Price Check On German Carved....

I would definitely develop a relationship with a capable, experienced, bass-specific teacher before throwing down that type of cash.

 

Sounds like many good choices at good prices. Flatbacks may be prone to more problems than round, but if these are in good health you should be fine. If you can get an independent luthier evaluation, do it. You need to know what each bass "needs" in terms of repair to know that the asking price will work for you. I would find a pro bassist to help you with your decision. It will be worth the investment. Then pick the one that floats your boat!

 

What Erick said. There are things that you don't even know that you don't know when first starting out.

We have all been there. Bringing an experienced pro along WILL save you money, heartache, or both in the short and long term.

Best of luck with your purchase. It isn't like buying a car, its definantly starting a deep, emotional, relationship, when you hook up with a Bass.

Also, buy the one that makes you want to get up in the middle of the night and just play it for " a few more minutes." Their curves are sooo sexy, but when they start to sing to you as well, Whoa Mamma!

 

Agreed. Those prices seem in line. Also, flat backs do tend to have structural issues more often than flatbacks. However, if a flatback sounded awesome, I'd go for it.

Personally I'd rule out the Roth. Roths are known for being well-built and strong but at the sacrifice of tone - they are popular in public schools.

 

This makes me sad.

Does this line of thinking apply to fully carved E.H. Roth basses? I have one from 1960 and I'm really pleased with the sound.

- Steve

 

Yeah, take anything you hear with a grain of salt. All Roth (or any brand) basses are not created equal... Enjoy your bass.

 

There are, of course, gems in any brand. I made a general statement. And there are also duds among very expensive brands.

If it sounds good go with it... Which is also what I meant about flat vs round back. Go with the sound.

 

WAAAAAAAY too much money for that bass. I've played a fully carved Eberle at Ideal Music in Manhattan, where this luthier sourced the bass from. Ideal owns the Eberle name, and when I visited last year they had a ton of new-old-stock instruments they were selling out.

It was a fair and sturdy bass for the $1800 or so they had it tagged at, but I liked the $1500 laminated Wilfer next to it much better. They ship worldwide. Give them a call, (212) 675-5050.

 

Respectfully Sheriff,

What if the luthier got the bass from Ideal and did a lot of work to it? I agree that on the surface something seems to be amiss here, especially if this is a straight "flip", but if I bought a "fair" condition bass for "X" dollars, replaced crappy parts with good quality ones, and put enough time and effort in to make it a "good" bass- then it what I paid for it is no longer relevant- as long as it is priced fairly for it's market that is.

I got no dog in this fight- but I just felt it important to bring up another perspective. I honestly have never seen the bass in question, nor played it. Can't say that I have much experience with Eberle's either- but I have read enough of your posts to know that you are quite knowledgeable, experienced and informed- thanks for participating in the forum as much as you do!

Nameste,

Joe

 

Is that a nice way of saying I don't know when to shut up?

Eberles are OK basses and if someone paid $3k for a new old stock fully carved model with a great setup, I'd say they got a good deal. With all due respect to Ideal, because Mrs. Loeb was great and I'd deal with her again in a heartbeat, that $1800 buys you a "setup" including a "bridge" and "strings," if you catch the meanings of the quotation marks.

Even if Arnold himself set it up with Eudoxas, scraped off the sprayed lacquer finish and rubbed the raw wood down with fresh liquid Jesus, $4500 for that bass is outrageous. I'm all for people making money honestly but that seems really, really excessive.

 

"A nice way of saying I don't know when to shut up?"

No, not at all! And all of the points you make are right on- as they usually are (imho). I just felt like it was important for the OP to understand that he might not necessarily be comparing apples to apples...or that he might be!

I totally agree that some basses will only come "so far", even under the masterful hand of someone like Arnold!
But a new, high quality, professionally fitted bridge; a replaced end pin; dressed (or replaced) fingerboard; new strings and a nice Mooradian bag could easily be worth another 2k. I'm wrestlin with a similar problem right now- I want to do some work to my Shen SB80- but the work will cost more than the bass is worth- even with Gamuts on it! lol! It's "okay" now- but I know it would be totally screaming BAD ASS after the work...so I'm trying to convince myself...

Of course, there was also the time my mechanic told me that it would cost me fifteen hundred dollars to make my truck worth five hundred dollars...

Hey OP- seriously, listen to the Sheriff- he wouldn't steer ya wrong!

Joe

 

You're KILLING me!!! lol!

Joe

 

...which is why my father beat me with a stick until I learned how to fix my ratty old $500 truck...kidding...but now I fix basses too...pray for them...

 

I'm a bit older than you, so I expect my Dad had that stick first...danged near wore it out too before sending it to your Pops!

Joe

 

No such luck...my pop is the woodsman type. I don't know much, but I know those fellas aren't in the habit of leaving lunch crumbs behind or allowing another man to cut their switches.

Twisted humor aside, what's wrong with your Shen?