Good offer for a DB? Opinions?

[Fastel]

Hi I'm new here,
I have a nice offer for a DB but like to have some opinions. My englisch is not best but I hope that I can be understod

Facts:
The price is 1100$ / 800€

Made in Markneukirchen (old and traditional respected German Company) - dont know when but in time of GDR (maybe 40 Years old).
Lots of optical marks - this instrument was really used
- the fingerboard has a lot of marks - looks like some kind of frets from scratching of the strings (maybe thats easier for a beginner to find the notes )
The botton of the DB was broken away from the corpus and was glued by a professional Violinmaker two weeks ago.

A Violinmaker said, that a new bridge is recommed - but some people say, that I maybe could repair it by boiling it? (Pic)

I get an old bag and a bow (280$) with it.

I am a total beginner (played just e-base) but I think the sound is verry good - nice sustain in pizz.

I dont know which wood was used - maybe you see it in the pics?


I know its hard to do it via internet but what do you think about this offer? I would have no transport-costs.

Greets
Martin


Pic 1 - front
Pic 2 botton and bridge
Pic 3

[chris1125]

I am having trouble getting the pics to come up... Did You say the bass is $1100 or $800?

[Tejano Bass]

$1100 USD = 800 Euros

[Fastel]

Ok I uploaded the pics with Imageshack...

[LeslieD]

That looks a lot like two of my basses from the Musima factory in Markneukirchen, although it has a much lighter varnish. These were bargain-priced basses in the US as recently as a year ago (new old-stock that was imported to the US in the 80s and early 90s), and the laminate basses were going for around $950. I think the hybrids were selling for less than $1500, and the fully carved basses were just under $2000. (Additional work/cost needed for set ups, better strings and such).

Do you know if the one you are looking at is a plywood, hybrid, or a fully carved bass?

Also, I have no idea what the Musima basses were selling for in Europe. (In the US they were sold under the name Wilhelm Eberle).

And yes, you would need a new bridge.

The Musima basses were mostly intended to be student basses. I used mine (in the 70s and 80s) for classical music in high school and some in college. These basses have had a bit of a "second life" in other types of music here in the US. Some people consider them to be "solid" basses. I really like my 2 basses, but I admit that they aren't particularly special.

[Fastel]

Originally Posted by LeslieD

Do you know if the one you are looking at is a plywood, hybrid, or a fully carved bass?

No sorry, but the Violinmaker said that she is not shure to remember but she thinks that its not cheap wood.

And yes, you would need a new bridge.

Ok is there some kind of trick for a "self repair"? I heared that you can throw the bridge in boiling water and its gonna be ... dont know the word - the opposite of "bended".

But maybe thats just fairytale...

[crowsmengegus]

Originally Posted by Fastel

Ok is there some kind of trick for a "self repair"? I heared that you can throw the bridge in boiling water and its gonna be ... dont know the word - the opposite of "bended".

Straighted?

I've heard of people boiling strings, now they're boiling the bridges too? Kidding aside, I think that some shops use heat to straighten a slightly bent cello/violin bridge, but that bridge should just be replaced.

Sounds like it's not a bad deal for a used bass that doesn't need any major repairs. Enjoy!

[LeslieD]

Originally Posted by Fastel

No sorry, but the Violinmaker said that she is not shure to remember but she thinks that its not cheap wood.

It's really important to know if the bass is a laminate, a hybrid, or a fully carved bass. If it's only a laminate bass, I doubt that it's even worth $1000 (especially considering the cost of a new bridge and strings that you'll need).

Two years ago I paid $1200 for a 19 year old hybrid Musima (Eberle) that was in very good condition with very few scratches. The previous owner did his own set up, and it's not quite right for bowing (but for the music I was playing at that time it was fine) so in the long run I'll likely need a new bridge.

If this bass you are looking at is a fully carved bass, the price of $1000 is very reasonable as long as there are no major cracks and the damage is mostly cosmetic. (It's really hard for me to tell from your photos if it's a carved bass, but it kind of looks like one to me. Can you post a close up view looking at the edge of the back of the bass as viewed from the side?)

Again, as I mentioned previously, I have no idea what Musima basses are selling for in places other than the US. (And though I think it's a good guess that it's a Musima bass, there's always a chance it could be something else).

You really need a local bass luthier to check this out before you buy it. (And if you do buy the bass, don't bother with trying to save that warped old bridge.) Good luck!

[PaulCannon]

It's possible to straight a slightly warped bridge with steam, but I'd say this bridge is far too warped to bother with. It would be worth the investment of a nicer bridge.

The top doesn't look like plywood to me, but the sides and back could be.

The rubbed out varnish can be touched up. It may not be necessary, but if the wood is bare in those spots it would be best to have it protected somehow.

[LeslieD]

Originally Posted by PaulCannon

The top doesn't look like plywood to me, but the sides and back could be.

I agree. I think this is at least a hybrid bass.

[crowsmengegus]

It looks like the grain lines are visible in the top on the side shots, and also in the front shot you can see a very wide and uneven grain (which would be a doubtful choice for veneer) so I'd also say it's a hybrid.

[pughJD]

The top of the bass does not appear to be plywood from the pics. I could be wrong. I love the shape of the bass. I would love to hear it.