Can anyone tell what kind of bass this is?

[HomeBrewTJ]

I've played bass in a country and western band for years and have always wanted to play upright. I have seriously been looking around, and I know that I should probably get something reputable, but I've been scouring CL and ran across this.

http://terrahaute.craigslist.org/msg/782912765.html

The seller says this:

I've tried to look inside this bass and still cannot find the make anywhere. I tried to look back in my ebay summary and can't look back far enough to view the seller.

It was a wholesale deal, brand new. This bass is not "top of the line" I'm sure, but this is reflected in the price. It is a laminate frame, very good sound, very durable. I would be willing to negotiate on the price.

Does anyone think I should I pursue this, or should I save up more and go for EH/King/Shen/etc.? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[dchan]

Judging by the seller's reply, it looks like one of those bass-shaped objects that seem to be floating around eBay. It's only one year old right now, and it may have a rash of problems later on that are not worth the money or effort to fix it.

Pass.

[HomeBrewTJ]

That was pretty much my impression as well. Thanks.

[EJ_Dad]

Shape and color, could be an Eberle ply. That would fit the 'wholesale' deal. Need a better picture of the ribs. Look for the 'mule' (sp) style joint.

[shadygrove]

That bass does look a lot like my Eberle laminate. Orange and shiny Mine has a small label straight in the left f-hole that i need a flashlight to see and there is a build date in blue ink on the bottom left inside where it meets the back. As EJ_Dad said, it also has the "mule" style neck joint.

If it is an Eberle in good shape that's a great price. Mine is a decent sounding and durable instrument - definitely a step up from a CBC. Originally made by Musima in East Germany, mine says Germany and was built in '90, so after reunification. It was NOS and never strung up until i bought it last January.

The owner of Ideal Music in NYC filled up a warehouse with instruments before he passed away and now his son is liquidating them. You can see the whole story and pic's for reference on www.bassesonline.com

[BRIDGE]

I feel like I've seen that EXACT same picture on eBay a thousand times for CCB auctions.

[HomeBrewTJ]

Thanks guys. He's going to be sending me some more pics here soon and maybe that will help.

What exactly is a mule neck? I've never heard of that before.

[Gearhead43]

Hey HomeBrew, that looks like a CCB (Crap Chinese Bass) to me Bro. I'd look for a bass that you at least know who made it.

If you are into Country and are getting into upright bass, first let me say congrats for that, and be sure to check out Rockabillybass.com (many Country upright players there) and the Bluegrass forum here at Talkbass, also.

Good luck on your search for a good bass, been there myself.

[HomeBrewTJ]

Ya, you're probably right- thanks.

I used to lurk on rbb.com for a long time a couple of years ago, but never really participated because I didn't have an upright. I learned an awful lot there, that's for sure. I don't know why I haven't discovered the bluegrass section of this site before- couldn't believe I missed that!

[shadygrove]

I feel like I've seen that EXACT same picture on eBay a thousand times for CCB auctions.

Well, that's certainly not a good sign

it also has the "mule" style neck joint.

I don't know where I heard it's called that, maybe here on TB?

Anyway, I'm not a luthier and have never seen one apart, but the way it looks and my understanding of it is the neck is held in place primarily by being glued to the sides of the body and the back button and not with a dovetail or mortise-tenon joint.

Now i'm curious to know more about the Eberle/Musima neck joints myself. Is there a luthier in the house? EJ_Dad?

Post the pic's when you get them from the seller and maybe someone here can can nail down for you whether it is worth more investigation or definitely of the CBC variety.

Also, if you haven't read the newbie links here there is a lot of great info on basses and shopping and www.bluegrassbassplace.com is another site where you will find a lot of "plywood friendly" folks. Good luck with your search !

[EJ_Dad]

The 'mule' joint is not the neck joint, but the top and back joints with the ribs.

On a 'mule' joint the trim piece around the outside edge is quarter round, the top and back are also rounded to have a 1/2 round look at the joint. Other basses have either a flat exterior trim or no exterior trim. (trim isn't the correct word for a bass, but I can't remember to correct work right now).

My former teacher/luthier told me it was common on Russian and other Eastern block basses. The Musima factory was in the former East Germany. He also said it makes it difficult to remove the top.

As I've only heard the term 'mule' and not seen it in print, it might be spelled differently i.e. muhl or mulle; maybe with an umlout.

Look at the bassesonline.com pictures, the Wilfer has the flat external trim, the Roma no external trim, and the Eberle the rounded trim.

[BMason]

Those basses grow on trees in China. That one needs to ripen.