Double Bass Problem with a Luthier (Roland/Emanuel Wilfer content)

#181
Tyronimo said:
I think that this practice of sending the basses without their set up ready is more habitual than it seems, not only from this luthier, I have seen other luthiers who send the instruments without their set up ready, I think it is because this way each person can configure to their needs and preferences with a nearby luthier but I'm not sure if that's why it comes like this, I'm assuming, maybe I'm wrong.
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Definitely not for an instrument you order from a real luthier. Unless you’re buying some plywood factory bass from China it should arrive exactly to your specs (string spacing, fingerboard arching, nut width etc)... all of those things can be incredibly expensive to re-do if not done correctly the first time.
 
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#182
I'm guessing that the setup was done properly and then disassembled for shipping. Hopefully all you need to do is set the post and put the bass back in tension.

Adjusters? I'm not sure you need them. They are used most in places where the humidity swings drastically between winter and summer. In New York I turned them often. Since coming to Germany I've moved them probably three times in eighteen years:)
 
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#183
robobass said:
Adjusters? I'm not sure you need them. They are used most in places where the humidity swings drastically between winter and summer.
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They are nice to have if you like to experiment with different strings and string heights though. Wait a minute - now that I think about it, maybe I should get a fixed bridge so I'm not tempted to do any of that stuff :)
 
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#185
JKos said:
Look at the pictures of the fingerboard again...

- John
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It does look bad, but not conclusive. I can't say from the photos that the fingerboard is not properly dressed, and we don't see the bridge. Was it fitted? Was the sound post fitted? If Roland sent out this bass with a raw fingerboard and bridge then that would be an insult to the bass luthier world. I don't think he would do that. His fingerboards (at least the ones he brings to trade shows) are second to none. Let us wait and see what is reported. I have absolutely no love for this guy, but respect that he seems to be trying to make amends.
 
#190
I think the fingerboard looks great, and it is very soft to the touch, I don't see any irregularities in it, but I'm not a luthier, tomorrow I will have the opinion of the luthier

He brings everything, even strings, but i don't know what strings are, they are brand new but they did not come in a package, could someone identify them?

sorry for the quality of the photos
 

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#191
Tyronimo said:
I think the fingerboard looks great, and it is very soft to the touch, I don't see any irregularities in it, but I'm not a luthier, tomorrow I will have the opinion of the luthier

He brings everything, even strings, but i don't know what strings are, they are brand new but they did not come in a package, could someone identify them?

sorry for the quality of the photos
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Thomastik belcanto. They’re wonderful strings.

when I bought a bass around your price range they came with freaking 100 dollar strings - those are fantastic.
 
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#193
piggywiddle said:
They shipped a double bass in a cardboard box? Now I’ve seen everything. Sounds like they went with the cheapest shipping option even remotely possible. My double bass came from England to Canada full setup (soundpost installed, strings, bridge, everything) in its case and in a wooden crate with a ton of padding.

also, why would a supposedly new instrument need a fingerboard to be dressed? It should come already set up.

What a sketchy luthier.
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Hello to everyone.

I also received my bass in this way and I believe also that everyone get this bass like this. I ask also the luthier about this years ago and he told me that he order this specially for him because it is dopple thick and the bass hovers in the Box. (Hopefully I translate it right)

I think it is not the cheapest way because this is see freight and not air freight. Tyronimo told me the transport company in our private chat and the bass comes with air freight. The shipping company is a well known good company.

it is not fair that you told this and don’t have all information. And that you told sketchy luthier is not nice from you.

Sorry but this is my opinion.

I am really happy for you Tyronimo that you have the bass in your hand and I believe you will enjoy the Bass. I am really happy with my bass also.

I think it is solved now and the best is to close this thread now.
 
#195
misterbadger said:
I, for one, am interested to hear the views of the luthier who is going to set it up - from this distance, all of our opinions are just conjecture. There is no earthly reason that I can see for closing the thread, despite tom31890's repeated recommendations.
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I agree. It is nice to see that Tyronimo received his bass. Now we want to see him get the bass setup and playable. I want to hear the thoughts of the luthier who does the setup.

My Grandfather did the same types of setups on Violins in 1940's - 1960's. They came to him in New York and needed completion and full setup. This was standard practice for Violins which is why I asked about Sound posts and setups. My Grandfather was the main man for New York Symphonies back then.

Unfortunately, He passed away before I ever could meet him but My Grandmother said he could take a violin apart and add sound posts/repair it in 10 minutes. He used a hot knife to dissolve the glue.

Anyhow, sorry for the long story but I am very interested to see this through. I will be happy to hear that Tyronimo is finally playing his beautiful new Bass.:)
 
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#196
tom31890 said:
Hello to everyone.

I also received my bass in this way and I believe also that everyone get this bass like this. I ask also the luthier about this years ago and he told me that he order this specially for him because it is dopple thick and the bass hovers in the Box. (Hopefully I translate it right)

I think it is not the cheapest way because this is see freight and not air freight. Tyronimo told me the transport company in our private chat and the bass comes with air freight. The shipping company is a well known good company.

it is not fair that you told this and don’t have all information. And that you told sketchy luthier is not nice from you.

Sorry but this is my opinion.

I am really happy for you Tyronimo that you have the bass in your hand and I believe you will enjoy the Bass. I am really happy with my bass also.

I think it is solved now and the best is to close this thread now.
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The luthier IS sketchy. The guy tried to rip a kid off and not deliver a bass for three years.

Sorry but you don’t ship a musical instrument like that unless it is a 50 dollar Casio keyboard.

Call it not nice, call it whatever you wish, but what I consider ‘not nice’ is someone trying to scam someone that paid them money for a service. I sincerely hope this is a wake up call for Herr luthier but based on my conversations with him he didn’t care about the OPs situation.
 
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#197
I`ve been watching this and am so glad you have your bass... I think waiting awhile before doing a "fine" set-up is wise for alot of reasons. As far as shipping, my first "fly-away" gig was in 1975, and I showed up at the airport with my fender tube amp (15" speaker, I forget the model), just in it`s pleather jacket, and it survived round trip like that....Good luck with your new bass...
 
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