Need help identifying old Epiphone R4 Upright Bass

[tcarrico]

Hello, I am new to the forum and just received a very old Epiphone upright bass with tailpiece identifying it only as an Epiphone R4. There's no serial # that I can see nor any identifying marks inside the Bass. Google and Yahoo searches yielded only that it may be a 1949 model. Does anyone know anything about these basses? Mine is a deep sunburst finish - beautiful instrument that I'm really excited about getting to play (once I have the head repaired - cracked now). Thanks in advance for any help or guidance you may be able to offer here.

[MollyKay]

...and welcome to Talk Bass.

You can start here...

Epiphone Upright Bass research questions

Once you have read this information let me know what questions you have.

Give that big Epi of yours a hug from me!

[tcarrico]

Molly, thank you for pointing me in the right direction. I took the Bass into First Quality Instruments for repair today (in Louisville, Ky) as the headstock to neck area was cracked and wanted to repair before adding new strings, etc. I'm still scratching my head as the model # etched on the tailpiece (just below the Epiphone badges) is R4, not a B - was such a model made?

[MollyKay]

To my knowledge there was no model R4…my best guess is your bass is a B4 and when the factory hand stamped the B4 characters on the tail badge the bottom of the B did not seat on to the metal. The serial number and the model numbers were all stamped by hand with a die stamp. In my research all the serial numbers seem to have been made with the same die stamp set of numbers. They are all the same character height and same typography family.

So I think you have a B4. Could you please provide the serial number and it location when you get it back from the shop? I would like to catalog the serial number into my database.

Enjoy

[Paul Warburton]

Originally Posted by tcarrico

Molly, thank you for pointing me in the right direction. I took the Bass into First Quality Instruments for repair today (in Louisville, Ky) as the headstock to neck area was cracked and wanted to repair before adding new strings, etc. I'm still scratching my head as the model # etched on the tailpiece (just below the Epiphone badges) is R4, not a B - was such a model made?

Welcome to TBDB....Please stay in touch with Molly..she the QUEEN of laminated basses around here. That piece of your bass that you call the headstock is actually called the scroll.
I DO hope the people you're dealing with have a qualified double bass luthier ( a string instrument repairer or maker ) on staff. I can't begin to be as passionate as Molly or her husband, the Bass Monkey, are about these instruments.
I DO love Epi's, but am involved in a fine relationship with an older instrument.
Congratulations on your Epi, and please take care of it.
( Hi Molly and Monkey )

[MollyKay]

Thanks Paul for the kind words…but can I be the laminated bass DIVA? Queens are old and wrinkled…mid life is catching up to me quickly enough as it is.

Happy New Year all

[Paul Warburton]

You can be whatever the hell you wanna be as far as I'm concerned, baby.....But Diva it IS! SO BE IT!

[tcarrico]

Paul and Molly (I mean laminated bass diva

Thank you for the additional insight on this fine instrument. I have taken the bass to First Quality Instruments (Lou, Ky) which does have a double bass repair expert on staff. He is considered one of the best repairers in the area and knew exactly what was needed when I brought it in as well as knowing quite a bit about the Bass. The repair is going to be between $500 and $600 but this is a family heirloom and I want to restore it to working condition. Would either of you know the estimated street value of a very good condition B-4? I'll send pix and provide serial # as soon as I get it back from the repair shop as well.

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

Welcome to TBDB....Please stay in touch with Molly..she the QUEEN of laminated basses around here. That piece of your bass that you call the headstock is actually called the scroll.
I DO hope the people you're dealing with have a qualified double bass luthier ( a string instrument repairer or maker ) on staff. I can't begin to be as passionate as Molly or her husband, the Bass Monkey, are about these instruments.
I DO love Epi's, but am involved in a fine relationship with an older instrument.
Congratulations on your Epi, and please take care of it.
( Hi Molly and Monkey )

[MollyKay]

Hello…I don’t wade into the water on value of basses…any bass.

My common answer is a bass is worth what someone is willing to pay you…period. If you need an appraisal for insurance you will need to seek out a qualified luthier for the paper work. The age, condition, playability, quality of tone, originality, and desirability all factor into market value…currently the market is down and bargains are available. However…a bass is to be played and enjoyed…if you get that “satisfaction” from your new Epi B-4 then it is worth whatever you paid for it plus the cost of a skilled repair…period.