West Coast String Instruments (WCS) Albert Bassi

[bassCanadabass]

Hey Talkbass,
I recently tried a West Coast String Instruments (WCS) Albert Bassi bass and was pleasantly surprised at the $4,800 price tag because it was such a great bass. Has anyone had experience with this company or this model? I'm a university student (jazz) looking to upgrade to a craved bass from my '48 Kay. I liked this bass more then many instruments that cost twice as much. It was very nice looking too. Here is a link to the company website:

http://www.westcoaststring.com/item....ubcat=8&prod=4



Any input would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

[Tejano Bass]

"Here at West Coast Strings, our main factory is located on the North Eastern side of China . . . "

[bassCanadabass]

I noticed that too. It says that their better instruments are set up and varnished in California. Also, the grammar is a bit off in certain spots. I'm not sure how legit this company is, has anyone had experience with them or their products?

[michaeln]

I'm pretty suspicious of any of the non-Italian makers who name their instruments after non-existent Italian makers.

At least Samuel Shen and Xuechang Sun don't seem to be ashamed of their names and hide behind fake Italian ones.

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by bassCanadabass

Hey Talkbass,
I recently tried a West Coast String Instruments (WCS) Albert Bassi bass and was pleasantly surprised at the $4,800 price tag because it was such a great bass. Has anyone had experience with this company or this model? I'm a university student (jazz) looking to upgrade to a craved bass from my '48 Kay. I liked this bass more then many instruments that cost twice as much. It was very nice looking too. Here is a link to the company website:

http://www.westcoaststring.com/item....ubcat=8&prod=4



Any input would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

Hey bCb, which part of Canada did you try this bass in?

[bassCanadabass]

I was actually in New Orleans. The shop I tried it in is called "A Bass Place".

[tornadobass]

I tried one of their hybrids that sounded good but had a fingerboard with several cracks and needed replacing. It. Also had an odd metal tailpiece and a stretchy tailgut. I also tried their carved bass listing for around $4k and thought it was crudely built for that price point.

[LouisF]

These look like the basses that come out of the HIMA factory in China (only a guess)... and the problem is always one of quality control. You could get a pretty good one... or not. That's why it's usually best to play them first... Having said that, I have taken a chance on a couple of basses sight unseen (one from Yita Music) just to check out quality etc and was fairly lucky.

Louis

[bassCanadabass]

I must have tried one of the few good ones. Although I'm not sure I'm going to risk that kind of money on a bass that may have quality control issues. Thanks for your input!