Prague Music Stores?

[Zedlee]

Hello fellow bassists; first post here!

I am taking a trip to the Czech Republic this summer and am hoping to find a nice older Czech made bass there (Juzek for example). Can anyone recommend a good music store? Also does anyone have an opinion about whether Czech is a good place to buy a bass? ie can I expect to find some "deals" there or are prices the same as in North America? Thanks.

[LarryR]

I'll be in Prague as well, end of March.
I'm also curious about Luthiers & instruments.
I would think Ken Smith and others would know about travelling Europe for instruments.

[Bruce Lindfield]

I can just imagine trying to check a Double Bass in as "hand luggage"at the airline desk!!

[Zedlee]

Thanks Ken and others...I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for, just something better quality than what I have (new plywood begginner bass).

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

If you bring one in from Europe, you will have no idea how it will settle or crack in the comming years. It could cost thousands of dollars for transport and then repairs and set-up after you import an older Bass.

That's why I was jokingly saying :

"I can just imagine (Zedlee)trying to check a Double Bass in as "hand luggage"at the airline desk!!

All the good and well known Basses in europe will NOT be cheap. They know what they have. The bargains are NOT bargains.

Don't I just know this!!

I look longingly at the prices you guys in the US talk about...
Everything in Europe is at least twice the price!!

Also, not all the names they will associate a Bass with are true. I once was looking in Europe and found a Pallotta for sale from 1792. That is a well known Italian Bass. When I got the pics, it was actually a 100 year old czech bass and they wanted 25k for it.

BE CAREFULL!.. If you don't know what you are doing, they will get the better of you.

Good advice - no doubt!