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Double Bass Vienna strings Hamburg HANDCRAFT info

B

Brandon Tuomiko

Inactive
Oct 28, 2008
403
0
Omaha Nebraska
#1
Im looking at buying, well I am buying... a Vienna strings Hamburg HANDCRAFT bass. I have searched this site and found nothing on it.

Here it is:
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looks beautiful, and has a nice bow and case. But I know nothing of this, what are your feelings on this bass? Is it worth $2,300



Oh and people say they hate jim laabs service, but I think they are great! Super nice, Fast, and friendly people who love to have a conversation with you! Great store, but somehow gets a lot of BS from people.
 
#2
Wait-- you've made your decision, don't yet have the bass, and now want to know what folks think?

Just looked at the Jim Laabs site-- the Hamburg is listed at $1277 and said to be fully-carved. It also doesn't seem to match the pictures on the link you included. A priori, buying a very low-end "fully-carved" bass from an instrument superstore is risky business. It rarely yields the best value for your dollar. I sincerely hope your experience is otherwise.
 
#3
No no no no. The basses on ebay are a lot different. And the HAMBURG is their cheap bass, this is the HAMBURG Hadncraft, and is their top bass, and is only $2300 fully carved. there is one on ebay, but its a low end version on the one on the website. Im getting the one from the link above.


And this is a known store, and my bass teacher says the instruments are quality for their price.
 
#4
Brandon Tuomiko said:
No no no no. The basses on ebay are a lot different. And the HAMBURG is their cheap bass, this is the HAMBURG Hadncraft, and is their top bass, and is only $2300 fully carved. there is one on ebay, but its a low end version on the one on the website. Im getting the one from the link above.


And this is a known store, and my bass teacher says the instruments are quality for their price.
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ebay? I didn't look on ebay. I went to the Jim Laabs site but I now understand that you're not buying it from Jim Laabs at all. So, I'll go back to a version of my original question. You are buying the bass, you are happy with the dealer, and your teacher approves the choice. What can we offer? Some here may say it's a fine choice. Others (such as myself) would not make that choice at all. What matters is what makes you happy and it seems that's been determined. Go in peace and enjoy!

Edit-- Search within this forum for "Hamburg." There's a bunch of info on these basses.
 
#6
Brandon Tuomiko said:
Yes thats true on what you say, but just looking for an opinion

Oh and there really is no info on this bass here. Just info on the lower model Hamburg. Doesnt help much.
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With regard to the brand, I think the info available via the searches helps a great deal. What is actually the difference between the model you're discussing and the lower one beyond aesthetics? The "Handcrafted" has hand-applied spirit varnish, prettier wood, a nicer inlay, and violin corners. There's no evidence that, for example, more attention is paid to graduating the top and/or back. At the price-point you're considering, it's not clear that much of that would be done at all. The general information offered in previous threads would seem to apply.

By the way, have you played this bass?
 
#14
Brandon Tuomiko said:
i sort of know what im doing.
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Personally, I need a whole bunch more confidence before I drop thousands of $$$ on anything-- much less my closest musical companion-- but that's just me. I asked before if you have played the exact bass you will be buying or, at least, the same model.

It's difficult to know how to helpfully respond to posts that say, "This is what I'm buying, I've made up my mind. What do you think?" The best I can figure is that people who post such things are fishing for reinforcement. Well, I think it's fair to say that most of us who've been around the block a few times wouldn't advise that you do what you're planning to do. As I said before, in the end, what you think matters. If you're happy going that route and your teacher approves, then write the check and enjoy. Then again, if you're not at ease with the decision...
 
#17
I know it's hard, dude. I live on an island in the middle of the Pacific, so it's a little similar to your situation. I had to take a leap of faith and buy an NS La Scala over the web. It worked out insanely well for me.... but it's not the ideal way to shop for a double bass.

I hope you can find a way to get to a place where there are lots of basses to try. Gas is cheaper now... maybe you should save some bucks and do a road trip.
 
#18
Brandon Tuomiko said:
just trying to find something good..
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Advice*:If you can't play the bass before you buy, go with an established maker like Shen, Christopher or the New Standard basses. That way you have a better chance of getting something good, or fixing it if something isn't right.

*Note: I'm assuming you'll ignore this advice Brandon, but other new bass buyers might find it helpful.
 

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