BigBeatNut Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Anyone know anything about these ? [url="http://www.contrabass.co.uk/2750.htm"]LINK[/url] Looks absolutely stunning and about at the limit of my budget .... but laminate though ? The way the website heaps on superlatives doesn't fill me with confidence. Anyway ... if you've encountered one of these I'd love to know what you think. Cheers, Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 (edited) Hi, BBN Tony at ContrabassShop is a really nice guy and trades in top quality (and quite pricy) stuff. It's definitely worth going down to see him and have a go on the bass. He will also recommend an upgrade or two. I would think that strings would be a worthwhile extra for starters. At that price don't worry about the laminate. I was interested to see that the bass is bases on the German Blonds of the 50s/60s. I have one such instrument and it plays and speaks very well. It really projects. If you go, pl say hello from me, Roger Davis. I wasted a whole day of his time a couple of years ago and still feel a bit guilty about it. He even made me lunch so he's a really good guy! Edited February 4, 2009 by bassace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeatNut Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 [quote name='bassace' post='399784' date='Feb 4 2009, 10:56 AM']At that price don't worry about the laminate.[/quote] Really ... not much difference between a £1000 laminate and a £1000 carved ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I had two of these several years back. Mine had good projection - it was louder than carved Stentor basses at around the same price. This, and the blondeness, were probably why I chose it. The first one had major structural issues; the end block split right the way down after only 3 months and the fit of the blocks and linings internally was very sloppy with gaps and glue all over the place. In fairness, the distributor were very helpful about taking it back and replacing it. The second one was put together more tidily, though still not amazingly. The end pin was a bit naff. Mine either rattled or started sinking, usually in the middle of a gig. The finishing on both was scruffy when viewed closely, with several bits of filler where the outer veneer had chipped before it was finished. The finish in the Contrabass shoppe pictures looks a bit neater than either of mine. Hopefully this means that they've improved their finishing standards/QC since mine was made (in 2005). And i'd presume a reputable bass shop like that would filter out and send back any duff ones before they went on sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeatNut Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 Mmmm ... my enthusiasm is waning a little ... thanks for the info, all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 [quote name='BigBeatNut' post='399915' date='Feb 4 2009, 01:04 PM']Really ... not much difference between a £1000 laminate and a £1000 carved ?[/quote] Yes, I'd probably initally trust a £1k laminate over a £1k carved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teej Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 [quote name='bassace' post='400798' date='Feb 5 2009, 11:08 AM']Yes, I'd probably initally trust a £1k laminate over a £1k carved.[/quote] Me too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrkelly Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 (edited) Best thing to do is to head down to Tony's to try it. It may be good or it may not. Also if anyone's interested there's a Boosey & Hawkes 3/4 on musical chairs at the mo. It's for sale at £400. Decent starter bass at a decent price. I had one as my first bass. [url="http://www.musicalchairs.info/OrchJobsEurNavEnglish.htm"]http://www.musicalchairs.info/OrchJobsEurNavEnglish.htm[/url] Click on the instrument sales tab on the left Edited February 5, 2009 by chrkelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 They're often pretty nice, those european laminates like the B&H basses. If you could find a good one at that sort of price, you could sink a bit into getting some new strings and any setup work needed, and have a good dependable bass that you'd probably want to hang on to even if you went to a more expensive bass later. My own bass is an older German carved flatback bass which I paid £750 for, but then spent a further £500-ish total for a new ebony fingerboard, new bridge and soundpost, seam repair and a set of Spirocores. It now sounds great and plays well, better than any new bass in my price range. So good used basses are out there, and can be better value than buying new, plus if you want to resell, you won't lose much. This is not to slate any new basses, just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teej Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 [quote name='chrkelly' post='400911' date='Feb 5 2009, 12:34 PM']Also if anyone's interested there's a Boosey & Hawkes 3/4 on musical chairs at the mo. It's for sale at £400. Decent starter bass at a decent price. I had one as my first bass.[/quote] I'm playing a '69 Excelsior, a B&H bass... one careful owner and then me, slapping it about in the street. Perfect bass for a busker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeatNut Posted February 7, 2009 Author Share Posted February 7, 2009 Thanks for the all the input guys ... I've kind of put it on hold for the moment, though ... not likely to be gigging upright soon so my beaten up starter bass will do me for a while. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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