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Double Bass Best New Basses

B

basteout

Nov 6, 2009
24
0
#1
So I am in the market for an upgrade. My range tops out at about 30k. Obviously I would like to get the best instrument I can for the least amount of money. I have been doing the traditional browsing of quality instruments at luthier shops, private sellers etc. I haven't really considered new basses up until now for some reason. I was wondering what are people's thoughts on the basses that are currently being made by various luthiers. It seems to me that this would be a good way to get a higher end bass for cheaper. Any recommendations? I know Hachez does good work but I think the waitlist is long and his basses run about 35k I believe. Still, any suggestions along those lines? Also, what do people think about long term resale value. I mean would it be hard to resell for a profit if the luthier is still producing the same bass 15 years later?
PS sorry if this thread exists I don't have time to comb through the boards. If it does, kindly post a link to it. Thanks
 
#5
Just wanted to add Luciano Golia. I commisioned a new bass from him 2 years ago. I have tried many new basses--- Hachez, Wiebe,the Cincinatti guys, and many European makers. Sven Mentec's basses are really nice. He's Joel's son. Nolli's basses are very pretty and VERY expensive. Luciano's basses sound as good or better than anything out there. The fit and finish aren't as impeccable as Hachez (his are amazing) but I feel that they play and sound at least as good. (I prefer my Golia) And they cost about $13k
 
#7
Mike Arnopol said:
Just wanted to add Luciano Golia. I commisioned a new bass from him 2 years ago. I have tried many new basses--- Hachez, Wiebe,the Cincinatti guys, and many European makers. Sven Mentec's basses are really nice. He's Joel's son. Nolli's basses are very pretty and VERY expensive. Luciano's basses sound as good or better than anything out there. The fit and finish aren't as impeccable as Hachez (his are amazing) but I feel that they play and sound at least as good. (I prefer my Golia) And they cost about $13k
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I agree with you Michael, Luciano's basses are truly the best.
 
#9
Hatchez are up to $45,000 now, but I bet you could find a used one for less if you look around.

Labories are in the $40,000 range at Robertsons (the only US distributor), but it's considerably less if you buy from Christian directly depending on the Euro-Dollar exchange. His waitlist is about a year, but Robertsons usually has some in stock.

Look into Mario Lamarre in Montreal and Arnold Schnitzer in New York. I don't know their prices.
 
#10
Let me expand a bit. I went to try some basses at Robertson's this winter. Aaron was incredibly accommodating in every way. He worked within my price range and then offered to let me try some of the higher range instruments. I played some beautiful English basses and then he brought me a Laborie, a Ceruti model, if I remember correctly. The workmanship was extraordinary, the wood and varnish luminescent. The sound was both old and new, warm but quick. This was not just a bass but a piece of art. I was in the area for a concert but I also took time away to meet a very special luthier, Hannah Mayne. She is creating some of the nicest basses in her small shop in Albuquerque. They are lightweight and extremely resonant. Her designs are based on Italian models but she manages to add her own personality to the models she produces. Prices are in the mid-twenties and represent a very fine value for a hand-made instrument. Jean Auray, in France, makes some very nice instruments as well. I fell in love with one at David Gage in NY but it was priced in the high 30s or low 40s. Speaking of David Gage, there are to my knowledge two Mayne basses on site to play, a 3/4 and a 7/8, both very nice.
 
#11
Mike Arnopol said:
Just wanted to add Luciano Golia. I commisioned a new bass from him 2 years ago. I have tried many new basses--- Hachez, Wiebe,the Cincinatti guys, and many European makers. Sven Mentec's basses are really nice. He's Joel's son. Nolli's basses are very pretty and VERY expensive. Luciano's basses sound as good or better than anything out there. The fit and finish aren't as impeccable as Hachez (his are amazing) but I feel that they play and sound at least as good. (I prefer my Golia) And they cost about $13k
Click to expand...

+1!!!
 
#12
I've played a few instruments by contemporary builders. My favorites at the 2005 ISB were Schnitzer's Ergo Bass, Nick Lloyd's Walnut and a really nice Pollmann. I heard a Charton at Daniel Marillier's concert, it had a very "French" mid-rangey quality.

A friend's Laborie Quenoil model I played was really nice, easy playing, resonant and very beautiful.

Mike Arnopol's Golia is a wonderful full sounding, big bodied instrument with an easy response and easy to get around on smaller shoulders.

I've played one Hatchez, this one didn't have much of a sound, in fact I was quite surprised when I found out it was a Hatchez.

Andy Stetson's Prescott copy is a great sounding bass.

I played one of Chris Threlkeld-Wiegand's basses last year, a bit smaller body and string length, but with a large sound. Really nice.

And our Ken McKay built a really good sounding cornerless bass. Don't know if he has others in the works.
 
#15
RCWilliams said:
at the risk of being self serving check out Anton Krutz basses at kcstrings.com, they are good enough to been commissioned by the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra for the full bass section, 10 basses.
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I am going to vouch for this. My own Krutz(2007 7/8 size) has played very well for me. I've often compared basses with my peers and received many compliments for it. Because the construction is so thick and heavy, it takes quite a bit of time to really break them in, but it's totally worth it. The price vs. quality is VERY nice.
 
#17
I played Nick Lloyd's walnut last year when he brought some basses to town. Yes, it really is a nice bass.
Unca Paulie, I have also played some of Anton's basses and was impressed by them. Although brand spankin' new, they sound great. My skills with the stick are mostly in the wrong direction, but they would be fine orchestra basses.
 

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