Question about 4/4 scale length

[samriley]

It is interesting reading about what people think are 7/8 and 4/4 basses. And string lengths can vary so much too.
I play an old German flat back style bass with a 'Zimmermann' label inside that was made in Moscow between 1890-1900. It was built as a 3 string bass which has been converted to 4 strings. When I bought it I was told it is 7/8 size. It has a string length of 44.5". I am used to playing it and have been playing it for years. It is clearly the loudest bass I've heard, set up with a big bridge, big action and gut strings for jazz. Right into P.C, Sam Jones, Doug Watkins, John Webber & the late Dennis Irwin.
I am thinking about buying another bass for those gigs where my bass could get easily damaged. Most of the basses I have found have much shorter string lengths and feel quite different to play. Recently I have found a big German bass made in the 60's which is the same body length as my bass, same shape with big shoulders, and has a 43.75" string length. The owner says its a full size bass. But I think a lot of people have different opinions, as did the luthiers back then, on what size to categorize basses like this.
It doesnt really matter what the size is called, its what it sounds like and whether you can play it.
Im just happy I've found another 'cheaper' big bass (still fully carved spruce top, maple sides & back) that feels the same to play as my Zimmermann.
Surprising thing is, this potential second bass is even louder than mine! But the Zimmermann has a deeper thumpier sound...
I'll post back here again once I've made a decision to buy it or not.

[samriley]

Im not sure who reads this, or if anyone even does, but i said i would post back in here if i bought the bass.
And i did buy it. very happy with it. got a combination of plain gut G, golden spiral D, and Kurschner A & E strings on it at the moment.
I've got a Dlugolecki G & D on the way which i'll prob put on there eventually once i have it ready for gigs.
Im thinking about stripping the bass back and varnishing it a darker brown & not so shiney, also looking into a custom scroll.....
i might start my own thread for this bass, so this one doesnt go off topic even more!