Stentor Conservatoire. Advice Please 🙏

[JazzyJ]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1238010064525230/

 

https://ebay.us/m/S5NwaJ

 

As an electric bass player for over 50yrs, I've never been down the DB route. Obviously, I haven't got a clue but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I've done research on these but as always, everyone has differing opinions.

There are a couple of rockabilly guys around here who could possibly try it out for me, it's only 25 miles away.

I'm sure the price is negotiable, lots of variables I guess. Is it  worth a punt ?

 

Cheers 

 

Ian

 

Edited yesterday at 07:10 by JazzyJ
Ebay link added

[Burns-bass]

7 hours ago, JazzyJ said:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1238010064525230/

 

https://ebay.us/m/S5NwaJ

 

As an electric bass player for over 50yrs, I've never been down the DB route. Obviously, I haven't got a clue but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I've done research on these but as always, everyone has differing opinions.

There are a couple of rockabilly guys around here who could possibly try it out for me, it's only 25 miles away.

I'm sure the price is negotiable, lots of variables I guess. Is it  worth a punt ?

 

Cheers 

 

Ian

 

Hi Ian.

 

Stentor make good, reliable and affordable instruments from what I can tell.

 

I have one and it’s well built and sounds good. It’s limited in terms of the tone, but when someone with talent and skill (not me) plays it, then it sounds great.

 

The pickup here is a good one and the bass looks in good order. The bodies are small which can be a blessing if you’re not as tall as me, but you may find the sound isn’t as strong or loud as a bigger bass.
 

Set up is important. It may be perfect but more likely it’ll need a tweak so factor that in to your costs (and inconvenience).

 

Looks good to me.

 

If you want to play rockabilly on it I’d look for a more affordable and durable ply bass. 

[petebassist]

I don't think you could go wrong with this bass, as long as you don't plan to jump up and down on it mid-song like Lee Rocker.

These are fully carved I think, so if you want to use it for jazz & other non-slap styles as well as rockabilly, you'd have the tone you need with the right mic or pickup.

I used to have a Stentor 1950, ply back n sides, which was small bodied and light, perfect for tight gigs.

[JazzyJ]

Thanks for your input guys. I'll go and have a look at it. I've talked my D B player mate into coming along so will see how it works out. 

[Duckyincarnate]

I have this bass. It's a servicable student instrument that can be played for many years. I think it is a hybrid (despite what Stentor claim), with ply sides and back, and a solid spruce top. Though I have a much nicer bass (Bryant), I still take the Stentor out to plenty of gigs as I don't have to stress about it as much. 

 

However - I don't think this bass has been professionally set up. The finger board still has the original bevel and many luthiers would remove that when they do fingerboard work, in my experience. The bridge looks like the original one, and it has been made into a mess by someone trying to bring the action down. 

 

It'll need a set up for sure, possibly a new bridge too, which might run to about £300. The market value of a used Stentor like this would be about £1k-£1200 max, set up. So let that factor into your decision. 

[NickA]

That pickup is £300+ worth.  Go for it, but factor in a new bridge and probably a decent set of strings down the line ( another £250 )

 

It won't get you in the LSO but decent to learn on.

 

Nb: my own bass (£10k worth of antique German timber) has a fingerboard bevel. You don't need it but it's pretty harmless and I've never needed to get it altered - they were for bowing with floppy gut strings. 

[JazzyJ]

Ok, for better or for worse, I've done a deal at £900 subject to viewing on Saturday. I'll report back.

Thanks to all for your advice, I'm sure I'll be back for more.

All the best 👍 

[Burns-bass]

2 minutes ago, JazzyJ said:

Ok, for better or for worse, I've done a deal at £900 subject to viewing on Saturday. I'll report back.

Thanks to all for your advice, I'm sure I'll be back for more.

All the best 👍 

Seems really fair for a solid bass.

 

Now the fun starts!

[JazzyJ]

1 minute ago, Burns-bass said:

Seems really fair for a solid bass.

 

Now the fun starts!

Another bloody rabbit hole 😄 

[Burns-bass]

51 minutes ago, JazzyJ said:

Another bloody rabbit hole 😄 

It seems you’ve already have friends who play DB. Always worth getting some lessons to start you off.

 

It’s a completely different (and hugely rewarding) instrument to play.

 

Dont cause yourself any damage. Love to hear how you get on.

[jonnybass]

@JazzyJ I started in October after 30 odd years of electric bass. I’d echo what @Burns-bass said very different but hugely rewarding. When you hit a note and it just blossoms out it’s fantastic. 
 

enjoy!!

 

jonny

[The Guitar Weasel]

If you intend to slap it and play amplified rockabilly style (I do, and also have a Stentor) the strings are almost as important as the bass. 

[JazzyJ]

3 hours ago, The Guitar Weasel said:

If you intend to slap it and play amplified rockabilly style (I do, and also have a Stentor) the strings are almost as important as the bass. 

Thank you. Would you have any suggestions for that style. I get that string choice is personal but any guidance would be gratefully received.

 

Ian