What is the status of Ideal Music?

Bass · #1 03-23-2010, 07:53 AM

Did they Ideal Music close their doors? I just tried to go to their website at bassesonline.com but it looks like it no longer exists? I realize they were trying to clear out their inventory and wind down.

Anyone know?

LeslieD · #2 03-23-2010, 08:00 AM

I don't know if they are still in business, but I've got their website bookmarked and can still access it. See if this link works:

http://www.bassesonline.com/index.html

Ed Fuqua · #3 03-23-2010, 09:01 AM

Don't confuse Ideal with bassesonline. Steve was using the website to clean out a lot of inventory his dad had purchased; apparently he has done so. Ideal is a brick and mortar that sells more than basses, they don't really have a website.

drurb · #4 03-23-2010, 09:03 AM

The bassesonline site still lists basses as available. Seems they're not all gone yet.

Dubbin · #5 03-25-2010, 08:51 PM

Anybody want to offer an opinion on the Roma #393 hybrids he is selling for $995? I'd be interested how this compares to the Upton laminated. Is Mr. Loeb's collection something you can drop in and try out? Thanks for any advice you might have. Ed

barbarbass · #6 03-25-2010, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbin

Anybody want to offer an opinion on the Roma #393 hybrids he is selling for $995? I'd be interested how this compares to the Upton laminated. Is Mr. Loeb's collection something you can drop in and try out? Thanks for any advice you might have. Ed

I have a Roma 393 hybrid. I currently play in a community orchestra in Massachusetts -- I wouldn't say this to him directly, but it's a better bass than the 1970s German lammy that my section-partner plays. Warmer, louder, etc.

I've also used it in a rockabilly/country rock band, playing through a K&K bass max pickup into a Bag End cab. Great, warm sound.

Be aware that the neck is a little "chunky" -- actually something I happen to like. If you're coming from the electric side, it may feel a little unusual at first. This is much more of a "meaty" bass than an Englehardt or a Kay.

I was able to try it out at the Ideal shop in Chelsea (west 22nd in NYC).

P.S.: He's knocked the price down to 995? Shoot. I paid more like 1100 for mine. Still worth it though.

Jake deVilliers · #7 03-25-2010, 09:16 PM

I have a Roma that I use for a loaner and for my very occasional DB gigs. I like it a lot and customers usually take to it well.

I have replaced the bridge, strings and tailpiece and re-shaped the neck to more of a soft 'V' than the 'C' it showed up with - its still deep, but not so rounded.

shadygrove · #8 03-25-2010, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbin

Anybody want to offer an opinion on the Roma #393 hybrids he is selling for $995? I'd be interested how this compares to the Upton laminated. Is Mr. Loeb's collection something you can drop in and try out? Thanks for any advice you might have. Ed

Ed...It says on the website the Romanian basses are "sold out", but he has a few each of the ply, hybrid and carved Eberle left. They are more expensive than Roma ($950 ply and $1500 for hybrid) but also pretty decent basses for the price. It also says the website was last updated April 2009 though so who knows what's left now.

Dubbin · #9 03-26-2010, 04:09 AM

Thanks, I'll give them a call and see what is going on. I didn't realize it but I'm nearby that address on a monthly basis (18th St.).

Bass · #10 03-26-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

Don't confuse Ideal with bassesonline. Steve was using the website to clean out a lot of inventory his dad had purchased...

Oh, OK. I just figured they were closing the actual music store too. Guess not.

abaguer · #11 03-30-2010, 01:12 AM

I just emailed Steve yesterday inquiring about a carved Eberle and Hybrid Eberle and he responded today and sent a pic of the carved. I'm going to try to get in there next week hopefully to try out a couple.

