need some advice on picking an upright

fiddler61 · #1 12-18-2012, 07:03 AM

folks first let me say thanks for letting me be a part of this site. My name is wendell and I am from SW Arkansas, I am wanting to learn to play an upright for a bluegrass gospel group I figured I'd give it a try since i play a regular bass and play the fiddle. Anyway my question is I am looking at a couple different ones that are used and I need some help from those of you who are more expierenced. The first bass is a Bellafina mdl 50 3/4 and the guy wants 400 for it he says it needs a set of strings and what he said the fingerboard was a little dry other than that no other issues, the second is a strunal 50/1 and it has no issues either and the guy wants 550 for it. My question is wich one would probably be better for playing bluegrass? Any help sure would be appreciated thanks again and Happy Holidays to all!

Jason Sypher · #2 12-18-2012, 08:01 AM

Honestly, neither. If your really after the bluegrass sound then buy what all your heroes play, because that's the sound you know and love. A nice older Kay, King or American Standard will do the trick.

Bass Doc · #3 12-19-2012, 05:31 AM

I'd pick the one with the adjustable bridge. New player will likely need his bass set up,.

Rumblin Rick · #4 02-11-2013, 08:05 PM

Kays are the best for bluegrass and folk I think I have a 1942 Kay. but another bass that is good is Englehardt they are not as pricey as the vintage Kays and sound good. And play easy.

RustyAxe · #5 02-12-2013, 08:30 AM

I have a Strunal 50/4 Blonde and like it fine (more than I do Kay and Engelhart). Solid Czech build. It's all ply, like the 50/1. I have it strung with Innovation Super Silvers and get a nice thumpy fundamental, perfect for bluegrass, and good for everything except arco (bowing).

Whit Townsend · #6 05-10-2013, 04:46 PM

No reason either could not be a decent bluegrass bass.

Just evaluate and pick your poison.
1. Sound? Play em both, which one sounds best?
2. Strings/Set up? Any good, are you gonna have to change it? Whats that gonna cost?
3. Repairs? Loose stuff, rattles. Fingerboard need planing?
4. Durability? Any potentially serious structural issues?