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12-17-2007, 03:48 PM
| | | | What the heck is this old thing?
Picked this up at an estate sale. Family said played in kalamazoo speakeasys by "dips" Randall. 74 inches tall. 20 3/4 upper - 15 1/2 mid / 27 1/2 lower. Shows wear, use and age. German maybe? Local rockabillys want it, is this a garage band junker or perhaps valuable serious instrument?
Thanks in advance
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12-17-2007, 04:20 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NW Houston | | | Peak down in the soundhole and tell us what you see. Is there a label? If so, try to take a picture. |
12-17-2007, 05:06 PM
| | | | Remnants of vertical white paper tag visible under close inspection only. Repairs evident, shoddy neck repair. |
12-17-2007, 05:21 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bend, Oregon | | | Looks like a nice instrument from the pictures. Take it to a lutier who specializes in basses. What part of the world are you in? We could suggest someone reputable.
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John
When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water...
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12-17-2007, 05:44 PM
| | | | I live in San Diego California. Does anyone know of a reputable packing/shipping service in Southern California. Thanks |
12-17-2007, 06:06 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New York City | | | lemur can do it |
12-17-2007, 07:25 PM
| | | | Thanks, I checked out the Lemur site. It looks to be a quality business and is not that far away. Still not sure what this could be. Thanks again |
12-17-2007, 07:37 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New York City | | looks like a bass to me  |
12-17-2007, 07:47 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: IB, California | | | I see an old flatback with gut strings posible bass bar crack that needs major neck work and other rough spots. But it’s got nice tuners; someone liked it at some point. Take it to Dave Mallard he know his stuff and he’s honest.
Why do you want a shipper?
Last edited by Carl Johnson : 12-17-2007 at 07:49 PM.
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12-19-2007, 10:50 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Austin, Texas | | | because he's gonna flip it. looks like a real nice bass. i'd hate to see a rockabillly guy standing all over it. it will destroy it. |
12-19-2007, 10:56 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New York City | | why not just give it to a bass player who lives in california half the year... like me |
12-19-2007, 11:28 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Fairfield, CT | | | heaps of scorn |
12-19-2007, 01:24 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Premier, WV | | | Most definately has a solid top as you can see the wood grain on the outer edges.
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12-19-2007, 02:11 PM
| | Banned
Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd. | | Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Perkasie, PA USA | |  origin..
It's an early 20th century German Bass in need of much much repairs. The Repairs needed in my opinion will cost more than the value of the bass in its current condition. That's if you want it restored properly and not butchered. Repairs done 'just to get by' will have to be un-done and re-done at a later date and may hurt what ever value it currently has if done poorly.
Ship it to me and we can talk after I have it in my hands to inspect inside and out. The Basses like this with Flatbacks have a lower value than similar vintage Basses with fully carved flame maple backs.
The Tuning gears are nice though! |
12-19-2007, 02:23 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New York City | | Quote:
Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith  It's an early 20th century German Bass in need of much much repairs. The Repairs needed in my opinion will cost more than the value of the bass in its current condition. That's if you want it restored properly and not butchered. Repairs done 'just to get by' will have to be un-done and re-done at a later date and may hurt what ever value it currently has if done poorly.
Ship it to me and we can talk after I have it in my hands to inspect inside and out. The Basses like this with Flatbacks have a lower value than similar vintage Basses with fully carved flame maple backs.
The Tuning gears are nice though! | Ken
speaking of vintage flatbacks, I'd really like to check out your Batchelder in the future. When I start looking for a new bass (not for a while) i'm going straight for that batchelder! Please keep it around for me! its gooorgeous! :drools:
excuse me for the derail, but i've been looking at that bass every day... finals week has made me delirious! |
12-19-2007, 02:51 PM
| | | | I am an antiques dealer/collector and picked this up the day before my initial post. This is not my usual type of item. Damage and bad repairs are obvious (screw through neck and fingerboard...ouch). As stated, there is local interest from hotrod guys in this. Shipping I am sure is extremely costly. I really cannot afford to sink anymore money into this. Of course making money is a part of my business but being a 3rd generation lifelong dealer, I also want special things to end up in the right hands for future preservation. My questions were geared towards: Is this special: worthy of restoration by someone perhaps, or now killed by past abuse and just a $600 garage band piece? Thanks |
12-19-2007, 02:51 PM
| | Banned
Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd. | | Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Perkasie, PA USA | |  My Batchelder?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin Hsieh Ken
speaking of vintage flatbacks, I'd really like to check out your Batchelder in the future. When I start looking for a new bass (not for a while) i'm going straight for that batchelder! Please keep it around for me! its gooorgeous! :drools:
excuse me for the derail, but i've been looking at that bass every day... finals week has made me delirious! | Ok.. but,, 'first come first serve'.. Arnold has it at the moment. |
12-19-2007, 02:56 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City area | | Ken's advice is sound (for all I know, which isn't much ). The bass needs to be taken to a a luthier in your area for an evaluation. Sure, the repairs might cost several thousand dollars, but the bass just might be worth it. I think it would be a shame to junk it without knowing. It looks like it could be a nice old bass when repaired.
I'm with Willy Wonka on this. This isn't good candidate for a nice paint job.  |
12-19-2007, 03:00 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Austin, Texas | | | it would be almost certain that the hot rod guys will do a dis-service to that bass in the way of physical abuse and absurdly dis-tasteful modifications involving spray paint and old car emblems.
while the bass needs some work i don't think it should be thrown out to the hotrodders. take it to a reputable luthier. |
12-19-2007, 03:09 PM
| | Banned
Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd. | | Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Perkasie, PA USA | |  paint job????
Quote:
Originally Posted by clink Ken's advice is sound (for all I know, which isn't much ). The bass needs to be taken to a a luthier in your area for an evaluation. Sure, the repairs might cost several thousand dollars, but the bass just might be worth it. I think it would be a shame to junk it without knowing. It looks like it could be a nice old bass when repaired.
I'm with Willy Wonka on this. This isn't good candidate for a nice paint job. | Did I hear paint job?? 
If that is even a consideration, sell me the Bass and/or I'll give you something else you can take to HomeDepot.
If you paint this Bass, I'll put out a warrant for you!   |  | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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