Help!

[rizzocn]

I am in need of some serious help determining the value of a meisel bass. the serial # is 9005 39453. please help out a bass player in need

[Bass Barrister]

New? Used? Condition? Pictures? Age? Carved? Laminate? Fittings?

For an accurate appraisal, take the bass to a luthier. There's no substitute for experience and a personal inspection. The internet just doesn't cut it.

FWIW, the Meisel name was used by a family of luthiers from Germany and the US. Those instruments, mostly violins, have some value. More likely, a Meisel bass came via the Meisel Stringed Instruments Company, Springfield, NJ (no relation to the first group), which just went out of business. These Meisel instruments were largely decent student-level string family instruments imported from Germany, Eastern Europe and, lately, China & Korea. Basses that still remain "in stock" go for about $1500 new - they are laminates. I'd use $1500 - $2000 as a starting point.

[rizzocn]

thank you. i currently dont have any pictures because it isnt mine yet, i was just wondering if i should or shouldnt buy it, and what the value is. it seems to be in relatively good condition besides the normal wear and tear of a bass that was last played in the nineties. this is a tough decision in particular for me because i currently have a kay m-1 in my possetion for the time being. whether or not i can keep it is out of my control.

[Martin Sheridan]

Originally Posted by rizzocn

I am in need of some serious help determining the value of a meisel bass. the serial # is 9005 39453. please help out a bass player in need

The value will depend on the area you live in and the condition of the bass. I agree with Bass Barrister in that we need more information.

If it's plywood it's worth at least 1200 in playable condtion and maybe up to 2000 in some areas. If it's carved it should be worth at least 3500, but such things as bad repair (bolts in the neck etc) can effect the price. In the end I suppose it's what it's worth to you. I've delt in basses for a long time and that's just a general ball park estimate based on my experience.

KC Strings, for example, (disclosure: I used to work for them)
can sell you a properly set up Chinese bass with a bag and bow and good strings for around $1500 and sometimes they have things for less than that. Meisel made a pretty good bass, but for my money a new Chinese bass well set up, even in the lower price range, is a better bet than an Englehardt or a Kay because they don't have all the mistakes those basses had.

Where do you live? How much do they want for it?