*PRICE DROP* fully carved 'Johan Rauner' / Wilfer from 1960's in great shape

Norman499 · #1 06-03-2010, 01:51 PM

'Johan Rauner' ¾ size fully carved bass with nicely curved back -- spruce top, lightly flamed maple back and ribs. This is a very nice, full sounding instrument that dates from between the mid-1950's – early 1970’s. There is no date on the label, but I discovered through posts on Talkbass that ‘Johan Rauner’ was a name used by a West Coast US importer of Wilfer basses from the mid-1950's through the early 1970’s. This is essentially the same story as with Juzak basses, which were imported to the East Coast of the US under that name by a different importer, but made in Wilfer’s shop as well. The label reads:

Johan Rauner
Bassemacher
Bei: Nuremberg Germany
No: 169

This instrument was fully restored at the Acoustic Bass Shop in San Francisco in late summer of 2008, (nearly $2000 worth of work), and is in excellent playing condition and professionally set up. It has that warm, even sound you would expect from a good Wilfer of that period, and is a great jazz or mid-level orchestral instrument. This instrument plays very evenly throughout its range, with no wolfe notes or problem areas. If you are looking for a darker, thicker sounding bass reminiscent of Paul Chambers or Oscar Pettiford, you should definitely check this instrument out.

Fully carved Juzak’s and Wilfer’s of this period, in this condition, routinely sell for between $6000 - $8,000; and the least expensive fully carved new Wilfer currently goes for around $7000 – for an instrument that is not broken in, and will not mature for another few decades. This is a great example of a mature Wilfer, newly restored and set up with new adjustable bridge, new Spirocore strings, Fishman pick-up, and canvas gig-bag for only $4750!!! No bow is included.

Dimensions are:

41 5/8” string length
19 3/8” width @ upper bout
25 5/8” width @ lower bout
8 1/2” depth @ ribs (curved back and front – so deeper @ center)
43 1/2” body length
71 1/2” overall length (excluding end-pin)

i am in San Francisco, and have a studio where you can audition the instrument, including making a recording of it for you to take home and consider.

Jake deVilliers · #2 06-04-2010, 09:27 AM

Nice looking bass! I have a Rauner No. 171 with violin corners from the early fifties and its a really full sounding bass - somebody's going to be very happy.

Eric Hochberg · #3 06-04-2010, 01:09 PM

Nice to see your bass. My Juzek labeled bass (1956) never had the look of a Juzek to me, but it looks a lot like yours, especially around the button area. I think this is a bargain price for this bass if it has the sound.

Norman499 · #4 07-16-2010, 02:45 PM

i'm sort of surprised there hasn't been more interest in this bass, or other good ones in this forum. is it priced too high for the economic climate? i'm wondering if anyone has any feedback about current pricing for instruments like this, and what other places i might post to?

Will Yager · #5 08-07-2010, 12:52 PM

I'd love to check it out if you were closer!

Eric Hochberg · #6 08-08-2010, 09:36 AM

I think you'll have more luck putting it on consignment at a good shop and will probably get more money than you're asking here, even after the 15-20% commission.

**Francois Blais** · #7 08-08-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

I think you'll have more luck putting it on consignment at a good shop and will probably get more money than you're asking here, even after the 15-20% commission.

Be advised that won't be able to advertise it anymore on Talkbass if it's on consignment though. (per the rules)

**Francois Blais** · #8 10-02-2010, 01:49 PM

Sold yet?

**Francois Blais** · #9 10-07-2010, 08:15 AM

Seller didn't come back since mid-july so closing this now.