Epiphone bass

[MollyKay]

I read all the newbie items and did not see anything on how to date a vintage Epiphone upright bass. I have an unlabeled upright bass and all the clues point to Epiphone. It has three holes in the tail piece where the Epiphone badge would have been. It has a two piece neck with carved scroll head and Kluson tuners. The finish is a dark brown/to greenish color with one hand painted edge stripe one the front and back. It has no rib kerfling and the end pin was a wooden knob with a metal coller insert. It is gamba shape and there is a stamped number under the head scroll of #461. This may not mean anything because it also had sheet music in the gig bag with USMC so it may have been a military bass. If anyone can help identify what or how old this bass may be I would like to know. Also I have not found much history on Epiphone upright bass. It is much easier to research Kay, King or American Standard...wonder why?

Thanks!

[Stingrayz]

is it possible to post a pic or two of the bass please ?

[MollyKay]

Hello...I tried to attach a photo but all my files sizes exceed the limits allowed. I'm not sure how to attach a photo now...sorry.

[martinc]

MollyKay:

According to "Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars" by George Gruhn and Walter Carter, Epiphone made laminated basses from around 1940 until Gibson took them over around 1954. Gibson made about 600 post-Epiphone basses with the Gibson name until they discontinued production in 1965.
Epiphone basses were all laminated and 3/4 size with a 42 " scale. The basic was a B-1 and they went up the line with better grade spruce tops and different finishes to the B-5 model.
I have never found any information about serial numbers.
Without more information about your bass and the lack of any manufacturers label it will be very difficult to know exactly what make of bass you have. The last time I saw Honey Deaton, she was playing an Epiphone. Maybe you could compare it with hers, or someone else's, to see if its the same.
Hope this helps a bit.

[MollyKay]

Thanks for the information...it has been comfirmed by two people that yes indeed I have an Epiphone B-1 most likely from 1947 or 1948. The one resource has the same model bass and is number #405. It was noted there is no data base for Epiphone basses...Roger Stowers said he may post this information on his Kay bass site to inspire someone to take on the research and history of the Epiphone bass. As we all know Roger provides great information on the Kay bass that has elevated the knowledge and value of Kay basses. If you have an old Kay bass you can find out the model and manufacture date in a few clicks of your mouse.

I think I might contact Gibson to see if any history exhist on Epiphone basses...it could be the start of an intresting project.

Thanks again for the information.

[martinc]

[quote=MollyKay]Thanks for the information...it has been comfirmed by two people that yes indeed I have an Epiphone B-1 most likely from 1947 or 1948. /QUOTE]


MollyKay:
According to Gruhn's book the B-1 came with a dark cherry red sunburst finish with an ebonized fingerboard and tailpiece. The B-1 was discontinued by 1954, along with the B-2 and B-3. The B-4 and B-5 models stayed when Gibson took over.
I had a couple of Kays that I registered with Roger a few years ago before I got rid of them. He has a great site.
Enjoy your Epiphone.

[cuzo]

I play and collect basses. i have an epiphone b1 bass and i cant seem to find any history about it. can you help me. its a dark mahogony and sounds great. the serial number is located on the back side of the neck. looks like it was hammered in with something and makes it hard to read. can you help me.. ps happy new year

[martinc]

Originally Posted by cuzo

I play and collect basses. i have an epiphone b1 bass and i cant seem to find any history about it. can you help me. its a dark mahogony and sounds great. the serial number is located on the back side of the neck. looks like it was hammered in with something and makes it hard to read. can you help me.. ps happy new year

cuzo: Try reading the posts before yours!
They pretty well cover everything about the history your B-1 that is currently available.

[MollyKay]

Originally Posted by martinc

cuzo: Try reading the posts before yours!
They pretty well cover everything about the history your B-1 that is currently available.

Not really accurate any more, this was my first TB post about Epiphone basses in 2006. I have done extensive research since that time.

Thanks for the look back as to how it all began. You can find much more information here….

http://www.bassmonkey.net/epiphone.html

or here

Epiphone Upright Bass research questions

Enjoy!

Happy New Year all!

[RD]

With best regards M'Kay!
RD

[Jason Sypher]

Molly Kay!

[martinc]

Great stuff!
Thanks MollyKay.