Some advice on new(ish) DBs please

[Beedster]

Folks

As any of you who've been looking at the 'Items Wanted' or 'For Sale' sections will be aware, I'm doing some too-ing and fro-ing re DB/EUB etc at present. My transport problems are about to be solved with a new and larger car - long overdue - for both my instruments and my family, and I won't therefore be needing an EUB/travel DB. I had a budget for that of around £3k (with Clarky's Kolstein the front runner had I got my crap together). I recently sold my lovely old German flatback, partly because I wasn't gigging, but as much because I was worried that £4k's worth of beautiful late C19 German craftsmanship would one day become a few pounds of firewood if it wasn't played and maintained properly (my first daughter's physical affection for it was also worrying!!).

Anyway, to cut to the chase. Whilst I love old instruments, I found owning a 100 year old DB too anxiety inducing, and I didn't dare gig it more than a handful of times. However, my current Rumanian squeeze is tonally, shall we say, agricultural, and whilst reliable, it's reliably pretty crap (great for root/fifth blugrass though). What does £3k get me in new or used but recently built instruments? Any recommendations? Like the car, I'm [u]NOT[/u] looking for an investment, I'm looking for a decent, reliable and robust instrument.

Cheers

Chris

[Mr Bassman]

I would have snapped this up if the seller hadn't thinned the neck

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/202706-beautiful-solid-wood-double-bass-for-sale/

[Beedster]

Thanks Keith, I've PM'd today actually so we'll see if the neck is OK for my rather clublike fingers! Amazingly one of these in almost new condition sold on eBay last week for under £1000!

[incubass]

I recently bought a Casa Parramón (Barcelona) double bass (new) for something around that price... Check out this thread ([url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/216441-help-buying-a-doublebass"]http://basschat.co.u...ng-a-doublebass[/url]) since there's great advice by many users on that price range

Edited September 16, 2013 by incubass

[thisnameistaken]

You could look at the carved basses on Gedo for around the EUR2000 mark. Nothing special in terms of tonal character but not total thumpers either.

[Mr Bassman]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1379345100' post='2211504']
Thanks Keith, I've PM'd today actually so we'll see if the neck is OK for my rather clublike fingers! Amazingly one of these in almost new condition sold on eBay last week for under £1000!
[/quote]
No!
That was a bargain!

[stingrayPete1977]

You are not that far from me Beedster (Stafford-ish), you are welcome to try my Gedo (I would like to hear what it is meant to sound like anyway!), mine is a solid top with Spirocore strings, no idea how well I have set it up but I can just about get a tune out of it Tim Toft's is near me so I am going to get it looked over next year and get them to set it up the best it can possibly be then at least I know I have got the best I can for my cash for now.

[gcordez]

I bought a stentor profundo on eBay last week. Presumably that's the one you are talking about. Not quite in as new condition and has gone to the Luther to sort of some reglueing of seams and sorting out the nut and bridge, and a decent set of strings. But otherwise a very good purchase of a good bass at great price. Im gonna use it for a bit then move it on for same price plus the money spent on repair/improvements. It should be around £1000. If anyone wants to call dibs on it I can keep you in the loop. Should be finished with it in about 6weeks. Chris, this could be a good option for you?

[Beedster]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1379352828' post='2211634']
You are not that far from me Beedster (Stafford-ish), you are welcome to try my Gedo (I would like to hear what it is meant to sound like anyway!), mine is a solid top with Spirocore strings, no idea how well I have set it up but I can just about get a tune out of it Tim Toft's is near me so I am going to get it looked over next year and get them to set it up the best it can possibly be then at least I know I have got the best I can for my cash for now.
[/quote]

Thanks Pete, that's very kind and I may well take you up on it. Don't rely on me to make it sound like it should though

[quote name='gcordez' timestamp='1379355245' post='2211684']
I bought a stentor profundo on eBay last week. Presumably that's the one you are talking about. Not quite in as new condition and has gone to the Luther to sort of some reglueing of seams and sorting out the nut and bridge, and a decent set of strings. But otherwise a very good purchase of a good bass at great price. Im gonna use it for a bit then move it on for same price plus the money spent on repair/improvements. It should be around £1000. If anyone wants to call dibs on it I can keep you in the loop. Should be finished with it in about 6weeks. Chris, this could be a good option for you?
[/quote]

Please keep me posted Greg (how many DBs do you have now BTW)

Chris

[BassBod]

Greg,

Always thought they looked interesting - let me know before its on its way..would like to have a quick look-see after its had its fettling!

[Beedster]

So folks, any views on how the following instruments might compare?

