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Double Bass Inexpensive Basses in U.K?

#62
LowNote said:
I'm looking to buy a similar bass. I played a Stenor Conservatoire that had just been set up by Kenny MacDonald in Edinburgh and was very impressed with the quality and sound. Kenny had had to work on the nut and the fingerboard, fit a new sound post and he carved/installed a new bridge with adjusters. The only thing I didn't like was the flimsy endpin, but more importantly, the metal tailpiece. Does the model you purchased have an ebony tailpiece as well?
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thats strange - I play a stentor conservetoire, which definately has and came with an ebony tailpiece. For what its worth, I've had it about 2 years now and am still very, very pleased with it and think it sounds better than a lot of more expensive instruemnts I've played
 
#63
That is strange indeed. I was led to believe that it was the Conservatoire model I was playing on, and it did have the metal tailpiece. Either they've changed their spec's--this bass was brand new, or it was a lower priced model. I didn't actually look in the f hole to confirm the model name. It sounded quite good however. I've gotten a line on an inexpensive East German ply bass that I'm trying out Sunday morning that is supposed to sound good. If this doesn't pan out, I'm going to either order a Conservatoire or purchase a Christopher bass directly from the Chicago-based distributor since they have no dealers in the U.K.
 
#64
Well, I finally found a reasonably priced ply bass to buy in the
Edinburgh area, and I'm happy as a clam. However, the bass didn't come with a cover of any kind. Can some of the British players recommend a cover that is available in the U.K. that is padded, will provide reasonable protection, and is fairly priced. I would also love to know British sources as well. The bass cost me well under 500 British pounds, and the only cases I've found on line that look decent are from the Contrabass Shoppe and they cost 250 pounds. Thanks.

Erik Hansen
 
#65
oliebrice said:
thats strange - I play a stentor conservetoire, which definately has and came with an ebony tailpiece. For what its worth, I've had it about 2 years now and am still very, very pleased with it and think it sounds better than a lot of more expensive instruemnts I've played
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Out of interest - where did yours come from? Does it have a similar label to mine - saying : Reigate UK, or anything different?

I was wondering if there are different "batches"...or different teams putting these things together?
 
#66
Hey Erik, your details say you're in LA, but obviously you're not! I'm in Edinburgh too - PM me if you want to meet up.

I got a really good padded case with all sorts of pockets and handles everywhere from Gordon Stevenson Violins in Bruntsfield, 229 2051. I can't remember the exact cost but I'm sure it was under £150.

I remember trying out the Conservatoire 18 months ago in Glasgow, and it was the metal tailpeice that put me off. Maybe Oliebrice got his before they changed the specs to try and keep the price down?
 
#69
I thought all the Stentors were made in China, but the guy at the shop where I bought mine (also a keen DB player) told me they were put together in Sussex and that they were making them to order - the label say Reigate, which is in Surrey...but close! ;)

I looked at the extensive Stentor catalogue on the web and that has a clear statement that the Student and Conservatoire models are made in China - but it has no similar statement for the Elysia,Arcadia and Profundo models, which are on a different page - it only says they are "hand-made" but doesn't say where...?

Invalid Link Removed
 
#72
oliebrice said:
so it looks like they make their cheaper models (up to conservetoire) in china, and their more expensive ones in England. Makes sense, I suppose.
did play a conservetiore in a shop where they told me they were made in romania, but I got the impression he didn't know his a*se from his elbow
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Yeah some of them are or were made in Romania - but it looks like they'll source them from anywhere. This doesn't make your shop-keeper any more intelligent of course. :D

The label in my bass says made in the workshops of Andreas Zeller Romania for Stentor BTW. It doesn't have a model name on the label before anyone asks and I never asker the seller - it didn't seem to matter.

And congratualtions on your new arrival Bruce. :hyper:
 
#75
junglejim said:
Congrats Bruce!

....
you going to be adding pickup/mic/whatever ?
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Just ordered a "Double Big Twin + Pure Pre + Mounting" package from Bob Gollihur (All Hail!! :) ) !!

As a further update, I met up with Olie at Glamorgan Jazz Summerschool and we are both convinced of the merits of Stentors now - although we both think the endpin wasn't up to much and probably needs to be replaced - this is easily done! :)

But apart from that they have a nice tone, are probably the loudest bass(es) in this kind of price range and both our teachers (well-respected UK Jazz pros) think they are pretty good as well! :)

After many years, I'm glad I found a way in - although now the hard work starts!! ;)
 
#76
I've played Olie's bass and agree with you. It speaks far more easily than mine and has a warm tone (and was cheaper!). I'm used to/er attached to mine though and am not looking to change it for now. I've heard Olie fill a medium room at a gig playing acoustically and he was never wanting for volume in playing against sax and drums. I was impressed by the 'woody' tone at the time too (its how Alec Dankworth describes his tone and I thought there were simmilarities).

I think easy to play - the shoulders are narrow and the string length (can't remember what it is) is not too long. The top was close grained too - well especially for something under £1K and in comparison to mine which was over £1K.

Yep - looks like a good buy.
 
#77
Yes, Alec Dankworth has very nice tone - I've heard him play a few times at Brighton Jazz club; but I can't look at him in the same way since reading in Jazz Wise, that he picked up a bass really cheaply from Loot (London classifieds) , which has since been appraised at over £10k!! ;)
 
#78
Yeah - it was about £400 and Olie's teacher got a simmilar bargain. You can get lucky but we do need a bass to practice on 'till we find our Panormo for £50 in a car boot sale. Come to think of it, I'd much rather practise than go round car boot sales or whatever. If I feel lucky I can always buy a lottery ticket - and the odds might be better :-) !
 
#80
oliebrice said:
I wonder after comments on here and elsewhere whether they accidentally sold me a higher model than they charged me for. Dlo you think mine could be the same model as yours Bruce?
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It's not exactly the same, although very similar - having played yours and had a good look, I noticed that the sides and back are different - so mine has flame maple - like a kind of tiger stripe, whereas yours was a plainer wood.

The other difference was the overall colour and I think it's the varnish - so it does mention on their website that a feature of the Elysia is "hand-applied varnish" ....?

But these are probably more cosmetic differences and don't make that much difference to the sound and playability which are the important things! :)

As we talked about, I'm getting a local Bass Maker to put in a better endpin this week - then I should be all set!
 

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