'68 Conrad Gotz - what should I offer?

DB66 · #1 07-25-2006, 11:34 AM

Looks like a good bass, needs a new endpin. Fingerboard has that ridge under the E-string. Cosmetically it's a bit of a mess and that's where I think I could get a deal. Could the finish be touched up? Here's pics and thanks in advance for any suggestions on what it's worth.

DB66 · #2 07-25-2006, 11:35 AM

more pics

DB66 · #3 07-25-2006, 11:37 AM

here's more pictures (body)

Jeff Guevin · #4 07-25-2006, 11:49 AM

Not that I can help you evaluate this bass, but I think those pics are too small to give anyone a good view of it.

Jake · #5 07-25-2006, 11:55 AM

How does it sound? It looks like a factory German bass. What kind of money do they want for it? Is the set-up decent enough to evaluate the sound and response of the bass?

DB66 · #6 07-25-2006, 11:58 AM

I haven't played it yet, scheduling for next week. Sorry about the picture size. Seller says there's no cracks, was used in orchestra.

DB66 · #7 07-25-2006, 12:02 PM

"What kind of money do they want for it?"

seller says, "I'm not looking to get top dollar for it"

Problem is I don't know what top dollar for this bass would be.

Here's a link to a Conrad Gotz going to $12K

http://www.a440violinshop.com/produc...CatId=45&id=40

DB66 · #8 07-25-2006, 12:34 PM

okay here's bigger pics

Eastman · #9 07-25-2006, 02:00 PM

I agree, that could be a Wilfer. Could you post a detailed pic of the inlay work where the neck joints the body please?

The only Conrad Goetz I know here in Europe was the one of a friend of mine. A nice and well sounding instrument. As far as I remember the value was around $ 5000.00 … $ 6000.00 but that was ten yeas ago. Prices for this kind of basses generally are cheaper or the same since then …

Goetz must be another export only brand like Juzek or others?

hth

Eastman

DB66 · #10 07-25-2006, 02:16 PM

I only have the pictures sent to me by seller. I've photoshopped the best closeups possible. So what your'e saying Eastman is that it's possible that this bass in good playing and cosmetic condition could be worth between 5-6K USD? Since a new endpin is needed and the finish has really been abused it is worth less, maybe around 2,000-3K?? I plan on playing this bass next week. Until then all I have are pictures and the word from the seller that it's a fine sounding bass.

Eastman · #11 07-25-2006, 02:33 PM

It looks really identically to my Wilfer! The estimation $ 5000 … 6000 was just after the total revision done by a well known luthier. I guess the price for the restoration work was almost this amount …

I you can get it for $ 2000 … 3000 and it is in good working order, you have a nice bass. Wilfers are ok, I have two of them and maybe I buy a third one, a 5-string. It’s a good German instrument normally without troubles, but with a Teutonic charm … you like it or not

drurb · #12 07-25-2006, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

...Have a good Bass luthier OTHER than the shop where it's being sold check out the condition as to what you can't see or figure out on your own.

I'd like to amplify Ken's good advice. I wholeheartedly agree that it is essential that you have an objective, qualified luthier take a look--especially inside.

Bob Branstetter · #13 07-26-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

It has the Violin corners but the maple is very plain. Most likely their low end carved Bass at the time with corners.

Actually, The basses labeled as Conrad Gotz were the top of their line of carved basses and I still have the original Gotz catalogs showing that. I did a lot of business with G.A. Gotz when I operated my full sevice violin shop in the 1970s and 80s. I sold several of the Conrad Gotz basses, and they were all quite nice. Much, much better than the typical student grade basses of that time. Their target customers were college level and professional players. They were comparable to the Ernst Heinrich Roth basses which were at that time the top of the line for Scherl & Roth. You could do a lot worse than owning one of these if it is in good condition.

DB66 · #14 07-26-2006, 12:02 PM

Thanks for everyone for taking the time to respond to this post. I have no interest or time to refinish a bass myself, but from the posts I've read it's quite expensive to have a luthier refinish a bass, no? Are we talking 3K, 4K 5K for a job like this?

DB66 · #15 08-04-2006, 12:45 AM

Well, I bought the bass tonight. This was of course after speaking on the phone with Dave Mansbridge, Cheasapeake Bass Viol Shoppe, about all the issues, mostly cosmetic and standard setup stuff. I paid $2,500 which included an Ernst Heinrich Roth French Bow. I've never played a carved bass, other than at a jam session or for a few moments here or there...

All I can say is after playing this bass for a couple of minutes compared to my '66 Kay (playing for 15 years). Wow. It's so much easier to play in thumb position, good overstand, and the sound coming out of the instrument is more cello like....what I mean is more... I don't want to say the word complex, because it's so overused in this forum, but, there's so much more information to the note. It's been only 2 hours since I brought it home, but I realize that I've been overplaying my plywood bass, plucking, digging in hard into the strings to make a sound, a sound that on this Gotz/Wilfer bass is easier to produce.

There's definitatly issues with the cosmetics though. Hundreds of scratches. Apparently the owner before the previous owner carried the bass around without a case. I'm imaging some ski-bum student riding on his parents tab driving his Ford Bronco, not giving a **** about this instrument. It's pretty scratched up and one of the violin corners is slightly busted. Dave Mansbridge said this is standard stuff and can be fixed. I trust him. I'm drunk and elated. I have a "real" bass now! The ebony board is very thick and playing on it feels great, I can tell my intonation is already much better and bowing produces such a better sound than plywood. Hopefully the attached picture will convey. !!!

DB66 · #16 08-04-2006, 12:55 AM

and it came with a realist pickup.

**Matthew Tucker** · #17 08-04-2006, 02:38 AM

Cosmetic condition, whatever ... but that pic against the sandbag is a great photo!

Uncletoad · #18 08-04-2006, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

Cosmetic condition, whatever ... but that pic against the sandbag is a great photo!

Dude. That's totally his couch. You sandbagged his couch.

I think it looks cool beat up like that. Has mucho mojo. Besides, it'll make nice cover when you bang it around playing drunk.

Jeff Guevin · #19 08-04-2006, 08:21 AM

It'd be nice to be able to use it to set your drinks on, too, since the circle marks won't look out of place.

**Matthew Tucker** · #20 08-04-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

Dude. That's totally his couch. You sandbagged his couch.

whoops. But I meant what I said. The photo went straight to my screensaver!