Stentor Profundo [url="http://www.stentor-music.com/catalogue/html%20strings/22.htm"]http://www.stentor-m...0strings/22.htm[/url]
Roth & Junius RJKE Master [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/rothjunius_europe_master_doublebass_2_3_4.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ebass_2_3_4.htm[/url]
Gedo 3/4 [url="http://www.gedo-musik.de/shop/product.php?id_product=820"]http://www.gedo-musi...?id_product=820[/url]
Thomann Bohemia [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/media_bdbviewer_AR_313754.html?image=10&small=1"]http://www.thomann.d...mage=10&small=1[/url]
Sinfonica [url="http://www.alangregory.co.uk/musicshop/Sinfonica_Antiqued_Gamba_Style_Double_Bass.html"]http://www.alangrego...ouble_Bass.html[/url]
Westbury http://www.alangregory.co.uk/musicshop/Westbury_Gamba_Shape_Double_Bass.html
C

Edited September 17, 2013 by Beedster

[Beedster]

Have to say I'm falling in love with the Roth & Junius, given it's £1.5k over budget, someone please tell me it's crap

[henry norton]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1379372990' post='2212014']
Have to say I'm falling in love with the Roth & Junius, given it's £1.5k over budget, someone please tell me it's crap
[/quote]
You could probably save yourself a few hundred quid finding a model by Roth & Junius without the little carvings around the corners and peg box. It's also a swell back, so that'll add a fair few hundred to the price - If you don't mind a flat back or plainer finish it might be worth trawling around for a different model - if you're in love with the swell back and carvings though you might have to find another 1.5k. Maybe you could sell your car [size=4] [/size]

[Beedster]

[quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1379401471' post='2212105']
You could probably save yourself a few hundred quid finding a model by Roth & Junius without the little carvings around the corners and peg box. It's also a swell back, so that'll add a fair few hundred to the price - If you don't mind a flat back or plainer finish it might be worth trawling around for a different model - if you're in love with the swell back and carvings though you might have to find another 1.5k. Maybe you could sell your car
[/quote]

Very good advice Henry, although I must admit that I think the carvings are part of the attraction, they shouldn't be (bit like trim and wheels when buying a car I guess), but are. I'm very taken with everything about that instrument to be honest, the finish looks outstanding and the shape is incredible! I'd love to know how it plays and sounds.......

[Clarky]

Chris, sorry mate but aren't you losing sight of why you started this thread? Worries over turning a bass into matchwood and all that. I can only imagine how nervous you would be with a £4k+ beauty like that Roth & Junius if strapped to roof of car or young daughter decides to try to push it off its stand ....

You can buy a damn good bass for way less than that. I believe you are developing a case of GAS that needs deflating by the wise words of a regular BC trading partner, ie, me!

[Beedster]

Ha ha, wise words indeed mate, just going through the inevitable A-B journey via Z! I think all things considered the Stentor Profundo is the best balance of quality and risk management, so will probably be moving in that direction. I'll be keeping a keen eye on Greg's posts over coming weeks & months

[Bilbo]

That Roth bass is crap.

[Beedster]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1379372990' post='2212014']
Have to say I'm falling in love with the Roth & Junius, given it's £1.5k over budget, someone please tell me it's crap
[/quote]
[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1379416150' post='2212324']
That Roth bass is crap.
[/quote]

Thanks Bilbo

[Bilbo]

Anytime

[timbo1978]

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1379416150' post='2212324']
That Roth bass is crap.
[/quote]

I agree totally (writes letter to Santa...)

[Beedster]

Can anyone explain the busetto shape of the Profundo? Why that shape (looks slightly overweight...)?

[Mr Bassman]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1379451705' post='2212951']
Can anyone explain the busetto shape of the Profundo? Why that shape (looks slightly overweight...)?
[/quote]

Have a word with John Patitucci

Or checkout http://www.poellmann-contrabass.de/basses/busseto/main.htm

There are two great bassists in Leeds with these Busseto's

This'll get your gas pressure up http://www.poellmann-contrabass.de/instruments_eng.htm

Edited September 17, 2013 by Mr Bassman

[Beedster]

But does the shape add anything to the instrument, it seems sufficiently unexpected to only be explained by some tone or functional advantage?

TB is of the option that real men don't play busetto's.......

[henry norton]

No. The Busetto is just another evolutionary path from the viol to the violin, a path the double bass has never quite completed, which is why there are so many variations in shape, size and construction. Sound-wise nobody actually has a definitive answer as to the difference so it's really down to what you like the look of.

By the way, Abraham Prescott made Busettos which were apparently huge and consequently only suitable for real men

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1379414481' post='2212292']
Chris, sorry mate but aren't you losing sight of why you started this thread? Worries over turning a bass into matchwood and all that. I can only imagine how nervous you would be with a £4k+ beauty like that Roth & Junius if strapped to roof of car or young daughter decides to try to push it off its stand ....

You can buy a damn good bass for way less than that. I believe you are developing a case of GAS that needs deflating by the wise words of a regular BC trading partner, ie, me!
[/quote]
I have done one live show with my Gedo as I normally use the Stagg because the band is a full noisy function band, we did a little acoustic trio gig so I took the Gedo (really enjoyed it and want to use it much more live), set everything up on stage except the lighting rig, when I did I decided to throw the T stand at the Gedo! :-( laminate floor repair pen has covered the worst but It made me think about gas for more expensive basses later up the road.