Rough Shape Carved Rauner/Wilfer - Opinions?

[ksig]

Howdy,

First post, moved since I posted it in the wrong place the first time. I've been lurking around for a while and appreciate the wealth of knowledge you all have and share. I wondered if you might give me an opinion on whether this might be worth checking out.

3/4 DOUBLE BASS VIOLIN FIDDLE acoustic NO RESERVE!!! - eBay (item 170624184907 end time Apr-10-11 17:58:57 PDT)

Do you think this bass would be worth checking out and possibly restoring? My wife has family in Bakersfield so I could probably convince her to drive down with me so I could check it out, but it's a pretty long haul from SLC to Bakersfield if it wouldn't be worth the trip. I was hoping to get some opinions on whether a bass like this might be worth getting and restoring. If it is fully carved, could this possibly be a good deal?

Thanks in advance.

Phil

[eh_train]

Hi Ksig

I'd noticed this ad. If I lived anywhere near, I'd be very keen on seeing it. The finish looks like hell in some spots, but there's also a lot that looks undamaged. IF (note, it' a big IF) the finish was the biggest problem, it's a lot of bass for a little money.

One potential concern was in the 5th picture (think it was the 5th), where you can see some misalignment in the upper and lower part of the f hole on the bass side. This might indicate some sinking of the top, which might mean a problem with the bass bar.

If you do go and see it bring a flashlight and a dentist's mirror so that you can check whether the bass bar is securely attached. Better still, of course is to try to go with the owner to have a luthier look at it.

Let us know if you do see it!

Cheers,

Paul (Eh_train)

[Cody Sisk]

I would be sure that the varnish hasn't been stripped and redone at any point. You can usually tell if you know how heavy a bass is supposed to be. If it seems unusually heavy, walk away. This means that it was stripped and a lot of the varnish was carried by chemical deeper in the wood. This will permanently dampen the sound. If you can't tell, a luthier should know if this is the case. I've seen a lot of unfortunate instruments that were haphazardly refinished by an amateur and they are nothing more than firewood.

The usual argument applies here. It's not wise to buy a bass you can't see in-person first. Be cautious.

[Jake deVilliers]

That's definitely the younger brother to my Rauner but its going to need some work! The top varnish has been buggered but the sides and back look like honest wear.

I agree with Paul that something is amiss in bass bar land. I'm willing to bet that its become detached on the lower portion of the top, necessitating removal of the top and a proper repair or replacement.

Bass bar, bridge, dress or replace the fingerboard, replace the missing external linings, sound post, strings, tailpiece, tailpiece wire, repair the top varnish...could be a terrific sounding instrument!

Good hunting!

PS Mine needs a lot of work too!

[ksig]

Thanks for the info guys, I really appreciate it.

I was hoping I might be able to swing down that way this weekend to take a look, but it looks like work won't allow that. There is no way I would pick it up without the chance to look it over first, so if it is still available in a couple of weeks, I may try to get down there to take a gander.

Thanks again.

[ksig]

Well, a few folks bid and someone won this bass. If it was someone on here, I'd love to know what you think of it once you have it.