Double Bass Anybody have any experience with No Label Romanian DBs?

[Keith Rawlings]

3/4 Size Doublebass Contrabass Hand-Made in Europe from Solid Wood | eBay

Has anyone ever bought or heard anything about these instruments? They appear to be fully carved Romanian basses for an excellent price. They look really nice.

 

[wjl]

Hi Keith,

haven't heard anything about that dealer on eBay - but if these are the same basses which are imported and sold by a local dealer here in Frankfurt, Germany, then these are excellent. Played them all, and instantly fell in love with the cheapest one made from poplar wood - prices are about the same as on eBay, and the setup done by the German shop is also wonderful:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Gasparo Kontrabass

Of course these are *not* in any way related to the real Gasparo da Salo from Italy which are unobtainable...

Hope that helps,
Wolfgang

 

[Keith Rawlings]

Hi Keith,

haven't heard anything about that dealer on eBay - but if these are the same basses which are imported and sold by a local dealer here in Frankfurt, Germany, then these are excellent. Played them all, and instantly fell in love with the cheapest one made from poplar wood - prices are about the same as on eBay, and the setup done by the German shop is also wonderful:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Gasparo Kontrabass

Of course these are *not* in any way related to the real Gasparo da Salo from Italy which are unobtainable...

Hope that helps,
Wolfgang

Hi Wolfgang,

Wow - these are absolutely gorgeous basses! Thank you for sharing the link. The blonde Testore Transylvania and the Bergamo basses are lovely. I emailed them about pricing for both. I've been looking at used carved basses and most of what I like has had many repairs done to them and I don't want to buy anybody's problems — no matter how stable said repairs may be. These Romanian/Carpathian basses look to be very well made, fully carved and perfect for someone like me who is trying to learn arco after 25 years of slapping a double bass. My Kay is just fine for that; however I need something sonically more resonant for arco technique and these appear to be in my $3K-$5K range.

 

[wjl]

I know what you mean Keith, playing a plywood Christopher 200 series I'm really happy with...

... but that Testore, oh yeah, that's some piece of art, and sounds well played in like an older bass but right new in the store. A bit out of my range, even the Bergamo which I really loved. I'm still learning, have mine now since less than 10 months, but if I should ever grow up with my bowing a bit, I'll go for one of these as well I think.

In the German-speaking "Musiker Board" is someone who got the middle "Vienna" model as a birthday present from his wife, and he's also loving it - now his main instrument as he recently wrote. But he doesn't play arco, that was a recent question there:

Review: Gasparo Modell Wien

Good luck, and glad if I could help,
Wolfgang

 

[fdeck]

Very similar to my 2010 Calin Wultur "Corsini" bass, which was made in Romania. Same carving style around the button. I bought mine from Vince Jesse's shop in Madison. He described it as having a machine carved neck, in which case it would be hard to distinguish a "style" from the scroll and pegbox. Also, the problem with cellphone pics is that there's enough image distortion that you can't fully assess the shape.

Still, I'm happy with my bass. Naturally there are the many known caveats to buying a bass online, and to the accuracy of any attempt at identification.

 

[clclark]

Very similar to my 2010 Calin Wultur "Corsini" bass, which was made in Romania.

I was thinking of the Wultur Corsini model when I saw the pictures, but it's hard to tell without a straight view of the body. I have a Wultur Carcassi model (Romanian workshop and wood) and it's all the bass I need - sometimes a bit too much, she's a big girl.

Keith, I'd encourage you to follow up with the "Gasparo" link wjl included in his first post. The pictures you attached don't match any of the current models, but it's possible their lineup has changed. There is a contact form on the site and they may be able to give you more information.

 

[Keith Rawlings]

I was thinking of the Wultur Corsini model when I saw the pictures, but it's hard to tell without a straight view of the body. I have a Wultur Carcassi model (Romanian workshop and wood) and it's all the bass I need - sometimes a bit too much, she's a big girl.

Keith, I'd encourage you to follow up with the "Gasparo" link wjl included in his first post. The pictures you attached don't match any of the current models, but it's possible their lineup has changed. There is a contact form on the site and they may be able to give you more information.

I emailed them last week and am still waiting for a response. These are beautiful basses on that Gasparo site and I hope they get back with me.

I've been in contact with the EBay dealer and they say I can get whatever I want built by them — fully carved — but it will ship for a reasonable price only with the neck not attached. I would have to have it put together with my local luthier, which I'm okay with if the price is right.

 

[clclark]

Best of luck whatever you decide. Let us know what you find out. It's always nice to have more sources of quality, affordable instruments.