Just looking for some advice.

[Ack71]

Okay i joined today to ask a question and any sort of advice would be greatly appreciated.

Heres the deal.
I could obtain a vintage (i think it was made very early like 1900's - 1930's) double bass for 100 dollars.
I cant remember the name but the only thing i could find by the maker were violins selling for around 5000 dollars.
The bass is in bad shape. the bottom of the bass below the tailpiece to the standing peg is quite caved in. Not the entire bottom side of the bass but a good six inch portion.

What do i do? Do i buy it? its actually playable in the condition its in but obviously its not in professional condition. I would not be interested in keeping it either. i would want to resell because i have absolutely no room for it.

im just stumped. i have no idea where or who i would be able to sell it.

Thanks for any kind of help. i really appreciate it.

[drurb]

Post pictures.

[laurenmerritt]

Hard to go wrong for $100. Do you know the story behind the damage?

[Eric Swanson]

Get it, or pictures, to a good luthier. Learn the budgetary range for the repair and setup costs.

[PNeher]

ANY bass for $100 is likely worth it. But you may have to dump plenty into it to fix it... so consider that! Then if you can't sell it, you can donate it to the likes of Arizona Bass Players (www.arizonabassplayers.org) who can use it for loaner bass for needy students. Check out my forum about double bass (Patrick Neher on "Ask a Pro")
Good luck!

[laurenmerritt]

Ack71, you still in on the conversation?

[caillean]

If I could buy a bass for that - I would do - but, it would be to use it, so, guess my thoughts aren't really relevant.

I'm having the opposite problem at the moment - I borrowed a friend's bass to play with a jazz group for a while (didn't work out, but, hey ho! Found another group which I love!), and, now he's come home, he wants me to either buy it or sell it.

I watched a bass very similiar (Romanian 3/4), valued at £1500 not sell on ebay for £800 (US just double for dollars!).

I'm not sure how I would try and sell it - he says he'll take £950 for the bass and bow and cover, but, no-one seems to be buying now.

Any advice anyone?

Thanks - sadly

Cail

[laurenmerritt]

Cail,

You may get more responses if you start a new thread for your questions. But since the originator of this thread seems to have stepped out...

Fair enough that your friend is looking to sell the bass, but unless the original agreement called for you to act as an agent in that sale, it seems a lot to ask.

Selling an instrument isn't always a short-term undertaking; hopefully your friend understands that.

[caillean]

Lauren

You're probably right - and, I probably should do - maybe it's my reticence to actually part with it that's stopping me!

He's had to move abroad, and, so, he's not in any great hurry - he just doesn't want it back now I think. I've been watching some similiar ones on ebay and will ask around if anyone's interested.

Keeping my fingers crossed though for it not happening ..........! :$