Frankenstein Bass! What do you think of it?

[AuxOne]

This is my new bass. I found it at the bassgarden.net, which is really some old dudes attic in Yonkers, by recommendation of a fellow forum member. It's reportedly made from three separate basses. The back and sides have a darker finish and look the oldest; estimated roughly 1920s Czech. The neck/scroll looks German, and judging from the machinery and condition it's got to be 30+ years old. The front is newer; probably Chinese. The whole thing was thrown together by a dealer who had some old bass parts laying around which probably accounts for the variety of parts used. **All presumed history is from seller and unverified.**

www.savesaratoga.com/bass/

It has a very loud, clear, and dark sound and it speaks quickly. Just needs a better setup and strings.

What do you guys think of it? Does anyone have any idea what the pieces are really from, and how old? It doesn't have any visible labels, except for "137 CODY" which is carved into the neck heel -- I'm assuming that's some highschool kid or something.

Thanks!

[Jake deVilliers]

That bass looks like it could tell a story or two!

If the bass speaks to you, that's all that matters.

[CultofJay]

That reminds me of the upright I played in high school. It had been sitting in the school's storage, in pieces for over 15 years. Have fun on that, man. I miss playing an upright every day.

[bassistkll]

Very cool "Frankenbass" you got there. No idea where it came from but it's cool to see that there's another upright player that grows the nails on his picking hand as I do. Works for me on upright as well as on bass guitars. Wish you well.
-KLL

[Marton]

Is it me or the crack in the back looks like it had been filled with putty ?

[DerHoggz]

Cool, I was actually just looking at that on the website earlier.

[Bass]

Looks good!

[John Sprague]

It looks like every imaginable sin has been committed in the creation of that bass, which is why I love it. I hope you get many gigs out of her. As for what it is, I think it's a combination of two or three red headed stepchildren, an ex-wife, and a dog that won't come when you call. I think the varnish is dead sexy.

[eerbrev]

I dig it. It's the kind of bass I would love forever. Reminds me a bit of that puppy that's so ugly it's cute.

[Paul Warburton]

Originally Posted by bassistkll

Very cool "Frankenbass" you got there. No idea where it came from but it's cool to see that there's another upright player that grows the nails on his picking hand as I do. Works for me on upright as well as on bass guitars.

[Big B.]

Originally Posted by John Sprague

As for what it is, I think it's a combination of two or three red headed stepchildren, an ex-wife, and a dog that won't come when you call.

That bass needs it's own country song.

[Eric Swanson]

Congratulations!

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Originally Posted by Big B.

That bass needs it's own country song.

That bass is its' own country song.

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by KUNGfuSHERIFF

That bass is its' own country song.

[Jason Sypher]

That "old dude" is Geoff Morrow and the fact that his shop is in his attic is one if the reasons he has such great prices on a variety of basses. I recently saw a Prescott that he sold for a very sweet price. He's worth checking out for anyone who is making a trio to NY to see basses. Straight up "old dude".

[Paul Warburton]

"Some old dude" indeed. I think I'm gonna puke.

[Eric Swanson]

PW, I hear you, a little. I hit 50 in a couple of weeks. 70 or 80 is feeling very, very close.

Maybe I can learn to play the bass by then...if I practice and play a bunch...

[Jason Sypher]

Hefner says 80 is the new 40

[AuxOne]

Thanks so much for your feedback, guys!

I just had the bass looked at by JeffBollbach.com and he said it sounds really good. He adjusted the bridge, sounds post, and nut for me. He thinks the back and sides are 1930s Czech and the front is probably Czech as well but not as old.

I didn't mean any disrespect with my 'old dude's attic' comment. The Bass Garden is quite awesome. He has very well priced used basses.

In regards to growing my finger nails, I think you are looking at the picture where my wife is holding the bass so I can take pictures. lol.

[Jason Sypher]

I've heard quite a few frankenbasses that sounded great. Cool bass.