Any idea what I purchased?

[pathdoc2]

Last sping I made an impulse buy. From a friend I purchased a 1/2 double bass which appears to have solid spruce top and a solid flat maple back. The bass was used by his son who long since outgrew it. He told me he purchased it used approx 10 years ago, paid about 2k and was told it was a solid wood bass made in Europe. The only markings I can find, seen through one of the F holes are "RVS 3013".

http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/iphone_12-7-09_019.jpg

Anyone have an idea of who may have made this bass. I purchased it for $1500 and keep it downstairs near our piano so my daughter and I can play together. Its in good condition and plays fine although I think it would benefit from a pro setup. My main double bass is a cheaper model asian import but it is a 3/4 and lives upstairs in my studio.

Thanks for looking.
Steve

[pathdoc2]

Scale length (nut to bridge) is 39 inches. Does that sound right for a 1/2 or is this a 5/8th?

[shadygrove]

Originally Posted by pathdoc2

Scale length (nut to bridge) is 39 inches. Does that sound right for a 1/2 or is this a 5/8th?

That scale length puts it in the 1/2 size ballpark, but what size people choose to call basses isn't an exact science.

You'll get probably get more help here tracking down it's origin if you post better pictures with detail of neck joint, scroll, tuners, etc...

[Fletcher Lanning]

Originally Posted by pathdoc2

Scale length (nut to bridge) is 39 inches. Does that sound right for a 1/2 or is this a 5/8th?

1/2 v 5/8 is just as much about body size and it is string length.

[Square Bear]

a friend of mine has a bass that looks identical, except it's a full size. i'll ask him about it.

[wayne holmes]

my first impression is that it is Romanian, but close-ups of neck and scroll would help.

[pathdoc2]

Headstock and neck pics. Thanks for the help.
http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/iphone_12-9-09_001.jpg
http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/iphone_12-9-09_002.jpg
http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/iphone_12-9-09_003.jpg

All help appreciated.

[pathdoc2]

Anyone else have an idea? Thanks

[AMJBASS]

Originally Posted by Flanning

1/2 v 5/8 is just as much about body size and it is string length.

Belly Length is a bit more accurate. I had a Hungarian 1/2 size bass a few years ago with a 42" string length.

[wayne holmes]

Sorry, but I think that you are going to have to send more pictures- detailed pictures of everything, even through the F-holes at the blocks, lining,and good shots of the whole bass front, back, sides- if possible. Thanks for the pictures of the neck and scroll, it helped to rule out some, but still looks like so many others.

Please send more pics and, if possible talk to all the owners in the past. Maybe your friend from whom you purchased the bass could give you the name of the previous owner, you might get more info. Good look- keep at it- someone here will be able to identify your bass, most likely. Reminds me of my Eberles(please send a picture of the end pin also) thanks- call Steve or Mrs Loeb and ask them if RVS rings a bell with them. 212-675-5023 they have had the Eberle over the last many years to include a flat back-I think - and surely Eberle used different color stains --the ebony shim trim Makes it even more interesting- A lot of Romanians that I have seen have that-my experience is that the Romanian makers use that ebony shim trim(I guess you can tell that I can't remember the proper name of it) more than any other European makers- just my experience -Now that I have seen the neck/scroll- I am still leaning toward Romanian-but at best it's a guess

[pathdoc2]

I was able to confirm this bass was indeed made in Romania. Thanks for everyone's help.

[pathdoc2]

I went to Williamson Music in Plano Tx and they had a Romanian bass very similiar to mine but it was a 3/4. It listed for $3500 and was on sale for $2900. It also had the ebony strips where the neck and body met. I had never seen this before I purchased my bass last spring. Thanks for reading.

[pathdoc2]

Ohh, forgot to mention that I feel like a got a good deal on my 1/2 at $1500.