Double Bass Help selecting Upright please.

[p12bassnut]

A friend is selling this bass. As an electric bass player I am wanting to crossover to upright. Don’t want to spend a fortune but want something that will last and not fall apart on me.
May I get opinions on this particular unit please?
Asking $1700 but will probably go lower.
I'm told the neck was "oiled" after it was sanded down.

Thanks

 

[TroyK]

The +4 pictures might help.

 

[p12bassnut]

Updated first post with better pics

 

[TroyK]

I found a thread where someone asked this question before. Not a ton of great information in it.

Any More Info On Franz Hoffmann (Shar Music) Upright Basses?

I also went to Shar music, who seems to sell these and read the specs, which say the fingerboard is Ebony...which is important and a good sign. You might consider calling them and asking questions about these basses and even inquiring about buying one from them, it would help you assess the local price.

I also find some user reviews of the same model of violins and they were generally positive reviews about a student level instrument. Not sure that they could applied to DB, but maybe it's an indication. One of them, however said the the fingerboard finish had worn off...which doesn't suggest ebony to me. I don't know enough about violins, but DB fingerboards need to be very hard wood. Beware of things that say "ebonized", because that means, something too soft to stand up to the tension and pressure of DB strings has been died black to look like Ebony and it's a $1,000(ish) problem to resolve and not worth it for $1-2,000 instrument.

The fact that this is owned by a friend is good. Your best bet would be to have it assessed by a DB luthier. Brook Mays or Dallas Strings or a local independent DB luthier (not a really smart BG luthier, who says they can do it).

If you can post really good photos, there are people here who are better at spotting things and giving informed opinions and advice. Like in the linked thread, I think you can also expect people to start shouting out their favorite entry level basses.

My gut tells me that this is not a terrible choice, but it may be priced a little high, a call to Shar would put that in context. I think because it is local and from someone known to you, it's worth focusing on assessing. If you were serious about it, you might compare it to what else is available in your market that you could play and talk to the shop's luthier about. Since you have local options, I would personally prioritize them over considering mail order options.

Just my $0.02

 

[RSBBass]

For that price you can get a new SB80 and be a happy camper. If you later want to upgrade you have a bass from a known maker and it will be easier to sell.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Nope.

 

[RSBBass]

Nope.

I agree but this doesn't help the OP who is new to upright bass. We all started out there and people helped us by patiently explaining things to us. The OP posted a valid question with way more information than we usually get. How about some details on that "Nope".

 

[Fat bob]

I agree with the Sheriff and RSB. It’s a buyers market -especially now in the time of ‘rona. If I had 1700 to spend I’d be looking for a used hybrid bass or even come up a little and find an old Kay. They’d sound and play worlds better and retain their resale value. Or put simply, nope

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

A few years back I paid $2200 for a fully carved Solano, having driven several hours and negotiated down from the asking price of $4k. I have since remained on friendly terms with the seller, which was extended by her.

Call me cold-blooded if you will, but I see exactly no reason to pay full retail price for a used, no-name Chinese plywood bass other that the OP’s friend being in a financial jam and the OP having money coming out of their ears and wanting to help.

Which I doubt is the case.

 

[Ed S]

What everyone else said. If you were even going to consider this bass, it would have to be dirt cheap - like $700. Then, if you got a luthier to put some work into it, you could end up w/ a playable instrument. But there is NOTHING about that bass that makes it special, or that will make you feel the urge to play it. W/ a $1700 budget, if you wait around and look, you could pretty quickly find something VASTLY better.

I know Texas is a big place, but this one is FAR superior, and sold right here just this month for $800.

 

[p12bassnut]

Thank you everyone for the help. I'm going to pass on this one, I won't rush into a purchase/decision and will keep searching.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Pass. For $1200 used you can get a Shen plywood. Get that and you’ll be good