Mathias Neuner german bass

[Frank Larouche]

Hello everyone,

This bass appear today in the kijiji ads in my town and from the pics I'm not sure what it is, in the description he say it's the original label by Mathias Neuner, but it's roundback and from what I've checked so far bass from this maker tend to be flatback but I may be mistaken. I look like a german shop bass too I think. anyway what can you tell from the pics and do you think it's worth 12 k. I will try it of course in the future!

http://montreal.kijiji.ca/c-acheter-...AdIdZ235629920

Thanks

Francis

[Schoolhouse]

It looks like the real deal. 12 K isn't too much for a good 19th-century bass.

[Jason Sypher]

You may find some of this useful. Although it's difficult to see from the photos, the ff's do look similar...

http://www.contrabass.co.uk/2748.htm

[Paul Warburton]

I bought a Nuener/Hornsteiner out of a folky type music store here in Denver a few years back. Some idiot painted it brown and carved the words: " I (heart) Jesus" on the back. Jesus!
I had my luthier, Bob Ross, strip it, re-color and French polish it. It came out splendid. It was a Busseto pattern. I sold it to a fine classical bassist here and it was a really fine sounding bass on the small side. This varnish looks similar to the original on mine that I researched of the original. Kind of reddish, like this one. Coincidentally, a neighbor of mine had a gamba pattern one that looked very similar to this one. If I could see a side scroll shot I might be more on the mark.
IMO, if it sounds good and doesn't need any work, I'd jump on it but be sure to have a bass luthier take a look first.

[Frank Larouche]

Thanks everyone!

Your comments are very appreciated! I will try it tonight or tomorrow so I will check back with you! Sometimes it can be tough to judge with pictures alone. In the end, my ear (and a trip to a luthier!) will be the ultimate judge!

I will try to take a pic of the side scroll for you Mr. Paul!

Francis

[Jason Sypher]

There are some unconventional looking cracks for sure.

[Frank Larouche]

Jason, are you talking about the one in the back that seem to go kind of diagonally?

Francis

[Jason Sypher]

yeah...is that the direction of the grain?

[eerbrev]

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

I bought a Nuener/Hornsteiner out of a folky type music store here in Denver a few years back. Some idiot painted it brown and carved the words: " I (heart) Jesus" on the back. Jesus!
I had my luthier, Bob Ross, strip it, re-color and French polish it. It came out splendid. It was a Busseto pattern. I sold it to a fine classical bassist here and it was a really fine sounding bass on the small side. This varnish looks similar to the original on mine that I researched of the original. Kind of reddish, like this one. Coincidentally, a neighbor of mine had a gamba pattern one that looked very similar to this one. If I could see a side scroll shot I might be more on the mark.
IMO, if it sounds good and doesn't need any work, I'd jump on it but be sure to have a bass luthier take a look first.

Your luthier Doesn't happen to also love Happy Little Trees does he?

[Paul Warburton]

Originally Posted by eerbrev

Your luthier Doesn't happen to also love Happy Little Trees does he?

Wow. How clever and original of you. Bet he never heard that before.

[eerbrev]

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

Wow. How clever and original of you. Bet he never heard that before.

what can I say? I look a lot like Bob Ross (have gone as him for halloween)!

[Frank Larouche]

We learn something new everyday on talkbass!! I had to check Bob Ross on wikipedia!!

[Paul Warburton]

Originally Posted by eerbrev

what can I say? I look a lot like Bob Ross

Whatta drag for you. (in either case).

[Frank Larouche]

I tried this bass this afternoon, my firts impression are very very positive!! The bass sound so good even if it's been 15 years or so since nobody plays it. The strings were too high to play easily but the sound was fantastic. I played maybe a dozen of bass since I start to search and this is the best one of them all easily! Pizz the sound is really big and full of volume, even in all the register and with the bow it is something to say the least. The arco tone is the best one I have ever had. The bass is in good shape, the weird cracks are only scratches in the finish.

The tuner are very nice they are french style like the Vuillaume school and the jacquet-gand on Ken Smith site.

The finish is not that shiny in person, the pictures were misleading. The owner had the bass appreased and repaired for 4k in 2003 from a very good luthier in montreal so it seem a real bargain at that price.

Did I mention it sound fantastic!!

Do you think it not reasonnable for someone to take a loan for a instrument knowing that I'm a student for now but that i finish my degree in december?

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Frank Larouche

Do you think it not reasonnable for someone to take a loan for a instrument knowing that I'm a student for now but that i finish my degree in december?

I'm not sure I understand what you're asking, but if it is regarding taking out a loan in order to purchase the bass, if you can make the payments, why not? I did it to buy my first good bass way back when...

From your description, the bass sounds really nice. You really do know the bass you like when you finally find it, after trying many.

[Frank Larouche]

Thanks for the reply eric!

I know what you mean by finding the one, I tried many basses in the 5-10k range and there was good basses but none that spoke to me right away!

Francis

[Jason Sypher]

Remember, it's a buyers market right now. Make an offer that doesn't totally break your bank and see if the seller will take it. I think it looks like a nice bass....

[Frank Larouche]

Thanks jason,

That is exactly what I will do. Since I tried it I dream about the big and rich sound that It produces!! Il will hope that the bass doesnt sell in the first week and I will offer him somewhat less than the asking price!! I cross my fingers!

Francis

[Jake deVilliers]

Good luck!