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Double Bass Anyone got Experience of Archer Basses?

H

hazzacanary

Guest
Jun 7, 2013
5
0
Norfolk, UK
#1
Hi all,

I'm a jazz bassist looking to finally get my hands on my own instrument! I have a grant of £750, but I can stretch to £1000 if it's worth it.

Anways, a couple of the classical bassists at my college have these archer basses from gear4music.com, and they really rate them (after a setup and string change of course!)

Does anyone have any information on them? Where they're made, how they play etc...

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#2
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first double bass, are these two only suitable for bonfire wood? | TalkBass.com

You may be better off contacting Thomann about one of their Czech-made basses, which are usually Strunals, homely but well made and good sounding instruments if they are set up well. Buddy of mine who lives in Europe and deals with these basses regularly says that Thomann sources instruments from several suppliers, so it's hit and miss in terms of what you get from them.
 
#3
KUNGfuSHERIFF said:
Scroll to the bottom:

first double bass, are these two only suitable for bonfire wood? | TalkBass.com

You may be better off contacting Thomann about one of their Czech-made basses, which are usually Strunals, homely but well made and good sounding instruments if they are set up well. Buddy of mine who lives in Europe and deals with these basses regularly says that Thomann sources instruments from several suppliers, so it's hit and miss in terms of what you get from them.
Click to expand...

+1 I would go for Thomman as the Archer basses I've tried have not been that good and they needed a ton of set up work. I've also played one that was set up and wasn't that impressed. I've also played a few from Thomman which were a lot better...but as you say, set up and strings are key whatever you go for.
 
#4
Ok, I'll steer clear of the Archer then - I think one of the guys who I said had one spent at least £1000 doing it up!

Re the Thomann variable quality, can't you send things back to thomann though, just if you don't like them... I can't imagine what shipping would be like for something this big though!

How would a thomann 33 compare to something like this

Double bass Stentor ll | eBay

or this 2nd hand 70s romanian bass
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or this 2nd hand 70s english bass
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If I do get something thats only £750-800 then it leave a bit of money for new strings and a setup I suppose!
 
#5
Those photos are close to useless, but both of those Romanians look like the garden-variety factory instruments made in the Soviet factory that is now run by the Hora company. I'm told that they're hardy fully carved instruments and the good ones take a setup well and produce a servicable sound but maybe not a ton of volume. In any case, both are probably much better than mystery meat, and the prices are about right.
 
#7
TroyK said:
Step away from eBay!

I would look for a UK or at least European source and try to find something in your budget. Be patient and make a careful choice.
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How come? Sorry don't want to be confrontational, I'm sure just interested as I'm sure you know a lot more about this than I do! I would, of course, go and try before I buy with any 2nd hand instrument! Would you advocate waiting and seeing what comes up on the 2nd hand market? My grant money has to be used by september, so I suppose I can wait for a bit. I would like to get practicing though!

Thanks,
H
 
#8
I think ordering a bass, from another continent, and hoping that it is okay should be plan E. You will need a luthier either way, see if you can identify who that might be in your area, they may have or know of a bass. I know there are at least a few shops in the UK who sell doublebasses, I'd recommend driving or taking a train across the UK to check out their basses in person (after confirming that they had choices in your price range, of course) before buying on-line and having something shipped overseas.

These are not off-the-rack purchases. It pays to be deliberate in how you go about it.

Just my advice, of course. I had a couple of stable, serviceable, but uninspired basses before I got to the love of my life. I think if you work at it you'll find something right for you in your price range.
 
#11
The romanian basses are within visiting distance, although I'd have to cough up £20 in train fare...

One of them looks like it has a brand new bridge, so I guess I'd need to have it fitted properly

Also as I'm jazzer, I guess I'd have to get pretty much any bass to the luthier to get the action lowered.

However, I just found this solid top instrument on bass chat:
For Sale: Gedo 3/4 Semi-solid DB, Tom & Will Gigbag, Gage pickup - Basschat

I think it's worth going and trying that out as well, seeing as it already has a pickup, bow, case, half decent strings and it's been set up.

Thanks for everything so far,
H
 
#12
I lucked into a Strunal 50/1 laminated which is almost a twin to my Lidl (name before Strunal) 5/35 hybrid. Both used, both within driving distance, both together costing
less than $1200 (and no, these are not trasher/beaters). Because of the carved top, the Lidl is a bit fragile and not suited for every situation; but the Strunal is FIERCE:
robust, heavy, and LOUD. Should be fine for jazz.

These are Czech instruments coming out of Lyuba I believe. There might be some in the UK.
 
#13
hazzacanary said:
Hi all,

I'm a jazz bassist looking to finally get my hands on my own instrument...
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PhrasingArcher_zps5e49d729.jpg
 
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