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Double Bass Romanian Bass Directly From The Source?

#21
I laid hands on a couple of 33 Thomann basses, also constructed in Reghin by Hora. Both of them were rather heavy instruments, with thick top plates. The back braces were also thick and the basses' sound was on the bright side. Yhe owner of one of them sent it to a respectable luthier in Kazanlak, Bulgaria, in order to improve it. Thiw luthier regraduated the top plate, dressed the FB, thinned the back braces and transformed the bass to a real canon. He charged 1600 euros for this job, which elevated the total cost of the instrument to 2600 euros. Not bad for a fully carved instrument, but stil it's a considerable deviation from the initial cost.
From the other hand the 22 Thomann bass represents one of the best value for money choices among the hybrid basses. As i said these instruments show a remarcable consistency in quality and they do not need anything more than a thorough set up. They deliver an excellent pizz sound and the bow really well if you put either EP Weichs or Belcantos on them.
To make a long story short the 33 is the starting point for major investments on the bass, the 22 is ready for your next gig. Well...the choice is yours!!!
Mike
 
#22
Well thank you very much for your time and expertise.
I think you've just saved me quite a bit of tiome and trouble!
I thought the price was too good to be true for a fully carved instrument, but I was almost ready to give it a shot.
Many thanks once again, and I'll let you know how I get on when I finally get an instrument.
Take care
Mark
 
#23
Just to be really cheeky, have you any experience of the Alfred Stingl by Hofner A3060B 3/4 (on the same page at Thomann)?
To my inexperienced eye it looks like a good deal (adjustable bridge, single machines), but of course I can't tell by looking at a computer screen!
I must admit to a worry about a non-adjustable bridge, because as an electric player i know i'm very sensitive to action, and am an inveterate fiddler. I suppose if the 22 is superior in sound/construction I could just use the money saved to fit an adjustable bridge, so any info would be much appreciated.
Thanks again
mark
 
#24
Alas, i have no idea about this Alfred Stingl model. In the local Conservatorium we have three Hoefner hybrids, all of them flatbacks. These are older instruments, constructed in the early 70es and the sound verey well. I heard that these Stingl models are mediocre instruments but this is only hearsay and i can't corroborate it.
Talking about European hybrids i'd suggest you the Strunal 5/21 and 5/27 models. These are very resonant instruments, constructed with the utmost care in Luby,featuring a medium grain spruce top plate and laminated back and ribs. Their only drawback is the polyurethane finish. They also appear in the Thomann catalog with a cost around the 1400 euros level. Definitely better than the Thomann 22 but more expensive they worth each additional euro.
Mike
 
#25
Thanks for the tip Mikman.
Are these listed as the Thomann 2W models? Nothing is listed under Strunal of course, and these are the hybrids that are priced around the figure you quote.
They look VERY nice in the pictures, and if they're the ones you mention and they sound/are constructed as well as they look, then that's the model I'll go for.
I'll add an adjustable bridge later.
As I'm a comlete novice to double bass (electric for 40yrs) I'm not embarrased to ask you - do you think a 3/4 or a 4/4 would suit me? I'm 6' 2" and have big hands. In other words, is there a tone advantage to the 4/4 rather than just volume /projection?
Many thanks for your help.
Mark
 
#26
Hi Mark
definitely a 3/4 bass is the norm and you should go for it.
As for the Thomann basses, yes they are the 2W models. Please go for the model with the Tineo laminated back and ribs, since it is more resonant than the model with the quilted laminated maple. It is the 5/27 Strunal model, i own it and i use it for many gigs, either under the merciless Greek or by the sea in high humidity levels. This work horse features a robust construction, a decent ebony fingerboard and the pizz sound delivers lots of volume. I strung it with EP Weichs and the ocassional arco work comes with many favourable comments. If you can afford the extra dough go for it, it is strongly recommended.
Mike
 
#27
I can't thank you enough for the help you've given me - there's nothing worse than plunging into a new field with no-one to advise you!
I will get that model - it looks beautiful, and now I know it (can) sound good too! (probably ought to give me a while on that one).
I've gone through deciding definitely on three different models from Thomann (my only real source of insruments here in Suffolk), and now I'm going to buy one I haven't even considered. It just goes to show how important advice and knowledge can be. If it were an electric bass, I'd have felt 100% confiident that I knew what I was doing, but with upright, maybe 10%!
Thank you once again for all your help.
All the best
Mark
 
#28
Maybe you'll post pics when you get it! With regard to advice, you may not know how really fortunate you are! MIKMAN is a fountain of real, practical knowledge based on vast experience, an amateur luthier (well, maybe not so amateur), a talented musician who plays many instruments, and, above all, a fine human being! :) I trust what he says implicitly.
 
#29
I'll certainly do that, although it will be in a few weeks.
I could tell from his posts and the respect that his opinion is held in that he is the guy to ask about such things.
He has steered me away from a possibly not-so-good buy to what looks to be a superb bargain. All I've got to do now is learn to play it! I've got a feeling that playing fretless electric only for eight years isn't going to stand me in any stead at all!
I just wish I hadn't left it so late to give it a go - I've always loved the sound of double bass, but for some reason I just kept on with the electrics. Now I've got something new to work on, and I'm really looking forward to those callouses and off notes!
Take care
 
#32
Well...thank you all my friends for your comments, i'm not sure if i deserve them!
As for sharing information and knowledge, that is what TBDB stands for. I've been tremendously helped all these years, either lurking as a reader or -after my membership- asking the pros, digesting the treasure of infos, sharing humorous moments and making some real friends. The importance of the information provided by TBDB members cannot be overestimated, especially for places like my country. Not only i feel privileged to be a member of this unique society but also i feel the need to provide any sort of help i can afford to all members.
Mike
 
