Anyone know what this is?

[dooce]

Hi. I'm not a bass player, but I still have my Dad's bass from when he died 11 years ago. His story was that he found it in a semi-wrecked state in a barn in the Orkney Isles, Scotland, where he was stationed at the end of the 2nd World War. He brought it home with him, had it patched up and took lessons - then up until he was about 60, gigged with it 2-3 times a week in various '50's-style "dance bands" around the Midlands (English Midlands for those of a non-UK background)

It sat with a mate of mine up until a few months ago, because his son was learning bass, and now it's back with me, taking up most of the spare room. I know little about bass - I'm a sax and flute player, so does anyone have any idea what this might be, how old, how desirable? It has absolutely no distinguishing marks at all - I guess the only thing that may, or may not, be a distinguishing feature is the engraving on the machine head. It is pretty battered, but still sounds good, to a sax-players ears at least!

[robobass]

Probably an early to mid 20th C. German. You might try to post some better pics. From what I can see, it looks well set up, and may be quite a nice instrument, battered or not!
Robobass

[drurb]

Full pics of the front and back would might help with close-ups of the neck button (back end of the heel of the neck), etc.

[Francois Blais]

Is there a label inside (on the back)?
Should be visible from the F holes.

[dooce]

OK - some more pictures.

PS - no stickers, nothing identifiable on the instrument at all. I think my Dad had the back rebuilt so anything that was there would have gone in the process.

[dooce]

and more.....

[dooce]

and finally......

[toman]

Not qualified to say what it is, but it looks to be a nice bass. Probably worth a bit if it doesn't need a ton of work.

[bribass]

IMHO it looks like a pretty nice old German flat back shop bass. 1920's or 30's. Perhaps older. Oh, Ken...?

BG

[Silversorcerer]

Pretty sweet looking old bass there. Neck join looks solid enough, looks like maybe some repaired cracks here and there, but if those are holding up well, no problems. Looking at the ribs at the heel of the neck, it doesn't look like one of those with a combined neck / block construction, which is a definite plus. If the back was replaced, it was a while ago. It looks original to the instrument. Perhaps it was just removed to do the repairs.

My guess would be German or Czech. A nice player for someone, perhaps.

[Bruce Lindfield]

I know nothing really - but I'd take it off your hands and give you some money for it!

[jmpiwonka]

yeah, looks like one i'd like to have but i'm guessing you aren't in the USA.
looks like the bridge is warped though.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by jmpiwonka

looks like the bridge is warped though.

Ah - good spot! It's only noticable on one of the pics - new bridge needs to be fitted - the price is going down!

[jmpiwonka]

aer those cracks on the back of the scroll...pegbox...weird.

[dooce]

Cracks on the back of the peg-box - well, they are surface cracks in the lacquer - I guess they must represent some kind of movement in the wood, but they are hairline.

The bridge was replaced, I guess 25 years ago - it is a Jacques, for what that is worth. It certainly does not look warped in the flesh, as it were, but I do notice that the strings sit assymetrically on the finger board - there is a much bigger gap between the G and the edge of the board than there is with the E.

Well guys, thanks for all your input. You have given me enough to realise that I have something that is worth investigating closer, so I am checking out DB specialists in my bit of the UK for an expert opinion.

Once again, thanks.

Bill

[Kevin Hsieh]

Any DB is worth investigating closer. Good luck! Great looking bass you got there.

Kevin