My new (to me) Andreas Zeller carved bass! (UK)

[therealting]

I finally got my first double bass after taking it up last October!

I currently have a day job as a secondary school teacher, and I had been using the school's battered old Hungarian hybrid (with a missing endpin) for that time while I learned as much as I could about double basses. Unfortunately looking for a good, affordable double bass here in the UK hasn't been easy, as you will no doubt have heard from Bruce Lindfield and others.

Anyway, I went to try the bass today and ended up taking her home. From the edges of the bass, she appears to be all-solid-woods: carved spruce top, 4-piece flamed maple flat (slightly swelled) back, with 3-ply wooden purfling. The joins look good all over and the bracing on the back looks fine.



A few questions which I hope you guys will be able to help me with - I have tried to do as much research as I can on this site and others, but I wanted to get opinions before the next stage which will involve spending money.

1. Can anyone identify these strings, and whether they will be worth replacing? At least initially, I will be using my bass primarily bowed for the school orchestra (usually the only double bass in a 20-piece string section), but hopefully also occasional pizz for jazz and acoustic pop/rock playing.
   
   
   
   
   
2. A previous owner notched the bridge horribly in (what appears to be) an attempt to lower the action. I feel it must be choking the sound of the bass and inhibits the volume produced, and makes it almost impossible to bow. I know a new bridge and setup is on the cards, the question is: is it worth having the luthier pick a bridge for me, or would it make little difference to pick up an inexpensive £20 bridge off eBay (like this) and supply to the luthier? Or is an adjustable bridge a good idea?
   
   
   
3. Can you get protectors for the edge of the bass when resting on the floor?
   
4. What are these black things? Are they just pieces of ebony where the sides join the neck heel? Decorative, or functional?
   
   
   
5. Do I just go to a luthier and ask for the bass to be set up, or are there specific things I should request (soundpost reset, fingerboard profiled, new bridge fitted, etc)?

Thanks guys. Sorry if any of these questions sound newbie-ish, I have tried to read up as much as I can and I hope that comes across in the questions I have asked... and yes, I know I should post photos of my new baby, but I'm going to wait until I can take some nicer photos instead of this cramped room where the bass currently is.


Cheers,
J

[therealting]

Can anyone help with any of these questions?

[salcott]

I'd take it to a bass luthier, discuss what it needs for the way it will be used, get an estimate, and go from there. From the pictures, I'd say at least new bridge w/ adjusters and new strings; a fingerboard dressing may be in order as well. Pirastro Evah Pirazzi seem to be the happening set for arco/pizz crossover use. I like'em a lot.

[simandlhandle]

If you are in south london, try Malcolm Healey www.healeyviolins.co.uk
north london try Bridgewood and Neitzert, 146 stoke newington high st, n16 (0207 249 9398)

both are exellent and knowledgeable and will sort your bass out.
I don't think you will need a new bridge , just someone who knows what they are doing to set your bass up. As for the strings, if they can't identify them , they should be able to recomend something similair .

[simandlhandle]

From the pictures, the strings look like "Innovation" orchestral, a good bowing string, which I actually like for pizzicato too, and a lot easier on your fingers than some of the traditional metal "classical " strings, if you aren't a full time player.

[Caoimhín]

Horrible and all as the job on the bridge looks it might not require replacing the whole thing - like throwing the baby out with the bath water. It's hard to tell really cos you can only see the top of the bridge in the photo but a filing job might be all that's needed. As far as picking a bridge is concerned though (if a new one is needed) I'd probably let a luthier pick one cos like everything there are varying standards of quality in bridges as well, and it's a pretty fundamental part of the instrument.

Apart from Malcolm Healey and Bridgewood and Neitzert, there's Roger Dawson in Greenwich and Laurance Dixon in Clapham - both bass specialists that come highly recommended

It's always a good idea to bring a new bass to a luthier for a bit of set up/adjustment anyway to personalise it to your needs/preferences.

As far as the strings are concerned I suppose the best way to tell if they need replacing or not is if you like them yourself and if you're happy with them in your different styles. I don't mean to sound like I'm stating the obvious but sure that's what it's all about. (They do look like gut/synthetic gut strings judging from the knots at the tailpiece so may be more suited to pizz???)

Those strips of ebony at the neck joint are standard enough. There are millions of more experienced people on this forum, this advise is just from my experience. Best of luck with it, hope it works out for ya!

[JtheJazzMan]

LOL @ that bridge.

If the action is in a good spot, you should just be able to trim the top of the bridge, but buying a top quality new bridge is a good move too. Its good to keep a spare bridge around