Buying a double bass...

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Michael Case

Yeah, I figured the Wilfer would need set-up work. I figured that at the price they want I could get a good set-up and still be in the area of the retail price I've seen them go for. But I do have to say I think the NS is probably a better bass all around. I'm gonna contact Arnold and see if I can arrange a visit and play a NS. Once again Ken, thank you for creating an environment where one can ask a question about a bass and not be bombarded by small time bass shop owners trying to sell you a lesser instrument.

Also, the Wilfer has a repaired Crack. If this is near the Bass Bar or Sound Post, it will hurt the value and if not repaired well, will need to be re-done and this is not a cheap repair. For $1500 more, you can buy a new Wilfer #10 from MetMusic/Juzek as listed on their website. The #10, is a 'plain jane' carved Bass with nothing fancy in terms of wood.

[Ken Smith]

Also, this Bass is 10 years old, in great looking shape and without a single crack and still in a similar price range.



Also, nothing 'plain' about this beauty at all. Great for Orchestra or Jazz.

[Michael Case]

She sure is purty.

[Flint Buchanan]

same price range as the $4700 wilfur?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Flint Buchanan

same price range as the $4700 wilfur?

The Wilfer is a 'plain jane' with a serious crack repaired fairly at best from what I recall when I saw that Bass last on line. Mine is a bit more money but it's 10 years old without a single crack, has been played-in somewhat and has some nice figure and overall upgraded woods as compared to the Wilfer.

All in all, the Wilfer is less value for its price making mine a better buy even at a slightly higher price.

[Flint Buchanan]

I've been TERRIBLY over quoted on the Shen line if your Shen bass is in the 5k ballpark.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Flint Buchanan

I've been TERRIBLY over quoted on the Shen line if your Shen bass is in the 5k ballpark.

Please tell me the models and prices we are talking about. My Shen 3/4 although the highest end Gamba I think they even made is not brand new but is still without any damage with the exception of minor cosmetics of a 10 year old Bass used on occasion. I think 9k-10k or so was it's list price in 1997 but I need to move it and can be very reasonable on the asking price which is currently 6k completely set-up, as-is. If it were new stock, slightly higher might be warranted but thus is not the case and I need to move the Bass out and make room for others as well as pay for some expensive restorations.

[Steve Loeb]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Also, the Wilfer has a repaired Crack.

For the record that particular Emanual Wilfer is mint, otherwise it would have been priced lower.

Hi Ken ...

[Drake Chan]

[quote=Greene;3750]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Also, the Wilfer has a repaired Crack.

For the record that particular Emanual Wilfer is mint, otherwise it would have been priced lower.

Hi Ken ...

You've got to use your real name as your user name. It's Steve Loeb, I believe. Correct me if I'm mistaken.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Steve Loeb

For the record that particular Emanual Wilfer is mint, otherwise it would have been priced lower.

Hi Ken ...

Hi Steve. Sorry, I must have been thinking of a different Bass. I saw a slight shadow on one of them that looked like a repaired bass bar crack. I guess it was a different Bass.

Being a 'welcomed' commercial user, you can put your website in your signature but either way, it should be in your profile. In the case of this Wilfer in question we could easily look at it for reference and clear things up visually as well. For the readers new in the DB game Steve has in the last few years expanded the business (by going online) which was started by his late father Jack Loeb known as Ideal Music a distributer of European made Violin Family instruments and accessories which for decades was right around the corner from Metropolitan Music owned and run by the Juzek Family which moved to Vermont about 30 years ago.

Drake, thanks for the help with the name thing. Even though more than half the new members make that mistake almost all of them comply at the first mention.

Commercial users on this Forum so far are mainly Luthiers that repair, sell and make Basses. Steve falls in a similar classification as John at CSC/Shen who by the way is one of my favorite people Basses aside. MPM/Mike Pecanic, another commercial user is in a class of his own famous for his beautiful handmade exotic Tail pieces. Although he is also a Luthier he concentrates on accessories to improve and maintain the DB. Maybe one of these days I will make a listing of all the Pros of the equipment we use over in Luthier section.

By the way in your Profile I see this; "Musical Background:Hart", etc..

It just so happens that I have a beautiful and rare individually handmade English Double Bass made by John Thomas Hart, London c.1830. What does the reference to "Hart" mean in your profile?

It's the better class of people this Forum seems to be attracting which the 'real name' thing actually helps weed out the 'lurkers' and in some cases the trouble makers. It's nice to know who you are talking to and from the looks of things we have quite a few members that call this place home away from home regardless of DB or BG. Also here I see more of the person coming out than just the subject of some part of the Bass realm which to me is more of a real life day by day live Opera if you will.

Sorry Steve to go off topic on your reply and entrance here at the Forum but I want to make sure you feel welcomed here even though I made a mistake mentioning one of your Basses on your stock list.