3F0EEF4E-3331-402B-B1EC-72AF3CA0F8E6.jpeg

For sale Rare American Standard

Closed
$4,800.00
Strings
4
Status
This ad has been closed.

Details

*Price Reduction*

Extremely Rare American Standard in very good condition. It’s a shame to let this one go but I bought too many basses last year and I need to clear space and refill my bank account!

This bass sounds and plays beautifully. It has a clear, focused sound. Each note seems to spring right off the fingerboard. It’s really a joy to play. Perfectly set up for bluegrass, strung with D’Addario Zyex strings, which can be changed out for spirocore weichs or Evah pirazzi strings if you prefer.

Setup and sound assets aside, this is a rare instrument, a real collectors item in that it has a pre-war body and a 1955 serial number (1858), suggesting it was begun before the war, shelved in the interim, then completed when H.N. White Co. resumed production of their upright basses.

As you can see it is a beautiful instrument. It has a commanding presence, both on stage and off stage. Yet it is surprisingly lightweight and easy to move.

The Fishman Full Circle pickup is included.
  • 3F0EEF4E-3331-402B-B1EC-72AF3CA0F8E6.jpeg
    3F0EEF4E-3331-402B-B1EC-72AF3CA0F8E6.jpeg
    778.5 KB · Views: 674
  • 2C89C51B-5DBD-4354-9542-DE62330D0A4C.jpeg
    2C89C51B-5DBD-4354-9542-DE62330D0A4C.jpeg
    743 KB · Views: 518
  • BA7BD5D9-D120-4E52-B4A6-B688A71D078C.jpeg
    BA7BD5D9-D120-4E52-B4A6-B688A71D078C.jpeg
    623.4 KB · Views: 494
  • 72214A75-4D83-4433-8E7D-9CFAABFAFFCE.jpeg
    72214A75-4D83-4433-8E7D-9CFAABFAFFCE.jpeg
    941 KB · Views: 492
  • DF9260D8-4A8F-4975-9FF2-03330D436105.jpeg
    DF9260D8-4A8F-4975-9FF2-03330D436105.jpeg
    828.6 KB · Views: 528
  • 54E1BE3D-0AF8-45AF-91D3-E50B3D09AB0E.jpeg
    54E1BE3D-0AF8-45AF-91D3-E50B3D09AB0E.jpeg
    823.3 KB · Views: 507
  • AFE28D81-99A1-4B40-A10A-B63A039684A2.jpeg
    AFE28D81-99A1-4B40-A10A-B63A039684A2.jpeg
    875 KB · Views: 505

Comments

May 1, 2018
14
10
Yeah. I love mine. It has an old school vibe about it, very resonant, plush.

ecacty! It fills the room with ease, and it’s super responsive.

I believe it is a prewar body because, as I understand it, they were not putting a lining on the ribs (i.e. Kay basses) until after the war. This bass has more body than a Kay, it takes up more space, but it is surprisingly lightweight.
 

as606

Supporting Member
Jan 25, 2014
26
76
Kentucky
Great Bass, I’m my opinion this was destined to be a “Cut Label” American Standard. That would explain the lighter weight to the body, no “American Standard” stamp in the pinstripe area on the top of the back below the neck heel area. Also no outside rib linings, as you mentioned, to my knowledge cut labels are right before the War, 1940-1941. That’s simply from what I’ve gathered from mine and from a good friend that owns one. Nothing like a American Standard for sure.
 
Last edited:

james condino

Spruce dork
Commercial User
Sep 30, 2007
5,443
13,472
asheville, nc
www.condino.com
My primary is a 1940, no cut label, outer linings (41 1/2"scale, D heel, new Condino neck!). Absolutely KILLER bass- I took it out for two rehearsals and then literally went home and sold all 4 other basses I owned that had been my go to instruments for the last ten years!

I also have a 1938 that has the full label + outside linings (...currently disassembled). Either way, the small print is irrelevant. They are fantastic basses in all forms- the apex of 20th century US factory ply production basses.
 
Last edited:
May 1, 2018
14
10
You guys are really selling me on biting the bullet and keeping her, just in case!
Somebody buy quick! Before my credit card company calls, lol!
 
May 1, 2018
14
10
It is indeed a cut-label. This is a new term to me! Is there more to learn about that? If production only lasted a year, this would be that much more of a rare find, and the ‘55 serial number makes this bass a true anomaly. No?
 

Attachments

  • 31231043-929B-4036-BA2B-CF518DB2904F.jpeg
    31231043-929B-4036-BA2B-CF518DB2904F.jpeg
    837.2 KB · Views: 379

as606

Supporting Member
Jan 25, 2014
26
76
Kentucky
This is purely my opinion from the information I’ve gathered. I know that a cut label in the mid 400 number range has a paper sticker in it that states it was bought new for a School/College in the fall of 1941. I believe they were made for a larger musical supply company and sold simply as a plywood bass. Its possible that cost were cut a little in areas like the rib binding and thinner, smaller necks, to save time and some money. These bases to seem to be more light in weight and a little more resonate to my hearing. That would explain the labels being cut and no stamp on the upper back, or anything stating H.N White Company, or American Standard on these Basses. I speculate that they were in the same years. This is my simply opinion. It’s possible that a body was left over and used later on. It’s the first one Ive saw with a cut label and 4 digit serial number. Either way, it’s a very good bass.
 
Last edited:

The Growl Owl

Supporting Member
Apr 9, 2019
29
16
Boston
Hi Guys, #410 recently came into my possession and am completely smitten with it. Matt, your description of notes 'springing off the fingerboard' is the best description I've heard about how this bass projects a stopped note. I've been trying to describe this as I've gotten used to the sound of this instrument, and you nailed it. Good stuff!
 
Jan 3, 2001
3,836
5,202
Brooklyn, NY
jasonsypher.com
Hi Guys, #410 recently came into my possession and am completely smitten with it. Matt, your description of notes 'springing off the fingerboard' is the best description I've heard about how this bass projects a stopped note. I've been trying to describe this as I've gotten used to the sound of this instrument, and you nailed it. Good stuff!

no pics, no bass
 

The Growl Owl

Supporting Member
Apr 9, 2019
29
16
Boston
no pics, no bass
That is fair. I've owned it about a year. Here's a pic. It's been updated over the years. New neck and ebony fingerboard with updated overstand, someone refinished it along the way. I'm also told it blew apart after it was 'left it in the car.' lol. 42" string length. Spiro Weich EAD and an Obligato G. Playing great now!
IMG_0996.jpg
 

The Growl Owl

Supporting Member
Apr 9, 2019
29
16
Boston
Beautiful. Get rid of that Obligato and you'll have a pro instrument there! :cool:
Ha! It came with Obligatos. I put all spiro wiechs on it but realized I couldn't cope with the 'pew pew pew' of the Weich G string (partic when amplified) so I went back to the Obligato. :)
 

Classified ad information

Posted by
Matt Quinones
Feedback score
+0 /0 /-0
Category
For Sale: Double Basses
Views
5,090