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Double Bass I do require your expertise

C

Chrissae

Sep 4, 2011
0
0
#1
Hi everyone.

I am buying my 18 yr old son an upright. I am looking at two beginner models ...one a Strunal 50/4 3/4....the other a Schoenbach with the same specs.

However, after reading some posts on here I'm confused. Are these two instruments actually the same, with the Schoenbach being rebranded by Long and McQuade?
I spoke to a tech in Toronto who was selling the Strunal and he wasn't sure.
The point is that there is a difference in price of about 500.00 dollars.

Also, if I buy used I'm assuming that the instrument will require adjustments on set up. Or...is this something my son can do?
Thanks everyone in advance. Chris
 
#2
Not sure about the first question but chances are I the bass needs a good setup it's not usually something that anyone can do, it requires a trained luthier. This isn't necessarily needed but if there are any buzzes or the action is unnecessarily high it can usually be fixed relatively inexpensively.
 
#3
If you were buying my bass, obviously used, you wuld be getting a bass that is well set up. That's the first thing I did after I brought it home. The owner of the used bass or the store, if it is a bass shop, should be able to tell you about set up.
 
#4
Sorry to make the cloud even denser, but if you had your son play two identical instruments - The first coming out of a big box music store or online seller - and the second having been properly set up in a violin shop by a qualified bass guy, then you would likely hear a $500 difference and never guess that the two instruments started out the same. The only way to do things right is to have your son play as many instruments as possible before committing to purchase. Taking them home on short term loan or rental is even better. Good Luck!
 
#5
Chrissae said:
Hi everyone.

I am buying my 18 yr old son an upright. I am looking at two beginner models ...one a Strunal 50/4 3/4....the other a Schoenbach with the same specs.

However, after reading some posts on here I'm confused. Are these two instruments actually the same, with the Schoenbach being rebranded by Long and McQuade?
I spoke to a tech in Toronto who was selling the Strunal and he wasn't sure.
The point is that there is a difference in price of about 500.00 dollars.

Also, if I buy used I'm assuming that the instrument will require adjustments on set up. Or...is this something my son can do?
Thanks everyone in advance. Chris
Click to expand...

Sounds like you talked to a guitar repairman. The basses are from the same factory in Luby, Czech Republic. Before the re-partitioning after WWII the town was called Schoenbach, Saxony.

You want the bass to be set up by a qualified bass luthier - it will completely alter your son's experience with the instrument. And play as many as you can before you buy - they are made from wood and no two pieces sound the same.

Good luck!
 

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