Double Bass Cremona ¾ Double Bass

[GKon]

Hi folks,

How do you feel about Cremona double basses? There's one for sale in my area for $750. I'm mainly an electric bass player, so looking for something that is good enough to practice on and have some fun, while not breaking the bank.

I do understand the need for something that is well made and can be set up well, hence my question.

Thank you for your input.

 

[Lee Moses]

Most folks around here will steer you away from a Cremona. I personally wouldn't recommend it. Save a few hundred dollars more, or look around a little longer, and you can find something that can serve you well for at least a few years.

Lots of threads here about Cremonas (or look up threads on CCBs--Cheap Chinese Basses).

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

That depends on how comfortable you are spending $750 on a bass that lacks a proper neck block.

My daughter’s friend found one on the side of the road and gave it to me as a gift. It must have been made on a Wednesday because it wasn’t the nightmare I’d heard so many stories about, but it never left my house.

 

[turf3]

Cheap Chinese made piece of crap.

Oh wait, did I tell you how I really feel about it?

Look - the basic entry level double bass will run you on the order of $1000-1500. You get what you pay for. Pay half the going rate, get less than half the value.

 

[GKon]

Most folks around here will steer you away from a Cremona. I personally wouldn't recommend it. Save a few hundred dollars more, or look around a little longer, and you can find something that can serve you well for at least a few years.

Lots of threads here about Cremonas (or look up threads on CCBs--Cheap Chinese Basses).

Thank you for the information and for getting back to me so quickly.

 

[Dave Leighton]

As a newcomer to the DB world, coming from EB. Save some more. As was said earlier, you can do way better for really not much more.

 

[GKon]

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. I get the picture. I'll wait for a good priced Kay, or similar, to come up for sale.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

You could always rent a bass for a few months to get a feel for the instrument. I would also suggest a couple lessons as well. Upright bass is really different from electric.

 

[damonsmith]

It is also a label you see on totally different basses - I think there is more than one. In any case, it isn't a "brand" you can trust like Fender. "brands" are not really the way to go, though there are more around now that you can trust than when I started.

 

[damonsmith]

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. I get the picture. I'll wait for a good priced Kay, or similar, to come up for sale.

If a Kay is your endgame then the Cremona will get you started just fine.

 

[GKon]

You could always rent a bass for a few months to get a feel for the instrument. I would also suggest a couple lessons as well. Upright bass is really different from electric.

Thanks for the advice. I have taken a few lessons years back, and played my teacher's nice upright. I'm just looking for something to have around the house for fun, and when the mood strikes.

 

[LouisF]

If you get it set up properly (@$400??) so that it doesn't kill your hands, it could be ok. Conversely you could talk to Steve at String Emporium about his "scratch and dent" basses: Thompson Plywood Upright Basses.

I don't know if it's tariffs or inflation but beginner basses (including Cremonas, Milanos, Stentors --which actually aren't terrible) are sudden;y in the $1700-$2200 range. Yikes.

 

[GKon]

If you get it set up properly (@$400??) so that it doesn't kill your hands, it could be ok. Conversely you could talk to Steve at String Emporium about his "scratch and dent" basses: Thompson Plywood Upright Basses.

I don't know if it's tariffs or inflation but beginner basses (including Cremonas, Milanos, Stentors --which actually aren't terrible) are sudden;y in the $1700-$2200 range. Yikes.

Thanks!

 

[Boneless]

How about something from Gewa? Thomann sells them between €1-2k, depending on the model. Some with full solid wood construction.

 

[GKon]

How about something from Gewa? Thomann sells them between €1-2k, depending on the model. Some with full solid wood construction.

Thanks for the tip. Although I used to live in Greece, I'm now in the US so I assume shipping costs would be substantial?

 

[eh_train]

How about something from Gewa? Thomann sells them between €1-2k, depending on the model. Some with full solid wood construction.

The inexpensive, Chinese manufactured Gewa basses that I've seen are no better than Cremonas. Thick, unpleasant necks, thick unpleasant finishes, dicey construction. Thomann may now be selling something different/better - Gewa is just a label, after all - but watch out for the ones that have a sprayed on, brown paint "finish"...

 

[Pings Bass]

Nothing unites the minds of the TB double bass literati like a Cremona bass

 

[Jeff Kissell]

I played one last month as a backline, it needed a setup but was otherwise fine. If this bass is in decent shape, $750 is probably a decent price for the OP’s stated objective.

 

[GKon]

I played one last month as a backline, it needed a setup but was otherwise fine. If this bass is in decent shape, $750 is probably a decent price for the OP’s stated objective.

Thanks for your hands on info. I appreciate it.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

Check Gollihur music and String Emporium. They have decent starter basses for under $2000. Stay away from Cremona. As stated above, it is cheap Chinese crap.