Worth a bid?

[Tony F]

Hi, I thought I'd make my first post on this forum by asking some advice...

I've played double bass for twenty years or so in England, and when I relocated to the US my bass was *destroyed* by the shipping company. Under-insured, naturally...

So, I've been looking around for a relatively inexpensive replacement, and I saw this - http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Kaye-Upr...QQcmdZViewItem
Obviously it needs quite a bit of work, but I've got a good luthier in town.

Looks to me like we're going to need a new fingerboard, an adjustable bridge, some reasonable strings, and to do some significant surgery to the neck and the bottom end.

So, accepting that we've got some spending to do to make the bass playable, how much would you folks be prepared to pay for this bass? Right now I'm hoping to get something solid and playable for a total investment of $1000 to $1500.

Thanks in advance

Tony

[Jake deVilliers]

Hi Tony.
The serial number makes it a 1966.

You might ask your luthier how much he wants to fix it first.

If you do buy it, I would be interested in buying the fingerboard.

Seeya, Jake

[Tony F]

Hi Jake

Thanks for your reply with the date info... "1040's Kaye" eh?

I've just got off the phone with my luthier, and obviously he's not going to commit to a price without handling the instrument. He did confirm that he'd probably have to take the top off the bass to make good those repairs to the lower bout, but so far the figures he's quoting are quite favorable to the limited budget.

Do you think that fingerboard is worth anything then? I just assumed it was as shot as the rest of the neck, and a new fingerboard was as essential as a new bridge.

Thanks,

Tony

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Tony F

Hi, I thought I'd make my first post on this forum by asking some advice...

I've played double bass for twenty years or so in England, and when I relocated to the US my bass was *destroyed* by the shipping company. Under-insured, naturally...

So, I've been looking around for a relatively inexpensive replacement, and I saw this - http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Kaye-Upr...QQcmdZViewItem
Obviously it needs quite a bit of work, but I've got a good luthier in town.

Looks to me like we're going to need a new fingerboard, an adjustable bridge, some reasonable strings, and to do some significant surgery to the neck and the bottom end.

So, accepting that we've got some spending to do to make the bass playable, how much would you folks be prepared to pay for this bass? Right now I'm hoping to get something solid and playable for a total investment of $1000 to $1500.

Thanks in advance

Tony

Okay, suppose your total investment were $1500. For that, you'd have a repaired Kay which, in my opinion, would be an instrument substantially inferior to some new ply basses that you can buy for the same price or not very much more.

[TheSuzie]

You could grab an Englehardt that is a few years old and at least decently playable from day 1 for 600-800 and have plenty of money left over for a fingerboard, bridge, strings etc if you decide to do them. You will have a very similar bass - actually pretty much the same except for age and looks.

If I wanted an old Kay, I would think about starting with one in better shape. Also luthier bills have a way of growing. It always costs more than you expect.

I did spend a few bucks to repair my 1/4 Kay but the neck was and still is original and perfect and it was playable when I bought it so I knew a little of what I was getting.

Just my two cents.

Peace,
S

[nicklloyd]

I wouldn't purchase a bass with a neck crack like that... unless it was under $400...

[TheSuzie]

Actually if you are looking to pick up a decent bass cheap, I would have a look at these.

http://bassesonline.com/eberlebass.html

Peace,
S

[Don Higdon]

Buying this is not far from buying a soundpost and asking a luthier to make a bass to go around it.
Look elsewhere.

[Tony F]

Thanks to all for their words and advice. I did consider putting a bid in while it was still at a very low price.... But I was surprised to see it sell at $530!

Someone, somewhere, has got a lot of work to do!

Cheers,

Tony

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by Tony F

Thanks to all for their words and advice. I did consider putting a bid in while it was still at a very low price.... But I was surprised to see it sell at $530!

Someone, somewhere, has got a lot of work to do!

Cheers,

Tony

Or rather - people will buy anything on eBay - they get sucked in by the mystique and thinking they must have got a bargain....

[Don Higdon]

Someone wasted $529.95

[robobass]

As someone here recently mentioned, Kays are terribly overvalued. Personally, I wouldn't allow a bass like that into my home, repaired or otherwise, but I bet a dealer/luthier could turn a nice profit with this instrument.
Robobass