Date My Bass! (it's old, but how old?)

Bass_Boy05 · #1 12-18-2008, 03:57 AM

I have owned this bass for going on eight years now, and know hardly anything about it, other than it sounds amazing for an old plywood laminate. It is branded with the oh so specific sticker "Made in Western Germany". I know, so generic...Even my luthier isn't for sure what time frame this thing is from...Good Luck! And thanks in advance!

robobass · #2 12-18-2008, 04:16 AM

Does it say "West Germany" or "Western Germany" The GDR existed between 1949 and 1990. Western Germany has been there much longer

but it's a rather strange way to label. Like saying "Southern USA". My very inexpert guess would be 30-40 years old.

Bass_Boy05 · #3 12-18-2008, 04:23 AM

It says "Western Germany"....It is an odd label I know. I think it's probably just a factory made bass, so nothing really special. But The sound is amazing.

littlebill · #4 12-18-2008, 06:29 AM

Good luck trying to find any information. My bass also has a plain little decal inside but it is stamped "Germany East" with a serial number 50732 in pencil that looks like it was written from the outside after the decal was put in. I can't find out anything about it although I did find an old post here about another but I never got a response here or PM. I suspect mine is about 60 years old based on the first two numbers being the year made. It is well made for a laminate and sounds great.

Bill Miller

Bass_Boy05 · #5 12-18-2008, 06:33 AM

My decal actually came out, and almost got thrown away a while back. Sadly, no serial number on it at all. There was a piece of what could have been an old german magazine down in it, but I have no idea. How large are the f-holes on yours? Mine are much bigger than average, and it always seems to be the first thing everyone notices with it. Also, has your finish clouded up at all? Any remedies?

Eric Swanson · #6 12-18-2008, 06:43 AM

If you really want to know, I would ask over on Ken Smith's forum. He knows a lot about this sort of thing.

There is already a lot of info/discussion on German shop basses there, to review, so you might start by searching and reading before anything else.

Here's a starting point:

http://smithbassforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24

Hope that this helps.

Bass_Boy05 · #7 12-18-2008, 07:04 AM

Hey thanks! Every little bit helps, and shucks, I may just learn some other interesting things along the way...

drurb · #8 12-18-2008, 07:38 AM

Date your bass? Does it put out-- uh-- I mean "project" well? If so, I'll be by at 7:00 PM. Can you recommend a good restaurant?

Bass_Boy05 · #9 12-18-2008, 07:47 AM

*ahem* projection is, well...amazing...though bowing is sloppy with big rolling strings...as for a restaurant, can't go wrong with the Rhineland! It's a great authentic german food, and the sauerkraut will give ya a nice kick in the pants. Oh and tip the accordian player (I forgot to last time!)

jstiel · #10 12-18-2008, 10:01 AM

Looks very much like my Wilfer lam

littlebill · #11 12-18-2008, 12:10 PM

How large are the f-holes on yours? Mine are much bigger than average, and it always seems to be the first thing everyone notices with it. Also, has your finish clouded up at all? Any remedies?[/quote]

The f-holes are nothing out of the ordinary and clouding is not the problem with my finish but rather it is flaking off, about 1/3 of the front is missing. I was thinking of refinishing it a few years ago and posted my thoughts here. Got a lot of feedback and I got talked out of doing anything to it, I'm glad that I did not now as it surely would have changed the sound.

Bass_Boy05 · #12 12-20-2008, 05:56 PM

Yeah, my finish is extremely delicate. I have tried to have it cleared up once or twice, or even just find something to cover the flake spots, but almost EVERYTHING ruins my finish. I haven't really measured my f-holes, but I do know that my bass bow fits into it (I was young and stupid at the time) I too did think of getting it refinished when i first bought it, but I love the rustic old look it has. I think my luthier said the finish was alcohol based? Does that sound right? And if this thing looks similar to a Wilfer Iam, what would be some of the characteristics I should be looking for? I will try and get some more detailed photos up of the back, neck, and what ever else floats my fancy... Thanks again for all the input!
HEY DRURB,
"Bassie" is getting all out of whack for you standing her up (har har har).....

mike1762 · #13 12-20-2008, 06:24 PM

Well... the bass really isn't my type, but I guess we could meet for drinks. As far as age goes, I never discriminate on the basis of age.

TroyK · #14 12-20-2008, 06:32 PM

I'm happy that you have an instrument that you love. I wish I could tell you something useful about it, but I can't.

I have a bit of a mystery bass too. I've placed it to a general time and place and it has a label in it that suggests a brand, but another that suggests that it was made on the wrong side of the river to have been that brand. I think there was a lot of incest with the German and Czech factories, shops and makers back in the day.

The key is find a bass that you have a connection with and it sounds like you have. I hope someone helps you with some info on it too.

Bass_Boy05 · #15 12-20-2008, 09:01 PM

I couldn't have said it better myself!

reedo35 · #16 12-20-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Boy05

Yeah, my finish is extremely delicate. I too did think of getting it refinished when i first bought it, but I love the rustic old look it has. I think my luthier said the finish was alcohol based? Does that sound right? .

This is usually referred to as a "Spirit" Varnish, a mix of denatured alcohol and varnish flakes. No need to get it refinished if you like the look, but a good french polish could do wonders for it. (do a search on french polishing, I'm not going into that here.)

Bass_Boy05 · #17 12-20-2008, 10:15 PM

So after a bit of flat footing around the oh so wonderful internet, i have a very similar result! There is a good chance it could be a Josef Btterer bass. I found one that is circa 1950, and the only difference is the tuning plates are full brass pieces on either side and mine are separate tuners. But that could be a minor change from year to year? here is the link for its "look a like"....OR it could be a Johan Rauner bass.....who knows! I don't! But it's fun to look!

Here's the bitterer link:
http://www.lemur-music.com/double_bass.asp?bass=66

AND the Rauner link:
http://www.lemur-music.com/double_bass.asp?bass=103

jstiel · #18 12-21-2008, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Boy05

And if this thing looks similar to a Wilfer Iam, what would be some of the characteristics I should be looking for? ...

I should have been clearer. That was a lower case "L", as in laminated. My tuners are not separate. The Wilfer is a similar shape with the sloping shoulders and has the outer linings on the ribs with an 8 1/4" rib depth. Upper bout is around 19 3/4", lower is 25 3/4". Painted purfling front and back. I suspect many of these German plywoods got made in the same shop and wound up with different labels. In fact, I think Ken Smith said that many of them were made by Benedict Lang's factory who supplied laminated basses to Juzek (Juzek didn't make basses) and I suspect to Wilfer also (who did/do make carved basses).

drurb · #19 12-21-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Boy05

HEY DRURB,
"Bassie" is getting all out of whack for you standing her up (har har har).....

So sorry. I know, I should have called. My endpin got stuck in the extended position for more than four hours and I had to call a doctor...eh.. luthier.

drurb · #20 12-21-2008, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike1762

Well... the bass really isn't my type, but I guess we could meet for drinks. As far as age goes, I never discriminate on the basis of age.

See post #8. Trying to move in on my prospects?