you. Are there any local double bass shops around where you live?

Nicksut · #5 07-27-2010, 03:05 PM

Thanks so much for the input. It's reassuring to hear all this. Given my time constraints, I'm not going to be able to go into this purchase with much caution. I'll see if he'll take a post-dated check so I can take it to a shop to have it checked out first, but probably won't be able to bring along an expert. He seemed like an honest young guy who know plays a different instrument.

Any suggestions for a few key things to look for, given that I'll be breaking the cardinal rule and won't have an expert along? Stuff that would doom the instrument. Will it be obvious if there's a problem with the sound post... not that I really know if that's a big problem or not... a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

All the best, Nick

moles · #6 07-27-2010, 04:17 PM

Any issue with the soundpost would be on the easier/cheaper side to deal with.

The end pin should be coming out straight from the bottom block. If the wire/gut is pulling it forward (toward the top, on an angle) that may mean the endpin block needs to be plugged and re-reamed for the endpin.

Check for cracks in the finish, around the neck block and the seams, that might indicate wood separation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by longfinger

Around here, a new Strunal 50/4 properly set up sells for between 2-3K.

If it was bought new for $1200 it probably had less than ideal original parts and was not set up.

Just to clarify what I'd noticed about the prices around here - in the past two years, the price of a 50/4 with apparently the same parts/setup, has indeed jumped from just above $1700 to just shy of $2200-$2500. I'm not sure if this can all be accounted for by fittings - they've got the same adjustable bridges around here I've seen on them for the past couple of years - I suspect the European economy might have more of an impact of the prices here. I wonder if pretty much all the Canadian importing of these is done by the same company? If so, I could see them increasing the price for whatever reason they wanted. But that's another issue altogether, in this land of $300 sets of Rotosounds...

Nicksut · #7 07-27-2010, 04:45 PM

Thanks again Moles, Longfinger, Lucas. I so appreciate your advice. Now I'm off to the bank!

Nicksut · #8 07-31-2010, 02:02 PM

I bought the Strunal 50/4. It's in really nice shape for the most part--no dings, cracks etc. However, the end pin does have a slight list forward. i.e. the pressure of the strings has pulled it toward the tail piece. Given what you guys wrote, I figured this was still a great deal and didn't even haggle with the guy. The list is not dramatic. I'd say less than 5 degrees.

First question is, since we are leaving for a 2 week vacation tomorrow, do you think I should loosen the strings a bit, or does that lead to other problems? When I return, I'll head to a bass shop.

Second question: Any recommendations for where to go in the Denver area?

Thanks again folks!

longfinger · #9 07-31-2010, 06:22 PM

Leave the strings at tune. Enjoy your vacation. Stay away from the Internet during this time.

When you get back, you'll likely have a list of people to see in Denver.

Roger Leos · #10 05-13-2011, 11:37 PM

I want to decide for a 3/4 new Sturnal upright but all the reviews and videos take me to pizzicato playing or rockabilly stuff. I am an electric rock and Fender Jazz bassist for years but for the first time want to start classical stuff in a conservatorie.

So, you guys recommend me a new Chinese 1/2 upright with no bow and no bag or the Sturnal with Bow and Bag for almost the same price for alternating jazz and classical music?
Thanks you a lot in advance.

My website:
LEOS | Mexico, MX | Jazz / Rock / Easy Listening | Music, Lyrics, Songs, and Videos | ReverbNation

Eric Hochberg · #11 05-14-2011, 06:53 AM

Bob Ross in Denver for setup. Paul Warburton for lessons.

punkozuna · #12 05-14-2011, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Leos

I want to decide for a 3/4 new Sturnal upright but all the reviews and videos take me to pizzicato playing or rockabilly stuff. I am an electric rock and Fender Jazz bassist for years but for the first time want to start classical stuff in a conservatorie.

So, you guys recommend me a new Chinese 1/2 upright with no bow and no bag or the Sturnal with Bow and Bag for almost the same price for alternating jazz and classical music?
Thanks you a lot in advance.

My website:
LEOS | Mexico, MX | Jazz / Rock / Easy Listening | Music, Lyrics, Songs, and Videos | ReverbNation

If those are your only choices, go with the Strunal. It is a decent BEGINNER student bass. As in middle or high school orchestra. What does the conservatoire recommend? What do other students there use? A Strunal 5/20 or 5/35 (they are hybrid basses - solid top, ply sides and back) may be a better choice. They are more expensive though.