Help with German Bass ID

[Bergerman]

I will get to see this in person on Friday, but am looking to be as prepared as possible beforehand. Can anyone tell me anything about this bass from these pics? It is owned by a well respected local instructor who sells a lot of basses, and has a great reputation in the community. He says it is unmarked, but German, and has what he guesses is a rosewood fingerboard. All ply. Any and all theories and information greatly appreciated! Sorry for the limited pictures, but they are all I have beeen able to get so far.

[Bergerman]

Two more pics, for what they are worth...

[Michael Glynn]

Well, it looks like a German plywood, probably mid-20th century. But you already knew that. If there is no label, there is probably little way of finding out who made it. These were mass produced in countless workshops and sold under a variety of brand names (Juzek, Morelli, Pfretzschner, etc.) or sometimes with no brand name at all. This is true of many carved German basses as well. I have a really excellent sounding early-20th century German bass and the only hint I have of its origin is a little faded label saying "Made in Germany." Sounds better than basses costing twice as much, though!

If it sounds good, feels good, is in good shape, has a good price, and really speaks to you, a German factory bass can be an excellent choice.

[Bergerman]

Thanks Michael! What are your thoughts on the fingerboard? Should I be troubled that it may be rosewood rather than ebony? What type of wood did the German factory basses generally use for fingerboards?

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Can you post a pic of the back? What you've shown us thus far looks very much like the Anton Schuster I just bought.

That is not necessarily not an ebony board. In its natural state ebony is not jet-black, and often has brown or reddish streaks. Much of the ebony that is used for musical instruments is dyed.

[Bergerman]

I wish I had a pic of the back...thes four shots are all I can get right now.

[MIKMAN]

These f holes are rather common in basses made in the Czech Republic (or in former Czechoslovakia) and in basses made in Markneukirchen, Germany. The outer linings point towards Germany, since only a few of the Czech luthiers have used them. If the bass speaks to you, well, take it by all means. Most of the basses constructed in this region of Europe are decent instruments, without any major structural problems.
Mike

[Eric Swanson]

I would ask Ken Smith, on his site. He knows much about these Germanic instruments. He also has a whole section dedicated to discussing them:

http://www.smithbassforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24