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Emilé Gillet, (carved basses under $3k)

We are currently sold out of our EG basses and will no longer be able to offer them.  For a short while we tried to substitute the EG's with  "The Affordable Bass" model that we bought from a trusted distributor.  Shortly thereafter, we came to the conclusion that these basses were just not made with high enough standards that we are known for and so we had no choice but to discontinue them.  

Now what?  It's going to be difficult to find a fully carved bass any longer under $3k that you can safely buy without it falling apart afterwards.  Remember what our Moms and  Dads told us:  "If it sounds too good to be true....it is!"  The problem here that most players and customers don't always understand is that while you may first think that you can easily find and buy a fully carved bass for under or around $3k, once you get it home, they will almost always develop issues: tops cracking, backs shrinking and bursting past the rib edges etc... repairs all of which can quickly and easily surpass your initial total cost of the bass. These repairs are expensive.

If you simply cannot or do not want to pay more than $3,000 for a bass, then your best bet would to simply buy a good hybrid bass, which has a fully carved spruce top, but with laminate sides and back.  They sound almost (very close) to a carved bass, but hold up incredibly well.   Look towards our Thompson RM-200 Hybrid basses, or we will also often substitute these for a nice Shen SB-150 when we're out of the Thompsons.  Sometimes players will (wrongly) think that a fully carved bass will always be better than a bass that isn't fully carved (hybrids), but when a hybrid is set up professionally, they have a very similar complexity of tone and response, without the worry and/or future costly repairs.

Still want a fully carved (dependable) bass?  We love the Shen SB-200 Willow flat back model. They are made quite well and have a very good track record with wood stability. We do not post prices on these, but please call us for the best price.  All of the Shens we sell will have our own special, professional set ups, upgraded bridge with the special Delrin bridge adjusters as well as a new cover.  They will feel and play great!  All included here in our one stop shop, low price.(480-785-5491 shop line)

We'll leave our old script here in case anyone still wants information about the Emile Gillet basses. 

One of the basses that we sell here now more and more are the Shen SB-200 Willow flat back basses.  While they used to be totally solid wood, Shen is now making all of their 'fully carved' basses using laminated ribs.  For them and at this (lower) price range, we cannot really hear any real difference  in tone or sound with the different ribs.  They do it, not to save money, but to make their basses stronger and more hearty.  Again, it's that North American extreme seasonal change that can be hard on a bass.  Again, for this price range, you simply cannot do better than the Shen SB-200 Willow Flatback.  We sell these with a nice hinese padded cover (included) with the bass, with the customer's choice of strings he wants (included in the price) , upgraded maple bridge and Delrin bridge adjusters and of course with our revered, professional set up we do here. 

Emile Gillet basses. If you have ever tried looking for a new carved bass under $3,000 before, you know that it is next to impossible to find something that is high quality, well made, includes a professional set up and at the same time....dependable. These basses are made by the same people that make our famous Emilé Gillet fine cellos and are specially made for us. They are fully hand carved basses. (Even the back is carved!) The Gillet upright bass is modeled after an Amati bass and is a normal, 3/4 size bass. The top is made with quality spruce. The neck, sides, and back are all solid maple and have nice ebony fingerboards. The bass plays with a warm tone and it is amazing at any price. This bass (like our Wan-Bernadel upright basses) is recommended to only ship by air cargo. See more about trying a bass at our How to Try a Bass page.

(We've taken as many photos of this bass so that you can see every angle. Click on any smaller image below here for a greater, detailed view)

 Emilé Gillet upright basses ($2,950) plus shipping:

Emile Gillet bass Emile Gillet upright bass side view Emile Gillet upright bass back view Emile Gillet upright bass, scroll
Emile Gillet upright bass Emile Gillet upright bass, side Emile Gillet upright bass, back Emile Gillet upright bass, f-holes
Emile Gillet upright bass, gamba corner Emile Gillet upright bass, back of scroll Emile Gillet upright bass adjustable bridge

Who buys these? For the money, the new Emile Gillet basses (pronounced Jee-Lay') are actually even cheaper than some expensive plywood basses being offered elsewhere. They are made just as well or better than the expensive hybrid upright or carved upright basses much more in price. The Gillet basses have quality workmanship, a beautiful appearance and sound. They also come with a 2 year warranty to assure our quality. Again, our reputation for quality is unrivaled and is our first priority.   New! Check out our new, special Amazing Bass Packaged Deals page where you can add a pickup or any other accessory that we offer here.

Bass measurements: length of back 43 3/4", width across shoulders (upper bouts) is 19", lower bouts 25 1/4" and the string length is 42". Email us.

How we are able to get the prices cheap? The wood is well seasoned and aged (fully warranted), but is a simpler more plainer wood grain. There is naturally some flame and grain in most of these basses, but because it is a plainer wood grain, it helps keep the price down. Keeping in mind that about 95% of all the early 20th century German carved basses used only plain maple. The varnish is a beautiful hand applied spirit varnish. While the tuners are German Rubners, we use their cheaper plate tuners which are still really nice tuners, but not the most elaborate. All other accessories used are specially approved for quality and workmanship. We let the customers choose any brand strings that we offer. (For gut strings, a little extra is charged.) We even include a good, deluxe padded bass tuff-Bag cover with the bass. Lastly...why the cheap price tags? We wanted to offer a good, solidly built bass, that will easily rival any other bass in price and quality.

The Emilé Gillet upright check list:

  • All hand carved, bass
  • carved top, carved back (not flat)
  • hand rubbed spirit varnish (beautiful amber brown)
  • ebony purfling
  • Rubner (German) plated tuners
  • good quality ebony fingerboard
  • French imported Despiau bridge, with Delrin adjusters
  • nice, deluxe padded Tuff-Bag bass cover included in price
  • 2 year warranty (this means, if the bass cracks or opens or anything related to premature shrinkage or quality workmanship defect, we repair the bass free of charge) 

For more information you can call or email us at basses@stringemporium.com