Does anybody know what kind of upright this is?

Bogey · #1 01-11-2007, 11:42 AM

Hi,

I'm new to the world of uprights, but I really want to learn it, besides my electric bass. I found this bass, the owner doesn't know much about it, but it is supposed to be from the 50's. The shape seems, to me, different from other basses (more square?). Does anybody know what this is, and maybe what I should pay for it?

Thank you!

PoorPlayer · #2 01-11-2007, 12:31 PM

There are far more knowledgable people than me that can help, but I'll ask a few obvious questions anyway...

When you look inside the F holes, is there any writing or a tag of any sort?

Is there any writing anywhere on it (back, tuning machines, etc)?

Can you get pictures of the scroll from profile and the button (back of the iinstrument where the neck joins the back).

The pictures you posted make it look intact. Are there any obvious cracks or damage?

Is the soundpost in place? (hard to answer the next two if this one is 'no') Did you play it? How did you like the sound?

I'm sure someone more qualified than I can tell by the f-holes and violin shape, but I can't.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #3 01-11-2007, 12:36 PM

Whatever it is, you could pass a sailboat upright between the FB and the G string...

Bogey · #4 01-11-2007, 01:35 PM

No I don;t have more pictures or information sadly... I emailed the seller for it but i'm still waiting. I have a small budget so I hope to get something that is good/old for a small price. The seller has it as a decorative piece I guess.

**Freddels** · #5 01-11-2007, 03:01 PM

It might be best to leave it as a decorative piece. Let me suggest that you read the newbie stickies about basses. What is your budget? What style of music are you looking to play?

Best,

Fred

deaf pea · #6 01-11-2007, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogey

Hi,
Does anybody know what this is, and maybe what I should pay for it?

No, but I'm sure that Ken Smith would know . . .

Greg Clinkingbeard · #7 01-11-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaf pea

No, but I'm sure that Ken Smith would know . . .

It's a copy of a Hungarian copy of a mid 19th century Italian bass. The large, squarish upper bouts give it away. I'm puzzled by the mysterious top wood. Is that birdseye peach?

bassteban · #8 01-11-2007, 04:08 PM

I quite like the violin not-really-corners- they look child-proof.

philip sirois · #9 01-11-2007, 04:22 PM

[quote=Bogey;3707712]Hi,

Does anybody know what this is, and maybe what I should pay for it?

I wouldn't pay more than one bag of magic beans, two tops

.

Seriously though, don't try to get a steal of deal with this fiddle stuff, you'll get hosed 99% of the time. If you do find that miracle in grandma's attic, great, but in the meantime do some research, save your sheckles, and for a beginner, buy from someone who can stand by your purchase. It'll save you in the long, and quite possibly, the short run.

PoorPlayer · #10 01-11-2007, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philip sirois

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogey

Hi,

Does anybody know what this is, and maybe what I should pay for it?

I wouldn't pay more than one bag of magic beans, two tops

.

Seriously though, don't try to get a steal of deal with this fiddle stuff, you'll get hosed 99% of the time. If you do find that miracle in grandma's attic, great, but in the meantime do some research, save your sheckles, and for a beginner, buy from someone who can stand by your purchase. It'll save you in the long, and quite possibly, the short run.

+1

TSP · #11 01-11-2007, 05:38 PM

Is it just me, or... does the front of the bass seem to be completely flat? The shape is rather unusual, too. Maybe it's just the quality of the photos, but it looks to me like a box made in the rough shape of a bass for purely ornamental purposes. Does it even play?

I could be wrong, of course - they're not the clearest photos in the world.

Michael Case · #12 01-12-2007, 08:17 AM

There appears to be no purfling (sp?) on the top.

Chasarms · #13 01-12-2007, 09:57 AM

It looks to me to be a VERY roughly made handmade bass. Notice the lack of smooth curvature in the C bouts and shoulders, the exaggerated asymmetry, etc.

Probably not the ideal starter bass. If the above mentioned is crude, it's safe to fear the neck set, overstand and other geometry is rough as well. As wide as those shoulders are, if the neck angle is steep, it would be a bear to play.

bassist14 · #14 01-16-2007, 07:57 AM

whoever made this bass, i think he made at least two of them...
http://cgi.ebay.de/Uraltes-Instrumen...QQcmdZViewItem

Paul Warburton · #15 01-18-2007, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

Whatever it is, you could pass a sailboat upright between the FB and the G string...

#1
Also, the bridge is sitting so far up towards the fingerboard, that it's hard to tell what's going on. It certainly does look like an Italian pattern. How about some more pics? The scroll, neck, back and ribs! You may have something there.
Oops, I just noticed that you have no more pics. Hard to say without more pics.....

Paul Warburton · #16 01-18-2007, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

It's a copy of a Hungarian copy of a mid 19th century Italian bass. The large, squarish upper bouts give it away. I'm puzzled by the mysterious top wood. Is that birdseye peach?

Birdseye peach?

Bruce Lindfield · #17 01-18-2007, 03:46 AM

Frozen peaches?

Paul Warburton · #18 01-18-2007, 03:50 AM

Are you having fun with us clink?
You sound just like Kenny Boy!

Silversorcerer · #19 01-18-2007, 06:05 PM

That bass looks like a home made type of bass. The f-holes look more like what you see on a semi-hollow ES type guitar. The FB has almost no arch, so arco is definitely not going to happern.

My guess: Wishnevsky or a very competent replica of a bonafide Wishnevsky. What you should pay for it? Charge the seller to store it at your place.