Double Bass Contemplating used Eminence

[John Le Guyader]

I'm thinking about buying an Eminence RN4 at a good price (about half the cost of a new one not including shipping), but sight unseen. And its across the country from me so I can't go to look at it. The bass has really been used with many cosmetic dings. That doesn't bother me, especially for the price offered. But take a look at the attached photos of the side of the fingerboard where the markers are. There is an obvious crack/split in the fingerboard. When I pointed it out to the seller they were not aware of the issue. Otherwise they have been above board about being honest of the condition of the bass. This is the only thing from stopping me to buy it. Any advise to offer based on what can be seen in the photo? The split does not appear to run to the opposite side of the fingerboard. The seller was also going to take a closer look at the supposed fingerboard issue. I asked if they noticed any issues playing it and they said no.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Having briefly owned one, I’m not a fan. The necks seem to be made from soft, punky maple that can bend under string tension. That’s probably why the board cracked. Ask the seller to hold a straightedge against the seam to see if it’s straight or turning into a banana.

 

[John Le Guyader]

Having briefly owned one, I’m not a fan. The necks seem to be made from soft, punky maple that can bend under string tension. That’s probably why the board cracked. Ask the seller to hold a straightedge against the seam to see if it’s straight or turning into a banana.

Thanks...

 

[chilensko]

Thanks...

I would not buy an instrument without playing it....ones a friend told me that you must fall in love with the axe then you get it.
I own an Eminence but I replace the fingerboard with a nice ebony board and my luthier installed two pieces of carbon rails to prevent any bend.
Now is good an a nice instrument but I paid a lot of money for that.
BTW I'm very disappointed with Eminence quality. Is not more than a chinese plywood bass.

 

[John Le Guyader]

Honest opinions appreciate.

 

[Jeff Elkins]

I owned one (the first line, no removable neck, lower quality construction and finish than the next round) for a few years, gigged with it for several months, and really enjoyed it. My experience with real uprights was limited prior to that, so all opinions are suspect.

The good:
Super portable. Good amplified sound (Gage Realist copper pup). Easy to bow. I never had trouble with intonation or neck/body wood flexing from craftsmanship issues or weather.

The bad:
Hard to hear, even in practice, without plugging it in. And without the body rod (spacer? I forget what he calls it), it was difficult to lock into a comfortable playing position.

I got into bluegrass and eventually moved to an Engelhardt--cheaper, but held its own in a jam or onstage without being plugged in (critical in East Tennessee). I also love the Engel neck, which is like the old Kays, and smaller than the Eminence or other classical bass necks. I had trouble making the switch back to the Eminence neck, so it sat in a corner until I sold it.

The fingerboard can be replaced, of course, if it's truly broken.

But I think this Bass's best quality is portability, followed closely by on-stage coolness factor. Those both mattered to me at the time.