sky_saw01 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Hi, I posted a while ago under a different username (forgot my password and email password) about the Thomann 22 double bass. I didn’t buy this bass but I did get hold of a Czech 1980s Boosey and Hawkes 400. I got an adjustable bridge fitted with a full circle pickup and silver slaps. Does anyone have any info on this bass, is it all laminate and is it an Ebony fingerboard (it’s a bevelled fingerboard). There is a small amount of peeling of the coating on the fingerboard (I’m guessing its rosewood that’s been ebonized). [/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]I’m still thinking about the Thomann 22 (carved top) bass as I’ve heard so many good things about it but unsure how much [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]of an upgrade it will be, but having read comments about how it compares to basses 3 times the cost it get you thinking[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Any info on the boosey much appreciated[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Thanks, Sean.[/color][/size][/font] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 No experience of the Thomann, or the Boosey for that matter. But the thing about double basses is that you're always wondering about something else. So enjoy your bass you've got. You have had some good bits fitted and it'll do well for you. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sky_saw01 Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 Hi bassace, yeah I think your right, thanks. If anyone knows a bit more about the 400 as there's little info out there, ta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljbass Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 BH has imported instruments from Czechoslovakia from about 1970 to 1980, as I've read on Smithbass forum. Try to google "Boosey and Hawkes Strunal" and you'll surely find more info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeEvans Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 [quote][color=#000000][font=Calibri][size=3]Does anyone have any info on this bass, is it all laminate[/size][/font][/color][/quote] If you post a good close-up photo of the top of the bass including some of the edge, I'll have a good guess at whether the top is laminate or solid wood - I don't know all that much about basses but I know a bit about plywood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sky_saw01 Posted December 11, 2015 Author Share Posted December 11, 2015 Thanks for the last replies. Yeah on the Ken Smith site I see it says its all ply though still unsure if its a rosewood fingerboard, even though there's only small areas of the peeling black lacquer (ebonized I assume) I'm wondering whether to get it stripped off down to the wood, anyone had experience of this such as possible effects on changes to tone and feel of the board, ta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 I had the black finish stripped off my fingerboard when I had the board re-shot. Didn't make an iota of difference to anything other than making my bass look better. The finish on my board was pretty thin though, so maybe stripping off a heavy laquer will be more noticeable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBass Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Hi. Yes the Boosey 400 was made in the Strunal factory for re-branding as Boosey's student model. They're all laminate and the fingerboard is not ebony, possibly rosewood but not sure - I seem to recall the black on mine fading but not flaking, if it's flaking id probably look at getting rid. As I say, I used to own one and when I was looking into buying it pulled together a lot of info on them from posts on Talkbass and the now-defunct Doublebasschat - might still be somewhere on the net if you want to find it. So a carved top and ebony fingerboard would be an upgrade (if the type of music you're playing would benefit from that), though personally I didn't like the change to ebony for slap playing. Seemed "snappier". Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted December 17, 2015 Share Posted December 17, 2015 Hi, I had a B&H double bass a while ago. It wasn't a 400, but another model The finish was peeling a little on that fingerboard - but I was told it was ebony, and not another wood that had been ebonised The peeling didn't affect playing in any way, and a luthier had a look at it, and said it was fine It just happens through ageing and use, and a re-finish was possible, but most likely wouldn't make any real difference he also said that B&H at that time made beautiful instruments, and they have stood the test of time It was a beautiful bass, which I only sold because I had upgraded. Sounded great, looked lovely I'd say if it's not broken - don't fix it! And as others have said, you're always looking at what else is out there (not restricted to DB by the way!) So just enjoy your B&H - it's becoming quite vintage now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sky_saw01 Posted December 25, 2015 Author Share Posted December 25, 2015 Thanks all for your comments. I've decided to keep the bass and forget about the thomann. I do enjoy this bass but not having played DB very long I was curious about the ebony board and half carved of the thomann, thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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