Flood Bass?

bssist · #1 06-26-2007, 05:53 PM

Can anyone give me some guidance on this one?

I found a used german laminate bass locally for a decent price. I have been told that it is a good bass at a fair price but that many of the basses out of the flood in New Orleans have been getting sold around the country, and that there is a practice of gluing plywood back together to unload these things before they self-destruct. I am aware of how to spot separating laminations and glue that may show in a seam but can anyone give me any further advice for evaluating this bass before sinking my money into it for fear that it may be a time bomb. Also, if it had started coming apart and been glued, how long may it hold before it does come apart?

Thanks for the guidance.

Murph

WillBuckingham · #2 06-26-2007, 06:23 PM

If the bass had actually flooded it would be plainly obvious, as the wood would be black and rotted. If it were left in a hot and and humid environment for a few months like my bass was, then it probably had some open seems (easily repaird) and other typical humidity-caused issues, which besides separated laminates are pretty easily identified and repaired issues. Just take it to a reputable luthier (like you should with any bass) before you buy it.

JimGullen · #3 06-28-2007, 09:14 AM

Greetings!

{gazes off nostalgically into the distance}

I can't really give you any better advice on what to look for.

But, my first bass was a laminate that had been flooded. You could see the "high water" mark just above the bottom of the f-holes. The top had almost completely separated from the ribs...it was held on at the upper right bout only.

The good news is that it cleaned up nicely and I ended up selling it 2 years later for $200 more than I had in it.

This is absolutely one of those times when it was better to be lucky than good. I had no idea what I was getting into, but the bass gods smiled on me that day! :-)

Of course, YMMV!
Best of luck with your decision.

Best regards!

Jim

John Sprague · #4 06-28-2007, 09:36 AM

Bssist, are you saying you know this was in Katrina, or are you just being cautious about any used bass sold today? I'm not hearing of any flooding of the market with Katrina victim basses myself.

Other than that, as said above, if it were flooded you'd likely see some evidence of it.

bssist · #5 06-28-2007, 08:52 PM

Thanks for the insight guys.

The only luthier I know personally is a friend of the family who is two states away. He is who I called about the bass. He told me the likely current fmv of the bass, and he also told me to be warry of basses possibly pulled from abandoned homes after Katrina and superficially repaired in order to be sold. Being new to DB and uneducated on laminates it makes me a little nervous to drop that much $$ on a bass that has the potential to self destruct in a short while. I was not comforted at all by the fact that no one at the shop could tell me ANYTHING about the instrument except that it is a Framus.

I have gone back and looked at the instrument again. I could not see any evidence of recent body repair. I think I saw some dried leaves in the bottom. It does seem to have a new board and bridge. Tomorrow I am going to go back to the shop and talk to the luthier who did the work to it. Then I will probably make an offer. I was told on my last trip that the bass was taken in on trade three weeks ago.

I do have a question for you about the finish. It looks kind of dried out and cracked. Small cracks all over. Is there a way to know other than experience if it is just that the finish dried out or if the plywood was dried out? Either way, since it's not coming apart at the seams can it be rehydrated if it is dried out?

Thanks,

Murph