Can you identify this bass ??

Rovic · #1 09-17-2007, 03:00 PM

No label inside and the owner doesn't know anything about it. I think I'm about to buy this bass, it has a really beautiful sound and plays really easy. Lutherie isn't the best I think (btw do you know what wood is used for the back?) but it's quit an old bass I guess..

Rovic · #2 09-17-2007, 03:02 PM

some more pics

Rovic · #3 09-17-2007, 03:04 PM

last ones

arnoldschnitzer · #4 09-18-2007, 07:06 AM

French, late 19th Century. Nice bass...

Paul Warburton · #5 09-18-2007, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

French, late 19th Century. Nice bass...

That'd be my guess.

Rovic · #6 09-18-2007, 01:56 PM

thanks a lot!
what do you think about the pin in the neck ? Is it safe?
And what kind of wood could could the back be made of? I post a detail below ( it should be viewed vertically):

KSB - Ken Smith · #7 09-18-2007, 01:59 PM

My first thought was French as well but then I remembered some French makers that had moved to some areas within the 'Dutch' countries.

The Back looks like it has some different colored Varnish on it. Is the Back original? Refinished? I would like to see the Ribs as well to compare. If that IS the original Back then I would guess it might just as well be a Dutch Bass possibly made by a French maker. The un-purfled Back with inked lines is suspicious as well as the wood of the Back which looks like Beech or Oak or maybe some other domestic wood.

The Scroll could have easily been purchased from a French Shop specializing in the making of Scrolls which was common practice in that period which includes mostly the 2nd half of the 19th century and part of the early 20th century.

Rovic · #8 09-18-2007, 02:12 PM

wow now that's a fast reply

The back is indeed original, I don't know of those marks are in the varnish because it seems to be some kind of patrone. I'll put a picture of the ribs online as fast as possible. I would agree with some "domestic" wood for the back since the bass is really heavy.. haven't seen any bass beeing that heavy actually... but it sounds !

what value would you estimate this instrument on first sight?

arnoldschnitzer · #9 09-18-2007, 04:44 PM

The back is indeed Beech. I have seen this wood used on a few other French basses.

KSB - Ken Smith · #10 09-18-2007, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

The back is indeed Beech. I have seen this wood used on a few other French basses.

Arnold, my guess was from the first two posts before he put that last pic up. I can see the Beech grain clearer now.

Can you tell us the names of these other French Basses that had Beech Backs or were they un-labeled of the mystery type?

arnoldschnitzer · #11 09-18-2007, 06:50 PM

Ken, you're back?

Oh boy, there goes the neighborhood...

I saw a beech back on a Bisch shaped just like the one in the photo.

KSB - Ken Smith · #12 09-18-2007, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

Ken, you're back?

Oh boy, there goes the neighborhood...

I saw a beech back on a Bisch shaped just like the one in the photo.

You don't mean my Bisch do you? Mine has Violin corners but I really think it's a Quenoil shape to begin with on my Bass that is. The Back on my Bisch is clearly Maple.

Is this Beech wood they are using native to France or brought over from Germany? Wait, they border each other.. ok.. just curious as I have never seen a French bass with anything other than some type of Maple used for the Back.

And on your 'neighborhood' comment, yes.. look over your shoulder after the Sun goes down buddy..

**Matthew Tucker** · #13 09-18-2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

I would guess it might just as well be a Dutch Bass possibly made by a French maker.

we've discussed this before, but I think its a strange sport trying to assign a nationality to a bass.

If a bass is made by a french maker, in an italian style, of german wood but in a workshop in england - all of which is possible - what point could there possibly be in assigning a nationality of provenance?

I have no problem at all with describing a bass based on its "style", but it seems to me that's where the nationality attribution should end. Sort of like you do on your website; "The english school", "the italian school", "the old school"

So to make this useful descriptor: What are the typical characteristics of a "Dutch school" bass???

KSB - Ken Smith · #14 09-18-2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

we've discussed this before, but I think its a strange sport trying to assign a nationality to a bass.

If a bass is made by a french maker, in an italian style, of german wood but in a workshop in england - all of which is possible - what point could there possibly be in assigning a nationality of provenance?

I have no problem at all with describing a bass based on its "style", but it seems to me that's where the nationality attribution should end. Sort of like you do on your website; "The english school", "the italian school", "the old school"

So to make this useful descriptor: What are the typical characteristics of a "Dutch school" bass???

Well, many Dutch instruments today are currently carrying other origins including German, French, Italian and Alsatian. I don't know if any are being accepted as English, Spanish or Viennese.

I know of a few French Makers that could fit your riddle but they would be Frenchmen working in England mainly. Or, an English instrument made by a Frenchman. The wood or style would not be part of the origin because most instruments are trying to be Italian anyway so what's the point.

I have seen a few Dutch Violins and they sound beautiful. I have seen one Dutch attributed Bass and it was ugly. Didn't sound so good either. Also, was hard to play. High shoulders, thin ribs, stupid neck, etc etc etc..