Please identify my bass (so-called 200 years old)

old-fashioned · #1 06-30-2011, 03:37 AM

My grandfather was a musician, he used to play drums, tuba, and double bass. He passed away when I was a child, roughly 30 years ago. This was his bass and after many years my uncle gave it to me as I’m the only active musician left in the family. The bass was in terrible condition. The body had lots of serious cracks on it and the neck was broken. After some more years I decided to have it repaired and found a luthier (actually two) here in the conservatory in Ankara. They built a new neck and repaired the bass in one months work (7/7).

When I took the bass to the conservatory and asked the opinions of the musicians there, all were very interested and some said that this may be a valuable piece. I had the bass set-up there –it took three days. They said that the sound of the bass is amazing. (IMHO the bass response is weak, but maybe acceptable for such a small body) One said that this bass is certainly older than 200 years and probably German made.

On and in the bass there is not a single sign or writing that may help to identify it’s origin. It is a very very small bass (87 cm/34.25 inches of string length). I can give more details if necessary. So, can anyone give any opinions about this bass?

My initial intention was keeping this bass forever as a keepsake, but since it’s repaired I try to play it by myself (I’ve ordered Ed Friedland’s double bass DVD) and having great fun. But the E string sounds so weak to me that I sometimes think of selling this bass and buying a more bassy bass. So any estimation is welcome about it’s value.
Thank you.

Herbie 80's · #2 06-30-2011, 06:20 AM

Perhaps the E sounds weak because you don't know how to play yet.

Ben Mitchell · #3 06-30-2011, 07:03 AM

That shape reminds me of a german shop bass, but the f-holes are slightly different some how.

AMJBASS · #4 06-30-2011, 07:58 AM

I am going to guess looking at the pictures you provided that its a turn of the century(late 1800's early 1900's) German. The outside linings point in the direction of Germany. Enjoy the bass no matter how old it is.

Ben Mitchell · #5 06-30-2011, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian Juras

I am going to guess looking at the pictures you provided that its a turn of the century(late 1800's early 1900's) German. The outside linings point in the direction of Germany. Enjoy the bass no matter how old it is.

Agreed. I think he is just trying to gauge the general value, as well.

AMJBASS · #6 06-30-2011, 10:45 AM

Tough to say. With a string length that short its a small 1/2 or a 1/4 size bass. I have no idea what a carved turn of the century flatback like that is going for these days.

Ben Mitchell · #7 06-30-2011, 11:38 AM

If you take it to a luthier, they can most likely appraise it for you; maybe even tell you a little more about it than we can, because it will be in their hands.

old-fashioned · #8 06-30-2011, 12:16 PM

Thank you for your replies.

@BassMaster65 and Adrian Juras:
I live in Ankara/Turkey and probably it's not the best place to find some expert double bass luthiers. But I will check it over. My luthier told me a story about another old bass he repaired before. After the repair the owner of the bass sold it here in Ankara for 10K USD, the buyer sold the same bass in Germany for 60K USD.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herbie 80's

Perhaps the E sounds weak because you don't know how to play yet.

Yes, the weak E string may be about not playing it properly (I would prefer this option) but, the other three strings sound fine to me.

Ben Mitchell · #9 06-30-2011, 12:24 PM

Or you could try contacting one of the many, many experienced luthiers here. Email them extremely clear and detailed pics of the entire bass, and they may still be able to identify it better than we can with these two pictures.

old-fashioned · #10 06-30-2011, 01:45 PM

Could you give an e-mail address for this?

Ben Mitchell · #11 06-30-2011, 04:03 PM

Not off the top of my head, but I will look around for you.

chris1125 · #12 06-30-2011, 04:46 PM

Could it be the strings? I don't know what those are or how old they are but some sets naturally have a week e string. Wow, that bass must be tiny! Looks great, I'm no expert but I would guess that because of that size your not likely to get full value. I've seen old German basses like this go anywhere from 3k to 20+, I would guess with this size, you're looking at the lower end.

old-fashioned · #13 06-30-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris1125

Could it be the strings? I don't know what those are or how old they are but some sets naturally have a week e string.

Yes, the strings are old. They were given me for free

They were not used before, but some surely old Thomastik (or Infeld??? I'm used to have them both as a bass guitar player) strings. One of the double bass players in the conservatory advised me to buy some new strings also... Yes, you may be right about that. (I wish)

chris1125 · #14 06-30-2011, 05:26 PM

I notice with my strings after about 6 months the e string starts dying on me and I can't ge any volume or definition from it, for a bass like that it is definately worth investing a couple hundred bucks and getting good quality strings!

Ben Mitchell · #15 06-30-2011, 05:33 PM

I'm sorry, I offered that suggestion without being able to back it up with an email address, and I can't seem to find one anywhere. Again, terribly sorry.

But, back to the main topic, I'm thinking that the sentimental, beauty, and sound qualities may be worth more to you than the price it will fetch.

Just my 0.02.

-Ben-

old-fashioned · #16 06-30-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassMaster65

I'm sorry, I offered that suggestion without being able to back it up with an email address, and I can't seem to find one anywhere. Again, terribly sorry.

But, back to the main topic, I'm thinking that the sentimental, beauty, and sound qualities may be worth more to you than the price it will fetch.

Just my 0.02.

-Ben-

No problem at all. I should be fine about finding one somewhere myself. Thank you for all your kind interest.
You are definitely right about the price thing by the way. I just want to have a double bass to play and have some fun with it. I'm so unfamiliar with this instrument; I once again feel like a beginner in music after all these years...

old-fashioned · #17 06-30-2011, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris1125

I notice with my strings after about 6 months the e string starts dying on me and I can't ge any volume or definition from it, for a bass like that it is definately worth investing a couple hundred bucks and getting good quality strings!

Yes you are right. I will...
I want to play pizzicato, so can you guide me about which strings to buy?

Michael Eisenman · #18 06-30-2011, 07:44 PM

Here's a list of luthiers. Not sure how helpful it will be to you.

**Matthew Tucker** · #19 06-30-2011, 11:30 PM

I think, with such a small string length, it will be hard to get a strong E string sound, even if you use a 1/4 size string set. If you are using ordinary 3/4 size strings it'll be even worse.

old-fashioned · #20 07-01-2011, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Eisenman

Here's a list of luthiers. Not sure how helpful it will be to you.

Thanks a lot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

I think, with such a small string length, it will be hard to get a strong E string sound, even if you use a 1/4 size string set. If you are using ordinary 3/4 size strings it'll be even worse.

Can you recommend any strings for this case? (I think have to open up a new thread on this...)