Help me identify my german DB

johnnydi · #1 01-29-2010, 07:53 PM

I have a Double bass and would like to know more about it. It as a sticker inside that reads. " mittenwald/karwendel " handarbeit made in germany.

Its in pretty good condition and would want to sell it but have no idea what to ask for. I know its not something rare or super valuable and its made of ply I suppose.

Can you help.

thanks
Here's some pics.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #2 01-29-2010, 09:56 PM

Pics?

johnnydi · #3 01-30-2010, 12:34 AM

Here what the sticker looks like.

igor kondur · #4 01-30-2010, 04:50 AM

Jake deVilliers · #5 01-30-2010, 09:14 AM

Hand picked?

shadygrove · #6 01-30-2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnydi

Here what the sticker looks like.

Nice sticker pic, narrows it down to a region of Germany with a claim of handmade

Now how about some pictures of the bass? ...scroll, f-holes, neck joint etc... I'm in no way one of the experts here on TB, but I know enough about marketing and distribution of stringed instruments to know you can't tell much from a sticker.

MrSidecar · #7 01-30-2010, 12:50 PM

I ain't an expert, but to me this looks like a sticker found in factory basses, ply mostly. Doesn't even state a maker, company, etc. Like those generic "made in..." stickers.

Sidecar

Don Higdon · #8 01-30-2010, 01:31 PM

"Hand Worked". Karwendel is a region that overlaps the Germany/Austria border.

When a label uses English to say where it was made, you know it's made for export.

The position markings on the edge of the fingerboard suggest it's intended to be an entry level instrument.

Looks like some heavy dings on the edge of the top around the lower bout.

Michael Glynn · #9 01-30-2010, 01:41 PM

Looks like labels from Ottomar Hausmann instruments. See this bass from Upton:

http://www.stringrepair.com/Double_B...r_Hausmann.htm
http://www.stringrepair.com/images/d...usmann_000.JPG

One possibility (if the picture you show is all the information in the bass) could be that the Hausmann shop made that bass for another seller, and therefore used a cut-down label that left out their name. Of course, other makers might have had similar labels.

MR PC · #10 01-30-2010, 02:34 PM

German Ply, very nice factor neck carve and tuners. It's doubtful that the position markers are original. These basses can sound great, I hope yours does!

johnnydi · #11 01-31-2010, 11:10 AM

Anybody as far as value???

Paul Warburton · #12 01-31-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnydi

Anybody as far as value???

Nope. Not quite that far yet.....I am trying though.

EDIT: Hey Johnny, I see you live in Talent, Or.
How are the chicks up there?

MR PC · #13 02-01-2010, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnydi

Anybody as far as value???

Consider yourself lucky you find a buyer that isn't worried about those chewed up edges, position markers, and any of the structural problems it could have as a result of being dragged around. Less than $500 bucks in that case.

johnnydi · #14 02-01-2010, 03:07 AM

The instrument as been service by a knowledgeable luthier and the integrity of the instrument is in good shape.

The edge being broken is reparable and as nothing to do with the integrity of the instrument. This DB as a very good tone and play very well. I would not be scared to gig with it at all. I understand it does not look good but its mostly aesthetic.

The position markers have been added later in the life of the instrument by somebody else and were well done.

bamba22 · #15 02-01-2010, 03:09 AM

Look for others like it, and see how mach they charge...

Matthijs · #16 02-01-2010, 04:32 AM

I think Michael Glynn is right, this is bass is propably built by Ottomar Hausmann. The company still exists and has a good reputation for Cello's, but has not entered the age of e-mail yet, you could try and call them for more information, like a build date.

Hausmann Ottomar Geigen- u. Cellobau
Viererspitzstr. 12
82481 Mittenwald
Kontakt:
Telefon: +49 (8823) 8105

tzadik · #17 02-01-2010, 04:41 AM

Cool bass, good luck finding info on it. I don't mind the scratches and wear at all, personally. My main bass looks pretty similar, wear wise, because that often is what happens to basses who travel and get the shiz kicked out of them. My luthier gets all horrified but I really don't see it as a huge deal. As a player, not a collector, it certainly doesn't affect my idea of value.

MR PC · #18 02-01-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnydi

The instrument as been service by a knowledgeable luthier and the integrity of the instrument is in good shape.

The edge being broken is reparable and as nothing to do with the integrity of the instrument. This DB as a very good tone and play very well. I would not be scared to gig with it at all. I understand it does not look good but its mostly aesthetic.

The position markers have been added later in the life of the instrument by somebody else and were well done.

What does the luthier think it's worth? How long have you owned this instrument?

johnnydi · #19 02-01-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR PC

What does the luthier think it's worth? How long have you owned this instrument?

The luthier as no idea. But he mention no more then $2000 for sure. I've owned this DB for 18 years.

MR PC · #20 02-01-2010, 02:37 PM

Thanks for sharing some more light on your connection to this instrument. Your first post didn't make this clear.

Why don't you try putting it on consignment at a string instrument shop? You could ask what you like to get for it, and see what the response would be. I saw one one similar to yours, but in excellent condition with a Realist pu, bow, and decent bag sell for $1K not so long ago.

You might look into the cost of re edging the bass and factor that in to your asking price.