Quote:
Originally Posted by bandyman  Hiya,
I'm on the hunt for my first upright. I've been playing electric upright for a couple of years and now is the time to go organic. I'm constantly searching the web for a good versatile bass in my price range and have come to a wall. Lemur, Upton, Wan-Bernadels, and Clevelands all range around the same price, but from Afghanistan I can't really feel or hear the difference of these basses. If there is any insight that could be given or a bass I have overlooked that should be in my 5K price range please let me know.
Keep it on the low end |
Yeah, this is a problem everyone has. Reputable dealers exist and those that are unscrupulous... both. So, since you are close to Europ, I would deal only with a dealer near-by, so that if anything happens to the bass, you can send it for repairs or adjustment. The Wan-Bernadels are set-up at the sales place, as far as I know (like Bass Cafe-Steve Koscica in Phoenix Arizona sets these up, is a player so knows better than, say Lemur, California - Jerry Buffa, who is not a player and may not have the set-up as playable). There are plenty of Grunert (Germany) models that are really nice and both Rolf and his partner are players. And I think Christian Laborie has authorized some less expensive Quenoil-model basses sold through a shop in Germany. So, do some more looking, closer to home. The Wan-B models are interesting but, I personally, am not as trusting of Chinese basses yet, as I am of German or French, or even modern Czech and Italian basses. All of these new makers have models in the $5-10k range. But, you are right, it is tough to find good quality in manufacture AND set-up in a bass for $5k or less. In this case, an individual seller may be the way to go. Try the ISB listings to see what might be available near you.
Best of Luck
Patrick
--
President of Arizona Bass Players, Inc.
www.arizonabassplayers.org
Professor of DB, Univ of Arizona
www.u.arizona.edu/~neher
