Mathias Thoma

[The Mushrat]

Looks like I have a good chance to snag a mostly disassembled bass, made by Mathias Thoma in West Germany. It's a project that's being abandoned, and the guy wants $200.

So, how far wrong can I go.

Google tells me that basses with this label came from both West Germany and Romania. History tells me that, if it was made in West Germany, it was made in 1989 at the latest.

Anybody know anything else about Mathias Thoma basses?

[Bijoux]

I've owned a couple from the mid 90's.
they were pretty big. 7/8's, flatback, violin corners, 42" string length.
They were made in Romania.
....well.. for $200... if you don't wanna it, I'll take it! ;-)

[The Mushrat]

Originally Posted by Bijoux

I've owned a couple from the mid 90's.
they were pretty big.

So, aside from pretty big, what were they like? When were they made?

[Bijoux]

I am pretty sure one was made in 1994. That was the earlier one. The other one was made after that, but I don't remember the year, maybe 1998...
I wouldn't know if any of those basses were made in Germany prior to that.
Well, I've seen the same bass being sold under different names. In case it is in fact the same one you are talking about. And I also heard people say that most likely these instruments are made all in the same shop in Romania.
Anyway, besides the speculations, I can tell that my impressions about that bass are all positive.
Big huge sound. Great projection for both arco and pizz. although it was a big instrument, it was very easy to play, and the neck was a bit thinner than most basses I have played.
Also the sound improved very quickly as i kept working with it.
I've been looking for another one for a long time, being that I had to sell mine after my divorce.

[JJDMusic]

I owned a Romanian made Hybrid, a 3/4 gamba shaped roundback, 42" string length. I bought it new in 2000. It is a decent bass made fairly well. I sold it to another talkbass member, hopefully he will see this thread and comment as well. They make many different models, from flatback 7/8s to thin ribbed 1/2s all ranging broadly in price. Which one is this particular bass?

[Bijoux]

BTW my bass looked exactly like this one. In fact I think that if you go to the Kolstein website, they say that some of their basses come from Romania, and then they are finished here. top plate graduation, finish, etc.
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/msg/1851491561.html

[The Mushrat]

Originally Posted by JJDMusic

Which one is this particular bass?

According to the seller, it's a 3/4 flat-back.

[JJDMusic]

I may have seen this bass! The flatback is not original or even finished. The bass looks like a MT-4 like my old one, roundback with gamba corners. The ribs may be plywood but, if it is indeed older it should be fully carved.

The back that is on there looks terrible as a three piece with weird bracing. Even if he has all the original parts (should be a roundback) this would be a pain to restore.

Why was the back and top removed in the first place?

[The Mushrat]

Originally Posted by JJDMusic

Why was the back and top removed in the first place?

Cue the Benny Hill music as I run screaming into the woods.

Turns out that the bass is suffering from some serious delamination.