What kind of bass is this?

[Will Kelly]

This bass has been in my family since the 1960's, when my dad retrieved it from the middle school he taught at. He thinks it had been there since the school opened (1920's). It was in pieces at the time and was rebuilt.

It was rebuilt again by Robertson and Sons in 2003 and has been sounding great ever since. We have no clue what it is, except that it might be some sort of german or czech workshop bass.

Double bass gurus, have you anything to say about this old little bass?

Thanks!

[Will Kelly]

Heres the headstock. I have better (larger and more clear) photos if those might help in IDing this guy.

[drurb]

That's the scroll and pegbox. No "headstock" on a DB.
Robertson's might have repair records. Have you asked?

[Will Kelly]

[Will Kelly]

Actually, no I forgot to ask them about its lineage. I don't think they were sure, to be honest.

I do remember that the guy that rebuilt it at Robertsons said he used to play bass with Buddy Rich (if I am remembering correctly) and he tried very hard to buy it from me once he was done repairing it. So did a member of the San Antonio symphony. It is definitely a good player.

I have not seen another bass with tuners like the ones on this bass.

I am probably using the wrong terminology, but this bass is an F# bass, meaning when I put my thumb over the shoulder, it rests on F# on the g string. Don't know if that means anything.

[uprightben]

When we describe where the neck meets the body, we usually talk about the note directly across from where the neck curves into the heel on the g string. Usually it is either D or Eb.

I don't think you will be able to get any more info than what you already know, pre-wwII german/chez bass is about as close as a person can get by just looking at it. The school your dad got the bass from might keep archives of thier records, you might be able to find where they bought it from, which might help you track down a specific origin.

Very nice looking bass, btw, sounds like you've got a gem.