by Steve Reinfranck

Who We are

We are an Evanston Illinois based specialty music instrument shop that caters to the needs of double bass players, from beginner through student and professional. We rent, sell, appraise, and repair basses and accessories. Our friendly advice is always free!

Our Store

731 Brummel Street,

Evanston, IL 60202

Helping Chicagoland Keep Tempo Since 1998​

We are one of Chicago’s largest independent music shops catering to the largest member of the String Family, the Doublebass. We sell basses from the least expensive [that meet our minimum quality requirements] to several select instruments that are valued at over $50,000.00. All of our instruments have new professional-level strings and almost all have an upgraded endpin except in cases where the factory endpins are of exceptional quality. 

In Stock Inventory

Our “Special Niche” is to provide reasonably priced instruments and bows for professionals and the serious student, perhaps bound for conservatory studies in college. At any time we will carry at least twenty instruments in the $4,000.00 – $12,000.00 range. If you seek a specific style double basses, please contact us here and we will work to source it for you. 

Rental Instruments

The majority of my basses are hybrid (carved top, laminate back and sides) or fully carved. All have ebony fingerboards and good strings. The bows (French or German style) are never cheap fiberglass and never have synthetic hair. Usually, they are carbon fiber or even Pernambuco!

On-Site Instrument Repair

If its broke, let Steve fix it! I have gotten plenty of practice repairing my own fleet of basses, but I have had the good fortune to have become the go to resource for a handful of very special individuals and institutions.

Contact SMR Double Basses Using the Form Below