Wan Bernadel bass plug

accutone · #1 10-31-2006, 11:37 AM

I am new to the forum, having recently returned to playing after a nearly 10 years hiatus. (I had played for 20 years, got tendonitis, and decided to pursue a PhD which I have now finished.

)

Today on the Forum, I noticed an ad for the Wan basses offered by Steve at the String Emporium in Phoenix. I wanted to throw out a plug for the instrument and for the service Steve gave me.

I have a 1930ish German bass that I've had for years, nothing special, and was looking for an upgrade. I spoke to Steve and he sent out a Wan bass for me to try. It cost $170to send it out to SF, California (and back) and I was absolutely prepared to send it back and eat the $170 if I didn't like it. (Hey with the price of gas, it costs a lot to drive around looking, not to mention my time which is worth a lot.)

Anyway, I had looked at a lot of basses, and in my opinion, the Wan is great deal. It is beautifully made and has a great sound. I would encourage anyone looking in the 5K price range to call him. I assure you, I am not a paid endorser, just a satisfied customer! (Can I get a discount on that Lion's head bass now Steve?

) By the way, the forum is great!

Rob Bassinette

drurb · #2 10-31-2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by accutone

...got tendonitis, and decided to pursue a PhD...

Were these events related?

accutone · #3 10-31-2006, 11:49 AM

Oh yeah! I figured if I needed to take some time off anyway, might as well get a better day job. I am now 48, so not COMPLETELY over the hill as a player. Started with some lessons to retrain my technique and avoid a repeat of the injury. I really don't want to go back to school again!

BrandonTurner · #4 10-31-2006, 01:05 PM

I want to also say how great Steve at the String Emporium is. I bought my bass from him 4 years ago at this point and I don't think I have ever had a more pleasant, informed and unpressured purchased then with him. He took the time to let me try all of his bass and then would play them for me, so i could hear them without me being behind it. He is a great player too!

As for the Wan. I am playing one right now as the 1880 Tyrolean I got from Steve is getting new bridge after a bass disaster. Anyway, I like the dimensions and for the most part the sound of it. If feels good. I would love to have one as a second bass, but I have to finish paying for school first!!!

standupright · #5 10-31-2006, 01:34 PM

Ahhhhh......I thought I was all alone here with a Wan from Steve. I have to agree with Rob on his experience, while I am lucky enough to live a 45 minute drive from Steve, I didn't have to have a bass shipped out. Great guy, great selection of basses, great player. I've had my Wan for about 6 months now and am extremely pleased. I too took a small hiatus from playing due to repetitive motion disorder (no PhD as a result though).

It is however unfortunate that here, the phrase "Cheap Chinese Bass" gets used alot. While there very well are some extremely poor quality instruments being made in China, there do appear to be some good ones.

Happy playing!

>>Paul Haley

kontrabass · #6 10-31-2006, 02:35 PM

Do the Wan's sound any darker as they age? Some were quite bright when I tried them out.
That being said, I actually placed an order for one today.

standupright · #7 10-31-2006, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kontrabass

Do the Wan's sound any darker as they age? Some were quite bright when I tried them out.
That being said, I actually placed an order for one today.

I've only had mine for 6 months, can't tell if it's my ear or the bass, but, I love it more and more every day. It is extremely dry here in phx, so I keep a couple of dampits in it constantly. Also your choice in strings will change the sound (you prob already know this).

So I guess in answer to your question.....I don't know yet!

>>Paul Haley

accutone · #8 10-31-2006, 03:14 PM

I also can't answer the question regarding brightness as I have only had mine a month or two. There has been a change in sound, but this is easily attributed to breaking in the strings.

Nadav · #9 10-31-2006, 03:54 PM

I bought my Wan Bernadel used from my teacher who had been using it for all of his jazz gigs (around 30 a month) for 6 months. The bass was not bright when I got it, and even though it was already "broken it" the sound has improved a ton in the two or three months that I've had it and keeps on getting better. Highly recommended!

