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Double Bass Doing my homework for first DB purchase...

#61
I've found the last few posts quite fascinating. It all adds to the 'wonderful world of the bass' experience for me. Happily or not, I may never have the chance ($$+skill) to own one of the classics, but I do admire them for the works of art they are, and I admire those of you musicians who own, play and care for them. I especially enjoy it all for the great music you make with them. I know basses may not be in the realm of the Strad or Guenari, but what the he**, it's still great fun for a newbie like me.

g.h. :)
 
#62
There are 1000s of workable and loved Basses made in these German and Czech shops over the last 100 years or so. Many have labels and brands made up purely for the American market. Some of these Basses can be found in their own country with the makers label or no label at all with little or no change in design. These Basses are the more afforadable Carved instruments. Those with the slightest pedigree that were not made commercially can run 2,3 or 4 times the price of the commercial models. Move over to Franch Basses and the prices go up a bit. Go to Italy or England and it's a second mortage for many of these old greats. There are some great German Basses in the low to mid 5 figures as well. Some Viennese Basses and handmade Bohemian (Czech) can also be up there. The Basses used in the Symphonies with run higher than the ones that don't. This is not my opinion but actual fact.

Many Eastern European countries now make lower cost Basses along with China. Qualities vary greatly in the under 10k carved Basses. Shop wisely as there are many choices for buyers today.
 
#63
I've come to the point where I'm swearing off these sites. Too many arrogant blow-hards. I guess Mr. Smith is questioning a very fine dealer's credibility AND the label within the instrument. It matters not who actually built a bass but rather its overall qualiity. Whether the work was subbed out or not, this is an extraordinary bass. THIS is not a Wilfer, I've owned them. I too have studied DB builders a bit.

This is the second site where I've run into this know-it-all. Its very curious to me that someone who has spent decades owning a VERY reputible bass building company, (and apparently staying a busy bass player to boot), has sooo much time to run around 'schooling' everyone on the absolute truths of the bass universe, according to Smith.

I'll never look at a KS bass the same way again.

I'd be envious except I never want to be that cranky. :eyebrow:

Tell us how it is Ken. :confused:
 
#64
Stay away from dealers. Follow your local classified ads and even eBay. I have a 1932 3/4 roundback Hermann Stolzel in VGC which I paid $850 for and $300 or so for new bridge/setup & tailpiece from the repairman who does all the local classical work. There is another right now for sale from a dealer in Germany who wants 10,000+ Euros. It can be done. :D
 
#65
I have made several posts about Juzek. Do a search to save me a 'book' of info. Robert Juzek, John's brother ran the business in the USA. Having a label means nothing really. Anyone can stick a label or write a date on it or in the Bass. There may be some labelled Juzeks after 1920 but not before. They had no interest in Basses until they started importing into the USA. I don't know if any actual handmade Violins by John Juzek were ever sent here but his own Nephew Bobby Juzek will tell you his Uncle John never made a Bass. Bobby has taken the Juzek name off the Basses as it has mainly been the Wilfer Family (Anton, Wenzel and now Emanuell) that has suppied them all these years. They have on occassion bought other German or Bohemian Basses to fill School orders but most evey carved Bass from Juzek is a Wilfer.

FYI, before I had my EB company, I was buying, restoring and selling Double Basses. I personally knew Robert Juzek when I was in Highschool and his son Bobby and Peter Eibert as well who came from Germany to work in the NY shop adjusting the instruments before they were shipped to customers. I got my history on the family way before they ever published it on their website from Bobby and Peter Eibert who also knew the Juzek name when he worked for one of the Langs in Germany. I have nothing at all against them. I have owned several myself. I used a Wenzel Wilfer Bass (1966) for years that I bought from Robert and Bobby Juzek 35 years ago. I also had an Anton Wilfer Bass (1936) that I made a false nut for to shorten the string length to 42" from 43.5 or so as that was normal for a 7/8th Bass then. I bought many Juzeks, repaired and sold them back in the mid 1970s-'80s.

Many people that know me from my Bass company (EBs) have no idea of my past with DBs and my years of playing them professionally. I am back to collecting and selling DBs now but prefer to stay with the higher end Basses. The Two Shens I have were purchased to play personally before I decided to get back to my old tricks and then some. The information I give here is half a lifetime of knowledge as well as the lifetimes of my elders I have consulted with. Some of them were born in the 19th century. Nothing here with the DB info I post is personal, it's just the facts as I have learned them.
 
