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Double Bass So, I disregarded all advice...

#102
drurb said:
Lesson learned for sure. So what's the part that you were right about? Is it that it's minimally functional? So, if you had to do it over again, what would you do?
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That it's usable and that I can still have fun with it.
If I could do it all again I certainly would have agreed on having the bass checked before the purchase is final, or maybe try to purchase it at half the price asked (since I would have been able to point out the repairs)... Or looked for rental opportunities out of my area (I did travel 100km to get this bass). Or maybe I'd have decided not to get a DB at all and wait until I can spend 2k . Don't know, but this is the situation I'm (or got myself into?) in so I'll try to make the best of it.
 
#103
I don't understand fully: are the cracks old repairs, or are there still unrepaired cracks in the top? Did he offer a soundpost setup and a bridge for € 350, or is that for just the bridge?

If the top does not need new repairs and for now you're done with a new bridge a soundpost setup and new Thomastik's for a basically playable db, that's not bad at all and you should let the luthier do his work.
 
#104
Matthijs said:
I don't understand fully: are the cracks old repairs, or are there still unrepaired cracks in the top? Did he offer a soundpost setup and a bridge for € 350, or is that for just the bridge?

If the top does not need new repairs and for now you're done with a new bridge a soundpost setup and new Thomastik's for a basically playable db, that's not bad at all and you should let the luthier do his work.
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Nope, those are old repairs. The issue being that the previous owner said there never were any cracks nor repairs...
€350 is for an adjustable bridge, fitting said bridge, and new soundpost since he said the one that's in there should be changed.
 
#105
So, if he did not see any other major deficiencies with the bass this is good news. For € 500 extra (Including new Thomastiks) you might end up with a good starterbass. This probably will give you the largest increase in playability for the money. I think it is probably worth it and preferable over diy-ing the bridge.

Old repairs and refinished surfaces come with the territory with double basses. What counts is playability and sound.
 
#107
I have a plywood (I think chinese but I'm not sure) Carlo Robelli Bass I bought sooo many years ago from I think Sam Ash! haha..

it was a cheapie.. I can't remember maybe somewhere between $1000-2000 .. I want to say $1200.. but I can't remember at all now..

It's unreal.. I'll take it out and picture it for you..

this is what you should have bought.. but yada yada too late..

It was so weird it even had Roundwound upright bass strings on it when I bought it! i definitely remember that! picture coming soon!

and you won't see any cracks on it! I think.. i haven't checked it in years...

I bought it in 2000 maybe? god I dont even know..
 
#108
Here's my cheapie plywood bass- but it's no beginner bass now cause I've had so much work done on it.. Yet I don't even play it.. You can see how old it is from the bridge rosin mess.. Ha..



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#114
Matthijs said:
I don't understand fully: are the cracks old repairs, or are there still unrepaired cracks in the top? Did he offer a soundpost setup and a bridge for € 350, or is that for just the bridge?

If the top does not need new repairs and for now you're done with a new bridge a soundpost setup and new Thomastik's for a basically playable db, that's not bad at all and you should let the luthier do his work.
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+1.

I looked up Johann Bruch and found this: Link Removed
It has violin corners (you have gamba corners), and claims solid spruce top and solid maple sides and back, and sells for €899 new. Now, it's pretty hard for me to imagine a fully carved bass for that price. Certainly Chinese, but if it's a few years old and hasn't exploded already, then you have maybe beaten the odds by now. Had you bought new you would still need a setup. The shop being in Northern Italy notwithstanding, you don't expect top people doing doing adjustments in an online store which also sells DJ equipment:) If the bass is indeed fully carved and the crack repairs are stable and you do the recommended work, I'd say you came off pretty well indeed, even if you throw in a fingerboard dressing.
 
#117
Descriptions that include "solid spruce top and solid maple sides and back" do not necessarily indicate that the instrument is carved. So, robobass, you are quite on target. Some manufacturers of CCB BSO junk, such as Carlo Robelli, used pressed pieces of cardboard-thin wood. I wouldn't say that anyone "should" buy such a BSO and I sure wouldn't suggest anyone fork over north of $1k for one! :eek:

The OP's venture down a pothole-ridden path aside, junk is junk, folks. It's not elitist to heap scorn on such products and steer people toward decently built entry-level instruments. These days, many, including me, peg the entry-level at around $1500. IME, upping that to around $2000, can produce a substantial jump up in the quality-to-dollars ratio.
 
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