I had been thinking about getting an upright bass for a long time, so I took the leap on this one, and I'm glad I did. If you’re still on the fence, I’ll try to be as detailed as I can with my review to help with your decision. Executive summary: great value, great sound, no real luthier skills required. Overall, it’s a strikingly beautiful instrument with a lot of “stage presence.”
The maple bridge was already profiled. The top of the bridge is more of a jazz shape than orchestral, with the treble side dipping much lower than the bass side. It’s notched for the strings, and the feet were shaped to fit the top. All I had to do was center the bridge between the two inner notches on the f-holes and tighten the strings. While I'm sure I'll make some adjustments over time, the instrument is totally playable, as-is. No luthier required. You'll want to use some pencil lead on the nut slots and bridge notches to let the strings slide easier and help prevent the bridge pulling forward when you tune. Action was set at around 7mm above the end of the fingerboard, with the adjustable bridge set at its lowest – so there’s plenty of room to re-shape the top of the bridge. The soundpost was set a bit further from the bridge than I would set it, so I’ll probably move that at some point. But the sound is already amazing, especially for an entry-level plywood bass. I’m sure it will only get better with some tinkering.
The bass I got weighs only 20.5 lbs (without the gig bag). That is pleasantly light for a 4/4 bass. The scale is on the long end of the spectrum: 44” (measured from the nut to the bridge).
The fingerboard is straight and smooth. Listing info says "oak," but it looks tighter grain than that. Or maybe it’s filled. Whatever it is, it's stained black and could pass for ebony.
The tailpiece is substantial and made of hardwood – could be ebony or simply another close-grain hardwood stained black. Slots for the strings are perfect and did not need any cleaning out. The tail gut looks like vinyl-coated aviation cable and is closed with a crimp. It held just fine when I tightened the strings up to pitch (A440).
The strings are flat-wound and seem to be steel core. They sound and perform great. As some have mentioned, the included rosin is less “sticky” than most upright players prefer. You can fix that with the alcohol trick mentioned by other reviewers and elswhere online. The French-style bow is nicely crafted and works well.
The endpin assembly is outstanding. It’s beautifully turned rosewood with a brass fitting, and the endpin itself is 1/2” and notched, so you don't have to over-tighten the set screw. The rubber end cap screws off of the pin, which comes to a shallow-angled “point.” There is a stop rivet installed on the end pin inside the bass, so it cannot be removed to, say, attach a wheel for transport. But that is easily remedied without having to remove the strings or the endpin assembly. Unscrew the rubber tip and retrieve the pin through an f-hole with a telescoping magnet (the kind auto mechanics use to retrieve dropped parts). You can then clip the ends of the soft aluminum stop rivet with wire cutters, push it out of the end pin, and reinsert the end pin through the bottom. Problem solved.
The tuning machines work great. The scroll is beautifully carved, but the inside of the peghead box is a little rough. And where the peg holes were drilled could've been cleaned up a bit before they attached the machines – a little splintery around the holes inside the peghead box – but not a big deal at all.
Actually, the overall craftsmanship is pretty good. The neck feels great – finish is removed to reveal blond natural wood. The purfling is fake but convincing: white painted pinstripes. Same with the edge "binding." The sides have reinforcing wood strips next to each edge, outside and inside the bass. Inspecting the inside with a light and a mirror, it’s pretty clean with no glue squeeze-out or chips and sawdust.
Surprisingly, the gig bag is way sturdier and more serviceable than the photos made me think it would be. The photos make it look thin and wrinkled, but it's actually got about 3/8" of padding, a soft knit lining, and a tough nylon exterior fabric. On the front, there's a bow pocket and a small accessory pocket. On the back there's a sheet-music-sized pocket between the backpack-style straps. I can't imagine carrying this 4/4 bass as a backpack (not because it’s that heavy, but because it’s awkward). The bag could probably handle it, although you'd have to add some golf-bag-style shoulder pads to the straps.
Online videos and bass-player forums help a lot when you’re setting up the instrument, but it’s pretty straightforward. Hope this has been helpful as well. Have fun.
UPDATE: About 8 months later, still loving this instrument. I moved the sound post to a more traditional position in line with the treble side of the bridge foot and slightly toward the tailpiece. This made it sound even better, especially noticeable when bowed.
Artículos destacados que te pueden gustar
Página 1 de 1 Comenzar de nuevoPágina 1 de 1
Comparar con productos similares
Este artículo  Cecilio Contrabajo vertical negro CDB tamaño 4/4 con puente ajustable, arco, colofonia y bolsa de concierto |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Precio | — | -9% US$1,049.99 Típico: US$1,149.99 | -13% US$588.99 PVPR: US$679.85 | US$660.00 | US$879.99 | -14% US$94.99 PVPR: US$109.99 |
| Entrega | — | Recíbelo el may 2 - 6 | Recíbelo el may 2 - 6 | Recíbelo el lunes, 6 de mayo | Recíbelo el sábado, 4 de mayo | Recíbelo el miércoles, 1 de mayo |
| Calificaciones de los clientes | ||||||
| Excelente inversión | ||||||
| Vendido por | — | Total Music Source | KK Music Store | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Best Choice Products Inc |
| instrumento | Guitarra | Guitarra | Violonchelo | — | Guitarra | Bajo acústico-eléctrico |
| Cantidad de Cuerdas | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| modo de operación | Enchufe | Eléctrico | Manual | — | Eléctrico | Eléctrico |
| material de la parte superior | Ébano | Arce | Pícea | — | Arce | — |
| material de la parte posterior | Tilo americano | Arce | Arce | — | Arce | Tilo americano |
| tipo de acabado | Pintura Electrostática | Pintura Electrostática | Barniz | — | — | Acabado brillante |
| peso | — | 18 pounds | 1 pounds | 22 pounds | 22 pounds | 5.5 pounds |
Opiniones con imágenes
Nice Bass. Better than expected. Great value.
