Aluminum double Bass 1920's - 1940's

zepplynn1 · #1 02-17-2011, 08:13 AM

I have 2 aluminum uprite double basses in excellent shape. They were both repainted white many years ago. great tones. I dont know exactly what they are worth, but I know they are very rare, just try and find one out there. Only looking to sell one but for the right price I would consider selling both.If anyone knows anything about these basses and their worth I would like to here from you. Thanks for looking.

Jason Sypher · #2 02-17-2011, 08:44 AM

You will need to post photos so people can have an idea what they are chiming in about. Front, back, sides, scroll, fingerboard, will give us an idea what you've got there.

**ddbassGA** · #3 02-17-2011, 07:07 PM

I'm interested in finding an aluminum bass. Can you post pictures and a price?

poupiu · #4 05-31-2011, 03:13 PM

Interested in buying an aluminum bass as well. Got any photos?

insomniac2295 · #5 05-31-2011, 03:15 PM

is this a for sale post? if so, you're in the wrong forum

GrowlerBox · #6 05-31-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insomniac2295

is this a for sale post? if so, you're in the wrong forum

And I think you need to be a supporting member.

**Francois Blais** · #7 05-31-2011, 06:23 PM

He first posted that on the Classifieds but I moved it here since he was in fact only looking for some info on these instruments to help him for a price.

And FYI, you don't need to be a supporting member to post a For sale ad on the DB side.

james condino · #8 06-02-2011, 02:30 AM

Not so rare and not so pricey right now. Most that I've seen in the last year - both AlCoA and Pfretschner aluminum basses- have been averaging about $1600-1800. I've seen one AlCoA that was almost museum quality go for just over $2k lat year, but that seems to be the upper limit right now. AlCoA #72 that I sold six years ago for $3k went for $1600 last week....sign of the economy....

Post a few photos for us. Where are you located?

j.

kylierider · #9 06-02-2011, 04:13 PM

Where would one go to get some metal work done on one of these bad boys.

I just purchaced the one in the for sale forum and need to get a little work done to it. The fingerboard is on there but not put on very well. It also looks to me like the neck is pulled slightly forward. What makes me think this is that there is a 1/16th inch gap where the fingerboard meets the metal neck about 3/4 the way down around E on the A string. But the board touches the metal neck at the top and botton just fine. When you run your hand down the neck it feels like the neck has "spread out" in this area. Like the two sides of the neck in this one section need to be pulled together slightly.

I'm going to remove the fingerboard and the wood neck "filler" then I guess try to find a way to straighten the neck up a bit.

Does anyone know someone in my area who could do this work? I live in Cincinnati Ohio.

chris1125 · #10 06-02-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylierider

Where would one go to get some metal work done on one of these bad boys.

I just purchaced the one in the for sale forum and need to get a little work done to it. The fingerboard is on there but not put on very well. It also looks to me like the neck is pulled slightly forward. What makes me think this is that there is a 1/16th inch gap where the fingerboard meets the metal neck about 3/4 the way down around E on the A string. But the board touches the metal neck at the top and botton just fine. When you run your hand down the neck it feels like the neck has "spread out" in this area. Like the two sides of the neck in this one section need to be pulled together slightly.

I'm going to remove the fingerboard and the wood neck "filler" then I guess try to find a way to straighten the neck up a bit.

Does anyone know someone in my area who could do this work? I live in Cincinnati Ohio.

I have seen aluminum basses in the cincinatti bass cellar before. The first time I was on there Andy had a metal bass in pieces that he was working on.

kylierider · #11 06-02-2011, 07:33 PM

Great guys down there. About a mile from my house too. Chris has worked on all my basses at one time or another and Bill just did some fingerboard work for me less than 3 weeks ago. I guess I'll take it down there and see what they think. I just wasn't sure if they had the ability to bend the aluminum neck a little.

GrowlerBox · #12 06-02-2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francois Blais

And FYI, you don't need to be a supporting member to post a For sale ad on the DB side.

I did not know that ... How very open-minded. I knew there was a reason I liked this side better!

robobass · #13 06-03-2011, 11:18 AM

I'd strip off that white paint and buff it to a mirror finish. These basses aren't very valuable to players, but with a bright finish they would be killer for music videos, beer commercials, etc.

groooooove · #14 06-03-2011, 11:22 AM

im assuming its awfull, but how do these sound arco?

Will Wolfgang · #15 11-11-2011, 04:29 PM

Do the alcoa basses have an aluminum neck aswell, I know the neck is wood on the old german ones.

oddly i am in search of an Aluminum neck, or any other alternitive that will never warp

james condino · #16 11-11-2011, 06:43 PM

The AlCoA basses have a cast aluminum neck & scroll that is all seamlessly welded to a very sturdy aluminum body.

j.

Will Wolfgang · #17 11-12-2011, 09:53 PM

I might be able to cut the neck off and use it.