double bass identification

[thechips]

hi
I play electric bass, but my dad picked up this upright for me- very inexpensive. Can't remember where he got it from....someone's dusty old cupboard I think.

it would be great to know more about this double bass.
I doubt it's worth much, but any info appreciated.
I'm considering selling this (if it's worth it) and saving up for a decent one.

front and back

[thechips]

detail

[TheSuzie]

The back looks nice. I cant tell anything about the front because of the camera glare.

First thing, assuming that there is nothing horribly wrong with the bass, get the ball ends of the E and A strings up into the tailpiece properly before they crack the tailpiece and/or pop out and hit you in the face. If you have to open up the string slots a tiny bit, use a small file or a little sandpaper. Just don't let tension off of all the strings at once or your soundpost, inside the bass, will fall.

As a matter of fact you should check that the sound post, located somewhere under the area of the G string bridge foot, is in place and the bass bar that runs up and down the inside of the top under the other bridge leg is solid and not cracked. both of these things need to be there for the top of the bass to be able to stand the pressure of the bridge without collapsing.

While you are looking around inside, you can look for a label. 8)

I only know how to ID a couple of types of bass by eye. It is hard to ID most double basses. I still don't know what factory my bass came from and probably never will. I only found an old country of origin label inside. Maybe someone else here can help you with that.

Peace,
S

[Jake deVilliers]

Nice catch on the strings Suzie!

The tuners are very cool and seem to suggest some quality overall. What does it say on the label on the tailpiece?

Jake

[thechips]

hi thanks for the replies.
the bass is currently with my Dad in England & I live in Canada so I'm relying on pics from him.
I'll ask him to have a look inside for a label....I think there one there but it's hard to make out.
I'll try to get more pics..
here are a couple more pics that I didn't post in my original...
check the second one - are those circular wedge things normal??

[Chasarms]

Originally Posted by thechips

...check the second one - are those circular wedge things normal??

I suppose that it could have always been that way, but it it is more likely evidence of a past repair. Those dowels probably run through the heel and the neck block.

If neck is structurally sound and properly aligned, I wouldn't worry about it at all.

[5stringDNA]

Aside from the intense shine, I kinda like the looks of that bass actually. it doesn't seem too cheap to me, and should be worth over $1k if it doesn't need repair work.

Ken, Bob B, or Paul should be able to give you more info when they get around. They know heaps of stuff about DB's, as opposed neophites like me.

[GriffithLea]

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

First thing, assuming that there is nothing horribly wrong with the bass, get the ball ends of the E and A strings up into the tailpiece properly before they crack the tailpiece and/or pop out and hit you in the face. If you have to open up the string slots a tiny bit, use a small file or a little sandpaper. Just don't let tension off of all the strings at once or your soundpost, inside the bass, will fall.

Just a nitpick - the soundpost may fall, but not necessarily. Obviously, until one knows how well the soundpost fits, he/she would be wise to leave tension on the belly at all times unless she/he is prepared to reset the soundpost!

The soundpost should be a snug fit without any string tension at all. Not tight, snug. Correct me if I'm wrong, though.

Good call on the ball ends. Stuff like that bugs me something fierce. I also don't like sloppy winds on the tuners, with bits of string sticking out of the pegbox. It invites string buzzing and breakage (if it's bad enough). Mostly, it just looks too slapdash to me, but then I'm rather fastidious at times.

[thechips]

ok, I spoke to my Dad today. the label inside says -

"Jules Dubois Saint Vernon Ano 1962"

I googled but no info on this.

While I'm on here I want to add this

- I was looking at my local store's selection of uprights today. Despite the store assistant's unhelpful attitude (I don't think he really believes I'm serious about getting a double bass...probably just thinks I'm an electric bassist who wandered into the wrong department to tinker around), I noticed a Wilfer for $9000 Canadian...ouch. way over my budget.

then I go to this site
http://bassesonline.com/wilferbass.html
$1795 for a wilfer....what's going on here??

has anyone used this guy before? seems like a great deal.

[reedo35]

Originally Posted by thechips

http://bassesonline.com/wilferbass.html
$1795 for a wilfer....what's going on here??
has anyone used this guy before? seems like a great deal.

Notice that is the price for the plywood one. There are many different levels of wilfer basses, from beginner to professional.

[flint]

Looks like a real nice bass. I wish my dad would have encouraged my interests like that.

You should be stoked.

[thechips]

yeah it's great that he found it...he's a guitarist/bassist as well so he's always encouraged me.
He's actually got another double bass at home.(he seems to aquire musical instruments everywhere he goes!)..again, we don't know much about that one either, but it's got a really fat neck and is much harder to play and it's not as nice in general. I think it's plywood. Very light in colour.

It would be a shame to sell the one that I've posted up...but the problem is that I'm in Canada and don't know how much it would cost to ship it over here.
Thats the only reason I was considering selling (if it's junk and buying another from here)
but from what I've picked up from the replies it seems it's a fairly decent bass....so I might look into shipping costs.

thanks again and if anyone can shed light on the "Jules Dubois Saint Vernon Ano 1962" please let me know.

[Bob Branstetter]

Originally Posted by thechips

if anyone can shed light on the "Jules Dubois Saint Vernon Ano 1962" please let me know.

I searched through my reference books of modern makers, and I can find no reference of Jules Dubois Saint Vernon. In my experience, that usually indicates that the maker was an amateur who only made a few instruments. I've known many violin makers, both professional and amateur, who have made one bass (probably just so that they could say they made one).

It's ashame that the back button was broken and someone used dowels or screws in the heel to "fix" the neck. Otherwise, it looks like it could be a nice bass. However, you should try to get it examined by an experienced bass luthier before making any decision on this bass.

[johnallan78]

if its any use i own a bass that i got from my college and it says Jules Dubois Saint Vernon and Anno but it doesnt have the year. its a laminate back and top and i think the ribs may be solid wood. i also have never found anything on google by this maker, but it does have another sticker that says 'sanderson and sons, clackmannanshire' which is in central Scotland. though dubois is hardly a scottish name it is likely that this was a british maker, maybe a pseudonym for an amateur maker. i have to say the bass has served me well as a backup bass(you know- the kind you take to potentially rough gigs)but like all laminate basses has little sustain and next to no tone in the lower and upper extremes of the instrument.....

[MingusAmongUs]

Originally Posted by johnallan78

but like all laminate basses has little sustain and next to no tone in the lower and upper extremes of the instrument.....