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#33
Thanks for the tips, Eric and Herbie - I'll certainly get that book if I can find it, but I'm not sure I'll be able to restrict myself to 5 minutes when I first get my hands on that bass!
My only hands-on time with an upright was in the mid 70's when I was in a band which used a school hall for rehearsals. One day there was a student upright in the hall, so of course I spent a bit of time playing with it. The action was so high and the strings so high tension that I got a blister within - well about 5 minutes, so perhaps I WILL be able to keep it to that at first!
thanks again for all the info and tips, and I'll be back on here with pics as soon as I get the bass, which hopefully will be in a few weeks
Cheers!
Mark
 
#34
Eric Hochberg said:
Just take it slow, don't play too much at first. Maybe 5 minute sessions and rest. It's easy to injure yourself.
Click to expand...

+1. I'm going to use the "t" word. It's best to get a teacher, even for just a few lessons. A good teacher will help you to avoid injury, help prevent the development of bad habits, and set you on the path of proper technique right from the get-go. Having a teacher will increase your progress and enjoyment tremendously. Looking at books is fine but there's just no substitute for having a pro next to you in the room guiding you.

Your BG experience will be invaluable in terms of musicianship and knowing the map of the fingerboard. Please do keep in mind, however, that the BG and DB are related, but quite different, instruments. Most of us can spot a converted BG player (with no DB training) on DB in a few seconds. When I see one, I often find myself thinking, "So when are you going to PLAY that bass?" The same holds true the other way around. For example, when I pick up a BG (which is virtually never), I play it as if it were a DB turned 90 degrees. :) I'm unable to apply the necessary skills to do the BG justice. I admire people who can play both well.

So that's my pitch. We're here to help. As MIKMAN said, there's a wealth of info here on the dark side and, as icing on the cake, you can end up "meeting" some new friends.
 
#35
I'm sure its going to take me a LOT of time!
I will try to seek out a teacher here, but I'm pretty sure they're few and far between. Perhaps youtube might actually be a bit of assistance here!
Actually finding my way round the neck is going to be the biggest challenge I think, plus using open strings as often as possible in half/first position, something I rarely do at the moment.
I used to get plenty of mwah from my fretless eb, but it never sounded RIGHT. I'm hoping this buy will cure that (eventually)
 
#36
Ordered one today - the tineo model (even though I secretly prefer the pics of the qm model - I have to take mikman's advice on this!), and will post pics and let you know what I think of it when it arrives.
Hopefully in one piece - (please don't let Parcelforce be in any part of the delivery chain!)
 
#37
Well - it arrived today.
Beautifully packed, and now I've put the bridge up and tuned it, stood back and had a look, I'm very impressed.
The back of the neck is a little sticky, but either time or a little abrasion will soon put that right. The sound post seems to be in the right position (surprisingly,after a trip from Germany with no string tension). Nice machines,tailpiece, etc.
Looks pretty.
My main thought is - I'm glad I asked for a jazz type set-up, as God knows what an orchestral one would have been like!
The G is 9mm, and the E is 10mm! I think they looked at my set-up request and said "Yeah, sure" and put it straight into the box. The height at the nut is ok though.
Next stop adjustable bridge conversion kit/good set-up etc.
I can barely stop the strings with my weak EB players fingers!
My God I can see what people mean when they say it's a more physical instrument than EB. It's like wrestling a bear at the moment. Also I wasn't expecting a bevel on the E side of the fingerboard - I thought all necks were round now. Never mind, the strings are so far from it at the moment I can't feel any difference!
Although it sounds a bit dead now, I think there are possibilities there - ie when I learn how to play it and get the string height low enough for a bit of growl, I think it's going to be good.
It's so different from EB I think it will see out the rest of my days learning where I am on the neck, let alone developing finger strength etc.
Also I should have considered my back problems when deciding to give upright a go I think (ouch already!)
Will post a few pics when I get it set up right and can stop fiddling with it.
Thanks again for all the advice everyone - I'm going to have fun (and blisters) with this.
Now can I get that G down to 4mm? I wonder....

PS does anyone know which string set this comes with? The Strunal website says D'Addario's, but not which set, and Strunal haven't answered my my (two) mails..
 
#38
dj5 said:
Now can I get that G down to 4mm? I wonder....
Click to expand...

Congrats and let the games begin! :)

9 mm at the G is quite high but 4 mm would be rather low. Typical is 6-7 mm at the G and 9-10 mm at the E. That's just a rough guide... everyone has his/her preferences. Sounds like you'd benefit greatly from having the setup tweaked, as you're planning.

Enjoy!
 
#39
That's not especially high. Maybe 2mm on the G. Keep at it, and don't play through pain. Bad idea.

The bevel is a holdover from the days of gut strings, which have less tension at pitch than steel strings and vibrate in a wider ellipsis. Many consider the bevel an anachronism. I'll take as much room under the E as I can get for maximum sound.

I was able to get a Strunal employee on the phone by calling their New York office, but I'm in the US.

Congratulations, and please post pictures!
 
#40
I will soon. I think I'll have to set up a Myspace account or something, as last time I looked I'd used up all the space I'm allowed on here.
You guys must all be like Superman, with fingers to match!
It's going to take me a long time to adapt. Just pulling the strings hard enough to get some volume out is hard work. When I've got the height down somewhat I'm hoping it will be easier, but much adaptation to come I think.
No wonder you call it the dark side.
Perhaps I SHOULD have bought that Precision I was looking at - I'd be able to play it now!
 

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