So, after reading a number of posts here, I decided to rent a bass, option to buy, to see if I could, would like to play an upright. I picked this one up last night and I am fascinated. Still a lot early, but I feel smitten to say the least. I am hoping to play some Bluegrass and Rockabilly in the not to distant future. This is a Krutz, either a 100 or 200, based on purchase price I suspect 100. It has a decent sound compared to other uprights I've tried. I am not sure whether I will buy this one in the end, but it could happen.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass NBD... sort of.
- Thread starter BassJuju
- Start date
OK... more advice time. I have confirmed that this is a B325 which equates to a 200 series bass with a carved top, laminate back, and violin corners. I have ordered strings that will work for me, or at least I think will work, and now I have to decide what to do bass-wise. I apparently live in an Orchestra Instrument wasteland. I mean there are 2 in the city that can be played/rented/purchased. I have also started looking in far-flung locales. I really want to find and play other instruments before making the final decision, but having said that, it is a challenge within a reasonable driving distance. I should also add that the sites for said far-flung places indicate thier base grade basses are at least 2 times what I will pay for this one. I will be in Atlanta in the near future and plan to look there for options. I also am trying to schedule an appointment with Cincinnati Bass Cellar to play some of their basses.
Having said all that, I am curious about this. I like the Krutz bass a lot. I mean a lot. Could be GAS. I don't know. I know that new this bass sells for something around $3500. The luthier, who most likely did the setup, and is on this forum has been very helpful. Very helpful. Because this is a rental instrument and a few years old, I can purchase it at a significant discount. I have also talked to a local luthier to get a review of the bass to make sure the past few years haven't take untold damage on this instrument. Currently my other options appear to be to order a bass online (not my first choice) like a Engelhardt, Shen, etc... y'all know the sources. So, hear is the question. Would anyone consider purchasing one of those basses online at twice the price of the Krutz in hand?
Having said all that, I am curious about this. I like the Krutz bass a lot. I mean a lot. Could be GAS. I don't know. I know that new this bass sells for something around $3500. The luthier, who most likely did the setup, and is on this forum has been very helpful. Very helpful. Because this is a rental instrument and a few years old, I can purchase it at a significant discount. I have also talked to a local luthier to get a review of the bass to make sure the past few years haven't take untold damage on this instrument. Currently my other options appear to be to order a bass online (not my first choice) like a Engelhardt, Shen, etc... y'all know the sources. So, hear is the question. Would anyone consider purchasing one of those basses online at twice the price of the Krutz in hand?
Now that you have a feel for the bass in hand, a trip to the Bass Cellar is in order. Keep in mind that the strings and setup on the basses you play there will have a significant impact on how you like the feel and tone. Basses are best bought in person, but there are certain basses I have bought on reputation because I know what they are and because they are very consistent.
It's tough shopping for a bass in KY, but Cincy isn't that far away and the Cellar is an excellent shop. Good luck!
It's tough shopping for a bass in KY, but Cincy isn't that far away and the Cellar is an excellent shop. Good luck!
As Chris pointed out, I really needed to put my hands on other instruments. If only to get a feel for what I have currently. Cincinnati was my plan coming from Louisville, but as life would have it, a business trip routed me through Nashville. A quick search of this forum led my to Williams Fine Violins. Dustin is awesome! I really like their shop and wish they were closer. Still, trying to figure out how to make them my Luthier. I played a number of Shens and a few others as well. I will say that I liked the Shen SB80 and the SB88 just a skoash more. There was another that I really liked and would buy if money were no object, but alas it is almost always so. I have strongly considered their rental plan of an SB80 and then upgrading to an SB88 after a year and still haven't ruled it out. Once I got home, I was able to play the Krutz B325 again, man I missed playing while I was gone for a week, and fell in love with it again. I have the new strings installed, Evah Pirrazi Slaps, and played for some time Saturday and Sunday. I think they are almost done stretching. I also still need to get it setup properly-- another topic to be sure. All that is to say, I think I prefer the Krutz. The setup was certainly better on the Shen's-- Dustin has done a great job with them-- but the Krutz has a bit better tone/volume. I suppose this is due to the carved top versus the ply top. Not sure as this is all new to me. Also, the Krutz is noticeably larger overall. I think, based on the measurements I received from Greg at KC strings it may be a borderline 7/8 instead of the 3/4. It is larger than the 3/4's I've played. The cost is within a few hundred dollars between the new Shen and the used Krutz.
Having said all that, and a proper setup/inspection to be completed, I am leaning toward the Krutz being the one. I played it for an hour or more Sunday and about 30 minutes on Saturday. My hands like the new strings much more than the old ones, but I am considering trying at least one more set-- yes, I know, it is a never ending process. I like the tone, the playability, the challenge, it's fun. It's like a wrestling match that makes music, but it just puts a huge smile on my face.
So, there are some logical and some not so logical conclusions. Anyone have any thoughts or concerns to add? Any points that I have glossed over in the decision making process?
Having said all that, and a proper setup/inspection to be completed, I am leaning toward the Krutz being the one. I played it for an hour or more Sunday and about 30 minutes on Saturday. My hands like the new strings much more than the old ones, but I am considering trying at least one more set-- yes, I know, it is a never ending process. I like the tone, the playability, the challenge, it's fun. It's like a wrestling match that makes music, but it just puts a huge smile on my face.
So, there are some logical and some not so logical conclusions. Anyone have any thoughts or concerns to add? Any points that I have glossed over in the decision making process?
It sounds like your decision is made! Now that you have seen what else is out there you can feel better about it.
I had Mark Edwards in Louisville do a bridge adjustment, took about 3/8 of an inch off the bridge and adjusted the feet up a turn or two. He also adjusted the sound post. There is a tremendous improvement in playability and a little warmer sound too. There is a repair that is currently holding on the back. The Luthier recommended adding to the repair and said that if it opened up again it would be costly to repair as the top would need to come off. Even so, the cost of the used bass plus the repair, if needed, is less than a new Shen SB80. So my question becomes, would it be better to have a New Shen that is all ply and just take the reduction of tone versus the carved top? Would a new bass be subject to just this type of issue, potentially? Is this just the way these instruments are? What are your thoughts?
