Some may have read my other thread, "Does it have to be so difficult?". I went to see that bass today, and passed on it. It was a Gewa, not a bad looking bass. It had a chamfered fingerboard (strike one), the fingerboard and tailpiece did not appear to be ebony, but rather "ebonized" hardwood of some sort (strike two). I slid the treble side of the bridge back down to where it should be (it was about 1" too high) and it lined up well with the soundpost. I carefully inspected the seams, especially the joint between the top/back and ribs. I noticed what appeared to be glue along the back/rib joint on the treble side ... from halfway down the upper bout, and continuing down past the C-bout. A rub with my fingers showed it to be flaking finish (looked like a nitrocellulose laquer to me). Under the flaking I saw the cause ... a separation of the back and ribs, a
very fine line (a fraction of a millimeter, but there nontheless). STRIKE THREE.
It did have decent "action", an adjustable bridge that appeared to be in good shape, a K&K piezo pickup and was in otherwise new-appearing condition. I just couldn't plunk down a grand on something that might make me remorseful a year down the road.
The search will continue! (ad infinitum?)
Thank you all for your patient interest and advice!
