Thoughts on a local Englehardt

[Heirphoto]

There is an bass for sale nearby I am curious about and just wanted to get thoughts on the brand and price from those with experience. I am new to the bass but want to avoid a CCB.

This is a 1994 Englehardt M1 that has been fitted with an adjustable bridge and has had the fingerboard planed. It did also have the neck repaired but a luthier about 10 years ago and the repair looks flawless. They are asking $850 but may be negotiable.

To me it sounds reasonable but no bargain as the M1 probably only cost $850 in 1994.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Tony

[DC Bass]

I wouldn't worry about what the bass cost when it was new, rather what it would cost to replace it today.

Sounds like a reasonable price to me if it is a "turn key bass" (requires no work to be serviceable), but check the condition of the seams, bridge, endpin and strings.

An adjustable bridge is a "plus".

Is the board ebony or rosewood, and is it dressed properly? You mention that it was "planed"...but planed for "what" and by whom? Was this work done by the person who did the neck repair?

Does it come with a bag and a bow? If so, what condition are they in? Either will set you back a hundred bucks (for entry level stuff) or a whole lot more if you need to replace them...good examples would raise the "value" of the package.

Also make sure it suits YOUR needs: Set up for arco or pizz only, or both...what ever you plan to use it for.

It wouldn't hurt to have someone who has more experience check it out with you...or see if you can take it somewhere for an independent evaluation.

All that said, don't be afraid to haggle if it suits you! Cash talks!

I hope some of this will prove helpful!

Good Luck!

Joe



Check this out:

http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product..._3_4_BASS.html

[ztpbassman]

I bought a used S-1 a year or two ago as a second bass for a reasonable price. I did have to sink some bucks into it for bridge adjusters, fingerboard contour, endpin, etc., but now it sounds and feels great.
It doesn't have the character of my Juzek (and I play pizz only), but I really like it a lot for certain gigs, and I don't have to worry so much about babying it. It's a very solidly constructed instrument. I second the opinion about playability: if it's a player, for that money, I'd grab it.

[TheCush]

I bought a Swingmaster as a second bass about a year ago, new for about $1200 and had it set up for another couple of hundred. For what I use it for (rockabilly) it's been a great bass set up as it is. And it's nice to know my carved bass won't go through any unwanted abuse ;-). I would agree that the price of a used M1 @ $850 seems pretty reasonable.