Late 1800's Early 1900's German Bass *PRICE DROP*

[atlantg]

I'm selling the German bass I listed on the forum yesterday. I'm not a bass player so I really didn't know what I had. I have been told that it would need some repairs based on these pictures, but most of those repairs may just be preference as the bass looks and sounds nice to me, but I am not a professional bass player or Luthier. If you're serious, I can meet you and you can play it to see if it's right for you. Here are the photos. Upright Bass - a set on Flickr

I thought it was beautiful which is why I bought it, but I don't have the space for it.

Asking $5500 or best offer
**SEE NEW PRICE $2,900 AND INFO BELOW**
Location: Atlanta, GA
Call or text 770 866 6307

[mlz77096]

Could you give the measurements. Most important for me is going to be the distance from the nut to the bridge. My current bass has a shorter than average string length and I don't think my hands will handle anything too much longer. Thanks.

[atlantg]

I have never measured a bass before, so bear with me. For the scale length, I measured from the bottom of the nut to the bridge. Measurements are as follows...

Full height: 68"
Upper bout: 19.5"
Lower bout: 24"
Body length: 40.5"
Rib depth upper bout: 7.5"
Rib depth lower bout: 7.75"
Scale length: 38.5"

Hope this helps. Thanks for your interest.

[atlantg]

Thanks for the messages and texts. I am just asking $6500, but I am open to looking at any offers. I'm in Atlanta, so if you want to come play it, give me a call.

[mlz77096]

For the string length, measure along one of the strings from the nut to the top of the bridge. This measurement tells a bass player how much space there will be between the notes. Basses generally run from 40" - 43". If that is what you did and got 38+, that is one of the shortest I've seen for a 3/4 bass. Hopefully someone will comment on the size bass on the info you gave.

[atlantg]

I saw a couple on Nahrmann Bass that had a mensure of 38.5" or 98cm and they were calling it a 5/8 bass. Hopefully someone here can comment because I honestly don't know how sizing is figured on basses.

[Eric Hochberg]

There are no standard sizing rules per se. Your bass is small and you could call it 1/2 or 5/8 to give a general idea. 40" is a short body length, the string length is very short, and 24" lower bout is on the small side. Unless your bass sounds amazing and is in great shape (I see cracks, are they open?), or is a pedigree instrument, your price is unrealistic, IMO.

[atlantg]

Thanks for the info Eric. There is a crack you can see at the bottom with the grain in the pics. It isn't open at all. I thought it ads character with it's age, but someone looking to play it professionally may want to work on it. It plays and sounds good to my ear, but if someone is interested, I'd suggest just taking a look at it in person.

I had to put a price so it is not deleted from the forum. I'm a business man, if somebody likes what they see and really wants it, they'll offer me what they'd be willing to pay for it and I may accept.

I think it's beautiful, but to me it's a big piece of furniture that I don't really have space for.

[mlz77096]

It is a beautiful instrument. If it were a 3/4, I'd consider driving up to see it. Basses do take up space, but when you have the space, I think they add to the decor of the room.

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Originally Posted by mlz77096

Basses do take up space, but when you have the space, I think they add to the decor of the room.

Agreed wholeheartedly, but of course, we're bassists.

[atlantg]

In my case, if it doesn't hang on the wall or fit inside a display, it is vulnerable to greasy kid fingers or god knows whatever else they may be walking around with at the time. Kids...

[mdcbass]

I think the best thing for you as seller and for us curious bass players, would be to have it examined by a good luthier who works on basses all the time. Then, you (we) will find out what it is and what it may need in repairs. It looks like a great bass for someone with smaller hands. It shouldn't take long or cost much if anything and the luthier may help you find the right small hands to put this bass into.

[atlantg]

I'm taking it in to a place later this week. I have sent pictures to half a dozen different people and the answers I got seemed very subjective in terms of repairs. I'm really not interested in spending money to make repairs that may just be for personal preference like neck angle or something. I'll have a luthier look at it, even though it sat in the living room of a luthier, and keep you posted. In the meantime, if you want to make me an offer, call or text me 770 866 6307

[mdcbass]

They have to see it in person, peek inside and play it, too. I understand you want to turn this over quickly. I think that if it sounds good and doesn't need too much work, someone would buy it and pay for the repairs as they want them done. Everybody's happy.

[atlantg]

Price lowered. Asking $5500 or best.

[atlantg]

UPDATE:

I took the bass to a String shop/ Luthier. #1 The neck is not typical for most bass players. It is about 1/4 or more thicker, modified for a player. #2 The neck angle appears that it has been modified for a particular player as well. #3 the bass appears to have been refinished at some point in it's history. #4, the bridge is too high.

There is a crack in the front that does not open up or push in when pressed.

They did confirm that all pieces of the bass are over 100 years old, Germanic, and that it may need work depending on who the player is. It was played and they said it sounded like a bass that had not been played in a very long time.

Considering it may need work, I am going to ask $3750 or best. If I can't sell it, I am going to hold on to it.

[Herbie 80's]

Anything about the size? Is it a 5/8?

After looking at the small shots of the neck, it does look large than normal.

[atlantg]

They said 5/8. And, also that it is pretty heavy compared to others.

[atlantg]

Asking $2900 or best. Comes with soft case and stand, no bow.