#69
Back to the political pages. This is too tedious. Its more about demeanor than the content. I love to learn but hate lectures. No matter who you are, once you stop being curious and start assuming you know it all, you're officially boring. :rolleyes:
 
#70
pnchad said:
Back to the political pages. This is too tedious. Its more about demeanor than the content. I love to learn but hate lectures. No matter who you are, once you stop being curious and start assuming you know it all, you're officially boring. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Are you talking to me?

I learn every day. I also share what I have learned with others.

If one tries to learn everything himself his entire life, then one dies stupid!

The information I have posted about Juzek if from personal knowledge and personal contact. PLEASE, call Metropolitan Music and talk to John Juzeks nephew Bobby Juzek and find something that I have posted that is not true or inaccurate. I love being corrected. It makes me smarter!
 
#71
KSB - Ken Smith said:
Your Post seemed fine to me. Put it back up if you can. This is an open and hopefully 'peacefull' forum about DBs, their makers, players and anything else we dream up or bring to light.
Click to expand...
I've got the flu pretty heavily right now and am not thinking clearly. Restraint of pen and tongue are a good thing for me until I get right in the head.

The one thing I will say is that exchanges like this have happened between newbies and people who have been around for awhile several times in the last year or so and some very important voices were silenced. I don't like it when people like Parker and Branstetter and a several others I can't remember at this moment get run off by those whose opinions mean less to me.

This group of unlikely comrades that are committed to the double bass has greatly improved my playing and my lutherie. It saddens me when that gets diminished.
 
#72
I wanted you all to know that I spoke with Gary at Uptonbass on the phone this past Saturday, and he seems like a very nice guy. I chatted with him for about twenty minutes and he answered a lot of my questions and gave me a few more things to think about. He said the holiday shipping deal was designed to get fence setters like me off the fence.

Besides DBs per se, we also talked a bit about Ray Brown, Milt Hinton, and Paul Chambers. Seemed like a cool guy.

Now if I'll just get off my own fence and write out a check, everything will be all right. I just don't spend two grand very often, so it's hard for me. But I'll keep you posted.

I was, BTW, just re-reading the thread and wanted to thank everyone for all the advice and opinions, here in the thread and via emails and PMs. It's been (and continues to be) quite an education.

Wheat
 
#73
I'm the REAL newbie here. I was beginning to enjoy this thread and all of a sudden...(can anyone hear the garbage can falling to the sidewalk from 30ft?)

I used to raise dogs, and pedigree ones at that, and it was always interesting to learn of some new champion's family tree and so on, and maybe there were occasionally arguments due to jealousy, etc. But in this case, I just don't get it. Somebody has a GREAT $8K bass that sounds like heaven and they love it and I'm jealous, but if it's not made by the guy the dealer said, it had to be made by somebody, and does it really matter who? If I owned such a bass, I'd be happy if it was made at Curly, Moe & Larry's Lutherie.

gomez
 
#74
You're right wheat, Gary is cool and he really helped me with my purchase. (now I patiently wait) I know it's a lot, cause I just spent it! But I've also spent that much on Martin acoustic guitars and asst'd bass amps in the old days. I think spending a few large for an upright is a great deal, especially with what I read some of you pros pay for basses. Zowie! :eek:
 
#75
Gomez,

If you don't mind my asking, did you get anything else along with your upton? I'm thinking of getting a bow (one of those $99 ones perhaps), their low end bag ($99, though that $269 upton bag looks really nice), and a stand (the only one they list is $60). So that puts me at $1960.

Wheat
 
#76
pnchad said:
Back to the political pages. This is too tedious. Its more about demeanor than the content. I love to learn but hate lectures. No matter who you are, once you stop being curious and start assuming you know it all, you're officially boring. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Perhaps you'd like to fill in your profile so that some of us could have a better idea of exactly who it is that we're boring? :eyebrow:
 
#77
You know you really don't need a stand. A nice, safe, out-of-the-way corner does just fine too. I have a stand myself but realized after a while that it wasn't really neccessary.

I'd get the bow & bag, but don't forget that you still have other expenses. Like a book (you'll probably end up getting Simandl #1), and lessons to pay for. IMO, it's no use getting bow unless you have a teacher. Also, if you decide to get into the realm of finding the right strings that match your bass - that takes more $$$.

And then theres amplification.... :rolleyes: :help: :)
 
#80
I went ahead and bought his new bag. It looks good and the price compared to most others with the similar features is OK. No bow, no stand. Arco for me comes way down the road. hdiddy is right about the teacher...bowing is just to scary to think of right now.

good luck.
 

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