Double Bass Doublebass acquisition - URGENT HELP please

[Armando Fonseca]

Dear All,

I’m a musician since a kid (piano and bayan) but my “secondary dream” has always been to lear a few simples things of doublebass (walking bass, pizzicato, etc) so I’ve been trying to acquire a used one, which is the only option for economical reasons.

I would need the opinion of an expert though and took the liberty of sending this email expecting that you can be so kind to help me.

Fortunately an opportunity as finally come and I’ve found a CREMONA LUBY, Model 5/5, manufactured in 1977, and after contacting the manufacturer, they told me they haven’t any info, since it’s a "pre-Strunal” instrument, but if it has the same specs as the new one, it would be a Solist concert Double Bass, fully carved, solid Spruce top, solid Maple back and sides, fine Ebony trimmings, inlaid purflings, Rubner machine heads, Master endpin, D´Addario Helicore strings, flat back which would cost around 5.000€.

The problem is that I can see two “black lines” on the lower body on the pictures the seller has sent me, which seem to be fractures and that he can’t tell if are serious or not…

Even though it seems a good deal, since he’s selling it for 950€ (including bag and bow) I don’t know what to do… the question is if even with this problem it worth's over buying a 500€ “chinese model” or another option I have for 2.000€ (stentor).

Please kindly check the attached pictures and let me know.

I will sincerely appreciate all the support you can provide reinforcing the excellent opinion I have about this forum.

Looking forwards to hear from you.

Best regards,

Armando Fonseca

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Maybe. That long crack is next to the soundpost, which is a high stress area. If the repair is good, it will be fine for decades. If it’s not, you wasted 950.

Tough call for a beginner to make. Other than that crack, it’s probably a solid workhorse instrument.

 

[GretschWretch]

Better pics would help. These are so blurry I cannot tell whether I am seeing a crack or just finish damage.

"Pre-Strunal" ought to mean Lidl, so maybe you can find better info from that search.

 

[arto alho]

Did you get the pics from the seller? If yes, you should require better fotos. My friend has a very similar instrument from the same era, it has a carved back though. The tuners look the same.
What I see in those poor pictures and considering what I do know of my friend's instrument, this is what I can tell:
The purfling is not inlaid, is is just a painted strip
The back seems to be laminated, no grain is visible
The bridge seems too wide and too high for that bass, it might be a full size bridge originally. The top part has been cut off since the legs are so high. It is also not centered between the f-holes, which might be because the neck is misaligned. This could also be the reason for that nasty sound post side crack.
In the picture of the back there is something very strange in the button area, which makes me think that the neck has been reglued and is in a completely wrong angle and also misaligned.
The fingerboard is thin and poor quality.
The endpin looks like a good quality Götz though.
If you don't get any better pictures, I strongly recommend steering away from that bass.
Regards,
R2

 

[notabene]

"a few simples things of doublebass (walking bass, pizzicato, etc)"

worthy of years of practice, experience.

 

[Armando Fonseca]

notabene, I didn't mean to offend anybody... with "simple" I meant the things I would like to learn.

on the other hand I would appreciate a lot if you could focus on helping me out if it's not much trouble...

 

[Steve Swan]

Run from an inexpensive bass with a long, ragged soundpost crack!

 

[arto alho]

+1

And without any better pics there's really not much more to say to help you out more.

 

[Armando Fonseca]

Hi, thank you all for your opinions!

Arto alho, I've sent you a private message, haven't you checked?

 

[arto alho]

Checked & replied

 

[Armando Fonseca]

Thanks once more for all your cooperation!

Since you've been all so kind, I would kindly ask you if you believe this one (STRUNAL from 1998) is a better option (also with scratches on back) and what would be a good offer for it:

 

[Armando Fonseca]

Two more:

 

[notabene]

]notabene, I didn't mean to offend anybody... with "simple" I meant the things I would like to learn.

No offense taken.Just noting that I'm still learning new things about walking bass and pizz. playing after many years of playing.

on the other hand I would appreciate a lot if you could focus on helping me out if it's not much trouble...[/QUOTE]

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Is the ‘98 plywood? Carved? Hybrid?

 

[eh_train]

Hi,

The '98 bass looks to be 100% ply, with older Superflexible strings. People tend to pay around $1200 Canadian dollars for these, at most, which translates to $790 Euros. They're fairly indestructible, and are good for learning on.

Hope this helps,

Paul

 

[GretschWretch]

I've got a bottom-of-the-line Strunal ply with which I am quite pleased, especially from the perspective of bang for the buck. A pawn shop prize, the rascal is heavy but also well set-up and loud. It probably is not ideal for nuances under the bow in orchestral playing, but that is not what I use it for.

 

[Armando Fonseca]

Hi all,

Thank you so much once again for all your support and kind help!

Meanwhile another deal showed up, that I believe can be the most interesting one, not only in terms of €€ but also because I may be able do do an exchange for other equipment.

It's a THOMANN 33 3/4 all carved wood. Any opinions?

Best regards, AF

 

[RSBBass]

I can't help you with the specific bass pictured but I have a few things to say. It is difficult to evaluate a bass from a few pictures. There may give enough information for us to tell you to stay away but they never will tell enough for a thumbs up. I would strongly suggest renting a bass and taking a few lessons to start. This way you can evaluate if upright is right for you before spending the money on a bass. You also will gain a valuable resource in a teacher who can help evaluate any bass you find in person.