For Sale: Czech/Bohemian Bass

Matt Weiner · #1 05-16-2009, 05:01 PM

Czech/Bohemain carved bass. Flatback. Approx 100 yrs old (according to extremely unofficial quick look at Hammond-Ashley).

It belonged to a recently deceased orchestral bass player in Seattle for many years.

Sold by Hammond-Ashley to student in Bellevue, WA. Then swooped up by me in a yard sale (no joke, it was a big yard).

Inside in pencil, it is written "Repaired 1935 by Joe Epler, Seattle, WA. 5016 51 SW." That's right near me, funny enough.

It has metal somewhere in the neck joint where it was repaired, and all the usual cracks, but expert repairs throughout.

I have no recordings of this bass available (listen for it on Barton Carroll's new CD out soon). It rarely left my practice room, but it had the benefit of daily arco playing and practicing.

Come to Seattle and play it. I can drive it to selected PacNW destinations. If shipped, seller pays shipping, and I ship through Hammond Ashley.

$5500.

Please email me at mattiejw(at)earthlink(dot)net if interested.

Matt Weiner · #2 05-16-2009, 07:57 PM

I meant to say:

I will bring the bass to Hammond-Ashley, the bass shop in Issaquah, WA, and they will ship the bass for me. I can't be sure, but it usually costs just under $300.

Sorry for the confusion.

glenfong · #3 05-17-2009, 01:27 AM

String length?

Matt Weiner · #4 05-17-2009, 11:13 AM

42", maybe just shy of that, depending on which string I measure, and where I place the tape measure.

kittyboy · #5 05-18-2009, 12:25 PM

I'd like to come by and see it next week when I'm in town, if it's still available.

More pics would be helpful.

Bass bar or soundpost cracks?

Matt Weiner · #6 05-18-2009, 09:36 PM

Aside from the usual fender benders, there's a crack down the bass bar, but the Hammond-Ashley folks were not the least bit disturbed by it when I brought the bass in to them before I bought it, which was summer 2007.

Kittyboy, you have a PM.

kittyboy · #7 07-08-2009, 02:10 PM

Could you please provide more details of the health of the bass? Thanks.

Matt Weiner · #8 07-08-2009, 05:14 PM

I hope this helps:

This is an old bass with all the usual old bass things. None of the things I'm going to list has happened in the 2 years I've owned this bass, and since I know that the bass probably didn't leave the house of the previous owner (because they would have taken the bass to Hammond-Ashley for repairs) it probably didn't happen in the 3 years before that.

The neck fell off or at least was busted loose at one point. A magnet reveals that there is some kind of metal in the base of the neck holding it together. You can see the crack in the base of the neck where it happened.

THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL OPINION OF HAMMOND ASHLEY, JUST WHAT I REMEMBER THEM TELLING ME: but they looked it over when I took the bass to them before I bought it and said that the neck repair looked fine.

There is a "crackish" looking line running along the bass bar. Again, THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL OPINION OF HAMMOND ASHLEY, JUST WHAT I REMEMBER THEM TELLING ME, but they looked at that and looked at the bass bar from inside and said it was just fine.

On the sides there are a few places where the bass was rammed into something during transit, Again THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL OPINION OF HAMMOND ASHLEY, JUST WHAT I REMEMBER THEM TELLING ME, they said big deal, what old bass doesn't have those.

Occasionally, when the weather changes, there are the usual buzzes and stuff, like an old bass would have.

It is missing one ebony bumper. When I brought the bass in I asked about putting a matching bumper on, but they told me to wait to see if I liked the bass. I never got around to having them make the bumper. Funny, the bass still sounds great.

You can see from the photo that the tailpiece is a little, oh, rugged looking. I mentioned this to the H-A guys and they said (YES, INSERT DISCLAIMER HERE) that if I liked the way the bass sounded, maybe I should leave the tailpiece, a new fancy one wouldn't necessarily improve it. I did that.

In general, the guys at Hammond-Ashley said, UNOFFICIALLY, that the bass was in perfectly good condition for its age and type and probably hadn't been played much since someone bought it from them a few years back. I was trying to give them some business, and they just sent me home and said "play that thing."

The only reason for the disclaimers on the Hammond Ashley opinions is because they did not do an official appraisal on the bass, so I don't want to hold them responsible for those things I remember them saying. Just trying to be fair. But, they did say those things.

As with any bass, you should come play it. Its beautiful to look at and beautiful to play and hear, and I fell in love the moment I played it. Please spend some time at my place with this old buddy, you will fall in love as well. This is not a project, its a players bass, and its ready to play.

And, I'll make you an espresso.

norwoj · #9 12-04-2009, 01:13 AM

this IS an official opinion of jeff norwood: I like this bass.

Matt has been kind enough to loan it to me while mine is in the shop, and after a couple of weeks me and this bass have become good friends. It reminds me of my cat harvey: torn ears, missing teeth, but a lot of personality and a loud meow. It is small and easy to get around on but has a full pizz sound and a decent bow response. As a jazz bass it works great. Fat bottom, lots of throw and presence without having to dig in too hard. Could be a bit more articulate for soloing but lays down a nice walking line, which is really what we're supposed to be doing anyway. I think with a few minor adjustments, maybe a new bridge, it would be a good little solo or chamber bass, too. Matt has already mentioned the "crackish" things and rugged quality but it all seems solid to me. of course, I aint no hammond ashley! If you've got 10 or 15 grand ok, but for 6g this is a great deal! Come check it out. Matt makes a great cup of coffee, too.

Matt Weiner · #10 12-06-2009, 01:02 PM

Thanks for chiming in about the Ol' Czechy. Your comments are appreciated. Now bring it home to daddy, please.

Matt Weiner · #11 12-29-2009, 06:21 PM

Still for sale. Although Jeff Norwood pointed out of few things to me.

The tuners could use some work. They are old wood tuners, and they work fine, but there are a few screws that might need replacing.

New nut is definitely in order. There's a chip I never noticed.

$5500 or make an offer.

Matt Weiner · #12 08-29-2010, 10:01 AM

Still for sale.

And hey, by the way if you can find "Shadowman" by Barton Carroll (www.bartoncarroll.com) from the "Together You and I" CD on the internet somewhere, you can hear this bass bowed with all unwrapped guts on it. Sounds pretty killer. Oh, and I doubled the part on the recording as well, for additional killerishness.

Right now, I have some steel strings on the bass for folks who have been coming over to try it out. Wow, nice and easy on your bow. Now I see why people like these steel strings.

Matt Weiner · #13 01-09-2011, 01:17 PM

Bumping in the new year.