Ben Rolston · #10 10-31-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nadav

I bought my Wan Bernadel used from my teacher who had been using it for all of his jazz gigs (around 30 a month) for 6 months.

You're teacher plays a gig everyday basically ? Thats impressive.

standupright · #11 11-01-2006, 11:26 AM

Just out of curiosity, anyone else out here with a Wan-Bernadel? Good / Bad experience?

Ken Smith - Care to weigh in with any of your experience and or knowledge of these basses? I've tried to do some research myself, however, have found very little info (with exception to Steve's site).

Thanks!

>> Paul Haley

jmpiwonka · #12 11-01-2006, 12:49 PM

Ken have you played or heard one of these basses?
I kinda get the impression you don't like the name

, what about the sound?

standupright · #13 11-01-2006, 12:49 PM

Thanks Ken, I can see your point. The Wan does appear to have been altered from the original Bernadel shape. According to Steve's site, "The Wan has slightly altered shoulders to make it easier to facilitate thumb positioning as bass playing has evolved upwards in the past few decades".

So the name reference......As you have stated before in another thread, "FWIW, when it comes to Basses, not all the labels are the actual makers. This has been going on for centuries and with violins thru cellos as well. A brand made by another company or maker is very common. I can name several from Italy, England, France, Germany and even America all dating before 1900."........

So if this is the case, does it truly matter that in your reply...."If you are proud of it, put your name on it and not someone elses name."

I do appreciate your response as I am hoping to find exerience with the quality of these basses more than who they should really be named after. I do agree with you about comparison to the original Bernadel. There does appear to be enough difference in shape to bring question as to why it was named after the Bernadel in the first place.

>>>Paul Haley

drurb · #14 11-01-2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by standupright

...
So the name reference......As you have stated before in another thread, "FWIW, when it comes to Basses, not all the labels are the actual makers. This has been going on for centuries and with violins thru cellos as well. A brand made by another company or maker is very common. I can name several from Italy, England, France, Germany and even America all dating before 1900."........

So if this is the case, does it truly matter that in your reply...."If you are proud of it, put your name on it and not someone elses name."

Touche!!!

drurb · #15 11-01-2006, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

...If Kosha called it a Kosha Bernadel model made by Wan, then that would fit better in my mind since it is his project with a private luthier.

This would have been substantially more palatable than Wan-Bernadel? No doubt you are quite correct about the shape. It just seems to bear no resemblance so throwing in the Bernadel name would seem gratuitous in either case.

**Jeremy Allen** · #16 11-01-2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

I think when using a famous name one has to walk softly and not disturb the dead. Respect is high in the violin field for most but not always. Just look at all the other famous names used like 'Amati' Trombones and 'Bach' Trumpets.. Give me a Break!!

Point well taken, but in the second example the guy's name was Vincent Bach, after all. He made brass instruments and mouthpieces and he put his own name on them.

**Jeremy Allen** · #17 11-01-2006, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

oops.. sry.. my Bad.. Why didn't I know that?

Well, you may have been thinking of the fact that his top-of-the-line horns have "Stradivarius" engraved on the bell. Which goes right along with your complaint about using famous names--I can tell you I was confused as a young trombonist playing a horn that said "Bach Stradivarius" on the bell...

tomshepp · #18 11-02-2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kontrabass

Do the Wan's sound any darker as they age? Some were quite bright when I tried them out.
That being said, I actually placed an order for one today.

Hi kontrabass, I live in Maynard and would love to hear your Wan when it arrives. I have an old kay and have been thinking of getting a carved bass and am very interested in these. If thats possible, let me know? Thanks,
Tom

kontrabass · #19 11-02-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomshepp

Hi kontrabass, I live in Maynard and would love to hear your Wan when it arrives. I have an old kay and have been thinking of getting a carved bass and am very interested in these. If thats possible, let me know? Thanks,
Tom

PM sent, Tom.

Alex