Double Bass Mayhem!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Nicholas Feigenbaum

I wish I had the means to get out there.

Hey Ken mind weighing in please

I was hoping to avoid talking about a particular company that you mentioned.

But, if you come here, we can discuss it. To go into slight detail, you are shopping shortsighted at the least. Also, your price range limits you to shop-made basses in the carved design and some of them can cost a fortune to properly restore if they are older or neglected with old and common damages.

But, I happen to have a mid 20th century German bass here that would fit your needs and price that is in very healthy condition. I was going to have some work done on it with the set-up before putting it on the market.

As far as the names you mentioned in your first post, I would rather not discuss any negativity on-line. I have however seen two Solano's in the Orchestras I play in and they were nice for the money. Romano is Italian and a professional player as well. His basses vary in model and materials a great deal. One reason I was told by one owner was that he will make a bass of most any model and at a price the buyer can afford or something like that. So, you will find variation in that regard.

I have also 2 carved Romanian basses here that are new, never owned and I have also sold many of these from this shop. Never ever had a problem with them and they are in your budget.

As far as your busetto (lower rounded corners) mention, that is merely a decoration and not a feature in which to shop for. I have a 1970 Busetto Pollmann at home that I practice on. Near mint condition but, way out of your current shopping range. This is a very fine handmade bass with a sound so match. It is the 2nd I have owned. This a 3/4 and by date it's from the father (Gunther) and the last one I had a 7/8ths by the elder son (Michael).

On the bent endpin thing, Gary Karr never needed one nor did anyone else till recently. Every bass I get in with that extra hole, I plug up. By the way, that German bass I have here, has that hole drilled so if you get here before it goes into set-up, you can keep the hole. Otherwise I'm gonna plug it up. It make the bass down-fire and loose sound. I've done a test so it's not just a theory.