I bought this bass for my 16 yo son, his main influence is Les Claypool.The Bass seems to be built well. It was very easy to set up the bridge and it has a deep Robust sound.Judging from other reviews (I read all of them before buying this) the manufacturer has made improvements based on the feedback.One of the complaints other people had is having to have a luthier set up the bass and the bridge, there is no reason for this, if you can tune an instrument you can do this yourself. They have an improved bridge with beveled feet that rotate to fit the couture of the body. Simply loosen the strings enough to place the bridge over the post inside body, slide forward or back to change height of strings over the neck, when you get it close just tighten the strings a little, then readjust and tune. Booom shaka laka you're done! Sounds great. Buy a clip on bass and cello tuner, or just search for online upright bass tuner and do it by ear.It is true that the stock strings are good enough for now, but not that great, but you can buy better ones later. We ordered some "Spirocore" strings.The rosin that comes with it is good also, comes in a plastic tub, not the stuff people complained about, definitely an improvement.Shipping was fantastic. They called to make arrangements for delivery so I could be home, this is good because who wants to risk leaving $800 dollars on the porch. The box was huge, on it's own pallet, and has big blocks of ridged foam to protect it. Looks like it would be near impossible to damage in transit, they packed it extremely well.One thing to consider prepping ahead of time: Where will you put this huge instrument?
Opiniones destacadas de los Estados Unidos
Ha surgido un problema al filtrar las opiniones justo en este momento. Vuelva a intentarlo en otro momento.
Calificado en Estados Unidos el 17 de marzo de 2023
Tamaño: Size 4/4 (Full Size)Color: Negro -Compra verificada
Calificado en Estados Unidos el 11 de noviembre de 2022
The Bass seems to be built well. It was very easy to set up the bridge and it has a deep Robust sound.
Judging from other reviews (I read all of them before buying this) the manufacturer has made improvements based on the feedback.
One of the complaints other people had is having to have a luthier set up the bass and the bridge, there is no reason for this, if you can tune an instrument you can do this yourself. They have an improved bridge with beveled feet that rotate to fit the couture of the body. Simply loosen the strings enough to place the bridge over the post inside body, slide forward or back to change height of strings over the neck, when you get it close just tighten the strings a little, then readjust and tune. Booom shaka laka you're done! Sounds great. Buy a clip on bass and cello tuner, or just search for online upright bass tuner and do it by ear.
It is true that the stock strings are good enough for now, but not that great, but you can buy better ones later. We ordered some "Spirocore" strings.
The rosin that comes with it is good also, comes in a plastic tub, not the stuff people complained about, definitely an improvement.
Shipping was fantastic. They called to make arrangements for delivery so I could be home, this is good because who wants to risk leaving $800 dollars on the porch. The box was huge, on it's own pallet, and has big blocks of ridged foam to protect it. Looks like it would be near impossible to damage in transit, they packed it extremely well.
One thing to consider prepping ahead of time: Where will you put this huge instrument?
Nice Bass. Better than expected. Great value.
Calificado en Estados Unidos el 11 de noviembre de 2022
I bought this bass for my 16 yo son, his main influence is Les Claypool.Calificado en Estados Unidos el 11 de noviembre de 2022
The Bass seems to be built well. It was very easy to set up the bridge and it has a deep Robust sound.
Judging from other reviews (I read all of them before buying this) the manufacturer has made improvements based on the feedback.
One of the complaints other people had is having to have a luthier set up the bass and the bridge, there is no reason for this, if you can tune an instrument you can do this yourself. They have an improved bridge with beveled feet that rotate to fit the couture of the body. Simply loosen the strings enough to place the bridge over the post inside body, slide forward or back to change height of strings over the neck, when you get it close just tighten the strings a little, then readjust and tune. Booom shaka laka you're done! Sounds great. Buy a clip on bass and cello tuner, or just search for online upright bass tuner and do it by ear.
It is true that the stock strings are good enough for now, but not that great, but you can buy better ones later. We ordered some "Spirocore" strings.
The rosin that comes with it is good also, comes in a plastic tub, not the stuff people complained about, definitely an improvement.
Shipping was fantastic. They called to make arrangements for delivery so I could be home, this is good because who wants to risk leaving $800 dollars on the porch. The box was huge, on it's own pallet, and has big blocks of ridged foam to protect it. Looks like it would be near impossible to damage in transit, they packed it extremely well.
One thing to consider prepping ahead of time: Where will you put this huge instrument?
Imágenes en esta reseña
Calificado en Estados Unidos el 9 de junio de 2021
Gut lock cable snapped when i was tuning it for the first time had to wait a few weeks for the new cable had to fix it my self which was easy..now that is working and properly set up it sounds amazing im a complete noob when it comes to double bass so its worth the price if you can get it on sale for sure!
Imágenes en esta reseña
Calificado en Estados Unidos el 9 de abril de 2021
