How old is your Upright?

[JeffreyG]

Just heard back from Roger Stowers that my Blonde Kay M1-B is from 1952.

[olivier]

"turn o'century Mirecourt" that's about all I got re my bass. I got it from Fabrice Gougi who would not tell me where he got it from... strange. It's typically a Mirecourt, French kind of shape. Most notable feature is a beech back. Been told that the shape is Mangenot (sp ? maybe Mangeneau) although the varnish reminds the instruments that when thru the Tournier shop (because of the coal dust!). Who knows ?
So that sweet phat girl of mine is between 50 and 100 year old. She got full plastic surgery by Gougi three years ago, and I would agree that the sound tends to improve with time. Or I am getting better ?

Next time Don shows up in Paris I'll introduce him to her, now that I know he's cool.

[Don Higdon]

Sir Lawrence:
Don't just tell us about it; scan it; post it.

[olivier]

Only lo-tech polaroid, I'm not sure this is going to do it.

Given the interest of Ray about the size and ensuing playability of my bass, here are some measurements:

Body length: 112 cm, 44 in.
Width at upper bout: 51 cm, 20 in.
Width at lower bout: 67 cm, 26 ½ in.
Depth: 21 cm, 8 ¼ in.
String vibrating length: 106 cm, 41 ¾ in.
Endpin length at which olivier likes to play: 24 cm, 9 in.

Here is a Kolstein-type description:
Top table is four-piece wide grained spruce
Round back table is two-piece beech
Ribs of plain maple
Original scroll on new neck are of plain grained maple
Varnish is deep reddish brown.
Tonal qualities: good depth in all ranges with projection and definition
Good condition; fully restored by F. Gougi, one patch on the table

iLi padded cover could be included with purchase BUT it's NOT for sale.

[anonymous0726]

It's hard to tell much from those photos, but she does look like a comfy bass to play. Is it a small bodied bass or are you tall? It looks like you have the endpin out quite a ways.

[olivier]

I am not tall: 1.70 m and the bass is not that small since the standard size gig bag fit rather tightly. I'll get a ruler to answer more pricisely.

[DaveB]

1962 Kay

[reedo35]

1923 Juzek, 2000 Kolstein Fendt