Another Epiphone question

syd22 · #1 07-18-2006, 02:42 PM

Hey everyone,
Ran across this forum yesterday researching this bass. Did a lot of searching and reading, saw that there is a bit of info. but not quite what I was looking for. My wife just received a Epiphone doubble bass from her grandfather who passed away 3 years ago.He played jazz in New Orlens for years. He had been sick for some time and it had been stored for quite some time ( 20+years) She had never seen it untill we took it out of the case 1 week ago. It is a beautiful piece, needs to be cleaned up a bit,but it is just beautiful.

So my question is this....on the brass plate(not sure of the proper name)
it is engraved with what looks like grape vines, and says." Made by Epiphone Inc. New York USA Model B" The s# is 1042. Can anyone give me a bit more info on this pituclar bass?? Or point me in the right direction?

I know that the Epiphone co. was baught by Gibson in the 50's but thats about all.

Thanks for your time,
A NooB//Kurt

BigDaveOnBass · #2 07-21-2006, 11:51 AM

You mean engraving on the tuner plates? I have an older Epiphone model B4, but mine has chrome Kluson tuners. Not knowing the year of my bass prevents me from knowing if my tuners were replaced or not. Look on the brass plate on the tailpiece and it should say whether it is a B4 or B5. Since my serial number is located under the scroll (is that where yours is?) and is #1566, yours must be a little older than mine. Maybe we can help each other if either of us can find a serial number reference. In another thread, a B4 with a s/n of 2098 was estimated by George Gruhn to be an early 60's model. I'm guessing mine is probably a 50's model. Your with the brass tuner plates could be a late 40's model.

Paul Warburton · #3 07-21-2006, 02:07 PM

IMHO, Epiphone was the primo American laminated DB. Really fun to look at, and had real carved scrolls, as opposed to the Kays and Engleharts with the pop-off scroll ears, as well as real inlaid purfling (the inlays that go around the edges on the top and back ) as opposed to painted on or decaled.
I'd love to have one just for fun. And, of course, they sound good.
I've never heard a bad sounding Epi.

syd22 · #4 07-23-2006, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaveOnBass

You mean engraving on the tuner plates? I have an older Epiphone model B4, but mine has chrome Kluson tuners. Not knowing the year of my bass prevents me from knowing if my tuners were replaced or not. Look on the brass plate on the tailpiece and it should say whether it is a B4 or B5. Since my serial number is located under the scroll (is that where yours is?) and is #1566, yours must be a little older than mine. Maybe we can help each other if either of us can find a serial number reference. In another thread, a B4 with a s/n of 2098 was estimated by George Gruhn to be an early 60's model. I'm guessing mine is probably a 50's model. Your with the brass tuner plates could be a late 40's model.

Yes the serial # is on the underside of the scroll. I however can not find anything that,that says what "series" Model B it is. I am kind of lost. The only thing on the tail piece plate is "Epiphone" I guess I will keep on looking and researching. Thankyou for your input, and I will keep you informed on what I can find. If there is anyother way to tell what Model B it is could possibaly help as well....Thanks again.
Kurt