Dubbin · #12 05-20-2010, 09:20 PM

I was in the city today and stopped by Ideal. I didn't realize it wasn't a retail store front but rather a wholesale business. I had spoke with Kate before and she is very nice. She had a gentleman show me the basses and I played one of the Roma 393's. Definately a good deal (not flawless but obviously built well). All of their basses are old stock including a nice laminated Wilfer and several nice Eberle's of various types. They also had some new old stock repaired basses that she has very well discounted that might be a good deal for somebody who isn't afraid of that sort of thing. I'd say it's the kind of place you would need to visit and try they basses (or if you wanted a cello or violin). The guys told me that there was more stock still in boxes but it is clearly the end of the run. They were very nice people and I intend to visit them again sometime when I'm in the city.

robobass · #13 05-21-2010, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbin

They were very nice people and I intend to visit them again sometime when I'm in the city.

Too bad you missed Jack. Kate's husband who passed a few years back. He was the crabbiest of the crabby old time New Yorkers. A piece of history!

martinc · #14 05-24-2010, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbin

I was in the city today and stopped by Ideal. I didn't realize it wasn't a retail store front but rather a wholesale business. I had spoke with Kate before and she is very nice. She had a gentleman show me the basses and I played one of the Roma 393's. Definately a good deal (not flawless but obviously built well). All of their basses are old stock including a nice laminated Wilfer and several nice Eberle's of various types. They also had some new old stock repaired basses that she has very well discounted that might be a good deal for somebody who isn't afraid of that sort of thing. I'd say it's the kind of place you would need to visit and try they basses (or if you wanted a cello or violin). The guys told me that there was more stock still in boxes but it is clearly the end of the run. They were very nice people and I intend to visit them again sometime when I'm in the city.

Dubbin: I had a long chat with Kate (Mrs Loeb) on the phone when I bought an Eberle ply 4 years ago. I had several contacts via e mail with Steve who was great too.
I can truly say she was one of the nicest, most intelligent and knowledgeable people I have ever had contact with. We talked about instruments, Eastern European politics and other things. Her wonderful personality and calm demeanour charmed the daylights out of me.
I live in Canada but any doubts about whether I should buy a bass unseen from New York City from her and Steve were quickly dispelled. Heck I would have bought a truckload if I could have afforded it.
When I asked about shipping she said it would be by truck and they had used the same company for many years.
I ordered the Eberle at 10 am and the very next morning I had a call from the customs broker in Toronto saying my bass was there! I was expecting a 2 week wait.
I have made a few minor modifications to the Eberle and it has turned out to be a great sounding and playing bass. It is my fourth bass (the others were all older plys ranging from 1936 to 1952) and the one I have kept and like best of all.
I would have to say that buying from Ideal was one of the most satisfying and pleasant buying experiences involving a major purchase I have ever had.
And if I ever end up in New York City, I know where my first stop will be.

Dubbin · #15 05-24-2010, 08:01 PM

Martinc: That was my impression as well. What I meant by saying it was the sort of place you might want to visit is that the basses are nearly gone and there are some real bargains in new old stock repaired basses. I'm sure that Eberle is a fine instrument. I'm in NYC about once every 4 to 6 weeks but it's usually in the office from start to finsih. I wanted to venture out and see some basses and pleasantly noted that Ideal was 4 blocks away.

bribass · #16 05-24-2010, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robobass

Too bad you missed Jack. Kate's husband who passed a few years back. He was the crabbiest of the crabby old time New Yorkers. A piece of history!

Lol, he sure was. I've been stopping by Ideal every so often for many years. Jack certainly was a character.

I often call and order strings and other accessories. They have some luthier supplies and student & pro stuff there that I haven't seen for sale in any brick & mortar store. They're prices are very competitive and Kate will hand pick a mixed set for you over the phone. I have a German bow case from there that I've been using everyday for like 20 years, maybe longer. Still holding up just fine!

BG

MingusAmongUs · #17 05-25-2010, 03:14 PM

Kate is great!
I miss that shop since I moved out of NYC... the only place really where you can walk in at the drop of a hat and grab just about any db accessory you might need in a pinch. And they're always super friendly and accommodating.

TheSuzie · #18 05-26-2010, 12:30 AM

Be careful if you follow the link that leads to the Yankel's Warehouse web pages. I got multiple trojan warnings when I went there. Don't know how those pages got infected but they sure seem to be.

S