CL posting for 1961 Mittenwald Bass

[alanbarnosky]

Found this on craigslist, and not sure what to think of it. Here is the link for pictures, the text is as follows:
http://annarbor.craigslist.org/msg/1466367366.html

1961 3/4 German String Bass For Sale - $550 (Ann Arbor)
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1961 Mittenwald String Bass for Sale in NE Ann Arbor. Bass is used a needs work but has been appraised at $6000+ fully restored. Work to be done includes: strip and replace glue at seems, fix minor crack near F hole, replane or replace ebony fingerboard, replace nut, replace bridge, re-string. Bass was played in Jazz clubs in and around Detroit in the 1960's and 70's and was once desired by Ray Brown. My Grandfather put a deposit down on the bass before Ray could and the shop owner had to turn Ray Brown down in order to sell the bass to my Grandfather. This is a quality carved instrument that could be worth significantly more than you pay for it. More pictures on request or come by to take a look. Thanks.

Heres my questions:
1. Anybody heard of a Mittenwald? Are they reputable?
2. What might be a rough cost for restoring this thing?
3. If I go take a look, how do I know if this thing is decent without being able to play it? (no strings/bridge)

Thanks guys!

[wineaux]

Hey Alan,

I think Scott LaFaro played a Mittenwald until it was stolen. That's how he ended up with the fabled Prescott.

I would be hard-pressed to buy a bass I couldn't hear. There is a wide range of quality and sound in these German basses. But if that price is accurate, it would be hard to say no to.

One thing I would look at is whether the neck has been broken, and if so, if the repair seems stable. Just for comparison, I bought a mid-60s carved German factory bass for $2500 a year ago. It has a stable repair around the button and some cosmetic rough spots, but a great sound. Even if $6,000 is a little on the high side for an estimated value, at $550 you have a chance to spend a grand or two and still have a bargain bass -- if it is in otherwise good shape.

Maybe the seller will let you take the bass to a luthier in the Ann Arbor area for a once-over.

Good luck.

[Bass Barrister]

First, Mittenwald is a place, not a brand name. Tons of basses come from this part of southern Germany. Often the maker can't be determined.

You should have the bass inspected by a qualified bass luthier. Only he or she can properly evaluate the bass for current condtion or restoration value.

Based on my limited knowledge of what luthiers charge in Chicago, I would ballpark your listed repairs at costing $1500 to $2500, more if the top has to come off. If the bass is really worth $6k restored, that may be well worth it. But these are just raw estimates

[MIKMAN]

[QUOTE: First, Mittenwald is a place, not a brand name. Tons of basses come from this part of southern Germany. Often the maker can't be determined.QUOTE)

Absolutely true. Usually luthiers of lesser importance use the name of their beautiful, traditional city as a label inside. These instruments usually have plain, unflamed maple and good spruce as tonewoods and they are decent, well constructed instruments. Most of them have outer linings. They are typical examples of the Centre European school, serving their owners for many,many years.

I had the chance to lay hands in a dozen of them so far and at least four of them were real gems (constructed between 1960 and 1970), the rest were simply good basses. Today's price is in the 4.000 - 7.000 euros area.

In order to evaluate this particular instrument you need the opinion of a specialist. I can't estimate the cost of repair but our esteemed friends in the forum can give you some ideas. If i were in your shoes i'd buy it and i'd try to fix it with my modest experience in DB lutherie.

Good luck.

Mike

[Square Bear]

i've played on a few mittenwalder basses. in my undergrad, the school had about 10 of them and i've tried every one. i found a couple that i liked and played on them for a year or so, until i bought my previous german bass and the school got the morelli repaired. granted these were just school instruments that were not well kept, but if this bass is anything like those, it is probably an okay to pretty good bass. for the price, it is hard to pass. maybe you won't fall in love with the bass after it's repaired, but then again you could always turn around and sell it. you would probably get your initial investment back, depending on what the necessary repairs really are. see if you can take it to a luthier who would be able to tell you more. i kinda wish i could buy this bass to take on as a project.

[alanbarnosky]

I tried to grab it, but it already sold. The seller told me he would contact me in the case that it fell through.

Thanks for the advice everybody. I'll just have to move faster next time!