Would Like Y'all's Input - Buying A New DB

gonniff · #1 10-15-2006, 05:41 AM

Howdy to you all,

I'm a new member as of today and would like your good advice.

I've been playing about 20 years or so (both DB and EB), but after moving to England 10 years ago, I've not had the use of a DB.

I've scraped some money together and can spend around £1,000 on a new instrument (I'm going with a new because even trashed old instruments over here are out of my price range) and because I'm hoping to get an instrument I can grow the sound of and make my own.

I've recently played a hybrid Stentor beginner series that wasn't bad, but I'd really like something of better quality. The guy wants £650 for it, which is just a little much for the instrument, but it's a small, one-man shop in a small village, so there you go.

I'm got my eye on the following:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_kontrabass_2_m_4_4.htm

This looks like a lovely instrument and I've heard some really good things about Stunals on the whole (although the guy at the shop I visited says he doesn't rate them, won't carry them, and would charge me a sizeable deposit if I wanted to order one through him as he doesn't want to be "stuck" with it).

I own a Stentor Conservatoir fiddle that is ok, but not the sound I'd like to have and can only question how good the Stentor beginner model DB would stack up against a Strunal.

What do y'all think about the Strunal pictured (I only just found it on the Thomann site this morning, so haven't had a chance to ask what model Strunal it is - they confirmed in a previous email to them that all their series 1, 2, and 3 DB's are Strunals).

Basically, prices between the UK and the U.S. are the same number-wise not value-wise (in other words, don't just convert the £992 into dollars and then say that's too much).

Any advice on what I'm likely to get with this Strunal appreciated (I've read the newbie list of comments on Strunals on this site and was glad to hear favorable remarks).

Thanks in advance,

Gonniff

Noir · #2 10-15-2006, 07:01 AM

Well, that's a decent bass once you have invested in a good setup, it's either a Strunal 5/20 or 5/35. The link points to a 4/4 though, is that what you want?

I know you said you want a new instrument, but I suggest you first take a look at used basses in your area. You can often find one that has been played little, already setup with decent strings.

gonniff · #3 10-15-2006, 07:08 AM

Noir,

Thanks for your reply and comments.

Unfortunately, there are very few used basses in my area (at least not in the shops) and they are either of very poor quality or have been beaten to hell and back and are out of my price range.

I'm going to go speak to a couple of larger shops next weekend and see what they can offer (has been a couple of weeks since I was last in and at that time they only had bottom end Stentors or junk plywood), but hopefully I can get more info if nothing else.

I would like to have a 4/4 as opposed to a 3/4 simply because I'm much taller than average (just under 7' tall) and would also like a fuller sound. I've not played a 4/4 before - are they that much bigger than a 3/4?

Gonniff

Tony F · #4 10-15-2006, 11:09 AM

I'm not sure where in the UK you're based, but I would *highly* recommend a visit to Thwaites in Watford. Their website is a little limited, but they really know what they're doing and they have some great instruments and highly knowledgable staff. I bought a Czech laminated bass from there years ago, and they were just superb. This was how my dealings with them went:

When I first called them to enquire about basses I told them I was just starting out, and I wanted a reasonable bass on a fairly tight budget. They said they'd got a nice bass for just £200 (ok, this was quite a while ago!). I turned up at the shop and the gentleman demonstrated a superb blonde bass in great condition, with a very big sound. This was the one he'd mentioned on the phone, only now he'd reduced the price to £150...! So, I said yes I'd take it, and he said "Well, it's got steel strings on right now, but I'll find a set of used gut ones for you to play around with if you like... Oh, and it looks like it's going to rain - let me find a canvas bag for it. It's pretty tatty, but it will get you home". So, he threw in these extras, and finally charged me just £100!

Needless to say, I was delighted with this deal, and I played this bass for years and years and years. I'd still be playing it now if it hadn't been destroyed when I emigrated to the USA

Their website lists "Student & Mini basses in all sizes from £550" (although none are pictured), so I've no doubt at all that your budget would stretch to something worth having. Let us know how you get on!

Cheers,

Tony

gonniff · #5 10-16-2006, 02:03 AM

Tony,

Thanks! That's super advice!

I'll give them a call today and see if I can arrange a visit this weekend.

I'll post back and let you know what I find out. It would be a real bonus if they can supply a similar instrument at a competitive price (without the worry of international delivery and Mr. Postie deciding the leave it out back of the house in the rain

Cheers!

Gonniff

gonniff · #6 10-19-2006, 10:13 AM

Tony,

I spoke to Thwaites today, but it seems they only deal with a higher end of the market these days.

They don't have anything at under £1,000 currently and even after supplying one of their guys with the Thomann link I posted here, he was skeptical that I could get the named Strunal for less than about £1,500.

Fair enough. He deals in instruments every day, so should know more than me.

I guess I'll just have to keep plugging and see what I can find.

Thanks to all for your input.

Tony F · #7 10-20-2006, 07:24 PM

Ah well, worth a try. Maybe the guy I dealt with was "let go" for making the deal too attractive!

Anyway, good luck with your search, and do let us know how you get on... with lots of pictures, naturally!

Cheers,

Tony

ZombieGhosTrain · #8 10-25-2006, 11:26 PM

A 4/4 vs a 3/4 may or may not be the way to go...It can be harder to find strings and other supplies (scale lenght is different), there are a few threads comparing them around here. I'm about 6'6", and although still a bit shorter than you, a 3/4 with an endpin extended pretty far is very doable. I like having the advantage of the smaller 3/4 fingerboard with my biggish paws, as opposed to going to 4/4. To each his own though, whatever plays best for you go for it.

gonniff · #9 10-26-2006, 03:39 AM

I've decided against the 4/4 option for all the usual reasons (hard to sell on later, strings, etc.).

I'm also pretty much set to go with the Gliga, just need to save the extra money for the model I want (Gems I).

Once I've got it, I'll take pictures and put them up and let y'all know how it plays. Hopefully really damn good!

Bruce Lindfield · #10 10-26-2006, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonniff

Tony,

I spoke to Thwaites today, but it seems they only deal with a higher end of the market these days.

They don't have anything at under £1,000 currently and even after supplying one of their guys with the Thomann link I posted here, he was skeptical that I could get the named Strunal for less than about £1,500.

Fair enough. He deals in instruments every day, so should know more than me.

I guess I'll just have to keep plugging and see what I can find.

Thanks to all for your input.

This was my problem - I searched for about 2-3 years and it was either a case of shops like this - where they mostly deal in instruments around £3,000-5,000 and above - or very cheap instruments that sounded poor to me...