Type/origin of bass?

klem.gote · #1 02-14-2009, 07:56 PM

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone might have any idea what kind of bass this is. I've been told maybe Italian (by a luthier when I first got it), maybe Eastern European (by a second luthier recently), but nothing definitive. I've owned this bass for about 35 years and it was no where near new when I got it. There are no hints inside, but looks like a label was peeled off at some point before I got it. Just curious, any ideas about it would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks

Jake deVilliers · #2 02-14-2009, 11:07 PM

You'll need to post much better pix if you really want help. We'll need to see the scroll, the f-holes the heel and the button fairly close up, too.

reedo35 · #3 02-15-2009, 09:12 AM

Definitely not italian...Czech, maybe.

Jake is right,post more pics
to get more definitive answers.

klem.gote · #4 02-15-2009, 10:12 AM

Yes, didn't realize how bad the pics were till I posted them, I'll get some better ones soon, thanks guys!!

anonymous12251111 · #5 02-15-2009, 10:33 AM

It looks fairly German or Czech.

klem.gote · #6 02-15-2009, 11:41 AM

Here are a couple more pics, 2 more to follow.

klem.gote · #7 02-15-2009, 11:46 AM

Not great pics, I know, but hope maybe they will help. I appreciate any input, thanks!!

reedo35 · #8 02-15-2009, 12:34 PM

Jeez, that looks a lot like a 1960's Hofner I used to have..

klem.gote · #9 02-15-2009, 04:27 PM

Can't say I know much about Hofners, was it a good bass for you? This one has certainly held up pretty well over the years.

Martin Sheridan · #10 02-15-2009, 05:07 PM

Not Italian. German looking.

klem.gote · #11 02-16-2009, 09:23 AM

Thanks for the input. Would a place like Upton have more luck identifying it if I took it there? Three luthiers have seen it over the years but really didn't know. After all these years I'm just curious to know what it is and what it might be worth. Thanks again.

reedo35 · #12 02-16-2009, 09:33 AM

Judging by condition, varnish, finish and possible make alone, I would bet between 4500-6K unless it is an absolute cannon.

klem.gote · #13 02-16-2009, 10:22 AM

That's about the general range I had thought, though it was really just a guess. Yeah, I suppose it could use a good cleaning, though when I was young I was told never trust anybody with a clean axe!! Recently had a new setup done, plays very well, sounds good, though I wouldn't call it a cannon. Thanks!!

Eric Hochberg · #14 02-16-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klem.gote

That's about the general range I had thought, though it was really just a guess. Recently had a new setup done, plays very well, sounds good, though I wouldn't call it a cannon. Thanks!!

Go compare it to a bunch of basses for sale in your area and you'll be able to figure out a relative price range for it. Selling it is another thing.

klem.gote · #15 02-16-2009, 11:11 AM

Well, there aren't a lot of basses for sale right here, I'd have to travel a bit. I could do that but I'm not really looking to sell it, was mostly just curious about what I had, but thanks!

klem.gote · #16 02-16-2009, 12:04 PM

Upon further review, there are 2 labels inside. One says the bass bar was repaired my Kolstein in 1968, the other say "Made in..." and the bottom of the label is peeled off, but looks like the word might end in "..ia". Any help? Thanks.

Andrew McGregor · #17 02-16-2009, 01:12 PM

Romania or Transylvania, most likely... unlikely to be Estonia or Latvia...

Eastern European, in any case.

Jake deVilliers · #18 02-16-2009, 01:42 PM

Czechoslovakia

klem.gote · #19 02-16-2009, 01:52 PM

Don't think there was enough room on the label for "Czechoslovakia"!! Looks like maybe a "u" earlier in the word, is the such a place as "Rumania"???

bassist14 · #20 02-16-2009, 02:22 PM

austria?