whattya think of this bass

schmittuml · #1 09-22-2006, 05:37 PM

http://web.mit.edu/djbroder/www/Bass/

?

5stringDNA · #2 09-22-2006, 06:01 PM

Looks like it has been through a few wars. There is a pretty obvious repair on the left upper bout that required a lot of new wood. Also, the back looks like some of the seems on might be starting to have some trouble. Closer and more detailed pictures would be necessary to asses the quality of the repairs and such, but it looks kinda sketchy.

Ken or Jeff could tell you far more, as they are infinitely more experienced with luthiery and may be able to give you a reasonable value judgement. My best guess would be early to mid Western Europe, but it is just a guess, and a poorly educated one at that, HAH!

Silversorcerer · #3 09-22-2006, 06:13 PM

It looks like it's had some repairs. The edgework and rib patch look OK to me. There was a big ole crack in the top going down to the saddle on the G side. Another one in the top G side bout and several smaller ones. The neck and scroll appear to be in good shape. Someone spent some significant money on the visible repairs, but you never know about things that lurk like rattling braces, cracks reopening, etc.

Visually, I like it, even with all the scars or maybe because of them. It looks like a survivor. Tough to say without a personal inspection whether it's worth $1500. It might need more work even after all the visible repairs. It has outside linings and I'm guessing it's a German factory bass.

toman · #4 09-22-2006, 06:37 PM

Someone obviously liked the bass enough to spend a lot of money on those repairs, so I'd guess it's at least a decent bass, and most any halfway playable BSO is worth $1500. Too bad the varnish touchup doesn't match a little better, the bass is pretty ugly. Kind of in a cool way, though...

Jake deVilliers · #5 09-22-2006, 07:07 PM

I love the patina!

If it were closer I'd go over and play it.

I might end up buying it.

B. Graham · #6 09-22-2006, 07:56 PM

I'd love to find one just like it to fix up (I like fixing things up).

Looks cool to me, but I'm no luthier.

B. Graham · #7 09-22-2006, 08:14 PM

Good points Mr. Smith. Respectfully though, the caliber of basses you deal with and cite are obviously not in the ballpark of this bass.

My judgement of this bass was based on how I value my own time, and my interest in luthiere being that of "learning by doing".

I think it would be a fun bass to extend the life of, but certainly not on par with one of your basses on eBay.