I'm a hobbyist. I have two very decent little basses, but have decided it's time for something new. It's been several years since I bought a bass. I can spend around 9k.
I've been scouring the city, and have been stunned to find nothing decent in that price range. I don't expect a Boosey Hawks, but I certainly expect something healthy and nice to play. So far, the only things I've seen in my price range at dealers have been odd-ball items (for example, the unlabeled German bass with a recent replacement neck the size of a small tree and some very large cracks for 10k, "firm".) From individuals I've seen even worse, like a nice 20's German with a "small crack" that turned out to be a jagged one foot split, like someone had taken an ax to it.
They haven't all been that bad, but you get the picture. I never would have considered buying a new bass, but the best thing I played in my price range was a Kolstein Fendt, which I have now on a one week trial. So far, it's decent but I expect I'll end up returning it. It reminds me of a sound engineer's idea of an upright bass: lots of nice, transparent bottom end that won't interfere with the singer, but no character to speak of.
Two questions:
Am I being too critical of the Kolstein? Anyone want to share experience with them? It sounds like it has potential, but I've never bought a new bass. For the money, should I expect it sound dead on from the start, or is it worth getting it on the possibility that it will eventually "play in"?
Second, are my expectations just unrealistic? Are basses really that expensive these days? All I want is something with some character, comfortable to play and healthy. I want a bass I can develop a relationship with, if you know what I mean.
After going to the various dealers, I just feel like a jerk. One very famous dealer, whose luthiers I know and have enormous respect for, were absolute sharks when it came to selling their basses. Another made me wait to get in the showroom because a beloved client showed up at the last minute to audition bows -- for four hours. Should I be doing something different, or should I adjust my expectations?
I've been scouring the city, and have been stunned to find nothing decent in that price range. I don't expect a Boosey Hawks, but I certainly expect something healthy and nice to play. So far, the only things I've seen in my price range at dealers have been odd-ball items (for example, the unlabeled German bass with a recent replacement neck the size of a small tree and some very large cracks for 10k, "firm".) From individuals I've seen even worse, like a nice 20's German with a "small crack" that turned out to be a jagged one foot split, like someone had taken an ax to it.
They haven't all been that bad, but you get the picture. I never would have considered buying a new bass, but the best thing I played in my price range was a Kolstein Fendt, which I have now on a one week trial. So far, it's decent but I expect I'll end up returning it. It reminds me of a sound engineer's idea of an upright bass: lots of nice, transparent bottom end that won't interfere with the singer, but no character to speak of.
Two questions:
Am I being too critical of the Kolstein? Anyone want to share experience with them? It sounds like it has potential, but I've never bought a new bass. For the money, should I expect it sound dead on from the start, or is it worth getting it on the possibility that it will eventually "play in"?
Second, are my expectations just unrealistic? Are basses really that expensive these days? All I want is something with some character, comfortable to play and healthy. I want a bass I can develop a relationship with, if you know what I mean.
After going to the various dealers, I just feel like a jerk. One very famous dealer, whose luthiers I know and have enormous respect for, were absolute sharks when it came to selling their basses. Another made me wait to get in the showroom because a beloved client showed up at the last minute to audition bows -- for four hours. Should I be doing something different, or should I adjust my expectations?
All of the suggestions given in this thread are worth being, and should be, considered. I won't presume to suggest which are right for the OP. I will say that I think it's best to cast a broad net.
