King (HN White) #2734 project bass- pictures 1

minguslives · #1 06-18-2005, 08:25 PM

Hello all,
I've been playing upright for the past 5 months. Initially I had a rental Eastman bass from the local music store, which IMO was quite flat sounding. I gave it back a month ago since I didn't have the time to take lessons any more. I bought this project bass from a seller in Indiana in March 05. I was revitalized by the ISB convention recently (I live in Kalamazoo), and decided that I would have my bass restored, probably from Guarneri House in Grand Rapids. Here are pictures- there are chipped edges, and I know it's probably an extensive project, but she looks beautiful to me even now- so can't wait to see how she'll look all dressed up and purty. I'm debating between a reddish brown oil based stain and a natural finish, like the recent La Scala pictures. Any opinions would be welcome. There are many pics, so there will be many posts

minguslives · #2 06-18-2005, 08:28 PM

More pics- BTW, I wonder if the La Scala is based on this King design- Any guesses?

minguslives · #3 06-18-2005, 08:40 PM

minguslives · #4 06-18-2005, 08:49 PM

To clarify, the wood does have a slight orange/pink tinge. But my camera is adding some extra orange to it!!

Silversorcerer · #5 06-18-2005, 11:03 PM

It is hard to see details in these photos, but my impression is that the original finish is not so bad and perhaps it just needs touch up and clean up. It's a little hard to tell. It should retain some of its' hard earned patina. It is a nice looking bass. I love the name on the back. Do you know what year it is?

Also, I think you can attach more than 2 photos per post.

T-Bal · #6 06-19-2005, 01:01 AM

I don't know about that, but I'm pretty sure you can have more than one post per thread.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #7 06-19-2005, 02:31 AM

DYNASTYWESURVIVE - I'm digging the pictures, but there's no need to start a new thread for each new round; just reply to this one and post the next buncha pics.

arnoldschnitzer · #8 06-19-2005, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minguslives

More pics- BTW, I wonder if the La Scala is based on this King design- Any guesses?

From the horse's mouth--No, LaScala is not based on the King. We looked the King over carefully and decided it was not well suited to our purpose (an accessible 3/4 violin-cornered bass mainly aimed at the classical player). The main problems were the string length (43"+) and the narrowness of the body. That said, I love the old Kings and yours looks like a winner.

minguslives · #9 06-19-2005, 10:56 AM

Quote:

From the horse's mouth--No, LaScala is not based on the King. We looked the King over carefully and decided it was not well suited to our purpose (an accessible 3/4 violin-cornered bass mainly aimed at the classical player). The main problems were the string length (43"+) and the narrowness of the body. That said, I love the old Kings and yours looks like a winner

Wow- a reply from Mr Schnitzer himself!!. Thanks for clearing my doubts. You are right about the string length. In fact, when I went to pick up the bass, I had taken the case that came with the Eastman. When I saw the bass for the first time, I was shocked since it was narrow and long and I (stupidly) wondered if I had bought an oversized cello!!

Also, regarding it's age, I really don't know. But I was told in a previous post that it's probably late 40s, early 50s. Any info would be welcome

minguslives · #10 06-19-2005, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Also, I think you can attach more than 2 photos per post.

The limit is 2 pics per post.

There are only 2 slots for pictures to be attached when you're in the process of posting.

Tom Hutton · #11 06-19-2005, 11:51 AM

Host the pictures somewhere like photobucket.com and you can have as many as you like in one post...

Good lookin' bass tho - what exactly do you plan to have done? It doesn't look too bad right now to me (see the before pics of my recent restoration...)

**Chef** · #12 06-19-2005, 01:08 PM

Congrats on the King-I like mine a lot. It was restored by Bob Bransetter, a TB member and Kansas City Luthier. He had carved a top for it, reset the neck, made a new fingerboard out of pakkawood and shimmed it a little for lower action, made a new bridge, and set string length at about 42"...I plays great, and has a tone I like.

Keep the pics coming!

Mine says HN White on the tuners, and on the label inside, but does not have the name on the back like yours.

minguslives · #13 06-19-2005, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom hutton:
Good lookin' bass tho - what exactly do you plan to have done?

Wow! Your bass is a beauty. You did the finishing yourself? I wish I had skills of that sort!!

Here's what I think I'm going to have (depends on the depth of my pockets really

) Head to toes, here we go:

1. The scroll/ volute is broken on the left- I'm debating whether to keep it as is, to maintain the antique look, or to get a scroll graft
2. the neck looks good to me, but the fingerboard is rosewood, and it's uneven, and probably not original- the King catalog says they had ebony fingerboards- so I will replace it
3. The neck joint needs work and the string length may need shortening. I'm 5'9" and 43 in seems a little long to me.
4. the inside needs to be cleaned up- i found a few cobwebs, pieces of graph paper etc!!
5. The edges need to be repaired- or atleast stabilized, since they are chipping
6. The bass needs overall finishing/staining. I'd like a dark stain- oil based, but would like the grain on the ribs and shoulders to stand out- kinda like the La Scala profile pictures on the New Standard Bass website.
7. The left shouder/rib is cracked, and may need replacement
8. It'll need an endpin
9. It also needs a soundpost. Also, I'd like the bass bar to be examined for integrity

So you see, major work is on the charts. But I want it to look its age, with all its bumps and scratches.

**Chef** · #14 06-19-2005, 04:47 PM

If you're anywhere near Brent Norton, you might consider letting him do your finishing work. He does some fab work, from really standard looking stuff:
http://www.nortoncustoms.com/mini_ga...s/J_FLAMMY.htm
http://www.nortoncustoms.com/mini_ga...e_Jazz_Lam.htm

to a little louder:
http://www.nortoncustoms.com/mini_ga...cream_soda.htm
http://www.nortoncustoms.com/mini_ga...oot_beer_2.htm

to real crazy(not for me):
http://www.nortoncustoms.com/mini_galleries/ROOSTER.htm
http://www.nortoncustoms.com/mini_ga...impstriper.htm

Phone: 248.703.1908 -- Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m E.S.T.

Email: brent@nortoncustoms.com

Norton Customs
275 Vester Street
Ferndale, MI 48220

minguslives · #15 06-19-2005, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chef: If you're anywhere near Brent Norton, you might consider letting him do your finishing work. He does some fab work

Hey thanks for the info. He's about 2 hours away. So now I have 2 options, him and guarneri house in grand rapids, which is 45 minutes away. Will check him out in the next couple of weeks as time is available.