Help me I.D. this bass

ariff · #1 03-14-2009, 08:40 PM

Hey guys.. I have been playing electric bass for about 20 years now. When I was about 16 years old I picked up this upright bass from an antique shop for 50 bucks. I have been carrying it around with me all these years. It is mostly used for decor in our family room. As it plays vey poorly, action issues and tuning problems. I have been thinking about having it fixed so I might start learning how to play the upright in my free time. Anyhow I was wondering if anyone has any idea if this is a good bass worth putting money into or is it junk? I am thinking it probably came from a school or something like that. Due to all the repairs made on it. Well thanks for any input..

Brandon Tuomiko · #2 03-14-2009, 08:48 PM

Wow, nice find for $50! Any bass for that cheap is good! And this one looks nice!

Sorry that I can not tell you anything about it though.

reedo35 · #3 03-14-2009, 09:21 PM

What I can tell you is that you're going to spend over 1K in repairs on that thing. Looks like it could be nice, but it depends if it's worth that type of investment to you.

Brandon Tuomiko · #4 03-14-2009, 09:58 PM

I would say you should just keep this thing for a decoration, or at least take it to a luthier before your decision.

drurb · #5 03-14-2009, 10:22 PM

Well, just keeping it as a decoration would constitute a decision-- that is-- not to fix it. In order to make the decision, which is what was asked, it would, of course, be a good idea to visit a luthier.

mjt0229 · #6 03-14-2009, 11:04 PM

Let me be the first to say: I think it's a King. I think it has nice lines, but it needs some love. I don't know enough to offer a reasonable opinion, but I'm going to anyway: German factory bass, postwar.

Brandon Tuomiko · #7 03-15-2009, 12:29 AM

It was a thought, Drurb. If it will cost several thousands to repair, the question is, can he afford it? Would it be wiser to buy a new carved in place of this? Who knows? Well a luthier, so thats where you start.

Kevin Hsieh · #8 03-15-2009, 02:48 AM

i hate free speech

Rebop · #9 03-15-2009, 03:33 AM

Fix it up and don't look back!

billyfalconer · #10 03-15-2009, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Hsieh

i hate free speech

http://instantrimshot.com/

Bruce Lindfield · #11 03-15-2009, 06:17 AM

Relegated to a dusty corner, next to the fake Christmas tree...

How sad....

bejoyous · #12 03-15-2009, 07:31 AM

Since you don't live too far from Kansas City, take it to KC Strings and they could tell you all about it.

drurb · #13 03-15-2009, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon Tuomiko

It was a thought, Drurb. If it will cost several thousands to repair, the question is, can he afford it? Would it be wiser to buy a new carved in place of this? Who knows? Well a luthier, so thats where you start.

So happy you explained that to me. Start with a luthier? Gee, ya think? Seems to be an echo in here. Brandon, you've done it again. See, the problem is that, without the benefit of the knowledge of a luthier, your primary advice was, "I would say you should just keep this thing for a decoration." As to whether the OP can afford it, it would be best to leave those matters to him.

bass_snake · #14 03-15-2009, 08:29 AM

It looks nice. I' d invest on it on repairs.

Fred

drurb · #15 03-15-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bejoyous

Since you don't live too far from Kansas City, take it to KC Strings and they could tell you all about it.

Bingo!

Jake deVilliers · #16 03-15-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Hsieh

i hate free speech

LOL

ariff · #17 03-15-2009, 05:12 PM

Hey guys thanks for the replies. I guess my main thinking about posting this was to get opinions form people who had more experience with these basses than I. I have no idea if it is a piece of crap or do I actually have a diamond in the rough sitting in my basement, in a dusty corner by a fake Xmas tree. Which by the way I took these pics during New years and we were cleaning up our living room from Christmas time. So it does not always look like that

all the time. I guess my main goal with this bass would be to just make it playable. Which I don't think would cost thousands to make that happen. But I guess only a luither could tell me that. We have a guy here in town that specializes in these type of instruments. I think I'll load it up in the van and take it to him to look over. Thanks again..

400$Bass · #18 03-15-2009, 07:35 PM

[quote=ariff;7117600]Hey guys.. I have been playing electric bass for about 20 years now. When I was about 16 years old I picked up this upright bass from an antique shop for 50 bucks. I have been carrying it around with me all these years. It is mostly used for decor in our family room. As it plays vey poorly, action issues and tuning problems. I have been thinking about having it fixed so I might start learning how to play the upright in my free time. Anyhow I was wondering if anyone has any idea if this is a good bass worth putting money into or is it junk? I am thinking it probably came from a school or something like that. Due to all the repairs made on it. Well thanks for any input..

Could this be the gent to worked on your bass? Found this on the net doing a little sluething...Thought it might shed a little light on the subject of your Double Bass.

Kenneth Alfred DECKOW was born 1 Jul 1914 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin and was christened 12 Jul 1914 in Layton Park Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. He died 26 Jun 1978 in Riverside, Riverside County, California and was buried 29 Jun 1978 in Memory Gardens Cemetery, Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada. Kenneth married Living BLAZEK.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #19 03-15-2009, 08:20 PM

What I see is probably an early 20th century German or Czech bass with some problems.
It looks like the cracks in the top (one a soundpost crack) are fairly recent.
The scroll has come off at some point and the neck is broken at the heel. The popped seam is a benefit as the top should come off anyway.

I'm no luthier, but my guess is your bass is a candidate for a major restoration.

KC Strings would give you a better evaluation. My guess is a restored value of $4000 or more, but you would need to invest at least half that to make it work.

Should you decide not to take it on, I might be interested in the project myself.

I could use a nice 'King' bass.

Cody Sisk · #20 03-15-2009, 08:58 PM

I'd say the top has to come off as well. Those cracks will need lots of cleats and that lower bout and rib might need some grafting. A new bridge will be necessary. I would venture a guess that the tailpiece is not ebony rather some white wood variety painted black. Obviously new strings and endpin are a must, and please please change the tail wire! I can't tell if the heel repair on the neck is any good. If not, a new neck would really up the repair cost, making or breaking your project. The fingerboard looks to be of good quality, though it might need planing.

I'd say the instrument's worth it from its outward looks, though it will be an investment, especially if a new neck is necessary. Hopefully the corner, neck and end blocks inside are in good shape. Until you're ready to get it on a luthier's bench, I'd at least invest in a Damp-It or any other means of providing humidity and keep it out of the elements. Also, loosen the strings to take tension off the top. This will also help your open seam keeping the ribs and/or top from further warping under tension where it's open. Loosen them just enough to keep the bridge from falling down.

Good luck!