Double Bass 1978 Engelhardt EC-1 Should I buy???

[Tiddleypidlei]

While searching through vast wasteland of Craigslist, I stumbled on listing of an 1978 Engelhardt Ec-1, the asking price $1,100. That includes a pickup, a bow, a case, and a bass stand.
On a serious note, what is the consensus about Engelhardt? I know that the were built by Kay, and have a skinny necks, but is it worth? Should I save my money and look elsewhere? I’m currently on the market for a upright bass, that I can do a lot of busking and traveling with.

I emailed the listing and the owner told me that they purchased the instrument in 1980 and it was used when they bought it. The reason they’re selling it, is because they are 80 years old and recently purchased a EUB that’s easier for them travel and play with.

Here is some pictures of the bass I’m looking at.

 

[GretschWretch]

My recollection, FWIW, is that the earlier Engles had thicker, chunkier necks than what had been the standard Kay spec. Your bass may be one of these.

 

[Steven Ayres]

The partners in Airline, the last company to own Kay Musical Instruments, bought back the bass and cello operation when it liquidated in 1969. They were named Englehardt and Link, and that company continues to build basses and cellos using Kay jigs, tooling and methods. So no, Englehardt basses were not made by Kay, but it's kinda the other way around.

I have an Englehardt ES-9 bought something like 15 years ago, and with some careful attention to setup it's really a pretty good bass. The neck is cut a little thinner than a comparable Kay, but the fingerboard is substantially thicker, putting relatively more neck into ebony. Neck thickness is a subjective issue, some people like 'em thick, some thin.

I'll happily recommend an Englehardt, with the caveat that setup is everything, and you can't judge a bass with a bad setup. On the EC-1 above, it's a relatively early one and build quality may be an issue. It also seems to have a maple fingerboard (as was standard on Kay C-1s in the '50s), which I would generally not recommend.

 

[Tiddleypidlei]

What are some common build quality issues have you seen on earlier Engelhardts? Also, why don’t you recommend a maple fingerboard? Is the maple fingerboard the same ebonized pieces of garbage found on CCBs

 

[Steven Ayres]

What are some common build quality issues have you seen on earlier Engelhardts?

I don't have direct experience there, I've only seen that sort of sentiment expressed around here.

why don’t you recommend a maple fingerboard? Is the maple fingerboard the same ebonized pieces of garbage found on CCBs

Maple is too soft, weakening the voice and making for a less stiff neck as well. It's basic student-grade stuff, not meant to last. If you really like the bass you could consider upgrading the fingerboard, but not at the price you mentioned above. Half that, maybe.

 

[Tiddleypidlei]

but not at the price you mentioned above. Half that, maybe.

So you think the price is too high for the bass and I should do some haggling. What does everyone else think is the price reasonable for this bass?

 

[Unclebif]

I bought this bass yesterday for $500. I recognize the room and the bass character from the photos. It's solid, no buzzing or rattles I couldn't identify and correct once I got it home. I cleaned it up, and played it all day. The action is set high for my tastes, but it's a player. It came with the K&K pre and triple pickup system installed, German bow, stand, extra set of strings, gig bag, rosin and two bridges. I have not plugged it in as it is plenty loud without amplification.
The owners were lovely people. They play accordion and bass at German festivals together. Awesome!
This is my first upright bass I've owned. I played a few in college, and borrowed a few from time to time, but the price was right, the strings were fresh and the bass is playable. I will play it for a while, as-is till the strings go dead, then I will replace the bridge to an adjustable, and have it set up to my playing style.
It has character and history, knocked off the stand by a cat, repaired planed and set up by a luthier (probably as I would have preferred), and then reset with a bridge shim (too high). It is a student bass with a maple fingerboard, that is well planed and straight. I am very happy with this purchase. I'm not an expert at all, so the real education will come from the luthier I choose to set it up for me. For now, I'm bowing, plucking and slapping with a huge smile on my face, and callouses on my fingers.

 

[Hoyt]

Obviously

I bought this bass yesterday for $500. I recognize the room and the bass character from the photos. It's solid, no buzzing or rattles I couldn't identify and correct once I got it home. I cleaned it up, and played it all day. The action is set high for my tastes, but it's a player. It came with the K&K pre and triple pickup system installed, German bow, stand, extra set of strings, gig bag, rosin and two bridges. I have not plugged it in as it is plenty loud without amplification.
The owners were lovely people. They play accordion and bass at German festivals together. Awesome!
This is my first upright bass I've owned. I played a few in college, and borrowed a few from time to time, but the price was right, the strings were fresh and the bass is playable. I will play it for a while, as-is till the strings go dead, then I will replace the bridge to an adjustable, and have it set up to my playing style.
It has character and history, knocked off the stand by a cat, repaired planed and set up by a luthier (probably as I would have preferred), and then reset with a bridge shim (too high). It is a student bass with a maple fingerboard, that is well planed and straight. I am very happy with this purchase. I'm not an expert at all, so the real education will come from the luthier I choose to set it up for me. For now, I'm bowing, plucking and slapping with a huge smile on my face, and callouses on my fingers.

Obviously the OP decided to pass on the bass, but congrats! I have a ‘53 C-1 that is a cannon and the Concert basses are my favorite of the Kay/Engelhardt lineage. I also prefer the softer fingerboard for slapping. More of a pleasant “thunk” than a brighter “tick” of ebony.

 

[Unclebif]

Obviously

Obviously the OP decided to pass on the bass, but congrats! I have a ‘53 C-1 that is a cannon and the Concert basses are my favorite of the Kay/Engelhardt lineage. I also prefer the softer fingerboard for slapping. More of a pleasant “thunk” than a brighter “tick” of ebony.

Thank you. I pleasantly agree.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

For a few hundred dollars more, you can get a brand new Engelhard EC1. Just thinking out loud.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I’d MUCH rather have an early Engel. The new ones are built like PT boats. Newer is not always better.

 

[Unclebif]

So sorry to hear Link / Engelhardt/ Kay is closing shop. I hope the Upton Bass acquisition of the company assets rumor is correct. I'm still playing and loving this old bass. I get complimented on it every time I play it.

 

[Matt Medlock]

I have a 1970 Engelhardt I bought cheap from a neighbor (barnfind). It was in rough shape with a hole in the side, a warped bridge, and bowed neck. The hole got a rough patch, I had a spare bridge that was fitted, and the best part was instead of having the fingerboard replaced I had a carbon fiber rod fitted in the neck for stability! It's been 10 years since that work has been done and it's been a great little bass with no problems.